8 Maine events this week include ‘The Producers,’ Maine Apple Sunday
Maine's Weekend Lineup: From Broadway Hits to Apple Picking and Beyond
Maine's cultural calendar is packed this weekend, offering everything from a riotous Broadway comedy to the sweet traditions of apple harvest season, all across the state.
In Ogunquit, the curtain is up on a wild theatrical romp at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Based on Mel Brooks' beloved 1968 comedy film, "The Producers" follows the misadventures of theatrical producer Max Bialystock, who schemes to save himself by mounting what he hopes will be the worst musical ever written — a sure-fire flop. Instead, hilarity ensues when his deliberately terrible show, "Springtime for Hitler: A Gay Romp with Adolf and Eva at Berchtesgaden," becomes an unlikely smash hit. Performances continue through September 26, with tickets ranging from $40 to $180. The cast includes Jason Kravits, Stephanie Gibson, and Dan DeLuca.
Music lovers heading into Portland have plenty to choose from. On Thursday evening, the Crewe Center for the Arts at Margaret Griswold-White Performance Hall welcomes audiences to "Bach & The Baroque Imagination," a deep dive into the Baroque era featuring flute player Emi Ferguson, harpsichordist Arthur Haas, cellist Nathan Whittaker, and soprano Emily Donato. The program spans works by Bach, Purcell, Handel, Vivaldi, and Strozzi, and also includes Erik Satie's "Gnossienne No. 5" alongside a fresh reimagining of The Beatles' "Yesterday." Tickets are $58 to $86.
For those interested in Portland's hidden stories, the Maine Historical Society is hosting a Women's History Walking Tour on Friday at 10:30 a.m. Starting at 489 Congress Street, the guided stroll takes participants through downtown to learn about the women who shaped the city decades ago — from factory workers at Curtis and Sons Chewing Gum, B&M Beans, and the Diamond Match Company to employees at canneries, fish packing plants, and clothing and hat factories. The route also covers famous city residents, notable architecture, historic landmarks, and broader social history. Tickets are $15, with a reduced rate of $12 for students ages 6 to 17 and free admission for children 5 and under. Advance registration is required.
This Saturday, the small town of Norway comes alive with its annual Arts Festival. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through downtown, the event draws together art and craft vendors, live demonstrations, keynote speakers, musicians, and local farmers. Live music performances feature GoldenOak, Cilla Bonnie, and Hymn For Her, while food options include Smokin' Dave's Backyard BBQ and Bowliscious food trucks. Additional programming includes a 10 a.m. dance performance by troupe Art Moves at Temple Street Dance Park, a used book sale at the Norway Public Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a Magic the Gathering tournament starting at 1 p.m. at The Dragon's Lair on Main Street.
Sunday kicks off with a celebration of Maine's iconic fall crop. The 26th annual Maine Apple Sunday, presented by the Maine State Pomological Society, welcomes visitors to orchards across the state. The event marks the peak of apple harvest season, when the main crop is ready for its first picking and summer varieties are still available. Activities vary by orchard, with apple picking as the central attraction. A full list of participating orchards can be found at maineapples.org.
Also on Sunday, South Portland's Bug Light Park hosts the inaugural Brass Roots Fest from noon to 7 p.m. Conceived by local musician Marc Chillemi of the band Primo Cubano, the free festival celebrates creativity and community with live music, visual art, food trucks, and family-friendly programming. Performers include Desert Blues, Roots Rhythm & Dub, Raging Brass, and My Guy with Angelikah Fahray, with Ghanaian group Kotoko Brass headlining the event. Their sound blends Ghanaian drumming with Caribbean bass and New Orleans-style horns.
Rockland residents and visitors can catch a screening of the 1981 Oscar-winning drama "Chariots of Fire" at The Strand Theatre on Sunday at 5 p.m. The film, which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture, tells the story of two British runners competing in the 1924 Paris Olympics and features the iconic score by Vangelis. Tickets are $12, with a discounted rate of $9 for seniors and students.
Rounding out the weekend, Portland's Thompson's Point plays host to North Carolina indie rock band Rainbow Kitten Surprise on Sunday at 6 p.m. The group is touring in support of its fifth album, "Bones," and brings with it a massive streaming presence — their track "It's Called Freefall" has surpassed 716 million plays on Spotify. Local opening act Cigarettes @ Sunset will deliver what they describe as "Appalachian possum rock," a fusion of Americana, indie rock, and Appalachian folk. Tickets are $56 in advance or $61 at the door, with free admission for children 3 and under.
