/ 01
Sundays in the Garden
The growing season is still young, and flower and landscaping enthusiasts can seek fresh inspiration on summer Sundays in the expertly maintained gardens of Old York Garden Club members. May 25–July 27. 12 to 4 p.m. $4. oldyorkgardenclub.org
/ 02
Ant Farm: At the Nexus of Art and Science
This immersive, paper-art installation brings visitors inside the surreal world of leafcutter ants. Through June 6. Free. Atrium Gallery, Lewiston–Auburn College, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston. 207-753-6554. usm.maine.edu/atriumgallery
/ 03
John Laurent
A founder of the Ogunquit art colonies, Laurent earned acclaim for paintings of landscapes and seascapes, and this retrospective exhibition includes those pieces alongside early works on paper and canvas. May 1–June 22. $10. Ogunquit Museum of American Art, 543 Shore Rd., Ogunquit. 207-646-4909. ogunquitmuseum.org
/ 04
West Side Trail
In honor of National Running Day, head out for a jog along the brand-new sections of Yarmouth’s West Side Trail system, now encompassing five wooded, looping miles of dirt paths between Route 1 and the Cousins Island Bridge. Access via the Fels-Grove Farm Preserve, Gilman Rd. 207-847-9399. rrct.org
/ 05
Daniel Jones: Love Illuminated
The editor of the New York Times “Modern Love” column reads from his new book, Love Illuminated: Exploring Life’s Most Mystifying Subject (with the Help of 50,000 Strangers). A few insights:
On love at first sight: “There seem to be . . . two kinds of love — the kind you can’t deny and the kind you eventually come around to.”
On commitment: “Once you commit and head down this road, you will inevitably start spending less time in the ‘tiki bar’ phase of your relationship . . . and more in the ‘fluorescently lit classroom’ phase of hard desks, steel chairs, and number 2 pencils.”
On discovering love’s chemical/neurological roots: “I can already imagine the scene: those same scientists in their goggles and jumpsuits looking grimly down upon love’s cold carcass . . .”
7 p.m. $8. SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland. 207-828-5600. space538.org
/ 06
Dave Matthews Band
Kick off the summer concert season with an acoustic and an electric set from the mildly crunchy college rockers. Gates open 6 p.m. $40–$75. Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, 1 Railroad St., Bangor. 800-745-3000. waterfrontconcerts.com
/ 07
Maine Fiber Frolic
Crafty types (and wannabes) enjoy demonstrations of spinning, lace making, weaving, doll making, and rug hooking. The rest of us just pet soft alpacas and Angora rabbits. Through June 8. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $2–$5. Windsor Fairgrounds, Rte. 32. 207-832-5162. fiberfrolic.com
/ 08
Old Port Festival
A parade of gargantuan puppets kicks off Portland’s classic summer throwdown. Come for multiple stages of bands, a Maine-made craft fair, and a small army of food vendors. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Portland. 207-772-6828. portlandmaine.com
/ 09
Debsconeag Ice Caves
An easy, two-mile round-trip hike in the Nature Conservancy’s underappreciated Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area, south of Baxter State Park. After a short trek through the woods, beat the heat by descending iron rungs into a cool, glittery grotto that keeps its ice as late as August. Hurd Pond Trailhead, 18 miles west of Millinocket. nature.org
/ 10
Portland Greendrinks
Portland’s friendliest pop-up happy hour goes down every second Tuesday at a rotating slate of venues, where environmentally minded folks gather to drink and mingle. Check the website for this month’s location (and bring your own drinking vessel). 5:30 to 8 p.m. $5–$10. portlandgreendrinks.com
/ 11
The Life of a Plant: An Introduction to Botany
Don’t neglect your education just because school’s out. This three-day class at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens blends field walks and seminars with a veteran botanist to reveal the life cycle of a plant. Through June 13. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $150–$180. 132 Botanical Gardens Dr., Boothbay. 207-633-4333. mainegardens.org[/column] [column]
/ 12
Grey Gardens
Mad Horse Theatre Company presents the first Broadway musical adapted from a documentary, the Tony-winning story of Jackie Kennedy’s socialite-turned-hermit cousins. May 29–June 22. 7:30 p.m. $20. The Hutchins School, 24 Mosher St., South Portland. 207-747-4148. madhorse.com
/ 13
Trek Across Maine
The 30th anniversary of the American Lung Association’s classic Maine cycling tour draws hardcore gearheads and casual bikers for a three-day ride from the mountains to the sea. Through June 15. Starting line at Sunday River, Newry. 207-624-0312. action.lung.org
/ 14
Hot Rods, Customs & Antique Aeroplane Show
Admire (and even ride in) muscle cars and hot rods from the Model T era through the Mister T era. Through June 15. Owls Head Transportation Museum, Rte. 73, Owls Head. 207-594-4418. ohtm.org
/ 15
Bay of Fundy International Marathon
Run for the border. The only marathon on the East Coast that takes you through the United States and Canada has a low-key vibe, shows off northern coastline, and takes runners past the postcard-perfect East Quoddy Lighthouse. There’s a 10K, too. 7 a.m. $30–$100. Quoddy Head State Park, 973 South Lubec Rd., Lubec. 207-619-1887. bayoffundymarathon.com
/ 16
One-Man Star Wars Trilogy
Luke, I am your father. I am also your sister, your friend Han Solo, a bunch of Ewoks, etc. The classic sci-fi series condensed into 60 (funny) minutes. 7:30 p.m. $20–$40. Pickard Theater at Bowdoin College, 22 Elm St., Brunswick. 207-725-8769. msmt.org
/ 17
Portland Symphony Orchestra: An American in Paris
A program of Gershwin, Saint-Saëns, and Ravel includes a guest performance by world-renowned French pianist Pascal Rogé. 7:30 p.m. $31–$81. Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland. 207-842-0800. portlandsymphony.org
/ 18
Untamed New England Expedition Race: 100-Mile Wilderness Edition
Outdoor zealots will hike, mountain bike, canoe, and whitewater raft their way through a series of backwoods checkpoints in this four-day adventure race — and spectators can try a short section of the course in Greenville on the 20th and 21st. We talked to race director Grant Killian about bringing the 8-year-old expedition race back to Maine.
Who signs up for four days of backcountry racing?
Somebody looking for an authentic outdoor adventure, who wants a little more than a one-day mud run. Maybe 1 percent of the population has this wanderlust.
Why the 100-Mile Wilderness?
We look for these big stretches of relatively unspoiled wilderness. Around here, you’ve got big mountains with windswept summits, dense forests, and waterways that connect things so intricately, it makes for fun, strategic race courses.
And the rest of us can try a miniature sample course in Greenville?
Yeah, it’s one thing to watch a race, but when you’re just given a map with some locations on it, people say, “Wait a second, that’s all I’ve got?” It’s fun, because you’ll be on the same course as some of these elite teams, who’ll be coming through at about the same time.
June 17–22. Pre-race expo and starting line, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Northern Outdoors, 1771 US Rte. 201, The Forks. Weekend sample course in Greenville. Free. 877-486-8263. untamedne.com
/ 19
Willie Nelson & Family and Alison Krauss & Union Station
The red-headed stranger joins the golden-throated bluegrass chanteuse, with special guest Kacey Musgraves, whose Same Trailer, Different Park made pretty much every critic’s Best of 2013 list. Gates open 6 p.m. $22–$82. Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, 1 Railroad St., Bangor. 800-745-3000. waterfrontconcerts.com
/ 20
Maine Craft Distilling Tasting Club
You don’t actually have to join anything, but there definitely is a clubby vibe among the Friday afternoon crowd that gathers for “mini-tails” made with small-batch spirits at this Bayside micro-distillery. A sample of summertime offerings:
Starry Night
1½ oz Blueshine (MCD’s blueberry moonshine)
1 oz pomegranate juice
½ oz poney simple syrup
1 oz Prosecco
2 raspberries
2 mint leaves
1. Muddle a raspberry and leaf of mint in a shaker
2. Add ice, Blueshine, pomegranate juice, and syrup and shake vigorously
3. Strain into a martini glass, float the Prosecco on top
4. Garnish with raspberry and mint
Bee Sting
1½ oz MCD’s Black Cap Vodka
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 oz honey simple syrup
1 mint leaf
1. Muddle mint leaf in bottom of shaker
2. Pour Black Cap into shaker with ice
3. Add honey, lemon juice, and simple syrup
4. Shake and strain into martini glass
Fridays, 4 to 5:30 p.m. $3 “mini-tails.” 101 Fox St., Portland. 207-798-2528. mainecraftdistilling.com
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Pirate Rendezvous
When an immense galleon sails up the Damariscotta River, flying the Jolly Roger, it’s up to the costume-clad townsfolk to fend off cannon-wielding buccaneers. With some help from the kids, of course. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (pirate ship docks at noon). Downtown Damariscotta and Newcastle. 207-380-9912. piraterendezvous.com
/ 22
Swedish Colony Midsommar Fest
The kind of pole-dancing you can take your kids to! Celebrate Maine’s historic Swedish colony with a maypole, Scandinavian food and music, flower-gathering excursions, and a round of Viking lawn bowling. June 20–23. New Sweden. 207-896-5200. maineswedishcolony.info
/ 23
Wabanaki Trail West Branch Expedition
Camp Forest’s four-day family canoe trip explores Henry David Thoreau’s 1853 route through Maine. June 23–27. $600. Meet at 84 Payson Rd., Brooks. 207-722-3708. campforestmaine.com
/ 24
PortFringe
Portland’s alternative performance festival continues to grow, with two new venues and just over 100 plays, monologues, dance performances, comedy acts, and puppet shows, all clocking in at an hour or less. Through June 29. Performances take place at Geno’s Rock Club, SPACE Gallery, Empire, Mayo Street Arts, and the Portland Stage Company’s Studio Theater and Storefront. Portland. portfringe.com
/ 25
The English Beat
The seminal British ska band mines reggae, punk, and rocksteady rhythms for a sound that’s infectiously danceable. Doors open 7 p.m. $25–$30. Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland. 800-745-3000. portcitymusichall.com
/ 26
La Kermesse Franco-American Festival
Franco-American and Acadian bands on outdoor stages help celebrate Maine’s francophone heritage. Don’t skip the crêpes. Through June 29. $12–$15. Biddeford Middle School Field, 25 Tiger Way, Biddeford. 207-283-1889. lakermessefestival.com
/ 27
Greek Festival
Thousands come out for this Hellenic street fest that’s all about the food: huge plates of aromatic souvlaki, rich moussaka, flaky spanakopita, and more. June 26–28. 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 133 Pleasant St., Portland. 207-774-0281. holytrinityportland.org
/ 28
Maine Whoopie Pie Festival
In this judged battle of the whoopie pie bakers, the real winners are fans of Maine’s signature treat. A morning fun run can help you justify your indulgence — somewhat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5. Dover-Foxcroft. 207-564-8943. mainewhoopiepiefestival.com
/ 29
Downeast Scenic Railroad
Ellsworth’s all-volunteer excursion train heads into its fifth season touring passengers up and down a five-mile stretch of the historic Calais Branch Line. From Memorial Day through October, conductors in full regalia board passengers onto restored coaches pulled by one of two diesel-electric engines (one built in 1948, the other 1950). Trains along the line once carried pulpwood to mills and tourists to and from Bar Harbor. The 90-minute scenic ride heads through a woodsy stretch east of Ellsworth, crossing Card Brook, where ospreys, herons, and even moose are known to loiter.
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. $8–15. Behind Cadillac Mountain Sports, 32 High St., Ellsworth. 866-449-7245. downeastscenicrail.org
/ 30
Extraordinary Wildlife of Merrymeeting Bay Cruise
Spot ospreys, eagles, and harbor seals from the deck of the 40-passenger Seguin, and don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch. Mondays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. $35. Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath. 207-443-1316.mainemaritimemuseum.org
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