Art auction preview opens

     ROCKPORT -- The Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport village opens its 27th annual benefit art auction at a public preview on Wednesday, July 14, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m.

     The preview continues through Sunday, July 25 at 6 p.m., when auctioneer Jody McMorrow lowers the gavel signaling the beginning of the live auction, featuring 130 works by 125 of Maine’s most celebrated visual artists.

     “Art Makes a Difference,” the largest and longest running summer auction of contemporary art in Maine, features 40 artists.

     Among some of the more novel items up for bid are a Styrofoam cup autographed by CMCA curator Bruce Brown and sculpted by Jules Vitali, the original art work for this year’s Maine Lobster Festival poster by Anne Kilham, a whimsical ceramic figure by the well-known ceramic artist George Pearlman, a beautifully rich paper bowl by Pam Slaughter, two artists’ books by Jan Owen and Rebecca Goodale, and a sculpture of six seagulls against a ground of snails as only Mike Stiler can concoct.

     The “Art Makes a Difference” roster of artists reflects a strong cross-section of work being done throughout Maine.

     The live auction begins at 5 p.m., Sunday, July 25, with a dinner catered by Stacey Glassman of Swan’s Way. Dinner reservations, at $30 per person, are available by calling CMCA at 236-2875.

     The auction preview is open to the public without charge and features several additional works available for immediate purchase. Bid cards are $15 for those wanting to attend the live auction without dinner or for an absentee bid card for those unable to attend the auction itself and may be purchased at CMCA or by calling 236-2875.

     All work to be auctioned live on July 25, may be seen online at www.artsmaine.org beginning July 14.

     CMCA, located at 162 Russell Ave. in Rockport village, is open Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Museum hosts conversation with artist

     ROCKLAND -- The Farnsworth Art Museum will present “A Conversation with Alan Magee,” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 14, in the museum auditorium. The program is offered in conjunction with the artist’s exhibition “Alan Magee: Paintings * Sculpture * Graphics.”

     The exhibition reveals Magee’s extraordinary range of styles and techniques, from his exquisite realist works in watercolor, acrylic and oil to his haunting monotypes and idiosyncratic sculpture made from found objects. New to his oeuvre is a series of large-scale tapestries based on images from his other works.

      Cost is $5 for members and $7 for non-members. Reservations are required; call the Farnsworth at 596-6457.

Concert on library lawn

     ROCKLAND -- The Rockland Public Library Centennial Series continues at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 15, on the library lawn with an outdoor musical performance by Playin’ Possum.

     The folk quintet will perform music from the last century. Bring a picnic dinner, a blanket to sit on and enjoy the music.

     The event is one in a continuing series of educational and cultural offerings sponsored by the Rockland Public Library on Thursday evenings; admission is free and open to the public.

     Call 594-0310 for information.

Benefit concert at Lincoln Center

     ROCKLAND -- Stefan Low, Doug Felton and Michael Taylor will perform an acoustic concert to benefit the Community School of Camden and The Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 16. The concert will be held in the gym at LSC, 24 Lincoln St.

     Tickets are $10 and available at Wild Rufus Records in Camden, KarmaRama Music Emporium in Rockland, and Second Read Books & Coffee in Rockland. Tickets also available at the door. Call 236-7079 for information.

Island Institute celebrates 20 years

     ROCKLAND -- The Island Institute will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a birthday open house from 3 p.m.-6 p.m., Friday, July 16 at 386 Main St.

     The Island Institute will also unveil its new exhibit, open through January, “Island Institute 1984-2004: A Retrospective.”

     The 20th anniversary exhibit looks to the past, present and future of programs on Maine Islands. Images vividly depict staff, islanders, volunteers, donors and board members working tirelessly to sustain the Institute’s mission. Beginning with the launch of the Island Institute two decades ago on Allen and Hurricane Islands, founders Philip Conkling and Peter Ralston have worked to create an organization that serves as a voice for the balanced future of the islands and waters of the Gulf of Maine by helping to: support the islands’ year-round communities, conserve Maine’s island and marine biodiversity, develop model solutions for the coast’s cultural and natural communities and provide forums for discussion of wise use of finite resources.

     Exhibit hours are: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Free belly dancing classes offered

     ROCKLAND -- Patti Luchetti of Shalimar’s Studio of Oriental Dance will offer three evenings of free introductory belly dancing classes at Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education. Luchetti, who has been teaching and performing this age-old art for many years here in Rockland, is inviting members of the community to come and try it out. Belly Dancing is an excellent stretching and toning exercise, a lot of fun to do and is suitable for women of every age.

     Classes will run on three consecutive Thursday nights, July 15, 22 and 29 at 7 p.m. There will be no fee for the classes, but a donation to LSC would be appreciated. For information call Luchetti at 594-1032 or LSC at 594-6490. The center is located at 24 Lincoln St.

St. George Days set

     ST. GEORGE -- The annual St. George Days events will be held Saturday, July 17, and Sunday, July 18. The schedule is as follows.

     Saturday, July 17

     7 a.m., pancake breakfast, fire station meeting room (next to the town office).

     9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Annual Jackson Memorial Library Book Fair, Main Street, Tenants Harbor. Books, baked goods, plants and raffle tickets will be sold.

     10 a.m. to 7 p.m., lobster dinners will be served by The Fire and Ambulance Association, including lobsters, mussels, corn, hot dogs, hamburgers and more. Raffle items include a 23-foot sailboat. The association hopes to raise funds to replace their 10-year-old ambulance.

     2 p.m., parade will follow the usual route through Tenants Harbor village, organized by the recreation committee.

     4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Steelin’ Thunder steel drum band will perform at the town office.

     6 p.m., annual auction, courtesy of the Odd Fellows Lodge. Preview auction items and check out the flea market items for sale all day.

     9:30 p.m., fireworks, Tenants Harbor

     Sunday, July 18

     1 p.m., Old-Timers Baseball Game, ballfield, Route 131.

Union celebrates Founders Day

     UNION -- The town of Union celebrates its 230 years as a town Friday, July 16 - Sunday, July 18.

     On Friday, a registered Maine guide will lead a canoe trip on Seven Tree Pond. The trip is about four hours long and $24 a person. Canoe, paddles, life jacket and an introductory canoeing lesson are included. Anyone interested should call Lyle Cramer at 233-2979 and leave a message

      Also that evening, from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., the group Playin’ Possum will perform in the Band Stand on the Common. There will also be a pie social. Bring a pie and get a chance to win a Union Pottery Pie Plate.

     Activities on Saturday will begin at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at the People’s United Methodist Church, Depot Street. A Flea Market at Thompson Community Center will also begin at 7 a.m. and last until 2 p.m. There will also be more canoe trips on Seven Tree Pond (see above information).

     Other events include a French & Indian War and Revolutionary War Encampment and black powder discharge on the Common. At 9:30 a.m. the Steppin’ Out Cloggers will perform at Union Common, followed at 10:30 a.m. by the Community Parade, from the fire house to the Common, Call 785-4133 to register.

     Yellow School Museum at the Thompson Center open, there will be craft and food tables on the common, and Black Stove Shop and the Bubble Calliope will both play on the Common.

     From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. the Masons’ Chicken Barbecue will be held on the Common. At noon, children’s entertainer Kevin Campbell will perform at Vose Library.

     At 1 p.m., grab some strawberry shortcake on the Common, followed at 1:30 p.m. with a performance by the Midcoast Community Band.

     From 2 p.m.-4 p.m. there will be free pony rides at Western Pleasures Acres, 1251 Heald Highway.

     Saturday evening, there will be a spaghetti supper at the Firehouse with music by Dusty and Joanna from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

     At 7 p.m. there will be a silent movie with accompaniment by Doug Prostik at the Old Town House and at Thompson Community Center, Country Gold will perform for a dance from 7 p.m.-11 p.m.

     On Sunday, there will be an outdoor worship service on the Common from 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. with Michelle Grube, pastor of People’s United Methodist Church.

     There will also be canoe trips throughout the day.

     Parking for the weekend of festivities is available at the Old Town House and at the Methodist Church. There will be wagon rides from the Common to the Matthews Museum and a shuttle available (look for the golf carts).

Annual arts and crafts: new name and layout

     CAMDEN -- The 28th annual juried arts and crafts show has become HarborArts and, due to the reworking of Harbor Park, will be spread about three downtown locations.

     HarborArts will run 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18. More than 70 artists and craftspeople will display and sell their work along Atlantic Avenue, at Bayview Landing and at the Mechanic Street parking lot.Each location is within a block of the others, easy walking distance. Extra public parking will be available at the parking lots on upper Mechanic Street: the Knox Mill Center; Great Expectations Daycare; and Knox Mill Annex lots.

     HarborArts offer diverse art works in watercolor, oil, acrylics, pastels, as well as photography, sculpture, pottery and mixed media. Fans of handcrafted items will find clothing, pottery, walking sticks, woodcrafts, jewelry and furniture.

     Longtime show participants include fine artist Carol Sebold of Sebold’s Studio in Camden, who has been in every show since the event’s inception; photographers Neal Parent of Belfast and J. Kevin White of Hope; fiber artist Donna McMillan of Cozy Clothes in Pemaquid; woodworker Bruce McCreedy of Thomaston Woodcraft Products in Thomaston; and potters Peter and Susan MacDougall of Blueledge Studio in Round Pond.

     There will be dozens of participants from Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties, in addition to artists and artisans from out of state. A complete list of exhibitors and booth locations is available at the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce office on the public landing in Camden and at various downtown businesses.

     Admission to the show is free and handicapped accessible. For information, contact the chamber at 236-4404 or online at www.visitcamden.com.

Organic talk at Merryspring

     CAMDEN -- Merryspring’s weekly brown bag talk series continues at noon, Tuesday, July 20, in the Park Hexagon. The program will feature Brien Davis of Hope Orchards, who, with the help of his family, is remaking the orchards into an organic growing venture. Davis’s talk will encompass much more than the apple orchard and will delve into the philosophy and urgent need to explore and develop organic methods.

     Davis will discuss numerous organic techniques and products which he uses for the orchards which can easily be transferred to small home fruit trees as well as vegetable, flower and perennial gardening. Even the concept of pruning changes when shifting mode to organic growing.

     In addition, Davis will address the issue and concerns about the “quality” and appearance of products that are grown using organic methods. On a large scale operation, he finds that the imperfect appearing apples and pears are perfect for drying and in the case of apples, for cider.

     Davis will provide ample time for audience questions and discussion. He gives talks and leads workshops about organic methods for a wide variety of organizations, recently returning from an Elderhostel engagement in New Hampshire. In addition, as the orchards continue to develop, he maintains his position as a nurse practitioner.

     The Tuesday talks are free to members, $3 for non-members. Call Merryspring at 236-2239 or visit Merryspring’s online at www.merryspring.org. Merryspring is located at the end of Conway Road in Camden, behind the Graves Supermarket plaza.

‘The General’ rides again

     UNION -- Union Historical Society will present “The General,” a 1927 silent film starring Buster Keaton and Marion Mack, 7 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at the Old Town House on Town House Road (Route 235). Doug Protsik of The Old Grey Goose band will perform piano accompaniment from an original score.

     Written and directed by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, “The General” is consistently ranked as one of the best silent films ever made. Rejected by the Confederate army as unfit and taken for a coward by his beloved Annabelle Lee, young Johnnie Gray (Keaton) sets out to single-handedly win the Civil War with the help of his cherished locomotive, The General. Insisting on accuracy in every detail, Keaton created a remarkably authentic historical epic replete with hundreds of costumed extras, full-scale sets and the breathtaking plunge of an actual locomotive from a burning bridge into a placid river. The look of the film has been compared to, and may well have been inspired by, the Civil War photography of Matthew Brady.

     For Protsik, playing 75 minutes non-stop of mood pieces to suit each scene of the movie is a little bit of heaven. With a varied background in classical, folk, old-time and dance music, Protsik fell naturally into his role as the “heir” of the late Danny Patt, who at the age of 11 and for years thereafter accompanied silent movies at the Old Town House in the 1920s. Using Patt’s techniques and aided by research into 1920s standard works like Erno Rapee’s “Motion Picture Moods for Pianists and Organists” and J.S. Zamecnik’s “Sam Fox Moving Picture Music,” Protsik has created his own score for the film. Other research resources include Internet silent film sites and what Protsik describes as the fabulous silent movie music collection of the Bagaduce Music Lending Library in Blue Hill.

     Protsik’s enthusiasm for silent movies has led to work composing and recording original scores for silent film restorations for the Turner Classic Movies cable network. He performs these scores at the Maine International Film Festival every year. A resident of Woolwich, Protsik joined with other musicians to form The Old Grey Goose in 1978 and their energetic blend of traditional and folk music has become a staple of the Maine music scene.

     Tickets are $8, $5 for children younger than 12, and can be purchased at the Historical Society booth during Saturday’s Founders Day on the Common or at the door of the Old Town House starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call Union Historical Society at 785-5444 and leave a message.

Food tasting, musician at market

     CAMDEN -- The Camden Farmers’ Market will host a Taste of the Market on Saturday, July 17, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Taste of the Market, offered several times during the summer season, is an opportunity for market customers to sample a wide variety of foods grown and prepared by farmers’ market vendors. Assorted dishes made from local produce, meats and cheeses will be available, as well as an exciting array of ethnic and specialty foods.

     Entertainment for the food tasting will be provided by Arthur Webster, a singer-songwriter based out of Boothbay Harbor. Webster plays acoustic guitar and harmonica and his songs feature straight-to-the point lyrics performed in a bluesy folk style that is easy on the ears. Webster will have copies of his latest CD, “Jericho Road,” available for sale at the market.

     The Camden Farmers market is located on Colcord Avenue, across from Tibbetts Industries and is held Saturdays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Grand melodies of Broadway in Camden

     CAMDEN -- Tuesday, July 20, will mark the third evening of the Tuesday Musicales presented this summer by Maine Grand Opera. Great melodies of musical theater will be presented 7 p.m. in the parish hall of St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church on Chestnut Street.

     Duets such as “People Will Say We’re in Love” from “Oklahoma!” and “If I Loved You” from “Carousel” will be sung, as well as “So In Love” from “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Never Say No” from “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Presenting these and other songs will be soprano Caroline Musica, baritone Daniel Kamalic and soprano Amanda Day.

     Musica, a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, will be making her professional stage debut with MGO later this season in the New Year’s production of “Die Fledermaus.”

     Kamalic has performed in “The Magic Flute,” “Susannah” and “The Marriage of Figaro.” Day, a graduate of University of Southern Maine, has performed in “Carmen,” as well as musicals “West Side Story,” “Camelot” and more.

     Tickets may be purchased in advance at Harbor Audio-Video, Stitchery Square, Sherman’s Books, ABCD Books and Silver Scissors, all in Camden, and at the door. All seats are $15 and unreserved. For information, call 763-3071.

Concert, auction fund raiser

     CAMDEN -- A fund-raising concert and auction will be held at the Camden Opera House at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 21, with all proceeds to benefit the Knox County Democratic Party. A complimentary champagne reception will follow the concert performance.

     Pianist Kitty Fassett will perform. Fassett has performed in the United States, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Russia. She will perform works by Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Rimsky-Korsakov and Moussorgsky. Although her repertoire focuses on classical composers of the Romantic and Impressionistic periods, she is also an advocate of New Orleans ragtime.

     Glenn Jenks will serve as guest host for the evening. State Rep. Hannah Pingree will deliver a short speech and political update.

     Following the recital will be a champagne reception and the fund-raising auction. An exciting array of goods and services will be offered for sale at the auction. Items include gift certificates from area restaurants, businesses and auction houses, a leather bound 24-volume set of author Nevil Shute’s complete works, a three-piece wicker set, a Saturday night stay in a 2 bedroom ocean front cottage in Friendship, a fine Oriental rug from Afghanistan, a rosewood jewelry chest, handcrafted pottery from Fireside Pottery, paintings by Eleanor Zuccola and Deborah Beckwith, an original Peter Michelena photograph entitled “Trains, Rockland, ME,” and more. The auction preview will begin at 6:30 p.m.

     Tickets for the event are $15 and are available at The Second Read in Rockland, Wild Rufus Records and Meetingbrook Book Shop in Camden. For information or to order tickets by phone, call 832-7378 or 236-8068.

Farnsworth opens Connie Hayes exhibit

     ROCKLAND -- “Painting Maine: Connie Hayes and the Borrowed View,” is now open at the Farnsworth Art Museum, and continues through Oct. 17.

     With her intuitive gift for color, Maine artist Connie Hayes evokes the essence of a time and place in paintings that hover invitingly between realism and abstraction. Her landscapes vibrate with dynamic color combinations that provoke an emotional response in the viewer.

     This first solo museum exhibition for Hayes includes more than 30 paintings and coincides with the publication of a book on her work, with a forward by museum director Christopher Crosman and an essay by Carl Little.

     Hayes received a bachelor’s from Maine College of Art, Portland, and a master’s from Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia. She spent a year of her graduate program studying in Italy. She has been a visiting artist at Maine College of Art, University of Southern Maine, San Francisco State University, Alfred University and Bowdoin College. Her work is included in private and public collections throughout the United States and abroad.

     A gallery talk on about the exhibit will be presented by museum staff on Wednesday, July 21, at 5 p.m. This talk is free with museum admission.

     In association with her exhibition, Hayes will present a lecture on Wednesday, July 28, at 7 p.m., entitled “Inspiration: Why Borrow Views?” The artist will be available for questions and book signing following the lecture. Light refreshments will be served. Cost is $5 for members and $7 for non-members.

     In addition, Hayes has chosen the film “Blue,” of the trilogy “Blue,” “White,” “Red,” as a film that has significantly influenced her work. It will be shown in the Farnsworth auditorium on Friday, July 30, at 6 p.m. Cost is $4 for members and $6 for non-members.

     Hayes will also present a weekend workshop on Saturday, July 31, 9 a.m. to noon. “The Color under Color: Underpainting” will explore techniques in underpainting. This workshop is open to all levels, and all materials will be provided by the artist. Class is limited to 15 people. Cost is $200 for members and $225 for non-members.

     On Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. Hayes will be honored at the Members’ Gala Reception, an event that is a special benefit of membership in the Farnsworth Art Museum and which is free to all members.

     For information call 596-6457. The museum is located at 16 Museum St.

Workshop offers painting at Olsen farmstead

     CUSHING -- A workshop conducted by nationally known watercolor artist and teacher Don Andrews will be held Wednesday through Friday, July 28-30, in the barn and on the grounds of the Olson House.

     Participants may choose the subject they prefer to paint, be it the structures, landscape or interiors. Artists will be allowed to sketch or photograph inside the house from 10 to 11 a.m. each day prior to scheduled daily tours. A demo/lecture will take place each day in the barn, where renowned artist Andrew Wyeth painted many of his works. A clothed model will be available on one day of the workshop for those who would like to take advantage of the setting made famous by “Christina’s World.”

     Andrews will demonstrate his loose watercolor technique and guide those who want his help. He conducts workshops in the United States and aboard. This will be the first national workshop held at the Olson homestead and is offered through the Farnsworth Art Museum, which owns the property.

     Information on travel accommodations will be sent to those who sign up for the class. For more information, including the workshop fee and class times, call Jule McClellan at (270) 827-3600 or send e-mail to jule@ohiovalleyart.org.