5 Things To Do This Weekend, July 31-Aug 2: The jewels in the crown

joan-son1. Friday night in the Bangor area there’s a plethora of fun events of all stripes, starting early in the evening with River City Cinema’s screening of the smash hit “Pitch Perfect” at sundown in Pickering Square; over the river in Brewer, Her Majesty’s Cabaret — the sketch comedy group that, full disclosure, yours truly is a member of — performs the first of two nights of all-original material at 8 p.m. at the Next Generation Theatre. Later that evening, take your pick of either a night of EDM at the Downunder Lounge with DJs Skylyne, Bad Habit, Paul Wolfe and 5oundproof; indie and noise rock at Mezzenine at Zen featuring Taboo, Flex 100, Mutinerango Sun, Quantum & C. Hartzel and Caethua; rockers Fools Rule at Paddy Murphy’s, jazz performer Sonja Hannington at Nocturnem Drafthaus, and out in Winterport, songwriter Chris Ross and the North are at 4Points BBQ & Blues. On Saturday, the Central Gallery hosts its First Saturday art opening with origami artist Joan Son (work from whom is pictured above); later that night, enjoy either One Shot Nothing and Dustin Saucier and the Sad Bastards at the Downunder Lounge, Blake Pattengale at Paddy’s, Magnetic North at Ipanema, Dave Mello Blues at Nocturnem, and out in Winterport, local hip hop with Brandon Ross at 4Points.

weezer2. The long-awaited Weezer show is set for Friday night on the Maine State Pier; it’s sold out, so enjoy, all you folks that got tickets! Also that night, rappers Kid Ink, Machine Gun Kelly and Casey Veggies are at the State Theatre; the Rooks and Dean Ford and the Keepsakes are at Empire; comedian Bob Marley at One Longfellow Square; dubstep producer Borgore is at the Asylum; DJs Kid Ray, Mr. Dereloid and A Guy Named Ray at Flask Lounge; and rockers Tigerman Woah, the Radiator Rattlers and the Ghosts of Johnson City at Portland Home. On Saturday, the next concert in the outdoor series at Thompson’s Point is Grace Potter (pictured) and Lake Street Dive. Also that night, comedian Lewis Black is on the Maine State Pier; Chris Ross and the North and the Meadows Brothers are at Empire; songwriter John Ford Coley and Grant Smith are at One Longfellow; it’s 1Up: A Night of Beat Battles, a DJ battle at the Space Gallery; and it’s pop-punk bnad Headstart’s final show at Portland HOME. The fun keeps going on Sunday, when Desaparaceidos (featuring Conor Oberst, aka Bright Eyes) perform with the So So Glos and Bandroidz at Port City Music Hall; singer Emmett O’Hanlon is at One Longfellow, and pop stars Colbie Callait and Christina Perri are on the Maine State Pier.

Photo by Ted Barron

Photo by Ted Barron

3. What a lovely, busy weekend to be on the coast! In Waldo and Knox Counties this Friday, Three Tides & Marshall Wharf Brewing Company presents the Gallagher Brothers Jazz Trio, while in Rockland, Shy Green is at the Speakeasy, and it’s a traditional Irish session night at Rock City Coffee. On Saturday night, indie folk band the Dupont Brothers are at Three Tides, in Rockland ska band El Grande is at the Speakeasy, the Kennebunk River Band is at Rock City Coffee, and rockers No Guts No Glory at Trackside Station. Across the bay, Friday night is a great time to be in Hancock County, as the legendary Steve Earle (pictured) and the Dukes with guests the Mastersons perform at the Criterion Theatre; Wes Hartley and the Traveling Trees are at the Lompoc Cafe, and in Ellsworth, Flash in the Pans steel drum band are on the Ellsworth Riverfront at 6 p.m.

dam jam4. There are two super cool events this Saturday in southern Maine. In Portland, the eighth annual Picnic Music & Arts Festival is set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Lincoln Park at the corner of Congress and Cumberland Streets. Over 100 vendors selling clothing, jewelry, prints, accessories, bags, plush, stationery, photography, housewares, fine art, and more; there’s also music from The Bumbling Woohas, Street Sity Surf, Phallus Uber Alles, Family Planning, Cheerwine, Perfect Hair, Buddusky, the Gamma Goochies and Hopeless Losers. That same day, up in beautiful Denmark, the fourth annual Dam Jam (scenes from a previous fest pictured above) is set for 2:30 to 11 p.m. in Bicentennial Park, featuring six excellent musical acts and lots of great food, beer and craft vendors; performers include the Arabiqa Ensemble, Jeff Beam, Leveret, Boston’s up and coming rocker Ruby Rose Fox, and headliners O’Death and Saintseneca. Tickets are $15 at the gates.

ROCKLOBSTERFEST080112-4_8168379-600x4195. Finally, yes, it’s finally arrived: it’s Lobster Festival weekend in Rockland. This annual celebration of our beloved crustacean has been going on for decades. In addition to the parades, the fireworks, the rides and the craft fairs, there’s two big things you’re going to want to check out. 1. The food! Duh! Eat lobster, silly! And, 2. The music. On Friday, funk legends Tower of Power headline the mainstage, and on Saturday, songwriter and Maine resident Don McLean performs, with opening act the Amy Allen Band. For a full schedule, visit mainelobsterfestival.com.

Emily Burnham

About Emily Burnham

Emily Burnham is a Maine native, UMaine graduate, proud Bangorian and a writer for the Bangor Daily News, where she's worked since 2004. She reports on everything from local bands to local food to all the cool things going on in the Greater Bangor area. In her quest for stories, she's seen countless concerts and plays, been lobster fishing, interviewed celebrities, hung out with water buffalo and played in a ukulele orchestra. She's interested in everything that happens in Maine.