5 Things To Do This Weekend, April 8-10: Turn around, bright eyes

Chris Ross 2_crop1. You’re such a tease, April. Such a tease. In Bangor this weekend there’s lots to do, and we’ll get to some of that a little bit later on, but first — the nightlife. Friday night, take your pick of either Between Dead Stations at Paddy Murphy’s, the all ages open mic night at the Central Gallery or the Aurora Jazz Project at Nocturnem Drafthaus, while up in Orono, Japansies are at Woodman’s, and the Middle Men are at Black Bear Brewing Company, and in Old Town, Chris Ross (pictured at left) and the North rock the Boomhouse. On Saturday, the Central Gallery hosts a mini-marathon of “The Twilight Zone” starting at 6 p.m., while later that night, Koostix is at Paddy’s, Dave Mello is at Nocturnem, and the Tyler Healy Band is at the Sea Dog. On Sunday, Gottem, Divorce and Cam play a show at at the Central Gallery.

rebecca kingsley2. Perhaps no evening better reflects the diversity and often warring elements of Portland’s music scene. Take a look at this: first off, Maynard James Keenan’s other band, Puscifer, is set for Merrill Auditorium in Portland. At Empire, there’s another cover night, with the Tribute 2 Whitney Houston show, while longtime 80s cover band The Awesome is at Portland House of Music. Meanwhile, there’s some epic folk metal and indie punk with Falls of Rauros, Krigsgrav, Giant of the Mountain and Butcher Boy at the Space Gallery, there’s some local jazz and r&b with Rebecca Kingsley (pictured above) and the Groove Kings and Canned Bread at One Longfellow Square, it’s house and techno for Foundation Friday at Flask Lounge, and at Mayo Street Arts, the Amarantos String Quartet plays a mix of classical and chamber arrangements of indie rock and pop songs, at 8 p.m. To which will you turn? We shall see. On Saturday, Little Steven’s Underground Garage presents Kris Rodgers and the Dirty Gems, the Connection and Soraia at Empire, rapper Waka Flocka Flame with DJ Whoo Kid and Oxymorrons is at the State Theatre, and Kat Wright and the Indomitable Soul Band will take the stage at Portland HOME.

3. What’s going on on the Midcoast? Friday night, Digisaurus plays at Rock City Coffee in Rockland, and the Dirty Birds are set for Trackside Station, also in Rockland. On Saturday, Canyon plays at Rock City, the Juke Rockets are set for the Speakeasy, Ed’s Meds are at the Myrtle Street Tavern, and legendary cajun band Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet is at the Strand Theatre, all for beautiful downtown Rockland.

Comic Con for Emily 24. The other big news for eastern Maine this weekend is the second annual Bangor Comic & Toy Con, set for the whole weekend at the Cross Insurance Center. Three days of comics, movies, gaming, panels, shopping, costumes, kid’s stuff and much, much more. And look who’ll be there! Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura on the original Star Trek TV series! Colin Baker, who played the sixth Doctor Who! Tim Rose, the guy in the Admiral Ackbar suit! And many more. Both Friday and Saturday night have after parties at the Downunder Lounge at Season, and Friday’s party features lots of local bands including The Banner Year, Under Fire, The Waking Life, Summit, Glass Canyon, Caster, The Royal Bones, Dear Father and Fading Dawn. For more info, visit bangorcomictoycon.com. 

5. There’s plenty of other fun to be had this weekend around the state, like on Friday and Saturday, when the Monster Truck Jam is set for the Cross Insurance Center both those evenings, and on Saturday night, when the Grand Theatre in Ellsworth hosts a huge lip sync battle fundraiser starting at 7 p.m. (visit grandonline.org to sign up), and like on Sunday, when the Great Maine Bike Swap is set for the University of Maine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and the annual WMPG Fashion Show is set for the State Theatre in Portland. Good times.

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.