Farmington Fair
The Farmington Fair runs through Saturday at the fairgrounds located at 292 High St., Farmington.
The fair features a week of agricultural showcases, livestock competitions, midway rides, entertainment, the Miss Farmington Fair Pageant, daily bicycle giveaways and more.
Admission will cost $10 for ages 12 and up; farmingtonfair.org.
Shaun Cassidy
A Shaun Cassidy concert is planned for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St., Waterville.
Cassidy is an American writer, producer, actor and singer. After originally making his name as a performer, he went on to create, write, and produce a number of critically acclaimed television series including “American Gothic” (produced with Sam Raimi), “Roar” (starring Heath Ledger), “Cold Case,” “Cover Me,” “The Agency,” “Invasion” and “Emerald City.” Cassidy most recently spent five years as executive producer and writer for the hit NBC/Netflix series “New Amsterdam.”
While still in high school, he signed a contract with Warner Brothers records. This led to three multi-platinum albums and numerous top 10 hits, including “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “That’s Rock n’ Roll,” “Hey Deanie” and “Do You Believe In Magic?”
Tickets are $56-$165; operahouse.org.
“The Rewards of Being Frank”
Theater at Monmouth plans to stage “The Rewards of Being Frank” at various times and dates through Sept. 28 at the 796 Main St. theater in Monmouth.
The play was written by Alice Scovell and is directed by Dawn McAndrews.
About the play: A rollicking sequel to Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Seven years have passed since the marriages of Algy and Cecily and Ernest and Gwendolen. As the couples, aided by the widowed Lady Bracknell, search for an at-home tutor, they encounter Frank, and suddenly the seven-year-itch needs scratching. Be prepared for a fresh round of mistaken identity, monetary mischie, and battles over cucumber sandwiches. You are cordially invited to this new tour-de-FARCE, where you’ll learn “It’s important to be earnest, but more rewarding to be Frank.”
Tickets cost $18-$43; theateratmonmouth.org.
The Common Ground Country Fair
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s The Common Ground Fair runs Friday-Sunday at 294 Crosby Brook Road, Unity.
The annual celebration of rural living features 1,000-plus exhibitors and speakers, and emphasizes vibrant communities, sustainable living and local economies, while highlighting organic agriculture.
Admission is $20-$25 with discounts for children and seniors; mofga.org.
Wabanaki stories
The Waterville Opera House will host Wabanaki stories at 7:30 p.m. Friday at 1 Common St., Waterville.
This production of Wabanaki stories and music spotlights four Wabanaki artists from several nations and traditions.
Musician Tania Morey (Tobique) sings of the Wolastoq; Jennifer Pictou (Mi’kmaq) regales with spirit stories told in the company of a large puppet; Dwayne Tomah (Passamaquoddy) shares stories that showcase his native language, Passamaquoddy; Ashton Altvater aka Undeniable the Native (Passamaquoddy) delights with original rap and hip-hop; and Jason Brown aka Firefly (Penobscot) electrifies with cutting-edge technology blended with ancient frequencies.
Director, artist and author Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy) intersperses each with music and narration. Wabanaki Stories demonstrates the depth and breadth of Wabanaki storytelling and artistry.
Tickets cost $31; operahouse.org.
Running Down a Dream
Running Down a Dream, the music of Tom Petty, will be featured at 7 p.m. Saturday at Somerset Abbey, 98 Main St., Madison.
Runnin’ Down a Dream was created by five veteran Maine musicians to perform the 40 years of music Tom Petty performed with authentic renditions from every stage of his career. Timeless classics with the Heartbreakers, Mudcrutch, The Traveling Wilburys and music from his solo albums. The show faithfully replicates the style and feel of a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert, allowing the audience to experience the music of this extraordinary artist.
Tickets cost $35; somesetabbey.com.
Casey Abrams & Friends
Casey Abrams & Friends, featuring Dylan Chambers and Hunter, plan to take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St., Waterville.
Abrams blends music genres from blues to jazz to soul to rock to Americana to pop to classical. As the most commercially known upright bass player in music, he has released five albums and two extended plays.
Chambers is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer blending pop, soul, funk and rock influences. Known for his soulful voice and electrifying stage presence, he draws comparisons to legends like Prince and modern icons such as Bruno Mars.
Singer, actress and model Hunter draws inspiration from Amy Winehouse, Adele, Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder, delivering a ’60s and ’70s throwback vibes.
Tickets are $36; operahouse.org.
Harp Twins & Volfgang Twins
The Old South Church will host the Harp Twins & Volfgang Twins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 235 Main St., Farmington.
A concert will feature music from The Rolling Stones to Metallica, Nordic-fantasy originals to ancient Celtic tunes.
There will also be a free meet-and-greet after the concert.
Tickets cost $27.50 for adults and $17.50 for youth; farmingtonucc.org.
Author talk: Claire Hersom
Local author Claire Hersom will discuss her new book at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Gardiner Public Library, 152 Water St., Gardiner.
Copies of the book, ” Smithfield Junction — A Maine Novel,” will be available for sale.
Hersom is a native Mainer with two books of poetry published by Moon Pie Press: “Drowning: A Poetic Memoir” (2008) and “Dreamscape” (2017).
This year, Claire stepped away from her 11 years co-organizing the poetry venue The Bookey Readings, turning attention to her recently published book. It is set in the 1940s, and follows a young family through a small, rural town’s journey toward a reluctant forgiveness surprisingly found through the innocence of an 8-year-old girl.
Claire, who has three grown children, six granddaughters, lives in Winthrop.
For more information, visit gardinerpubliclibrary.org.
“Breaking Silence”
A Janis Ian in-person interview and audience Q&A will follow the screening of “Breaking Silence” set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water St., Gardiner.
In the mid-60s, Ian, a teenage singer-songwriter from New Jersey, scores a controversial hit single called “Society’s Child,” about an interracial love relationship. The song launches her illustrious career but also ignites death threats, plunging her into an emotional tailspin — only to emerge from the ashes in the 1970s with an even bigger hit, “At Seventeen,” ahead of its time in confronting bullying.
The film chronicles the life, music and times of the singer-songwriter, beginning with her teen years as a precocious member of the vibrant Greenwich Village folk scene jamming with such legends as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
With the release of her album “Breaking Silence,” she begins to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She eventually returns to performing and continues to write songs that address challenging subject matter, such as the Holocaust, the murder of Matthew Shepard and gay marriage.
Tickets cost $33 in advance or $38 at the door; johnsonhall.org.