DOVER-FOXCROFT - A rare opportunity to hear Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in d-minor, Op. 49, live in a local concert presents itself when Highlands Classical Trio, a local chamber music group, launches its spring tour in May. Also offered will be solos and duos by Handel, Gliere and Ravel.

The rigorous 30-minute Piano Trio by Mendelssohn has been a major focus for pianist Margery Aumann and violinist Susan Ramsey — both of Dover-Foxcroft — and cellist Ruth Fogg of Dexter since October, as the trio prepares for performances this spring. The trio forms the centerpiece of a benefit concert to be held on Friday, May 17, at 7 p.m. at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church at 834 West Main Street. A reception follows. Admission is by donation to benefit the church’s important fuel-assistance fund for needy families. Highlands Classical will also make its debut in Bangor with this program at All Souls Church on Sun., June 23, at 4 p.m. Performances will also be given the Hibbard Nursing Home on April 26 at 2 p.m., at Sunbury Village in Bangor May 4 at 4 p.m. and at Dirigo Pines in Orono May 21 at 7 p.m.

ELLSWORTH - Take a walk through one of the first 19th-century artists to approach modern and postmodern life subjects in the HD cinema event “Manet: Portraying Life” screening at The Grand on Thursday, May 23 for a one-time only performance at  6 p.m.

The eagerly-awaited exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, “Manet: Portraying Life” is being captured for cinema screens worldwide and is the first ever major exhibition in the UK devoted to the portraiture of Edouard Manet, spanning his entire career. It brings together great works from across Europe, Asia and the USA. In addition, cinemagoers will see exclusive behind-the-scenes moments of the Royal Academy's exhibition preparation - moments usually hidden from view - and experience a detailed, superbly crafted biography of Manet and 19th-century Paris. Host Tim Marlow (along with expert guests) examines the work of one of the all-time great artists.

LEWISTON - Concert artist Igor Lovchinsky presents the final program of the 2012-2013 Piano Series season at the Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston on Friday, May 24. The recital begins at 7:30 p.m. and will include works by Bach-Busoni, Chopin, Scriabin and Liszt. 

Lovchinsky is one of the most popular pianists to have given recitals at the Franco Center, where he has also appeared as soloist with the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra. His electric interpretation of the Grieg A-minor piano concerto was the highlight of the Midcoast’s Gala Concert in October 2011.

LEWISTON/AUBURN – Tributes and fundraisers have always been part of Ed Boucher's life, but for Lewiston's legendary music industry guru and impresario of the L-A music scene, this one is different: This one is for him.

On Saturday, May 18, from 4 to 10 p.m., at the Royal Oak Room at Ironhorse Court (www.royaloakroom.com), One Bates Street, Lewiston, friends and fans will gather for "The EAB Tribute" being organized to help defray costs of an unexpected medical diagnosis late last year.

ELLSWORTH - James Graham’s biting, energetic and critically-acclaimed new political play “This House” will be broadcast live from London to The Grand screen on Thursday, May 16 for one performance at 2 p.m. NT LIVE is The Grand’s series of high-definition simulcast performances from The National Theatre of London.

It’s 1974, and the corridors of Westminster ring with the sound of infighting and backbiting as Britain’s political parties battle to change the future of the nation, whatever it takes. In this hung parliament, the ruling party holds on by a thread. Votes are won and lost by one, fist fights erupt in the bars, and ill MPs are hauled in to cast their votes. It’s a time when a staggering number of politicians die, and age-old traditions and allegiances are thrown aside in the struggle for power. Graham’s new play strips politics down to the practical realities of those behind the scenes who roll up their sleeves, and on occasion bend the rules, to maneuver a diverse and conflicting chorus of MPs within the Mother of all Parliaments.

UMF and Farmington community celebrate local foods

FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington and an exciting partnership of community businesses and organizations is pleased to announce the second annual Maine Fiddlehead Festival: Local Food Day to be held on Saturday, May 4, on the UMF campus and throughout downtown Farmington. Parade and information sessions are free and open to the public.

The festival celebrates local foods, both wild and cultivated, and promotes community involvement in enhancing the area’s local food system and supporting local farmers. The collaborative effort includes the UMF Sustainable Campus Coalition and Partnership for Civic Advancement, the Farmington Downtown Association, UMaine Cooperative Extension, Franklin Savings Bank, Homestead Bakery, University Credit Union and Western Mountains Alliance.

Challenger Learning Center disposes of electronic waste for donations

BANGOR – You can get rid of your hard to dispose of electronic waste by bringing it to the Challenger Learning Center on May 4 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

The staff at Challenger will responsibly dispose of your electronic waste in exchange for donations. The suggested donations are $10 for the first piece and $5 for each subsequent piece, but no donation is too large or too small.

Featuring the paintings of Richard W. Field

BANGOR - The Robert E. White Art Gallery at Husson University presents “Memories, Dreams, Joy” featuring the paintings of Richard W. Field. The exhibit will run from April 22 through June 13, 2013 at the White Gallery located in Peabody Hall.

ELLSWORTH - The Grand presents the return of the great cosmic blues sound of Chris Smither on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Having distilled his own signature sound of blues and folk for over 40 years, Chris Smither is truly an American original. A profound songwriter, Smither continues to draw deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and philosophers with this 14th record of his lengthy career. From his early days as the New Orleans transplant in the Boston folk scene, through his wilderness years to his reemergence in the 1990s as one of America’s most distinctive acoustic performers, Chris Smither continues to hone his distinctive sound. He has always traveled his own road, eschewing sophisticated studio tricks and staying true to his musical vision. He has developed and maintained loyal friendships over the years with kindred-spirited musicians like Bonnie Raitt and the late Stephen Bruton and inspires the next-generation of musicians. 

ELLSWORTH - The Grand celebrates the legacy of their beloved, late film programmer Skip Baker, showing some of his favorite films starting Monday, May 6 and running through Saturday, May 11.

To kick off this festival, The Grand is hosting a reception at Gallery Grand at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 6 – with Morton’s Moo ice cream and, yes, pie. (Did we say that Skip LOVED pie?)  Everyone is welcome to celebrate The Grand, movies, pie on Monday, May 6 at 6 p.m. at Gallery Grand, next door to the theatre, before the opening film, “Casablanca.”