What's Happening this Weekend...

Time flies when you're having fun!

Anah Temple Shrine Circus
April 30 - May 2
Bangor Auditorium & Civic Center
The circus is back in town!
Friday: 3 and 7 pm; Saturday: 10 am, 2 pm, and 7 pm; Sunday: 11 am and 3 pm. $7 adults; $4 children.
www.basspark.com

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
April 14 - May 2
Penobscot Theatre, Bangor
This groundbreaking Obie-winning off-Broadway smash tells the story of internationally ignored song stylist Hedwig Schmidt, an East German rock 'n' roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation.
www.penobscottheatre.org

Downeast Adventure Race
May 1
Washington County Community College, Calais
This 5th annual event features mountain biking, whitewater canoeing, sea kayaking, running, and team challenges. New this year is an orientation component, where racers will need to navigate with a map and compass for some parts of the race. Registrations are due by 5 pm Friday, April 30. Race starts at 9 am. $30 per person; $80 per team.
www.downeastadventurerace.org

Armida-Gioachino Rossini
May 1
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
The University of Maine presents the Metropolitan Opera for one night only. Inspired by the epic poem Jerusalem Delivered by Torquato Tasso, this opera tells the enchanting tale of the beautiful sorceress Armida in the time of the Crusades. 1 pm. $24.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Creature Feature III: Small Works Art Show & Sale
May 1 - 21
The Grand, Ellsworth
Works from five nationally known local artists will be on display in the Grand’s lobby. The art will be up for sale May 21, 3–7 pm. Ten percent of sales will be donated to the Grand.
www.grandonline.org

Harvey
May 1–22
Belfast Maskers Theater
Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy classic Harvey is a comedy of errors. It tells the story of Elwood P. Dowd, his family, and his friend Harvey—an invisible giant rabbit. Suitable for teens and adults. Wed.–Sat. 7 pm; Sun. 2 pm. $15 adults; $10 teens.
www.belfastmaskers.com

Cellardoor Winery Food & Wine Pairing
May 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 23, 29, & 30
The Villa, Lincolnville
Food and wine pairings include cheeses and other foods from a different Maine farm each week. 12–3 pm. Must be 21 or older.
www.mainewine.com

Barrage
May 2
Camden Opera House
Barrage, a Canadian group of six fiddle players, blends jazz, classical, and rock with the assistance of a backup rock band. Their music has been likened to “Led Zeppelin played by a pack of out-for-blood violins.” Presented by Bay Chamber Concerts. 2:30 pm. $25–$45 adults; $8 children.
www.baychamberconcerts.org

Coffee Pot Cafe

By Melanie Brooks

My family has been enjoying sandwiches from the Coffee Pot for years. So when Skip Rist decided to close his deli on State Street we were all mourning the loss of a treasured treat. I was skeptical of all of the Copy Pots that sprung up around the area -- and I never tried any. To me, they couldn't match the original so why bother.


But today I grabbed Sidekick Shane (who had never had a Coffee Pot) and took us to the Coffee Pot Cafe to feed my nostalgia.

Located in the sidecar building to Bangor Savings Bank on Broadway, the Coffee Pot Cafe has a prime location. And much to my delight on this rainy Wednesday, there was ample space inside the building for the line. No more snaking around the building! The best addition, in my humble opinion, is the drive through window. Call ahead, order your sandwich(s), and avoid standing in line all together!


We took our sandwiches back to Bangor Metro world headquarters and dug in. It was the same onion-y goodness that I had expected. It was all at once a sigh of relief and a sigh of contentment. Welcome back Coffee Pot! Lunch just wasn't the same without you.

Stay & Play Paddle Adventures

By Melanie Brooks

Summer will be here before you know it and many of us (myself included) are already planning our summer vacation. But you don't have to go far to have fun. The City of Old Town has recently announced a new way to take advantage of Maine's Canoe City.


Their Stay & Play Paddle Adventures gives locals and visitors alike hassle-free paddle fun on some of the area's most scenic waterways in an Old Town Canoe. There are 7 different guided paddle adventures to choose from and vary in difficulty and routes, so there's no reason that even the most novice paddler can't participate.

To make their paddle adventures a reality, the City partnered with various businesses, communities, and organizations including Old Town Canoe, Johnson Outdoors, Black Bear Inn, the University of Maine, Penobscot Nation, Cyr Bus Line, Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Old Town Trading Post.

"This is a great opportunity for any outdoor enthusiast because they are able to paddle along our beautiful waterways in world-class kayaks and canoes," said Tim Magoon from Old Town Canoe.

The Stay & Play packages will run during specific weekends in July and August and include equipment, ground transportation, and guides. Packages range from a half or full day paddle adventure (which start as low as $39.95 per person) to an overnight package (starting at $141.95 per person).

This is a great opportunity for people (like me) who don't have their own canoe or kayak. And it's a great excuse to enjoy the wilderness in our own backyard. Click here for more information.

What's Happening this Weekend...

April showers bring May flowers...

Hedwig & the Angry Inch
April 14 - May 2
Penobscot Theatre, Bangor
This groundbreaking Obie-winning off-Broadway smash tells the story of internationally ignored song stylist Hedwig Schmidt, an East German rock 'n' roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation.
www.penobscottheatre.org

The Habit of Art
April 23
The Strand Theatre, Rockland
Live in HD from London, The Habit of Art by Alan Bennett has won numerous awards. Directed by Nicholas Hytner.
2 pm. $23 adults; $10 students.
www.rocklandstrand.com

Cherish the Ladies
April 23
The Strand Theatre, Rockland
With their unique blend of instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements, and stunning step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture in a humorous and entertaining package.
8 pm. $30.
www.rocklandstrand.com

Bangor's Garden Show
April 23-25
Bangor Auditorium
After a one-year hiatus, Bangor's Garden Show will "bloom" again. There will be brilliant gardenscape displays, with all the vibrant colors and smells of spring in Maine, as well as 48 vendors featuring everything for the gardener and garden lover.
Friday and Saturday: 10 am - 7 pm; Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm. $5; children under 12 free; $10 for a three day pass.
www.basspark.com

Hope Festival & Garden Expo
April 24
Student Recreation & Fitness Center, Orono
This free event sponsored by the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine includes performances, talks, children's activities, workshops, farmers market, and food court.
11 am - 4 pm.
peacectr.org

Belfast Free Range Music Festival
April 24
Various Venues, Belfast
This indoor music festival features an eclectic array of Maine, New England, and national musicians, groups, and band performances. Continuous live performances at various locations around Belfast.
www.freerangemusicfestival.com

17th Annual Celebrity Chefs Gala
April 24
Holiday Inn, Ellsworth
The 17th Annual Chefs Gala benefits the Breast Clinic at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital.
5:30 pm - midnight. $85.
www.mcmhospital.org

Bangor Spring Craft & Business Expo
April 24 & 25
Hollywood Slots, Bangor
A craft show/business expo combination. Whether you like jewelry, candles, wood work, or wish to look at items for home improvements, this is the event for you.
www.xtrapromotions.com

Wicked Whoopie Pies

By Melanie Brooks

I've been writing a story for Maine Ahead's "Maine Mogul" section on the Gardiner-based Wicked Whoopie Pies for the May/June issue. Amy Bouchard, the Queen Whoopie, started the business out of her kitchen about 16 years ago. She's been sweet as pie to work with and I can't wait until her story hits the shelves.

To my great surprise today, four boxes of her delicious treats showed up at my office. I have to say, I'm not the biggest whoopie pie fan. But these. Oh these whoopies were different. I've taken the liberty to sample each flavor. We have original, strawberry, lemon, and red velvet. They're not huge either. Each pie has around 4 or 5 bites, depending on how big your mouth is. After just one bite, our bookkeeper, Anthony, announced (with a full mouth), "The filling is way better than regular!"

The packaging was so beautiful we almost didn't dare rip into it. Almost.

There's nothing better than a classic chocolate whoopie pie and a glass of milk.

Sandy, our art director, picked a good day to work in the office.

You can order them online here, or get them at your local Hannaford Supermarket. And be sure to check them out in the May/June issue of Maine Ahead.

Real Maine Weddings 2011

By Melanie Brooks

Spring is here and the wedding season will kick it into high gear in just a couple of weeks. We're done oohing and ahhing over the 2010 issue of Real Maine Weddings and getting ready to produce another gorgeous issue for 2011.

We're looking for photo submissions for the following sections:

Features
We publish six wedding features in our magazine. We're not only looking for gorgeous photographs but also an interesting wedding story.

Trends
Have you been noticing any trends lately you want to share? We want to hear about it.

Editors Picks
These are a collection of whimsical photos that we love. They may not fit into the above two categories, but are strong enough to stand alone.

There are a few ways you can submit your photos.

1. Create a slide show of images on your website and send me a link. You can reach me at melanie@bangormetro.com.

2. Mail me a disc with your images on it, along with a synopsis of the wedding story. Our address is:
Real Maine Weddings
Attn: Melanie Brooks
One Cumberland Place, Suite 316
Bangor, ME 04401

3. Email me a collection of low res images, along with a synopsis of the wedding story.

I have no preference on how you send the images -- I just want to see them!

Our deadline is July 16. We are accepting photos from summer 2009 weddings through the deadline. We're shooting for an October, 2010 release date.

If you have any questions, email me at melanie@bangormetro.com.