PALAVER STRINGS ‘I BELIEVED IN MAGIC’

Don’t miss the Palaver Strings at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the Reehl Stage at Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water St. in Gardiner.

The show addresses themes of gender, power, fear and desire, reimagining classic favorites through an evening of bedtime stories. Throughout the evening, works by composers Florence Price and Mary Kouyoumdjian serve as musical scores to retold fables.

Fíjate, a world premiere by Palaver’s own Teagan Faran, is a response to Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, retold from the perspective of the pursued woman. It draws on themes from the original Berlioz as well as Faran’s deep knowledge of tango idioms, relating them to Paris’ role in globalizing and exoticizing tangoian tastes during Berlioz’s time.

Palaver also shares Nina Shekhar’s Above the Fray, which takes Bach’s famous prelude from Cello Suite No. 1 through transformations, degradations, and reshapings. Another premiere, Xenia St. Charles Iris Llyllyth’s Canary Resuscitator, continues the theme through ambient chorale-like references to snippets of Mozart.

Tickets cost $30; johnsonhall.org.

LORRIE MORGAN

The Waterville Opera House is set to host Lorrie Morgan at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St., Waterville.

Morgan is back for her 2026 tour, showcasing the rainbow of emotions, from darkest heartache to bright, shiny humor, that is the hallmark of Morgan’s range. She is known for her lustrous vocal phrasing and the down-to-earth believability of her torchy performances.

Tickets cost $55-$65; operahouse.org.

MYRTLE STREET KLEZMER

Be sure to see Myrtle Street Klezmer at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Chocolate Church Performing Arts Center, 804 Washington St in Bath.

Hailing from western Massachusetts, the band is an ecstatic exploration into the past, present and future of Klezmer music — the traditional celebratory music of the Ashkenazi Jews. Its high-energy music draws on Balkan, Greek, Arabic, rock and jazz music, in addition to favorites from the classic and contemporary Klezmer repertoire.

Core members include Jason Ditzian (bandleader, clarinet), Myk Freedman (guitar), Jesse Olsen Bay (vocals, bass, bouzouki, percussion), Bea Carlson (vocals, accordion), and Doug Plavin (percussion).

Ticket cost $23.86 or $20.75 for seniors, student or veterans; chocolatechurcharts.org.

COMMON GROUND FAIR

The Common Ground Country Fair is set for Sept. 25-27 at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) fairgrounds at 294 Crosby Brook Road in Unity.

The fair highlights organic agriculture, sustainable living, and rural skills. Unlike traditional agricultural fairs, it focuses on education and hands-on learning, featuring craft demonstrations, heirloom crops, organic farming exhibits, livestock, local food, live music, and hundreds of vendors.

THE BILLY JOEL LEGACY

The Billy Joel Legacy: Celebrating The Piano Man takes the stage at 7 p.m. Sunday at Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St., Waterville.

It’s a celebration of the legendary singer-songwriter’s greatest hits, and the story of the man behind the melodies. This concert takes you on a journey through Joel’s legendary career, from his humble beginnings to becoming a great songwriter and performer.

Tickets cost $50-$60; operahouse.org.

SIGN UP: #STRONGIRLS CAMP

​​The Lindsey Vonn Foundation is bringing its free #STRONGgirls Camp to Colby College on Oct. 3. The Saturday program, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. can welcome up to 200 girls ages 10-14 from Waterville and surrounding communities.

Through sports, hands-on activities, and mentorship, participants can build confidence, resilience, leadership skills, healthy relationships, and physical and emotional well-being.

The camp is free, but registration is required.

Looking for more? Check out the online calendar listings for other entertainment offerings.