THINGS TO DO ON MDI THIS WEEK
And in the near future.
It’s our weekly round-up, and I may have missed some things, so apologies! If you have something you’d like in here, please let me know.
We hope you have some great adventures this week! To see our Acadia Adventures tab of stories and awesome MDI and ANP things and information, click here. We’re still building it, but it’s getting there.
To check out our news stories from the past week. Click on the archive section and you’ll see them in chronological order.
THIS WEEK:
MDI BIO LAB EVENTS THIS WEEK: Homecoming
Calling all members of the MDI Bio Lab community – former students, visiting faculty and families, board members, supporters and friends – to join us for Homecoming Week (July 22 – 25) for an opportunity to return to campus, reconnect with old friends and meet new ones, and learn what’s new at the Lab:
On Monday, July 22 at 4:00 pm, we will celebrate the life of John Forrest, M.D., long-time scientist, mentor and Director of the Lab from 1998 - 2009. Email events@mdibl.org to register.
On Wednesday, July 24 at 5:00 pm, Star Point Society members and guests are invited to join us for cocktails and conversation with Dr. Romain Madelaine and his team about their research on retinal disease. Email events@mdibl.org to register.
The 126th Annual Corporation Meeting and luncheon will be held on Thursday, July 25 at 10:00 am. Head to our events page for details. See you soon!
MONDAY, JULY 15
ArtWaves often has classes, a variety every week. For the updated selection, check out its website here
2024 Summer Concert Series
Band concerts on the Green: A Bar Harbor tradition since 1898. All concerts begin at 7:30 PM and are one hour in length, taking place on the Bar Harbor Village Green. Free and fun for all ages! Concerts will be held rain or shine! In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held at the neighboring Bar Harbor Congregational Church.
ART OF ANN JONES BENEFIT
At Southwest Harbor Public Library from July 12 to July 27, will be “The Art of Ann Jones,” an art show and library benefit with artwork by multimedia artist Ann Jones.
All proceeds from the sale of artwork will benefit the library. These pieces have been generously donated for the benefit by Ann’s family.
A native of Westport, Connecticut, Ann Jones painted scenes of Mount Desert Island since her arrival in 1978. A resident of Bernard for many years, she is well known for her large sweeping landscapes of the island, her series created out of isolated interests including discarded pails, pots, and enamelware, and island gardens. She had a gallery in Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and recently in Bernard. This will include oil paintings and several of her series including found items sculptures, and multimedia collages.
Divine Play Yoga at the Neighborhood House
Mon/Wed; 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Cost: $15/class
with Mike Bouscaren
Dear Yogis,
You’ll recall that our flow yoga classes progressively tease out more body aliveness and mental acuity in you. And they’re fun!
For one hour you alone as do others around you, return to the grounded center that is the unburdened original self. Freer in every way.
You’ll walk away feeling more open, calmer, and sharp. And mightily prepared for whatever the day throws at you.
Divine Play yoga invites you to shine, to be your best, to transform into a Beacon of Joy. It works!
Two Hands Together,
Mike Bouscaren
Register: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19801383
Monday events via the Bar Harbor Chamber:
TUESDAY, JULY 16
ArtWaves often has classes, a variety every week. For the updated selection, check out its website here
ARTWAVES—PAINTINGS WITH FLEECE
Indigenous Land Justice is Coffee & Conversation Focus
BAR HARBOR—Indigenous scholar Dr. Darren Ranco shares his insights into land justice issues for Wabanaki communities in Maine at the next College of the Atlantic Coffee & Conversation on July 16.
The free event begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Davis Center for Human Ecology room 101 and will also be livestreamed. Registration is required for both options and can be accessed at coa.edu/coffeeandconversation.
Ranco is a professor of anthropology at University of Maine, where he serves as chair of Native American programs and coordinator of Native American research. His research focuses on the ways in which Indigenous communities in the United States resist environmental destruction by using Indigenous diplomacy and critiques of liberalism to protect cultural resources, and how state knowledge systems, rooted in colonial contexts, continue to expose Indigenous Peoples to an inordinate amount of environmental risk. He teaches classes on Indigenous intellectual property rights, research ethics, environmental justice, and tribal governance. A member of the Penobscot Nation, Ranco is particularly interested in how better research relationships can be made between universities, Native and non-Native researchers, and Indigenous communities.
Ranco speaks with COA professor Dr. Todd Little-Siebold about the emerging work around land justice and Wabanaki communities’ efforts to identify and protect culturally and ecologically significant sites throughout Maine.
Coffee & Conversation is held every Tuesday morning in July and August on the COA campus, with options to participate virtually. Sessions are one hour long, and include a Q&A. Coffee and pastries are served prior to each session. Coffee & Conversation events are free and open to the public, but registration is required for both in-person and virtual participation.
Making Democracy Work Series at the Jesup.
BAR HARBOR—The Jesup Memorial Library, Acadia Senior College, and the League of Women Voters Downeast are pleased to announce the second event in a short series of programs under the theme "Making Democracy Work." This series features prominent speakers addressing the challenges facing modern governance and proposing ways to enhance the democratic process.
Dr. Steven Levitsky will speak on Tuesday, July 16th at 7:00 PM. Dr. Levitsky's talk will be held in-person at the Jesup Memorial Library and will also be available for streaming. Steven Levitsky is the David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government at Harvard University, where he also serves as Director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. His research interests include democratization and authoritarianism, political parties, and weak and informal institutions, with a particular focus on Latin America and the crisis of democracy in the United States.
Levitsky is the co-author, along with Daniel Ziblatt, of "How Democracies Die," a New York Times Best-Seller published in 30 languages, and "Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point." He has authored or edited 11 other books, including "Transforming Labor-Based Parties in Latin America: Argentine Peronism in Comparative Perspective" (Cambridge University Press, 2003), "Competitive Authoritarianism: Hybrid Regimes after the Cold War" (with Lucan Way) (Cambridge University Press, 2010), and "Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism" (with Lucan Way) (Princeton University Press, 2022). Currently, Levitsky and Lucan Way are working on a book about democratic resilience worldwide.
Levitsky’s talk follows a presentation by Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld. The event, titled "Why We're at the Breaking Point and 5 Strategies for Repair,” was met with wonderful feedback from those who attended. Watch Dr. Kleinfeld’s talk here: https://www.jesuplibrary.org/2024-talks
In 2019, the "Making Democracy Work" series featured notable speakers such as Theda Skocpol with her talk “Saving America Again,” Burt Neuborne with "How Good Are the Brakes on This Train?", and Richard Fallon discussing “Law and Legitimacy in the Supreme Court.”
We invite the community to join us for this insightful discussion as we explore ways to strengthen and improve our democratic institutions.
Register for Dr. Steven Levitsky’s talk: https://www.jesuplibrary.org/events/levitsky
For more information, click here.
Mat Pilates at the Neighborhood House
Cost: $15/class
Tue/Thu/Sat at 9:15am; starts June 29
with Hillary Kennedy
Mat Pilates is perfect for anyone looking to build a strong and balanced body while improving flexibility and energy levels. All experience levels are welcomed and encouraged to participate in Hillary's classes. In addition to group classes, Hillary also is available for individual instruction including use of the reformer and other apparatuses in our lower level studio. For information on booking an individual session, please contact Hillary or our main office.
Tuesday events via the Chamber:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY GUIDED TOURS
Divine Play Yoga at the Neighborhood House
Mon/Wed; 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Cost: $15/class
with Mike Bouscaren
Dear Yogis,
You’ll recall that our flow yoga classes progressively tease out more body aliveness and mental acuity in you. And they’re fun!
For one hour you alone as do others around you, return to the grounded center that is the unburdened original self. Freer in every way.
You’ll walk away feeling more open, calmer, and sharp. And mightily prepared for whatever the day throws at you.
Divine Play yoga invites you to shine, to be your best, to transform into a Beacon of Joy. It works!
Two Hands Together,
Mike Bouscaren
Register: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19801383
Weekly Save Our Summits Hikes
Do you want to be a #SoilHero by hiking up a mountain AND helping Acadia’s efforts to restore summit vegetation? Friends of Acadia is partnering with the park and Schoodic Institute to host a weekly Save Our Summits Volunteer Program, every Wednesday from June through September. This program invites tenacious hikers to bring bags of soil to the summits of Penobscot and Sargent Mountains to help with restoration efforts. Hikes run from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., weather permitting. Advanced registration is required.
Register and learn more about how to prepare for the event her
Wednesday events via the Chamber:
THURSDAY, JULY 18
MDI HOSPITAL AUXILIARY BAKE SALE
Come support the MDI Hospital on July 18th from 10:00 - 2:00 PM at our annual Northeast Harbor Bake sale. Hosted outside of Carter's Real Estate. Each sale supports the Hospital and patients we serve!
Join us in making a significant impact at the MDI Hospital on July 18th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, during our cherished annual Northeast Harbor Bake Sale. This much-anticipated event will be hosted outside of Carter's Real Estate, where every purchase you make holds profound significance. Your participation directly contributes to supporting MDI Hospital and the invaluable care we provide to our patients. Each sale represents more than just a transaction—it's a gesture of compassion and support that helps sustain crucial healthcare services within our community. So mark your calendars and bring your friends and family to indulge in delicious treats, knowing that every treat you purchase helps us continue our mission of compassionate care. Together, we can make a difference, one sale at a time.
BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Create Art with Mike Duffy In-Person
Join beloved artist Mike Duffy for an art program at the Southwest Harbor Public Library at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday July 18th. Ages 9+.
Complete a registration for each child.
IMPORTANT: To ensure a confirmation email reaches you, please add alerts@mail.libcal.com to your email contacts. Your registration will be sent to you from this address. If you do not receive a confirmation email, call 207-244-7065 or email circulation@swhplibrary.org.
Fourth Annual Ashley Bryan Lecture with Samuel James
At its best, storytelling is an expression of authenticity, but in a culture reliant on layers of inequity, authenticity can be difficult to understand or even define. Samuel James explores these ideas and more during Jesup Memorial Library’s 2024 Ashley Bryan Honorary Lecture on Thursday, July 18th at 7pm.
The Annual Ashley Bryan Lecture
The Jesup Memorial Library hosts annual lecture celebrating the life and ideals of Ashley Bryan. A noted printmaker, author especially of children’s books, puppet maker, painter, story teller, illustrator, and maker of art from sea glass and other found materials, Bryan devoted his life in the arts to bringing people together. The Library invites a distinguished artist or critic whose work reflects similarly deep interest in racial equity to discuss that work with the Downeast Maine community each year for a mid-summer presentation.
To find out more about the Ashley Bryan Lecture as well as how to support this event in years to come, click here.
About Samuel James
Samuel James is a musician, journalist and storyteller. James has been featured on This American Life and The Moth Radio Hour. His other work with The Moth includes Mainstage storyteller, interviewer, Radio Hour host, and contributor to the NYT Bestselling books How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth and The Moth Presents: A Point of Beauty.
As a musician, James has been touring internationally for more than fifteen years, performing in the Black American Folk Tradition. He has released seven albums, scored film soundtracks and museum exhibits. James' award-winning songwriting has been compared to Leonard Cohen's and his guitar virtuosity to that of Jimi Hendrix.
James’ monthly column Racisms can be currently found in The Bollard and his weekly newsletter Banned Histories of Race in America can be found on Substack. He’s also the creator and host of the podcast 99 Years, exploring the deliberate creation of the whitest state in the nation.
Picture This!
SOUTHWEST HARBOR—Textile collage artist Elaine O’Neil will be at the Gilley to teach two classes creating art from fabric on Thursday, July 18. There will be one session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the other from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
A Maine native, O’Neil now lives half the year in her home state and the other half in North Carolina.
“I create textile collage art of places and scenes that either have a personal meaning to me or a collective, special value to a community. Much of my work originates from subjects related to my ancestors and fond memories of my childhood in Maine...The scenes I create are inspired to convey a sense of an idyllic and joyful life,” she said.
Come make a collage of one of your special places in this workshop.
To reserve your spot, click here.
Book Sale at Northeast Harbor Library
Book Sale, 3:30-5 p.m.,
Northeast Harbor Library. Proceeds benefit the library. 276-3333.
Come discover the Northeast Harbor Library’s Book Sale Down Under, which is open year 'round. Well organized, there is something for everyone, including books, DVDs, audios, a children’s section and a collector’s shelf with all sorts of interesting offerings. The cost is by donation. The hours for the sale are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-5 p.m. For more information, call the library at 276-3333.
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Northeast Harbor Library, 1 Joy Road, Mount Desert
ROB REID LIVE
Mat Pilates at the Neighborhood House
Cost: $15/class
Tue/Thu/Sat at 9:15am; starts June 29
with Hillary Kennedy
Mat Pilates is perfect for anyone looking to build a strong and balanced body while improving flexibility and energy levels. All experience levels are welcomed and encouraged to participate in Hillary's classes. In addition to group classes, Hillary also is available for individual instruction including use of the reformer and other apparatuses in our lower level studio. For information on booking an individual session, please contact Hillary or our main office.
Thursday events via the Chamber:
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Island Readers & Writers will bring Maya Meyers and Casey Robinson to the Southwest Harbor Public Library for a Storytime & Pop-up bookshop
Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy storytime at 10am in the children’s garden. Author Maya Myers will read her new picture book Not Little and author Casey Robinson will read her new picture book Small Things Mended. These two perfectly paired stories are about the beauty of imperfect things and the power of friendship & community. Books will be available for sale and to be signed by both authors under IRW’s orange pop-up tent on the lawn in front of Pemetic Elementary School from 10:30am–12:00pm! https://islandreadersandwriters.org/
BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY GUIDED TOURS
“Al Fresco” Tai Chi
Fridays; 10:15am; held outdoors on the lawn at the Neighborhood House
Cost: $10/class
with Andrea Lepcio
We will explore Tai Chi moves for strength, balance and flexibility. Andrea will introduce a number of forms to build your knowledge and repertoire. Class can be done standing and in a chair. Classes will be held OUTSIDE on the lawn, so please wear flat shoes.
Online registration not required.
Friday events via the Chamber:
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Howie Day - 20th Anniversary of "Stop All The World Now"
Saturday, July 20 | 7PM
https://criteriontheatre.fanlink.tv/072024
TRENTON COMMUNITY BAZAAR
We have lots of new vendors every month and some that have been there before. Come on out you never know what you will find there is something for everyone.
Jul 20 at 9:00AM - Jul 21 at 2:00PM
ArtWaves often has classes, a variety every week. For the updated selection, check out its website here
POETRY READING AT SOUTHWEST HARBOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Susan Deborah King, a summer resident of Great Cranberry Island, will give a reading from her poetry, including excerpts from her two most recent books: Moon Dance (island poems) and Though It Can’t Last (a dialogue between her and a colleague who is a photographer) at Southwest Harbor Library, Sat., July 20 at 1:00pm. Copies of her book will be for sale and a portion of the sales will benefit the library.
Beginning her professional life as a Presbyterian pastor, King went on to teach creative writing at Western Connecticut State University, the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, and the University of Minnesota. She was artist in residence at the Whittier Community School for the Arts and at United Seminary of the Twin Cities, both in Minnesota, as well as leading many retreats on Creativity and Spirituality. She is the author of nine books of poetry, including Bog Orchids, One-Breasted Woman and Dropping into the Flower, as also editor of two poetry anthologies, Out of the Depths: Poetry of Poverty, Courage and Resilience, and Fresh Testaments. In the winter she lives in Cumberland, Maine with her husband. She has twin daughter and two grandchildren.
For questions or assistance registering, call 207-244-7065, or email programs@swhplibrary.org.
Confirmation email: To ensure this email reaches you, please add alerts@mail.libcal.com to your email contacts. Your registration will be sent to you from this address. If you do not receive a confirmation email, call 207-244-7065 or email circulation@swhplibrary.org.
Date:
Mat Pilates at the Neighborhood House
Cost: $15/class
Tue/Thu/Sat at 9:15am; starts June 29
with Hillary Kennedy
Mat Pilates is perfect for anyone looking to build a strong and balanced body while improving flexibility and energy levels. All experience levels are welcomed and encouraged to participate in Hillary's classes. In addition to group classes, Hillary also is available for individual instruction including use of the reformer and other apparatuses in our lower level studio. For information on booking an individual session, please contact Hillary or our main office.
MDI COMMUNITY MARKET!
Come see us at Mother’s Kitchen from 9 to 1 and find plenty of fresh food from your local farmers & harvesters
We’ll have veggies, mushrooms, seedlings, fish, mussels, vegan baked goods and art! Live music from 11 with Gus La Casse and Mathias Kamin! Community tent! You can purchase fresh food to donate to Common Good Soup Kitchen in Southwest Harbor! Mother’s Kitchen and Salsbury’s will both be open. Plenty to do and to see! And we’re still accepting vendors, so if you’re interested in joining come chat with us
FINBACK ALEHOUSE LIVE MUSIC!
There’s live music every Saturday night all summer long at the Finback Alehouse in Bar Harbor. Music starts at 9:30!
VIRTUAL WRITE ON! WRITING GROUP
Want support for your craft? The Write On! writer’s group has been meeting at the Jesup since 2014, and remotely during the pandemic. Each meeting, members may bring in up to 1200 words to read for feedback, and in turn offer feedback to others. Although each member doesn’t get to read work every time, the group shares the time fairly. The group meets on Zoom, and hold in confidence what is shared. This group welcomes adults 18 and up writing in many genres. There’s no homework–the only commitment is two hours on Saturday mornings.
Date and Time
SATURDAYS
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location
Zoom
How to Attend
Call the library, 207-288-4245, for more about us and how to join, or email info@jesuplibrary.org.
PRAYER SHAWL MISSION GROUP
Welcoming all knitters and would be knitters…and crocheters! The Welcome and Care Team at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church UCC is hosting a weekly Prayer Shawl Mission Group every Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church UCC. The intention of the group is to create a sense of community and a flow of Prayer Shawls for distribution to those in need of comfort due to illness, loneliness, or loss. Supplies and instruction will be provided to those with skills for knitting and/or crocheting and for those with a desire to learn.
There are no costs to the participants.
For more information contact Pat by calling (203) 770-0063 or email: pgdizazzo@yahoo.com.
Saturday events Via the Chamber:
SUNDAY, JULY 21
AT THE CRITERION …
SOUTHWEST HARBOR CRAFT FAIR!
SARA JONES!
6 p.m. start
Bar Harbor's Eden Farmer's Market
Maine grown, raised and value added delights in Bar Harbor.
Sundays, 9 am -12 noon, rain or shine, Park and Main Streets.
Sunday events via the Chamber:
FUTURE EVENTS:
CLIMATE SOLUTIONS JAMBOREE
ISLESFORD—A Climate Solutions Jamboree will be on Monday, July 22, 4-8:30 p.m., at the Islesford Arts & Technology Park on Little Cranberry Island. Speakers will discuss climate solutions. There will also be live music.
The festival is free and hosted by A Climate To Thrive and Sam Shaw. Snacks and drinks will be available for a small fee per item. Those attending are encouraged to dress festively.
According to its website:
“Event-specific transportation has been organized from Northeast Harbor with a fee of $10 each direction. Ferry reservations are available and encouraged, as boats filled very quickly last year.
“Reserve a spot at https://tinyurl.com/ykcpe3km.
“In addition, Isles-ford Dock Restaurant will accommodate private boats at its dock for the evening. If folks are heading out with boats and have space for others to join, let organizers know at admin@ aclimatetothrive.org.”
Event Schedule
Speakers at the 10 Spot Stage:
4-4:30 p.m.: Amanda Joy Ravenhill: “A Vision of TMRW”
4:30-5 p.m.: Angie Flores: “Exploring Community Resilience”
5-5:30 p.m.: Brianna Cun-liffe: “Community-Driven Climate Action for the Win!”
6:30-7 p.m.: Andrew Revkin: “Covering the Climate, from the International to Local”
7-7:30 p.m.: Johannah Blackman: “Hope in Action”
4:45-5:45 p.m.: Sydney Patten Solo Piano
6-6:45 p.m.: Clare Monfredo Solo Cello
7:15-8:15 p.m.: Nate Shaw Jazz combo
7:30-8 p.m.: Vaughan Woodruff: “The Human Element of the Energy Transition”
Music at the Spiral Stage:
5:30-6:15 p.m.: King Tide 6:45-7:30 p.m.: Hannah Mohan
7:45-8:30 p.m.: Hannah Mohan
For more information, including speaker bios, and to register, visit https://www.aclimatetothrive.org/jamboree
WINE AND WHISKERS FOR THE SPCA OF HANCOCK COUNTY!
BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S HUDSON TO HARBOR
Hudson to Harbor Art Invitational Reception
BAR HARBOR — Join the Bar Harbor Historical Society at La Rochelle on August 2 at 5 p.m to 7 p.m. for an exclusive art sale and reception showcasing work from select local artists that reflect the surrounding area.
Cocktails and hor d’oeuvres will be served, and there will also be a raffle drawing for a piece of art from the exhibition selected by Carl Little.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION AND RAFFLE
On Saturday, August 3, artistic works will be exhibited for free and will be available for purchase around BHHS. Also, on Saturday, there will be a raffle drawing for a piece from the exhibition selected by Carl Little! Raffle tickets are $20 and will be available for purchase throughout the weekend.
The Bar Harbor Historical Society is one of Bar Harbor’s best used public spaces: the #1 cultural community center for the village and one of the top five “must see” destinations on Mount Desert Island. The Society is a community and institutional leader that welcomes residents and visitors alike to discover the past in order to understand the present, and to take pride in community connections. It is a dynamic, bustling regional center for research, dialogue, and learning where stories are told through multiple media daily. A professional, well-run living museum, its schedule is filled with events and programs. It is a place of smiles, wonder, and imagination.
Tickets are $50/person. For tickets, please head to barharborhistorical.org/events
SOUTHWEST HARBOR CRAFT FAIR
BAR HARBOR MUSIC FESTIVAL!
2024 Tickets are on sale!! Concerts July 8- October 13. https://www.barharbormusicfestival.org/2024-season/
(Please call or text 212-222-1026 for subscriptions or orders by check)
New for 2024: lower priced rear section seating, Young Audience Concerts on Cranberry thanks to Ned Swain and Devenish Wines, a collab concert with Nimbus Dance, and FREE tickets for everyone 21 and under thanks to the Thirsty Whale in Bar Harbor!
Open Garden Day 2024
Saturday, July 27, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Seal Harbor, Maine
Six private gardens—details here.
$50 per guest. Stay as long as you like, just let us know if you plan to arrive morning or afternoon. Tickets are non-refundable. Event is held rain or shine.
Proceeds benefit dozens of local horticultural and conservation projects.
Note this is a shuttle-only tour, no private car access. Signs and volunteers will direct you to parking on east Cooksey Drive. Free bus access to Seal Harbor from Northeast Harbor and Bar Harbor via Island Explorer. Most gardens have uneven terrain, stairs or narrow paths so are not handicap or stroller accessible. Houses are NOT open. Restroom available at Seal Harbor Village Green. No video cameras, dogs, or smoking. Cell phone photography only.
INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCES
Years ago Bar Harbor had monthly international folk dances with live music in the Municipal Building "ballroom". The live band that played was The Bar Harbor Folk Orchestra with Tom Crikelair, Jon Archer, Carl Karush and Joe Niemczura. But in the 1990s, the dances were discontinued. International folk dances in Ellsworth were suspended in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. But now an enthusiastic group of dancers and musicians from both on and off the Island, have assembled to relaunch this community activity. "We want to share our love for other cultures and the joy of dancing to live ethnic music" noted one of the group members of the newly-formed Downeast Folk Dancers. "We hope everyone will come to join in the fun!"
International Folk Dancing with the Kotwica Band, featuring dances from the Baltic, to the Black Sea, and beyond, will be held on the first Saturday of the month this summer: August 3, 7:00-9:00pm, at the MDI-YWCA, 36 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor. Dances will be taught by Carolyn Rapkievian - no experience and no partner is needed. This new series is sponsored by the Downeast Folk Dancers. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559917761571
CRITERION EVENTS
MEADOWS, WALSH & FRIENDS-CHICAGO STYLE IMPROV AT THE CRITERION
BAR HARBOR—Tim Meadows, Matt Walsh, Brad Morris and Joe Canale make up the fantastically funny improv show: Meadows, Walsh & Friends. Their fully improvised performances are inspired by a short chat at the top of the show with the audience. The chats launch them into a fast-moving act that features irreverent characters and heightened spins on recognizable situations, all the while building shape and theme. Each unique show is entertaining, funny, and thought provoking.
Meadows, a longtime Saturday Night Live cast member and has appeared in Mean Girls, and has guest starred on countless TV programs including: The Office, The Goldbergs and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Matt Walsh is best known for his role as Mike McLintock in HBO’s Veep and was a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade sketch comedy theater. Brad Morris is known for his roles in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Cougar Town, and Bajillion Dollar Propertie$. Joe Canale has been in Kay Valentine’s Day Commercial Parody, Life of Brad and Douchebag Assassins
All four improvisers have strong ties to The Second City. Matt Walsh toured with The Second City Touring Company based in Chicago, and Tim, Brad and Joe are Alums of The Second City resident stage in Chicago. Together, they have influenced generations of improvisers.
July 30th - 7:30pm
ARTWAVES CLASSES AND EVENTS
ArtWaves often has classes, a variety every week. For the updated selection, check out its website here
A FEW OF THE FUTURE JESUP EVENTS
For a full list of Jesup Memorial Library events, click through to its calendar here.
QUESTIONS OF DEMOCRACY
The 2024 College of the Atlantic Summer Institute will examine democracy in the United States during one of the most consequential years of our times.
Struggles for democracy traverse our lives and society, from ballot boxes to inboxes, from the corridors of congress to the halls of schools, from kitchen tables to city streets. Questions of democracy confront us in our debates over freedom of the press, voting rights, and artistic freedom, in struggles of authoritarianism, and in conversations about how to effectively engage with disagreement and conflict across a range of topics.
Join us from July 29 - August 2 as elected officials, authors, analysts, and community organizers discuss what democracy means to them, the threats it faces, and how our individual and collective efforts can fortify democracy now and for future generations.
We will announce speakers over the next weeks. Please check the Summer Institute page for more details as they are announced. Registration is free, and opens May 1 for Champlain Society members, June 1 for the general public.
Saving Sick & Injured Wild Animals, with Acadia Wildlife Center’s Tony Mullane, Thursday, July 25 at 7 pm
BAR HARBOR—The Jesup Memorial library is excited to host an upcoming presentation by Tony Mullane, the newly appointed executive director of the Acadia Wildlife Center, on the Center's mission to rehabilitate sick and injured native wildlife in Maine. The event will highlight Tony’s unique upbringing, from catching eagles, to feeding baby squirrels, to pushing a moose calf through the woods. Tony will also discuss the Center's pivotal role in preserving Maine’s ecosystems and will be showing several educational animals!
Acadia Wildlife Center, established in 1994, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured native wildlife in Maine. Through education and community engagement, the Center promotes awareness of wildlife conservation and the importance of preserving natural habitats.
This event is free and open to the public. Reserve your seat here: https://www.jesuplibrary.org/events/awc
J. Courtney Sullivan presents THE CLIFFS with Christina Baker Kline
Saturday, July 27 at 3:30 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—Join best-selling authors J. Courtney Sullivan and Christina Baker Kline at the Jesup Memorial Library as they discuss Sullivan's new novel, THE CLIFFS, a story of family, secrets, ghosts, and homecoming set on the seaside cliffs of Maine.
J. Courtney Sullivan is the best-selling author of the novels Commencement, Maine, The Engagements, Saints for All Occasions, and Friends and Strangers. Her work has been translated into seventeen languages. Sullivan's writing has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, New York, Elle, Glamour, Allure, Real Simple, and O, The Oprah Magazine, among many others. In 2017, she wrote the forewords to new editions of two of her favorite classic novels—Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including The Exiles, Orphan Train, and A Piece of the World, Christina Baker Kline is published in 40 countries. Her novels have received the New England Prize for Fiction, the Maine Literary Award, and a Barnes & Noble Discover Award, among other prizes, and have been chosen by hundreds of communities, universities and schools as “One Book, One Read” selections. Her essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in publications such as the New York Times and the NYT Book Review, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Psychology Today, and Slate.This event is free and open to the public.
Reserve your seat here: https://www.jesuplibrary.org/events/sullivan
23rd Annual Luminaria Event Scheduled for August 10
BAR HARBOR—YWCA MDI will hold its 23rd annual Carol Dyer Memorial Luminaria Evening on Saturday, August 10 to benefit the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center.
The first luminaria evening took place in 2001 to celebrate the life of Carol Dyer, a local children’s librarian and friend of YWCA MDI. The event has become a local tradition, with hundreds of luminaria lining the sidewalks of the Bar Harbor Village Green on a night every August. Each personalized luminaria is dedicated to a friend or family member lost to or fighting cancer. Together, they illuminate the night with hope for a cancer-free world.
This year, luminaria will be on display on the Bar Harbor Village Green from 7:00 to 9:30 PM on August 10th, with a rain date of August 17. Chris Popper of WDEA will serve as master of ceremonies, and Alice French will provide music.
Luminaria are available for pre-order at https://donate.ywcamdi.org/carol-dyer-memorial-luminaria-evening/ and will be available the evening of the event. The suggested donation is $10 for each luminaria. Proceeds will benefit the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center in Ellsworth.
YWCA Mount Desert Island is in its 120th year of service on MDI. YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, standing up for social justice, supporting families, and strengthening communities. Visit https://www.ywcamdi.org to learn more about the YWCA’s work on MDI and beyond.
The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center in Ellsworth provides support, wellness groups, advocacy, education, and patient navigation services to people in Washington and Hancock Counties.
ONGOING:
GET YOUR HERO ON!
BAR HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
To check if Bar Harbor Fire Department is currently hiring, please go to the town’s jobs page.
But even if it isn’t, you can become a call member
Becoming a call force firefighter requires extensive training, hard work, and dedication to the community. We rely on call force firefighters to respond quickly to emergencies, to perform firefighting duties, and to provide assistance and support to career firefighters. To be a fall force firefighter is to have a chance to aid and serve the community, which is an extremely rewarding experience.
Get Your Knowledge On!
ASC Racial Justice Book Group
Are you interested in joining us? We are open to new members who want to share in the reading and the hard work that ensues as we examine the underpinnings of systemic racism and its effects on society and on each of us individually, in the ultimate hope that our studies can work toward change.
We have been meeting once a month on the second Tuesday of the month from 10:30- 12:15.
We started with the basic readings of How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee. We then spent many months delving deeply into The 1619 Project edited by Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Since then, we’ve read some James Baldwin, Colon Whitehead, Zora Neale Hurston, Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., Clint Smith and many others. We look forward in the next few months to reading some James McBride and Bryan Stevenson. We also share articles of interest that deal with the issues we’re facing.
If the truly hard, but most meaningful, work we are doing to examine our society, culture and ourselves sounds like something that interests you, please contact me at rjbg2021@gmail.com or 207-664-9954.
Read more about the book group
La Rochelle Mansion + Museum
Join the Bar Harbor Historical Society at Bar Harbor's Summer Cottage, La Rochelle, this season! See the exhibits and artifacts that helped shaped this storied town!
May 28 at 10:00 A.M. - Oct 26 at 2:00 P.M.
Bar Harbor Historical Society, 127 West Street
$15.00
GET YOUR VOLTA ON!
Volta, in Trenton, has a ton of things always going on. You can check that out here.
GET YOUR MOVIE ON!
REEL PIZZA
Reel Pizza is open! To check out what’s playing go here.
Tickets are on sale via its website.
Please note that for a while this winter, it will be closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
CRITERION THEATRE
The theater’s website is here, and click for the latest updates.
GET YOUR FITNESS, DANCE AND WELLNESS ON!
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE!
The Neighborhood House has a slew of classes to help you get your fitness on. Descriptions are at its website.
MDI YMCA!
The MDI YMCA’s program guide is here.
DOWNEAST COMMUNITY DANCE
Downeast Community Dance
Free form dance, conscious or ecstatic, not facilitated. Come drop into your own joyful movement.
This is now held the first, third, and fifth Sunday of the month at 10 a.m. at ArtWaves Dance StudioFor more information, contact Susan at 288-8103 or cloudnine@gwi.net.
Location
Dance Studio at ArtWaves, 1345A State Highway 102, Bar Harbor
GET YOUR MUSIC ON!
THE FINBACK ALEHOUSE
The Finback has entertainment most nights. The schedule is posted every Tuesday.
THE NOR’EASTER
The Nor’Easter has music every Saturday night from 8-10 in the summer and 7-9 in the winter.
ONE OFF PUB
The One Off Pub often has music and is often open until midnight. The location? 119 Main Street.
HAVANA
Every Saturday night its open, at 6:30 p.m, you can come hear the maestro Bob Lombardi. Maestro isn’t something we put out there for everyone. Havana is on lower Main Street.
IVY MANOR INN
Every day out on the lawn, weather permitting, the music begins at 2!
“Things To Do” is mostly curated by me looking for things happening in the upcoming week, which takes a lot of time and I truly do not know all that is going on.
If there’s something in Bar Harbor (or MDI or Trenton or Ellsworth or even Bangor) that you’d like me to mention, please let me know, because I’m definitely always missing some events every week.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here.