A vacation is a chance to do all the things you wish you had time for the rest of the year. It is a time to visit museums and historical sites. It is a chance to eat out at restaurants and save room for dessert. It is an opportunity to relax by sleeping in, getting a massage, or finishing a book on a cozy rocking chair in the sun. It is the perfect occasion for a night at the theater, comedy club, or music venue.
Boothbay, Maine, has some fantastic entertainment options. It can be interesting to explore a new theater and see the architectural design. If you are a music expert, or even just a novice, how do the acoustics of the venue sound different than the one back home? Is there a show that you have been wanting to see but you missed the opportunity when it was showing near you? What is the culture of the area you are visiting and how is that reflected in the events calendar of the venue? Plan an entire getaway based on the events calendar or be a bit more spontaneous and purchase tickets for whatever show happens to be in town. Either way, you are sure to have stories to share after your adventure.
House at Boothbay Harbor
The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor is celebrating its 20th season since reopening as an event venue in 2003. The Opera House was built in 1894 and now holds an esteemed spot on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years it has been a lodge for the Knights of Pythias as well as the Masons, a restaurant and bar, a private home, and a mini-mall. A non-profit organization was created in the early 21st century to save and restore the opera house. Now it is a thriving center of entertainment with shows all year long. Upcoming performances include:
- The Hot Sardines, June 3 – Get ready for a night of reinvigorated classic jazz performed by a group that got its start in Brooklyn underground parties.
- Gaelic Storm, June 9 – You may recognize this group from the movie Titanic. They were cast as the Irish band that played to the steerage passengers in the film. They have also been in the #1 spot on the Billboard World Music Chart seven times.
- Vance Gilbert, June 10 – Mr. Gilbert has released 13 albums. He has shared the stage with Aretha Franklin, Arlo Guthrie, and George Carlin.
- Rum Ragged, June 16 – Hailing from Newfoundland, this folk band has a contemporary edge. Along with more common folk instruments, they play bouzouki, bodhran, and button accordion.
- Oshima Brothers, June 30 – Singer/songwriter Sean and his brother musician Jamie are from Portland but they now tour the world with their songs that feel both fresh and familiar.
- That is just the June schedule. Check the events page often for new additions and future events.
Carousel Music Theater
The Carousel Music Theater is a dinner theater built in 1982. If you have never been to a dinner theater before you may be surprised when you see your serving staff up on stage as the actors. That’s right, after making sure everyone gets a chance to enjoy their three-course meal, the servers/actors put on the show. There is also the option of purchasing a less expensive ticket that skips the soup and sandwich and provides only the dessert (the best part of any meal). The 2023 season features two shows filled with top musical hits from two different decades:
- Boogie Down, July 11 – August 5, 2023 – It may be hard to stay in your seats as you hear the best hits from the 1970s. To add to the fun of the music, the show is set in a radio station on New Year’s Eve in 1979.
- Liberty Belles, August 8 – 20, 2023 – This is a classic USO show featuring a trio of women performing music from the 1940s.
Harbor Theater
The Harbor Theater is known as “the best little movie house in Maine.” Alongside first-run releases, you will find art and independent films, documentaries, festival winners, and classic revivals on their schedule. As a community-based non-profit theater, they also feature unique events such as Meet the Director nights and local cultural events. The theater strives to be a place that can be enjoyed by everyone so they provide assistive listening and closed captioning devices as well as special headphones for those with visual impairments. Make sure to check the schedule of films during your visit and stop in to see the newly renovated space.
