October First Friday
At the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main St:
5–7pm Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival + Maine Lit Fest
Celebrate the joy of books, art, and community! Stop by the Paul J. Schupf Art Center for free books and a hands-on art activity. Enjoy a special reading of Saturday by Oge Mora presented by the Waterville Public Library, then create your own artwork inspired by the book. Spanish language readings of the book Saturday/Sabado by Let’s Talk Language School!
This free community event is a collaboration between Indigo Arts Alliance, Waterville Creates, the Colby College Museum of Art, the Waterville Public Library, and the Colby Arts Office.
The Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival celebrates Black and Black Immigrant children’s books and their creators with an annual 3,000+ book giveaway to Maine families, the production of acclaimed media and activities, and live book events. For more about the book festival programs all over the state, click here.
For more info on Main Lit fest, click here.
7:30pm Natalie MacMaster + Donnell Leahy at the Opera House
Celtic Superstars and power-couple Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy are back on the world stage for the first time since their marriage in 2000.
The early 2000s saw both Natalie and Donnell busy raising their seven children (all world class musical talents in their own right), running a fully operational farm, and building a thriving Farmers’ Market in Lakefield Ontario, all while still playing over 75 shows a year in North America. With most of the children now in their early to late teens, it’s time to spread their wings again and bring their electrifying live performances to audiences everywhere.
For tickets, click here.Â
All Day: Half off all concessions (except alcohol) at the Maine Film Center.
At the Waterville Public Library, 73 Elm St:
On the first Friday on the month, starting in October, adults and teens can drop by the Waterville Public Library to pick up a Grab & Go Craft kit. Each kit will contain the supplies and instructions for the current craft or activity, including any tools particular to the craft. Kits will be ready on Friday between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm, available for as long as supplies last.
At Greene Block +Studios, 18 Main St:
6–7:30pm Colby Fall Jazz Series: Peter Bernstein
Kick off this year’s Colby Arts Jazz Series with jazz guitarist Peter Bernstein, who has played on festival, concert, and club stages all over the world and has appeared on more than 300 recordings, with 14 under his own name.
What are First Fridays?
First Fridays celebrate the vibrant creativity in Waterville through a wide array of arts experiences. On the first Friday of every month, visit downtown Waterville to meet artists, see performances, listen to live music, eat delicious food, shop at local businesses, enjoy the arts, and come together as a community.