Palaver Strings "I Believed in Magic"

An evening with Palaver StringsA remarkable evening with Grammy-nominated Palaver Strings! I Believed in MagicWhat if familiar stories—and familiar music—could be heard in an entirely new way? Experience Grammy-nominated Palaver Strings in I Believed in Magic, an imagin......More

An evening with Palaver StringsA remarkable evening with Grammy-nominated Palaver Strings! I Believed in MagicWhat if familiar stories—and familiar music—could be heard in an entirely new way? Experience Grammy-nominated Palaver Strings in I Believed in Magic, an imaginative evening where classical music, tango, and reimagined bedtime stories explore power, fear, and desire. One remarkable night at Johnson Hall Opera House in Gardiner. Thursday, September 24 · 7:30 PM · Gardiner · $30 · free parking · accessible venue. I Believed in Magic addresses themes of gender, power, fear, and desire, reimagining classic favorites through an evening of bedtime stories. Throughout the evening, works by composers such as 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’s 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. The title refers to the use of canaries in coal mines to warn of gas leaks as a metaphor for the US trans population, especially around issues of healthcare and wellness. This piece is intended both as a response to and a respite from the political turmoil surrounding trans rights. Palaver Strings is a Grammy-nominated, musician-led string ensemble and nonprofit organization based in Portland, ME. Our mission is to strengthen and inspire community through music. In our musician-led model, Palaver’s musicians share artistic and administrative leadership, guided by a passion for engaging new audiences, addressing social justice issues, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Equally committed to performance and education, Palaver presents a full season of live concerts and serves hundreds of students yearly at the Palaver Music Center in Portland. This performance will take place at Johnson Hall Opera House in Gardiner, Maine on the Reehl Stage (3rd Floor). This space is handicap accessible. Doors open at 6:30/Show Time is 7:30. BUY YOUR TICKETS – HERE    

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Five for Fighting with String Quartet

An evening with Five For Fighting with String Quartet and special guest Lace & LeeThe only way for a story to progress is to turn the page. John Ondrasik— the songwriter and performer known as the platinum- selling, Grammy-nominated, Five For Fighting—knows this well. I......More

An evening with Five For Fighting with String Quartet and special guest Lace & LeeThe only way for a story to progress is to turn the page. John Ondrasik— the songwriter and performer known as the platinum- selling, Grammy-nominated, Five For Fighting—knows this well. In the two decades since his first major single, “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” hit the stratosphere, the artist has both evolved and come back ‘round full circle. Creativity, if nothing else, is paradoxical. To date, Five For Fighting, has released six studio LPs, including the platinum certified America Town and The Battle for Everything and the top- 10 charting Two Lights, along with an EP and live albums. Ondrasik has penned major hits, including the chart-topping “100 Years,” “The Riddle,” “Chances,” “World,” and “Easy Tonight,” which have earned over one billion streams and place him as a top-10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s. The reflective “100 Years” has joined “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” as part of the American Songbook and continues to stand the test of time at weddings, birthdays, graduations, memorials, and many a home video. Five For Fighting’s music has also been featured in more than 350 films, television shows, and commercials, including the Oscar-winning The Blind Side, Hawaii Five-O, The Sopranos and the CBS drama, Code Black. Referencing Fight For Fighting’s success in the 2000s, AllMusic called Ondrasik “one of the decade’s leading balladeers.” But perhaps his biggest achievement is performing “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” at the 2001 Concert for New York, a benefit show at Madison Square Garden that honored first responders and the fallen about a month after the tragic September 11th attacks. Ondrasik performed alongside other big -name artists like Paul McCartney, The Who, Elton John, Billy Joel, and dozens more. Opening for this show will be Lace & Lee Lace & Lee is a folk rock duo heavily influenced by the mystical wisdom of 60s and 70s storytelling, with a twist of humor and bard-like prose. Caroline Lace and Olivia Leebegan their musical journey at NYU Tisch, and have since toured with Five For Fighting. Their ethereal vocals and risky harmonies carry the spirit and charm of Celtic music, often holding a mirror up to the 21st century. This performance will take place on the Reehl Stage(3rd Floor) This space is handicap accessible Doors open at 6:30/Show Time is 7:30

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Homegrown ft. Waxwing

Johnson Hall's Homegrown Series featuring WaxwingWaxwing is a Maine-based indie folk and Americana band formed in late 2025. Built around intimate performances, rich vocal harmonies, and a strong focus on original songwriting, the group blends reflective lyricism with w......More

Johnson Hall's Homegrown Series featuring WaxwingWaxwing is a Maine-based indie folk and Americana band formed in late 2025. Built around intimate performances, rich vocal harmonies, and a strong focus on original songwriting, the group blends reflective lyricism with warm acoustic textures and energetic live chemistry. Drawing influence from modern folk and singer-songwriter traditions, Waxwing’s music balances quiet emotional moments with driving arrangements rooted in Americana and indie rock. The band is currently preparing to release their first singles in Fall 2026. This show will take place on the Logan Stage (1st Floor) Doors open at 7:00 Show time is 7:30

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Johnson Hall Open Mic Night

 Open Mic Night Come listen to great local talent or join us on stage! Doors open and signups start at 5:45We will have a guitar, keyboard, and drum kit ready to go

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Lambo Law

An evening with Lambo Law-Guitar DuetLambo Law Guitar Duet Performing on the Logan Stage – LamboLaw Guitar Duet When Neil Lamb and Dave Lawlor first met each had been playing mostly solo jazz guitar for many years. They were introduced by mutual friend, guitar virtuoso ......More

An evening with Lambo Law-Guitar DuetLambo Law Guitar Duet Performing on the Logan Stage – LamboLaw Guitar Duet When Neil Lamb and Dave Lawlor first met each had been playing mostly solo jazz guitar for many years. They were introduced by mutual friend, guitar virtuoso Mark Kleinhaut, who said, “You guys know jazz guitar, but you need to play with more people. Jazz is a language meant to be shared.” Following an initial jam it was clear that their different approaches (7 string finger style and 6 string pick style) were complementary, Since that time they have played diverse settings in and outside of northern New England. Their first cd `Molly Brown’ is on the Invisible Music label and was initially aired on Maine Public Radio. The duo returns to Johnson Hall to perform all new original music that will appear on a new recording slated for release in Fall 2026. This show will take place on the Logan Stage (1st Floor) Doors open at 7:00 Show time is 7:30

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Beginner Line Dancing to Rock/Pop Songs (Oct. 19, 26 & Nov. 2 -6 to 7:00)

Learn to line dance with Dorothy Anne Sirois (3 one-hour sessions)Beginner Line Dancing to Rock/Pop Songs This three week class is a beginner/slightly intermediate class that does not increase in difficulty and focuses on everyone meeting for community and having fun. T......More

Learn to line dance with Dorothy Anne Sirois (3 one-hour sessions)Beginner Line Dancing to Rock/Pop Songs This three week class is a beginner/slightly intermediate class that does not increase in difficulty and focuses on everyone meeting for community and having fun. The large variety of short line dances are choreographed to be light and easy dances that are broken down, then rehearsed 3-4 times before doing it to music. 4 or 5 dances are typically learned in one hour. Sign up to join in the fun of line dancing with confidence, relaxation, and joy! It’s $47 per person for 3 one hour session Oct. 19, 26 & Nov. 2 -6 to 7:00 This class will take place on the Logan Stage (1st Floor) Doors open at 5:45 class begins at 6:00

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Shadows in the Hall (Friday)

Something is stirring inside Johnson Hall… Our 3rd Annual Shadows in the Hall returns October 23 & 24 for two nights of ghostly stories, unexpected scares and characters from another time taking over Johnson Hall Opera House. More than 50 community performers, ages 6 to......More

Something is stirring inside Johnson Hall… Our 3rd Annual Shadows in the Hall returns October 23 & 24 for two nights of ghostly stories, unexpected scares and characters from another time taking over Johnson Hall Opera House. More than 50 community performers, ages 6 to 83, will bring the building to life through a series of short scenes inspired by different moments in time. Guests will travel through Johnson Hall in small groups, moving from scene to scene as stories unfold around them. Some are eerie, some are unsettling, some may make you laugh and you never quite know what might be waiting around the next corner. The full haunting experience lasts approximately 30 minutes. Please note: Shadows in the Hall is not intended for young audiences. The experience includes frightening scenes, sudden scares and mature themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Shadows in the Hall (Saturday)

It’s immersive, it’s haunting, and it’s one of the most unique performance events in the region.An Immersive Theatrical Experience at Johnson Hall After last year’s pilot, Shadows in the Hall returns to Johnson Hall Opera House for two unforgettable nights of immersive ......More

It’s immersive, it’s haunting, and it’s one of the most unique performance events in the region.An Immersive Theatrical Experience at Johnson Hall After last year’s pilot, Shadows in the Hall returns to Johnson Hall Opera House for two unforgettable nights of immersive theater. Step inside the historic 1864 Johnson Hall and explore three floors transformed into a living, breathing performance space. As you move from room to room, you’ll encounter a series of eerie vignettes brought to life by more than 30 actors. Some characters whisper stories of the past, while others seem bound to the building itself, shadows of moments that never fully faded. This isn’t a show you sit and watch. It’s an experience you walk through — where every corner holds a secret, and every shadow hides a story. Expect the unexpected.Discover haunting performances around every turn.Become part of one of the most unique theater events in the region. Shadows in the Hall is immersive. It’s haunting. And it’s unlike anything else you’ll experience this October. Important Information for Ticket HoldersTime Slot Reservations: Please be advised that when you purchase tickets, you are selecting a specific tour time slot.Immersive Experience: Shadows in the Hall is not a traditional sit-down performance. Guests will move through the building as part of a guided, walk-through experience lasting approximately 30 minutes. While there may be brief opportunities to sit, most of the event requires standing and walking.Outdoor Gathering Space: Before your tour begins, please gather in the park adjacent to Johnson Hall, complete with tall outdoor heaters to keep you warm and cozy and adult beverages will be served and be taken through the building during your tour.What to Expect: This is not a typical haunted house. Instead, you’ll encounter a series of short, eerie scenes with unexpected twists. Some material may touch on sensitive themes — viewer discretion is advised.Arrival Time: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled tour. Late arrivals may not be accommodated, and tickets are non-refundable, as this event supports Johnson Hall’s programming.Timing: Tours may run a few minutes behind schedule, but we’ll do our best to keep everything on time.Thank you for supporting Johnson Hall — we hope you enjoy this one-of-a-kind, haunting experience!

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

JH After Dark-Halloween Dance Party

Come dance the night away!JH After Dark-Halloween Dance Party Join us for our first JH After Dark Dance Party. This will be a Halloween themed night complete with costume contest with prizes, beer, wine and cocktail bar, and a live DJ. This will take place on the Logan ......More

Come dance the night away!JH After Dark-Halloween Dance Party Join us for our first JH After Dark Dance Party. This will be a Halloween themed night complete with costume contest with prizes, beer, wine and cocktail bar, and a live DJ. This will take place on the Logan Stage (1st Floor) $10.00 Cover Charge Doors open at 8:00