JANUARY 15, 2026 | ISSUE 2

Ben Cosgrove returns to the Underground Lounge on Thursday, January 22nd at 7:00pm.

A traveling composer-performer based in northern New England, Cosgrove creates music inspired by landscape, place, geography, and environment, blending folk and classical influences into richly evocative compositions. The Boston Globe has described him as “a sonic plein-air painter who uses his piano as a paintbrush.”

In a recent interview with Yankee Magazine, author Joe Keohane describes Cosgrove’s music as “quintessentially American, omnivorous, and democratic. It incorporates elements of classical, folk, country, blues, pop, et cetera, and can be by turns meditative and chaotic, somber and exuberant, lovely and frightening, still and dynamic.” Cosgrove’s imminent new album, Topograph, will be released this month.

To hear new tracks and more, visit bencosgrove.bandcamp.com.

The Underground Lounge is Belfast’s own volunteer-led, coffee shop-style music series, which keeps excellent live music flowing during Maine’s long off-season. Admission is $10-$20 (cash only) at the door. Doors open at 6:30pm, and music starts at 7:00pm. Food and beverages are available by donation.

40 Thieves at Three Tides & Marshall Wharf Brewing Company

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23RD / 6-9PM

40 Thieves is an authentic and exciting, professional mix full of gentle harmonies, vivid, poetic lyrics, and intricate, percussive guitar playing. Dark & Stormy, Warm & Vibrant, Curious & Revelatory, the shows are an all-encompassing mix of their best original songs along with other select works from classic songwriters and traditional numbers, which continue to stand the test of time and relevance. 40 Thieves features Maine songwriter Travis Cyr accompanied by the angelic voice of Laura Bagley, together they are a creative and unique vibe all their own. 

Celebrate the launch of Lorwyn Eclipse with early access to build your deck at White Rabbit Game Emporium! As part of the Wizards Play Network, you can pick up the brand new Lorwyn set here earlier than anywhere else.



The $45 ticket includes one Lorwyn: Eclipsed Prerelease Pack including 6 Lorwyn Eclipsed Play Boosters (valued at $48), 1 Traditional Foil Card, 1 Prerelease Die, 1 Deck Box.

We'll be playing with 40-card decks built using new cards, in the game lounge at the store.

White Rabbit Game Emporium

78 Main Street, Belfast

Saturday, January 24th / 1-3PM

The ELO program is partnering with the Waldo Alliance for Mentorship to host an event for businesses to learn more about working with teens as either interns or employees....The Waldo Alliance for Mentorship (WAM), invites you to join them for a discussion on how they can support your businesses in working with youth as interns or employees. The event will be held on Thursday, February 5th at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Belfast, from 5:00-6:30, and will include a panel presentation featuring 3 local businesses that have had success working with youth. We will follow the panel with a discussion and Q+A focusing on specific barriers and opportunities (e.g. - insurance + liability, teen attitudes, social media, etc.). Tea and snacks will be provided.

If you'd like to join, please take a moment to fill out the registration form HERE.

See you on the 5th!

Hawthorne Arts Collaborative and the Colonial Theatre Welcome Cam Howard as New Program Director

Belfast, Maine



Hawthorne Arts Collaborative, the organization that owns and operates the Colonial Theatre in Belfast, is pleased to announce the hiring of Cam Howard (they/them) as the organization’s new Program Director.

Cam Howard is a writer, film programmer, and community organizer with deep Maine roots and a strong commitment to accessible, adventurous, and community-centered arts programming. They join Hawthorne Arts Collaborative most recently from the Points North Institute, where they served as Festival & Community Programs Manager, and bring additional experience from Maine Media Workshops + College and Space Gallery in Portland. Cam grew up in Washington County and now lives in Belfast.

“Cam’s background and their passion for cinema as a tool for connection and discovery make them a wonderful fit for Hawthorne Arts Collaborative and the Colonial’s mission,” said Meg Fournier, Executive Director. “We’re so excited for the creativity, curiosity, and care they’ll bring to our screens and our stage.”

As Program Director, Cam will oversee film and live event programming at the historic Colonial Theatre, continuing the theatre’s commitment to presenting engaging, inclusive, and inspiring experiences for audiences in Waldo County and beyond.

“I’m thrilled to be working with the team to present an eclectic and entertaining array of programming,” said Howard. “When I was growing up in Washington County, my older sister would load up my mail-order Netflix queue with international films that she was seeing in college. These films opened the whole world up to me. I take a lot of pride in creating a world-opening resource for the people in Waldo County… I hope that everyone who comes into the Colonial leaves feeling that same sense of wonder that I felt about movies when I was a tween.”

Hawthorne Arts Collaborative is a nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Colonial Theatre, Maine’s oldest cinema and a cornerstone of Belfast’s arts and cultural life for over a century. Through film, live performances, and community programming, the organization works to foster creativity, connection, and discovery for audiences of all ages.

The Colonial Theatre is located at 163 High Street in downtown Belfast, Maine. For more information, visit colonialtheatre.com.

Friends of Carver Memorial Library Craft Stash Sale

Saturday, February 14th from 9:00 - 11:00 am

Mermaid Plaza, 1 East Main St Searsport, ME 04974

On Saturday, February 14th, from 9:00 - 11:00 am, The Friends of Carver Memorial Library will be hosting their annual Craft Stash Sale. It will be held at the Mermaid Plaza at 1 East Main St. in Searsport, ME. 

The Stash Sale focuses on quilting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, and crochet materials and supplies. Your neighbors have donated unused material from their stashes, and they will sell it at bargain prices!

Last year's Stash Sale was their biggest ever, and this year they have even more! Don't miss out!

The Stash Sale is organized by the Friends of Carver Memorial Library, and all proceeds go directly to benefit the Carver Memorial Library and its programs.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST —ARTS IN THE PARK APPLICATIONS GO LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE THIS FRIDAY! ARTISTS AND MAKERS, GET READY!



Dorothy Havey, Executive Director

Director@belfastmaine.org

Kim Grindle, Member Relations Coordinator

ChamberOffice@belfastmaine.org

Board of Directors

President: Michelle Curtis, First National Bank

Vice President: Ryan Harnden, Mathews Brothers

Treasurer: Terri Tower, Camden National Bank

Secretary: Megan McAvoy, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital

Haley B. Hall, Esq., Camden Law

John McKeith, The Belfast Center

Mary Tripp, Bank of America

Staff Photography by Dave Waddell, Down East Magazine