Black magic

What could be better on a hot summer evening than cool jazz and an icy cocktail? Noir, a local jazz ensemble, takes the stage (or the dining room, as the case may be) at 9 tonight at Guinness & Porcelli’s in Bangor. Frosty drinks and light fare will be served, and Noir will play well into the night. For information, call 947-2300.

Such (food)stuff as dreams are made on

If you’re headed to the Maine Shakespeare Festival, Thistle’s Restaurant and Bangor Wine & Cheese Co. have a deal for you. At Thistle’s on Exchange Street, ticket-holding festival-goers will receive a 10 percent discount on their meal. If you make reservations for 5:30 or 6 p.m. on the night of a performance, the staff will make sure you’ll get to the show on time. If you prefer to dine al fresco, Bangor Wine & Cheese is offering picnics to go, so you can dine under the stars. Call 942-3338 to order in advance, or visit the shop on Hammond Street hill.

Flying high

Last weekend’s series against the Yankees left most Red Sox fans staring up at the sky, shaking their fists in the air, but HP Hood’s latest contest will give them another reason to look up, one that has nothing to do with the Bronx Bombers. Six lucky fans (one from each of the New England states) will win a ride in the Hood Blimp by logging on to the Hood Web site and guessing how many double plays, strikeouts and home runs the Red Sox will make in Fenway Park during the regular season. For information about Hood dairy products or to enter the contest, visit www.hphood.com.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.