Schools

Bangor High School

BANGOR – The Maine All-State Jazz Festival concert will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Bangor High School. More than 70 auditioned musicians representing 38 Maine schools will perform. The concert will feature four performing groups.

The Jazz Choir is directed by Dian Mower from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, with Gerry Wright preparing the Jazz Choir Combo.

Gene Parker of Toledo, Ohio, directs the Honors Combo.

The Jazz Band is directed by Chris Oberholzer from the University of Southern Maine.

Also performing will be the Honors Jazz Band.

Bangor High School students selected to participate are

Elana Spanger, Colleen Smith and John Lanham.

Tickets will be available at the door for $5, $3 for students and senior citizens, $15 for families. For more information, call 992-5569.

Bangor Youth Ballet

BANGOR – Bangor Youth Ballet, a nonprofit organization, will hold auditions for a spring production of the “Little Mermaid” on Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Thomas School of Dance on State Street.

The auditions are for children ages 8 and older.

Auditions are scheduled for:

. 4-5 p.m. Younger pupils.

. 5-6 p.m. Intermediate to advanced students. Girls should bring pointe shoes.

For information, call 945-3457.

McGraw School

HAMPDEN – Mainers Helping Mainers will honor pupils in kindergarten through grade two at McGraw School at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, with a plaque and pizza party. Dairy Queen will provide ice cream.

The event will recognize the youngsters’ donation of toys to benefit charities and individual families.

Orono High School

ORONO – The Orono High School Hockey Boosters are planning a spaghetti supper and silent auction for Sunday, Jan. 8, at Orono High School. The supper will be served at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. The silent auction begins at 7 p.m.

Auction items available for bid include University of Maine hockey tickets, a digital camera, printer, guided bass fishing trip and gift certificates from area businesses.

Tickets to the event are $6, $3 children, and are available from Orono hockey team members and at the door. To obtain more information, call Julie Eugley, 827-8356.

Planetarium shows

ORONO – The Red Planet and the most recent discoveries exploring it will come into focus at 7 p.m. Fridays during January at the Jordan Planetarium, Wingate Hall, University of Maine.

The little rovers that could, Spirit and Opportunity, have been working for two years on the three-month mission to discover geological formations and chemical evidence of water on Mars.

Through the rovers’ instruments, the whole family can enjoy the planet’s surface, panoramic views and 3-D imagery of Martian geology. They also will discover the constellations of Maine winter skies right outside their back doors.

Also during January, the Jordan Planetarium’s youngest star show, Our Sky Family, takes little sky watchers – especially suitable for ages 4-8 – to meet the planets at 2 p.m. Sundays. A talking star projector and friendly talking planets tell visitors about themselves. And the planetarium host gives a live tour of the night sky to introduce the star pictures astronomers imagine among the winter stars.

Both shows are about one hour long. Admission is $3.

Information on the Jordan Planetarium’s schedule is available at www.umainesky.com. Call 581-1341 for more information or reservations.