BANGOR NIGHTS

It’s a familiar refrain that there’s nothing to do in Bangor in the evenings. On summer Thursdays, this certainly isn’t true. Paired with the city’s outdoor concerts for the first time last year, an artisans’ market returns to downtown Bangor. So far, the reviews have been rave. What are you waiting for?

After a decade on the waterfront, the city’s outdoor concerts moved to Pickering Square last year. This locale offers several advantages. If it rains, the concerts can go on as scheduled in the city’s parking garage, which also offers lots of parking and public restrooms. The acoustics of the square, which is the focus of revitalization efforts, are better, too. Moving the concerts closer to downtown businesses and restaurants gives them a boost.

On Thursdays through Aug. 2, events get under way at 4 p.m. when the artisans’ market opens along the banks of the Kenduskeag Stream behind the parking garage. Paintings, jewelry, pottery, clothing and other items made by Maine artists will be on display and for sale. Maine grown produce has been added at the request of regular market goers. The market is open until 8 p.m.

The Cool Sounds Concerts begin at 7 p.m. This week’s concert features the Aurora Jazz Project, followed by the bluegrass group Evergreen. The RetroRockerz hit the stage on July 26 and the Latin Band closes out the series on Aug. 2.

If the music inspires you to spend more time in Bangor, come back on Friday nights for outdoor classic movies in Pickering Square, put on by River City Cinema Society, through Aug. 3. This year’s series has an “All in the Family” theme. This Friday’s film is 1949’s “White Heat” starring James Cagney as a mother-dominated criminal mastermind. Future Fridays feature “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” “Paper Moon” and “The In-laws.”

Show up after dark and bring your lawn chair. The movies are free and concessions are available.

For more information, visit www.downtownbangor.com and www.rivercitycinema.com.