Events in Manchester today

The 3rd Annual Hallowell Backyard Games brings Scottish Heavy Athletics to central Maine. All vending is coordinated exclusively through Hallowell Heavies, and any vendor promotions from other sources are scams.

Participants compete in a Yu-Gi-Oh! Advanced format tournament with a $6 entry fee. Registration includes an OTS pack. The prize pool scales with attendance, adding two packs per entrant, and prizes are awarded based on final standings. The number of Swiss rounds is set by turnout, followed by a top cut whose size also depends on participation. Players can consult the current Forbidden and Limited Lists to ensure deck legality.

This event features friendly Commander play with a focus on lower power decks and relaxed games. Participants are placed into pods of three to five, and winning a pod earns a random promo.

Settle in for a film while spending time with friendly cats. Admission is $15 and includes popcorn and a drink from the cooler. RSVP is requested.

In Waterville, ME, Floydian Trip celebrates the music of Pink Floyd with meticulous musicianship, immersive sound, and clear reverence for a landmark rock catalog. Formed in 2022, this seven-piece group has built a reputation for performances that convey both the power and emotional range of the band’s legendary live shows. The concert traces Pink Floyd’s evolution, starting with the raw psychedelic beginnings, moving through the landmark albums of the 1970s, and arriving at the expansive, reflective later period. The program unfolds as a cohesive journey from opening note to closing chord. Drawing on both official recordings and rare bootlegs, the ensemble recreates the sound, atmosphere, and intensity of classic tours with notable accuracy. Recognition includes a Best Band honor in a Best of Hartford readers poll. The set blends signature favorites with deeper cuts to engage longtime listeners and those discovering the music for the first time. Tickets are $35 to $45 and are nonrefundable. Member and public on-sale options are available. This event is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund.

Experience a high energy performance from a live band delivering a wide ranging mix that stretches across eras and genres. The set moves from classic rock and pop to 80s and 90s alternative, country, and more.

Each Monday, Youth Services opens the program room for two hours of self-guided play, coloring, and friendly social time for families who wish to gather. All ages are welcome, and the toys available are best suited to infants and toddlers.

At the Augusta Civic Center, this culinary competition marks America’s 250th anniversary with a focus on the downtowns that shape local life. The Downtown Throwdown spotlights distinctive restaurants, local businesses, and Main Streets across the regions served by Spectrum Generations, bringing attention and excitement to these vibrant districts. Three chefs will each present a carefully crafted meal for attendees to taste and then cast a vote for the People’s Choice Award. The experience also features a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres by Maine Pine Catering, live music, a silent auction, and a donations paddle raiser. Competing chefs include Elisha Irland of The Oak Table & Bar in Augusta, Stacie Blouin-Grondin of Bistro 165 in Brunswick, and Sydney Garns of Salt Wharf in Camden. Matt James, Brand Manager and morning show host for 92 Moose and co-host of the Q Morning Show on WJBQ-Q97.9 in Portland, serves as emcee. Tickets are $75 per person, with table options priced at $300 for four, $450 for six, and $600 for eight. Sponsorship opportunities, including table packages, are available. All proceeds support Spectrum Generations programs and services, including Meals on Wheels.

A relaxed French-language social hour takes place in the Board Room. Participants can enjoy coffee and snacks while conversing with fellow French speakers and practicing the language. This event is free and open to all.

Connect with others who want to practice Spanish in the Board Room during a relaxed, conversational meetup. Enjoy coffee and snacks while chatting in Spanish in a welcoming atmosphere. It is free to attend and open to everyone.

Settle into a historic reading space for a quiet session dedicated to personal reading. Bring a book and enjoy the calm of reading alongside others in silence. This gathering takes place on Monday evenings.

A relaxed fiber arts meetup in the Board Room welcomes crafters of all ages and experience levels. Bring a project to work on and mingle with knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, felters, weavers, quilters, tatters, spinners, and other fiber enthusiasts. Swap advice, spark new ideas, or simply enjoy conversation with people who share a passion for making.

This gathering offers two ways to play Commander. It begins with a casual session focused on lower powered games, limited to decks at tier 3 or below. Players are grouped in pods of three to five, and each pod winner receives a random promo. A competitive Win A Card tournament follows. Pod winners advance to face one another until a single champion remains, and the overall winner earns a card from a prize pool. If turnout results in multiple pods, additional prizes are added.

A relaxed hobby session focused on assembling and painting alongside others. Ask questions, share tips, offer or receive advice, or simply spend time together while you work. Creating in a group adds to the fun.

A dedicated support group for young people ages 9 to 13 who have been affected by the 10/25/2023 mass shooting, whether they were present or impacted in other ways. The group recognizes that this experience can be felt in many forms, including when a family member was involved, when someone important died, when a sense of safety has been shaken, or through the broader effects of community violence. ASL interpretation is available by request. A parent or guardian is required to remain on site while the group meets. For help deciding if this group is the right fit for a child, contact info@maineresiliencycenter.org or 207-515-3930.

Music Mania Night takes place in the Members’ Lounge at Winslow VFW, blending favorite songs with friendly competition. Participants receive cards printed with song titles or musical clues. As tracks play, mark off the card and aim for a winning result. Each session includes three games per card and two cards per night. Cards cost $5 each with a 90 percent payout. Food is available for purchase, and proceeds support the Veterans Relief Fund. This recurring event happens on the first and third Tuesdays each month and is available to members and guests.

Enjoy a casual Commander event that puts fun ahead of high power play. Decks must be tier 3 or lower, keeping games relaxed and welcoming. Players are placed in pods of three to five for each round, and the winner of a pod receives a random promo.

Settle in for a 20 to 25 minute session of stories, songs, and social fun. The program is tailored for children ages 3 to 5 along with their caregivers.

The beloved quartet returns in a brand-new stage comedy in Waterville, Maine. Sophia has posted bail after a DEA bust tied to a drug operation at Shady Pines, Blanche and Rose are riding high with CreakN, an app for seniors focused on adult connections, and Dorothy is doing her best to keep the chaos in check with help from a much younger, insatiable beau. Expect the familiar mix of heart and sharp humor from four friends longtime fans adore. Presented by Murray and Peter. The performance runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes with a 20 minute intermission. It is not recommended for anyone under 18. Tickets are $60 to $70 and are nonrefundable.

Thoughtful Thursday Story Time brings together children ages 3 to 7 with a parent or caregiver for stories, songs, and playful activities. Each gathering highlights caring themes like noticing and managing feelings, trying simple mindful breathing, and using positive affirmations, along with other engaging fun tailored to young listeners.

Mah Jongg players are welcome to drop in at TPL for friendly games. No registration is required. For more information, email Tori at toria@turnerpubliclibrary.org.

This event features two Commander sessions tailored to different play styles. The first focuses on casual, lower power games and allows only tier 3 or lower decks. Players are placed into pods of 3 to 5, and each pod winner receives a random promo. The second session is competitive and geared toward high-powered decks with prizes on the line. Participants are seated in pods of 3 to 5 and receive a pack upon signing up. Pod winners earn 3 packs and move into new pods of 2 to 5, where the winner or winners collect 3 additional packs.

This Mid-Maine Menopause Cafe meetup at Maine Family Natural Health welcomes people to come as they are and stop by when they can.

Celebrate the music of ABBA in Waterville with a tribute production that has thrilled audiences for well over a decade, reviving the look and sound of one of pop’s biggest sensations. The show features faithful renditions of favorites such as “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes All,” “Waterloo,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” and “Dancing Queen,” presented with an authenticity often praised by audiences and critics as the closest experience to seeing the original group. Tickets range from $56 to $141 and are nonrefundable. VIP tickets, priced at $141 and highlighted in purple within the orchestra section, are offered as a ticket and merchandise bundle that includes admission, a limited edition poster, and an exclusive item. This event is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund.