We’re bashing in the new month of April this weekend with multiple costume dance parties and wild shows, both human and animal-inspired. Happy spring peeps!

Poets and Fools Dance Party

Friday, April 1—Belfast

If you didn’t get tickets to The Collective’s April 1 BASH in time, don’t hang up your costume yet. Luckily Waterfall Arts is hosting its annual ‘Poets and Fools,’ Waterfall Arts' legendary annual costume bash with a new line-up of eccentricities and entertainment. From 6 to 10 p.m., revelers of all ages will be dancing, goofing, parading, eating, drinking, playing, story telling, daring, and winning prizes. The night kicks off with an invocation by Ariel Greenberg-Bywater quickly followed by the Belfastian "Tonight Show" hosted by Waterfall Arts' own Bridget Matros and featuring ridiculous games with local mystery celebs. The Acetones provide background sound for all the foolery. Costumes will be judged, raffles drawn, and mad poetry dispensed before the live music coalesces into a dizzying dance party with high energy band. Tickets can be purchased at the door. 7 and under free, age 8-15 $5, everyone else $10.

Special Spring Open Mic at Rock City

Friday, April 1—Rockland

Midcoast Music Academy (MCMA) will get their chance in the spotlight at Rock City Cafe featuring a number of adult and teen musicians and singer songwriters. There’s no cover and it’s a great way to kick off your Friday evening before heading to the fabulous April Fools' Circus Collective Bash at the Farnsworth. The show goes from 6 to 8 p.m.

Grit & Grace

Friday, April 1 & Saturday, April 2 —Camden

Kinetic Energy Alive Dance Productions is kicking their spring show into a frenzy this weekend, demonstrating styles ranging from Jazz-Funk, inspired by some of the best in NYC, to contemporary, modern, hip hop, breakdancing and old school funk. See our story here. Both shows run 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be found here.

Killer Road Trip: A thrilling night of watching salmon swim

Friday, April 1—Machias

It’s a long drive up to Machias, but it’s totally worth it because the Maine Salmon Rivers organization is offering a free showing of “A Complicated Path,” a documentary on the decline of river herring in Maine and New England, at 6:30 p.m. at the Downeast Salmon Federation’s East Machias Aquatic Research Center (EMARC), 13 Willow St. in East Machias. Asked what it’s about, organizer Eleanor Pike said, “It’s about...fish.” This movie chronicles the decline of river herring, tapping into the knowledge of leaders in river herring research throughout New England. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie will start at 7 p.m. Costumes encouraged.

Killer Road Trip: Popovich Pet Theater

Sunday, April 3—Orono

This guy, Gregory Popovich is aces in my book. His  World Famous Popovich Pet Theater features 15 cats and 10 dogs were once strays, rescued from animal shelters. Now, they love to show off onstage by performing a variety of stunts and skits. Popovich and his Pets have been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with David Letterman, and as a finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Audiences will be delighted to see this extravaganza of European-style clowning, amazing juggling and balancing acts, and of course, extraordinarily talented performing pets! It’s a show that adults and kids (and pet lovers of all ages) will enjoy. The show is at the Collins Center for The Arts on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono. FMI: click here. Adults $22 / Children 12 and under $14.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com