This summer there are few days when Boothbay Harbor’s historic Opera House will go quiet. As part of the organization’s 20th anniversary celebration music, theater, storytelling, and even an afternoon lecture on the work of painter Andrew Wyeth fill the coming weeks.

On Thursday, July 13, Windborne, “the most exciting vocal group in a generation,” bring their voices, drawing on the singers’ deep roots in traditions of vocal harmony. The uniqueness of their artistic approach brings old songs into the present. Known for the innovation of their arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable. With a 20-year background studying polyphonic music around the world, the members of Windborne, Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, and Will Rowan share a vibrant energy onstage. The ensemble shifts effortlessly between drastically different styles of music, drawing their audience along on a journey that spans continents and centuries, illuminating and expanding on the profound power and variation of the human voice. BBC Traveling Folk describes Windborne as “subverting expectations and redefining the genre [of vocal music]… just absolutely phenomenal!” Advance discounted tickets are $20 and available only from the box office. Concert begins at 7:30 pm.

The Faux Paws will take to the Opera House stage on Friday, July 14. From raging fiddle tunes to saxophone solos and unrequited love songs, the music of The Faux Paws is hard to pin down with standard genre descriptions. The trio’s contagious groove, and feel-good melting pot folk music has been honed over ten years of playing together and is the sound of three close friends who feel a musical kinship that transcends any stylistic limitations. Is it bluegrass? Not usually. Old-time? Occasionally. Is it Celtic? No. Is it Folk? Americana? Jazz? Singer-songwriter? None of the above, but members of the Paws have deep ties to all of these traditions and blend their elements effortlessly.

According to FolkAlley.com their self-titled 2021 release was named one of the 10 Best Trad albums of the year from around the world. Their April 2023 “Backburner” EP zoomed to the top of Billboard’s bluegrass albums listings. Grammy-nominated band member Chris Miller adds his saxophone talents to this string band, Fiddle-phenom Noah gets most of the attention on his feet – due to his unique approach to his Quebecois-style foot-percussion he’s developed. Combined with his jaw-dropping array of percussive chopping elements on the fiddle he contains the sound of a full band on his own. Except it’s his brother Andrew carefully executing complimentary chords and riffs on the guitar that makes Noah’s sound what it is. Don’t miss The Faux Paws, they’re the real thing. Advance tickets $20. Performance begins at 7:30 pm.

Boothbay native, now Nashville resident, Gabe Tonon arrives with his band on Sunday, July 16 for an evening of country and western music. Gabe’s guitar talents were evident to all at a young age, and before heading to Nashville he joined in with popular Midcoast bands, including Cattle Call and the Holy Mackerels. He recently toured with Josh Hedley and tonight will be joined by Elijah Ocean who will open the concert with his band, before joining Gabe on stage. Advance discounted tickets are $15 from the box office and the foot-stomping begins at 7:30 p.m.

Other upcoming events with tickets on sale now include a lecture by famed artist Andrew Wyeth’s granddaughter, Victoria Wyeth, on the work of her grandfather. The talk is scheduled for 4 pm on Wednesday, July 12 and advance tickets are $15. Award-winning French stage and screen actor Aurélien Recoing will present a theatrical reading of Saint-Exupéry's “The Little Prince” on July 18 and 19; and Maine folk master David Mallett will bring his songs to the stage on July 20. The Sweet Remains will follow fast on the heels with their concert on July 21.

Information on all upcoming performances and events is available at boothbayoperahouse.com or by calling the box office at 633-5159. The Opera House is located at 86 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor.