1. The Maine International Film Festival is pretty amazing, and kicks off tomorrow (Friday) at Railroad Square Cinemas and the Waterville Opera House. Almost 100 films in ten days. Pretty remarkable. Visit the web site for ticket info, or check today's BDN. Meanwhile, here are a couple trailers for two movies I personally would love to see.

2. The North Atlantic Blues Festival is one of the biggest festivals in the North east, and it starts Friday on the Rockland waterfront. Headliners this year include Walter Trout, Elvin Bishop, Ruthie Foster, Rod Piazza and many more. Plus, there's that amazing pub crawl, with just about every blues guy in Maine playing every bar in town. You could get into a lot of trouble following that around, let me tell you what. Good trouble, though. For more info, visit North Atlantic Blues Fest web site.

3. Here's a rundown of yr Bangor happenings over the next few days. Thursday: RetroRockerz, 7 p.m. Pickering Square; Eric Green at the Whig and Courier, starting at 6 p.m. Friday: USA Waste and Kicking Dicks, 7:30 p.m. at 77 Central Street; The Climactics at Carolina's Sports and Spirits, 9:30 p.m.; Emily Bee (hey, that's me), DJing at the Red Martini, also at 9:30 p.m. Saturday: The Climactics, again, at Carolina's, and DJ Mike Flannery at the Red Martini, 9:30 p.m.

4. Hey, have you been to Miller and Wilson's Theater of Marvels in Bar Harbor yet? You should, if you haven't! Way cool anachronistic magic and illusions from Dr. Wilson and Professor Miller, every Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Otter Creek Hall, just outside of town. $8, $5 for kids. Check out Theaterofmarvels.com for more info.

5. Feel like getting out of town? Friday night the Dropkick Murphys and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are playing at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Expect lots of Red Sox/Celtics/Bruins/Patriots pride, fist pumping, bro-downs and drunken shenanigans. For tickets, visit www.theciviccenter.com.