The weekend of April 13 and 14 exemplifies the diverse entertainment of music and comedy that have graced the main stage of the Chocolate Church Arts Center during its 40-year history.  Community is at the core of the presenting venue and community arts center so there is special significance to the performance by Adam Ezra Group (AEG) on Friday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.  

AEG is constantly proving that they are more than just a band, musically, personally, and socially. It’s difficult to impart the roots-steeped, road-trippin' essence of the Adam Ezra Group into a single word, but the word front man Adam Ezra keeps in mind as something of a mantra is: community. For the musicians of AEG, community is epitomized by a belief they all share, one that has long doubled as a mission statement for the group: namely, that making music together is itself a form of grassroots organizing, capable of nothing less than changing the world. 

The group is composed of lead singer, songwriter and guitarist - Ezra, drummer Alex Martin, Turtle on percussion, Corinna Smith on fiddle, Francis Hickey on bass and Josh Gold on keys. Together they are creating a powerful, inclusive community around AEG concerts, which are beginning to be compared to a social-movement as much as a traditional music fan-base. 

This philosophy has allowed the group to explode out of their Boston-area origins to emerge as one of the most uniquely powerful, relentlessly entertaining live-music experiences in the country. Tickets are $20 advance/$25 at the door. 

Join us Saturday, April 14 for a hilarious night with the fabulous female comedians of the Ladies of Laughter take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Each year hundreds of funny women apply to compete in the Ladies of Laughter Contest. In 2016, Kelly MacFarland was the contest winner and Carolyn Plummer, runner up. MacFarland shares her life experiences in the unique way that only she can. In humorous contrast, Plummer pulls material from the hum-drum, day-to-day monotony of the life of everyman; and she does it well.  The monumental is easy ... it's the every day existence that's so hard, yet so ridiculous.

Both MacFarland and Plummer offer a refreshing, yet playful point of view. Audience members will be surprised by their candor and individual charm. Tickets are $21 advance/$24 at the door. 

Tickets for both shows are available through the Chocolate Church box office by calling 207-442-8455 and online www.chocolatechurcharts.org.

The Chocolate Church Arts Center is at 804 Washington St., Bath.