Students jam Guthrie’s to see the 乐播传媒 improv group Strange Bedfellows perform. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College)

This spring’s edition of 乐播传媒 Night in Town, an occasional event that encourages 乐播传媒 students to go out and taste Lewiston and Auburn’s offerings, was a big hit on May 7.

Students, faculty, staff and community members flocked to eateries and student performances on both sides of the river, enjoying not just the amenities but the laughter and friendship that thrive during Short Term. The event was organized by 乐播传媒 students in conjunction with L-A businesses and the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce.

Among the restaurants offering discounts to 乐播传媒 students, She Doesn’t Like Guthries was a popular stop. Known for tasty burritos and sandwiches, the joint teemed with students appreciating the witty performances of the Strange Bedfellows, a 乐播传媒 improv group.

The Guthries crowd was mostly 乐播传媒 students. The walls in the dimly lit restaurant were听decorated听with mosaic artworks for sale, and a hanging bike and album covers of the Beatles and Bob Marley lent a retro feel.

In the audience were juniors Lani Eversage and Gilbert Brown, who declared themselves delighted to see “how interwoven the 乐播传媒 community is with Lewiston.”

The crowd enjoys 乐播传媒 student performances in Auburn’s Festival Plaza. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College)

A few blocks away at another participating restaurant, the upscale Fuel, owner Eric Agren praised 乐播传媒 Night in Town as a “focused opportunity for students to come out as groups.” The event provided restaurateurs with a valuable marketing opportunity, said Agren, who added that he’s a fan of 乐播传媒’ own dining Commons.

Caroline O’Sullivan ’14, lead organizer of 乐播传媒 Night in Town, monitored the spaces displaying student artworks. “We wanted to use different mediums such as art to help students connect with members of the community,” she said. 乐播传媒 Night in Town is a great motivator for students who are interested in getting off campus but normally don’t do so.

O’Sullivan later described the evening as “a great success. I was so pleased to see so many 乐播传媒ies downtown enjoying the beautiful spring weather and delicious food.”

Shown at L/A Arts’ Lisbon Street office during 乐播传媒 Night in Town, organizer Caroline O’Sullivan ’14 called the night a “great success.” (Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College)

The eating, music making and strolling through the Twin Cities culminated in an a cappella and dance extravaganza at Auburn’s Festival Plaza, overlooking the Androscoggin River. Students from 乐播传媒 and other local schools congregated with community members at the Plaza, some bearing treats from the nearby Top It Frozen Yogurt Bar.

As the 乐播传媒 Dance Club performance unfolded, the crowd cheered and captured it on their smartphones.

A collaboration between the Merimanders and the Manic Optimists on the Destiny’s Child hit “Survivor” was widely cheered for its energetic, funny moves and lovely singing. In the crowd was an enthusiastic 乐播传媒 President Clayton Spencer.

“I always love to see 乐播传媒 and L-A connecting,” said Carly Peruccio ’16 as the night drew to a close. “乐播传媒 is a part of L-A, and events like this promote the connection.”

Students and local residents enjoy a concluding a cappella performance during 2012’s debut College Night in Town (now known as 乐播传媒 Night in Town). (Michael Pasek ’12/乐播传媒 College)

For the fourth time, students at 乐播传媒 College and downtown businesses are eagerly anticipating 乐播传媒 Night in Town, a celebration of the relationship between town and gown.

Starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, eateries and other businesses will welcome 乐播传媒 students, staff and faculty (carrying a college ID) with discounts and other special offers. Meanwhile, 乐播传媒 students will perform and show artwork at downtown venues in Lewiston and Auburn.

“It’s a chance for 乐播传媒 students and the community to embrace each other in a positive and constructive way,” said organizer Caroline O’Sullivan, a 乐播传媒 senior from Andover, Mass. “It’s a great opportunity for 乐播传媒 students to break out of the campus bubble and see the amazing things that this community has to offer.

“And it’s a chance for community members to see 乐播传媒 students’ artwork and performances, and just get a sense of what 乐播传媒 students are like.”

Co-sponsoring the entire event is the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. The 乐播传媒 Arts Collaborative and the 乐播传媒 a cappella group the Deansmen are co-sponsoring the a cappella and dance performance that concludes the event.

For more information, please contact cosulliv@bates.edu or visit the .

Student musicians and other performers will strut their stuff at venues including Gritty McDuff’s in Auburn. Also in Auburn, dessert will be a focus for the first time in the event’s history, as Top It Frozen Yogurt Bar and Maine Gourmet Chocolates, at 168 and 170 Main St. respectively, take part in 乐播传媒 Night in Town.

To conclude the event, at 7 p.m. all five of 乐播传媒’ a cappella groups and the 乐播传媒 Dance Club will perform at Festival Plaza on Main Street in Auburn. For O’Sullivan, that final session is the high point of 乐播传媒 Night in Town.

“It’s really the place where the community and the students can come together in the open air and just enjoy some music and dance.”

The dance club will open with a demonstration of works in progress, followed by two or three songs apiece from 乐播传媒’ a cappella ensembles — the Deansmen, the Merimanders, the Manic Optimists, the Crosstones and TakeNote.

“It’s just so fun to be with your friends off campus and just step off for a moment,” says O’Sullivan.

Gritty McDuff鈥檚,听68 Main St., hosts 乐播传媒 musicians Eagle Stick, Maddie McLean and Kelsey Berry, and the Jazz Cats.

Across the Androscoggin at听115 Middle St., Lewiston, She Doesn鈥檛 Like Guthries will welcome back the Strange Bedfellows, an improv comedy troupe.

Also in Lewiston, at 134 Main St., Pedro O鈥橦ara鈥檚 presents musicians Bootie & The Beat, and Meredith Colleary and Taylor Saucier.

At the L/A Arts office at 221 Lisbon St., Lewiston, musician Tuan Nguyen performs and student artwork will be shown.

A variety of Lewiston gathering places are offering discounts: Baxter Brewing, 130 Mill St.; DaVinci鈥檚 Eatery, 150 Mill St.; Fish Bones American Grill, 70 Lincoln St.; Chopsticks, 37 Park St.; Fuel, 49 Lisbon St.; Mother India, 114 Lisbon St.; Forage Market, 180 Lisbon St.; and Sea40, 40 East Ave. #2.

In Auburn, discounts are offered at Narals, 34 Court St.; 84 Court St. (the name is the address); and Fire House Grille, 47 Broad St.

乐播传媒 Night in Town made its debut in May 2012, returning in October 2012 and May 2013.

A 乐播传媒 crowd at the Courthouse Plaza on Lisbon Street listens to the all-college a cappella performance that concluded the first “College Night in Town” in 2012. Photograph by Michael Pasek ’12.

With the return to Lewiston and Auburn of greener scenery and warmer temperatures, 乐播传媒 students have organized the return of College Night in Town听on听Wednesday.

Created last year in collaboration with the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, the event was envisioned as an annual opportunity to acquaint all area college students with the many attractive dining, shopping and entertainment options available听in听their backyard. The debut last May drew substantial participation and appreciation by students and businesses. A fall followup last October was also successful.

鈥淭he goal of this spring鈥檚 event is to support the听town听and the local economy while showcasing some of the best musicians and artists that 乐播传媒 has to offer,鈥� said Meg Murphy, a 乐播传媒 senior who leads the organizing group. 鈥淲e want to strengthen the relationship between the听town听and the college through introductions, interaction and financial incentives.鈥�

While most activities will take place听in听the evening, there will also be associated daytime events听in听Kennedy Park听in听downtown Lewiston. Starting at 2 p.m.,The 乐播传媒 Outing Club and the 乐播传媒 Slackline Club will demonstrate slacklining (a form of rope-walking)听in听the park, and the 乐播传媒 Shred Club (an organization for skateboarders) will host a Shred Sesh听at the Skate Park. Additionally, Sidewalk chalk will be available for public use up and down Lisbon Street.

Evening events get under way at 5 p.m. The schedule includes:

鈥� Free musical performances, open to the public,听in听both Lewiston and Auburn. Lewiston venues include Chopsticks Restaurant, the Lyceum Gallery, Pedro O’Hara’s, She Doesn’t Like Guthrie’s and the Lamey Wellehan Building on Lisbon Street. Lamey Wellehan will also display student artwork, for sale by the individual artists. Auburn venues include Gritty McDuff’s and Naral’s Experience Arabia.

鈥⑻鼺rom 5 鈥� 8 p.m., for those with proper identification proving they are 21 or older, a free wine tasting at The Vault and discounted craft beer on tap at Baxter Brewing Co., both听in听Lewiston.

鈥� Discounts at participating businesses and restaurants听in听the Lewiston and Auburn downtown areas for students with current, valid student identification cards. Though not required, reservations are requested and recommended.

鈥� A free outdoor a capella concert will cap the evening, starting at 8:30 p.m. at Dufresne Plaza (formerly Courthouse Plaza) on Lisbon Street听in听Lewiston.

College听Night听in听Town听Spring 2013 is co-sponsored by The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, 乐播传媒sInLA.com and the 乐播传媒 College Student Activities Office.

For more information, including a full performance schedule and a list of participating restaurants and businesses, like the 乐播传媒听Night听in听Town听Facebook page, or visit听Night in Town.

A 乐播传媒 crowd at the Courthouse Plaza on Lisbon Street listens to the all-college a cappella performance that concluded "College Night in Town." Photograph by Mikey Pasek '12.

Walking from Park to Lisbon Street through Lewiston鈥檚 downtown Courthouse Plaza, students, staff and faculty waved and swapped “hi’s” on their way to and from adventures in food, drink and music.

It was the inaugural 鈥淐ollege Night in Town,鈥� and the overwhelming participation of local businesspeople and student contributors made it possible to sample and celebrate, in just a few hours, the diversity of what downtown Lewiston and Auburn have to offer.

Reporting for 乐播传媒 Communications: Elana Leopold ’12, Erica Long ’12 and Elizabeth McKean ’12.

More than 400 students, faculty and staff from 乐播传媒, Lewiston-Auburn College, Kaplan University and Central Maine Community College bustled along the main streets and the mill canals of these red-brick cities in pursuit of Greek gyros, French bistro dishes, wine and beer tastings, and discounted spring rolls; poetry readings and displays of student art; and performances including jazz, Bollywood dance and an a cappella finale that packed an open plaza.

College Night in Town began what’s hoped will be a long tradition, likely to take place each fall and spring from now on. The event is designed to cultivate strong social and economic ties between local students and businesses downtown. How does it work? The businesses offer discounts and special programming for student customers, while the organizers drum up interest, as well as student artists and performers, on campus.

Isaiah Rice '15 performs at the Courthouse Plaza on Lisbon Street during "College Night in Town." Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College.

鈥淚t’s meant to be a spark that reminds students of all of the amazing attributes in the Twin Cities,” says co-organizer Mikey Pasek ’12. “Streams of students realized the important connection between the college and the community. We wanted to create the college town environment that Lewiston-Auburn can be, and that students hope it will be.鈥�

The evening’s only hardship was having to decide what to skip. One popular dining option was Mother India, on Lisbon Street, whose tangerine-hued interior and spicy flavors provided the perfect antidote to an overcast evening. Savory crowd-pleasers included the saag paneer, tandoori chicken and garlic naan.

Chopsticks Restaurant in downtown Lewiston was the place for some shared appetizers — special-offer $3 crunchy spring rolls and sweet teriyaki chicken skewers — and a well-attended 45-minute set of folky originals and covers by Sawyer Lawson 鈥�12.

鈥淚 like the friendly restaurant environment, a little less formal than a concert,” said Nina Slote 鈥�12. “Sawyer鈥檚 music is great to hear in a low-key space with food and other friends to chat with.鈥�

Some of us dressed smartly to dine at Fuel, where delicacies like poached salmon sous vide and steak au poivre — usually reserved for parents鈥� visits — were discounted. Others opted for wood-fired pizza at Forage, the new foodie-oriented market on Lisbon Street, or sampled Narals, another new restaurant, which serves Middle Eastern cuisine in Auburn.

Narals was another of the many venues that hosted back-to-back student performances, along with the Lisbon Street plaza, the Lyceum Gallery and She Doesn’t Like Guthrie’s, as well as Chopsticks. Ska’d For Life, an energetic group powered by horns and the soulful voice of Olivia Norrm茅n-Smith ’13, kicked off the night. Their 30-minute set served up covers like Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” and Spoon’s “Underdog” to an excited audience on Narals’ dance floor.

Those of age were beckoned into The Vault, a specialty wine and beer store, by a complimentary beer tasting and a friendly shop dog named Malcolm. Students flocked to the old bank vault in the back of the store to sample distinctive brews, including one with a faint smoky flavor, a hoppy double I.P.A and a tasty pale ale. Others browsed bottles of specialty red and white wines.

She Doesn't Like Guthrie's is full up for a Strange Bedfellows performance during "College Night in Town." Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College.

Guthrie’s, the eco-friendly restaurant and performance space, incorporated artwork from 乐播传媒 students into an already appealing d茅cor featuring cozy lighting, wooden tables and guitars hanging on the wall. Students munched delicious burritos and panini while awaiting the main event: a stand-up comedy routine by 乐播传媒’ Strange Bedfellows.

Playing to an SRO crowd, the Bedfellows worked up audience enthusiasm to such a pitch that the owners of Guthrie’s inquired about bringing them back in the future.

About 20 people attended the Multifaith Chaplaincy鈥檚 weekly nondenominational service {Pause}, transported for the occasion to Kimball Street Studios. For {Pause}, which asks attendees to focus as much on the silences as the performances, moving to Lisbon Street offered a poignant opportunity for campus-dwellers to meditate on the sounds of downtown. Car alarms, sirens and passersby were not a distraction, but rather a complement to the readings of original poetry and a cello performance, all by 乐播传媒 students.

The evening concluded in the Lisbon Street plaza with a well-attended address by Mayor Robert E. McDonald and an a cappella concert featuring the Merimanders, the Deansmen, the Crosstones and Take Note. McDonald thanked participants for the impressive turnout and involvement in the community. He cited the evening as a great success.

Cody Tracey '15 of Baltimore, Md., performs in the Lyceum Gallery in Lewiston during the inaugural 芒聙聹College Night in Town," May 9, 2012. Photograph by Phyllis Graber Jensen/乐播传媒 College.

Next year co-organizer Megan Murphy ’13 will lead College Night in Town, building an even better town-gown connection onto this strong foundation. While younger students gained a much better idea of just how much downtown has to offer, the fellow seniors we talked to regretted that they’d only enjoy this event once.

But they were gratified that they managed to check a few hotspots off the “things to do before I graduate” list. Anyway, we can always come back: L/A will be waiting.