We’ve got a theme going here on this week’s Five Things. If it has an electronic beat, and a human voice is involved, it’s happening this weekend in the Midcoast. Enough of my prattling, check it out.

Take the Quantum Leap

Friday, April 22—Thomaston

Jason Dean and Mike Whitehead’s “electronic web of sound” is comprised of synths and drum machine as well as live instruments that will lead you to an ambient electronic experience that might even make you move your booty. Vicky Andres and Max McFarland also play. The show starts at 7 p.m. at The Highlands Coffee House.

The Messenger

Saturday, April 23—Rockland

It’s Earth Day, and you know what that means? (Turning in your beer cans at the redemption center is a start). It means it’s time to wake up to the impact we humans have on this planet. The Messenger, an an award-winning documentary screened at the Strand Theatre, is one way to do that. Moving from the northern reaches of the Boreal Forest to the base of Mount Ararat in Turkey to the streets of New York,  brings us face-to-face with a remarkable variety of human-made perils that have devastated thrushes, warblers, orioles, tanagers, grosbeaks and many other airborne music-makers. On one level, The Messenger is an engaging, visually stunning, emotional journey, one that mixes its elegiac message with hopeful notes and unique glances into the influence of songbirds on our own expressions of the soul. On another level, The Messenger is the artful story about the mass depletion of songbirds on multiple continents, and about those who are working to turn the tide.  The one-time show screens at 3 p.m. Cost: $8.50; $7.50 younger than 12, senior citizens.

The Ballad of Milli Vanilli is back!

Saturday, April 23—Rockland

The Rock Coast Rollers derby girls have your back for their fourth annual Ballad of Milli Vanilli Contest (named after the infamous 1980s musical duo who got caught lip-synching their entire album). This is not karaoke (actual singing), but rather lip-syncing (pretend singing) as party goers fake-sing their hearts out to cheesy songs for the crowd’s entertainment — complete with over-the-top costumes. The fun happens at Trackside Station. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. $8 cover at the door.

“Audio Hash” Sonic Art Event

Saturday, April 23—Rockland

Sound artists Meghan Vigeant, Nate Davis, Ariel Hall, Sean Reed will give the audience a one-of-a-kind show that starts off sort of like an audio PechaKucha, then turns into a multi-layered story with experimental mixes and sound art. See more of the story here. The show takes place at The Steel House in Rockland. The show starts at 7 p.m. $5 suggested at the door.

Killer Road Trip: One Giant Mud Puddle

Sunday, April 24—Gorham

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than getting a little dirty. (I know where your mind went.) The Into the Mud Challenge is a race unlike any other here in Maine, featuring hundreds of costumed racers slipping and sliding through 2.5 miles of mud pits to traverse and challenging obstacles to conquer with an emphasis on getting dirty and having a muddy good time. The event goes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is definitely a spectator sport! FMI: intothemudchallenge.com

 Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com