“College Night in Town” beckons students to downtown Lewiston and Auburn

On Wednesday, May 9, Lewiston and Auburn college students will enjoy an evening of bargain-priced dining and entertainment in the downtown areas of the two cities thanks to “College Night in Town.”

Organized by Bates College senior Mikey Pasek and junior Megan Murphy together with the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce and the Lyceum Gallery, the event has the theme, “One Night, One Community: Students, Downtown Make it a Date.”

Pasek said the event is intended to strengthen long-term social and economic ties between the colleges and the towns. “We want college students in these two cities to get better acquainted with them and learn more about the array of excellent entertainment they offer, including dining and arts,” Pasek said. Murphy noted that organizers hope it will become a twice-a-year event, once in the fall and again in the spring.

Between 5 and 8:30 p.m., students from Bates, Lewiston-Auburn College of the University of Southern Maine, Kaplan University and Central Maine Community College will have access to menu discounts at an array of downtown restaurants, as well as beer and wine tastings for those of legal drinking age. Discounts will be extended to college students presenting a current valid ID card from their institution. There will also be 30 free musical and dance performances in six venues.

Lewiston Mayor Robert E. Macdonald is scheduled to speak at the event at 8:20 p.m. in Lewiston’s Downtown Courtyard on Lisbon Street.

Festivities will conclude at 8:30 p.m. with a concert in the Downtown Courtyard featuring three of Bates’ a cappella groups — The Crosstones, the Deansmen and the Merrimanders — as well as other campus musical groups.

See complete details at bates.edu/nightintown/ and at the “Night in Town” Facebook page.

Inquiries may be directed to mpasek@bates.edu or cmorrison@androscoggincounty.com.