Stages: Entertainment abounds as August arrives and summer starts to fade

August is here, and that means the Lowell Folk Festival is a pleasant memory and back to school looms in the not-too-distant future.

But there’s still plenty of fun entertainment to be had around the region. And we’ve got a few ideas to make your month memorable even as you shop for backpacks and shoes.

Chelmsford Center for the Arts, at 1A North Road in Chelmsford Center, has a slew of entertaining events lined up this month. Dubbed the place to play in its newsletter, the CCA has it all, it seems, from karaoke to concerts to play auditions to a Know Your Neighbor gathering. And tickets, priced at $35,  are on sale “Lura Smith & Guest Artists,” a musical cruise featuring jazz, gospel, standards, and blues, on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-4 p.m. The Friends of the CCA are the presenters. Visit www.chelmsfordarts.org for line-up, sign-ups and info.

There’s still plenty of music and fun to be had at the Lowell Summer Music series in downtown Lowell’s beautiful Boarding House Park. This weekend Marc Cohn performs on Saturday, Aug. 3 and the New England Film Orchestra delights the audience with film music on Sunday, Aug. 4. Live music under the stars continues every weekend through the month, and the Free Fun for Kids concert series continues Wednesday and Thursday mornings through Aug. 15. Peter Panic, Trend N Motion, Ben Rudnick and Friends, and Good News Gus are in the line-up in the next two weeks. Visit https://lowellsummermusic.org for tickets, schedule, and info.

Cannon Theater in nearby Devens has auditions for its fall farce ‘’Play On!” by Rick Abbott on Aug. 5 and 8 at 7 p.m. both nights at its home at 28 Andrews Parkway. Visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C44ADAD23A3FA7-50249784-play#/ to sign up and for info on rehearsal and performance dates.

It’s kid and teen summer program “Ricky Rock’s Record Hour” is on Aug. 12-15 and Aug. 19-22 and performances are on Aug. 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. with a matinee on Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. Visit www.TheCannonTheatre.org for tickets and info about the program and show.

In the wings

HANOVER CONSERVATORY: Registration is underway for fall and full year classes at Worcester’s Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, and fall classes begin Sept. 5. The Conservatory offers an exciting environment for anyone passionate about the performing arts. With a wide range of classes in drama, dance, music, and technical theatre, students of all ages can explore and develop their talents across various disciplines. Please check the schedule grid at https://drive.google.com/file/d/156jkbiizilcFEIjvInXJ1fGgzpkf02yQ/view for a day by day visual of the offerings. Some classes are offered multiple times. Detailed descriptions are available on the website at https://thehanovertheatre.org/classes/. Registration can be done online (including payment plan options), in person, or over the phone. For assistance with registration, please reach out to Conservatory Registrar Chip Miller by making an appointment here, or by phone at 508.471.1763 or email at cmiller@thehanovertheatre.org.

Nancye Tuttle’s email is nancyedt@verizon.net