In preparation for the arrival of the Windjammer fleet, the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor begins the celebration with three great nights of live performances Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23. The line-up includes Grammy-winners, magic and even an appearance by Boothbay’s own Sam Schwehm.

John Ford Coley is most revered as half of the Grammy-nominated duo England Dan and John Ford Coley. On Friday, June 21 he comes to the Opera House stage at 8 p.m. Classically trained on piano and an avid guitarist, the double platinum winning musician says “he loves every audience he encounters.”

Some of Coley's hits include “Love is the Answer,” “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight,” “We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye Again,” and “Sad to Belong.” Over the years he has shared the stage with Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, Carole King, Loggins and Messina, Led Zepplin, Carly Simon, the Steve Miller Band, Orleans and Gordon Lightfoot to name a few.

With no other appearances in Maine this summer, the Opera House is the place to hear this legendary singer-songwriter. Advance discounted tickets are $20, tickets purchased on the day of the concert are $25.

The house will barely have a chance to cool down before acclaimed magician and illusionist Lyn Dillies arrives for her spectacular show on Saturday, June 22. For more than 25 years she has been taking the magic world by storm, earning rave reviews wherever she stages her powerful brand of mystery and illusion.

Dillies has been named America’s Premier Female Illusionist by the Society of American Magicians and is a pioneer in her field. Her talent ignites each show with Las Vegas glitz while being family friendly. She has shared the stage with Marvin Hamlisch, Crystal Gayle and Mikhail Baryshnikov and appeared with the Portland Symphony during this past year’s holiday performances.

Dillies has even made two live Asian elephants appear on stage along the way. This is a show for all ages with specially priced $12 advance purchase tickets for students under age 18 and $20 advance purchase tickets for adults. Tickets are $25 for all on the day of the performance. The curtain goes up, or disappears at 7:30 p.m.

The weekend wraps up with an intimate performance by Grammy winning pianist Paul Sullivan, appearing with vocalist and MPBN host Suzanne Nance and acclaimed New York Philarmonic percussionist Gordon Gottlieb.

Boothbay resident Sam Schwehm, a member of the 2013 high school graduating class, has been invited to join this extraordinary group of musicians in a performance entitled P.S. I Love Music. The evening will include performances by each of the musicians and conversations lead by Paul Sullivan with all of them.

This special performance is a joint production of Opera House Arts and River Music. Advance tickets are $20. Tickets purchased on the day of the concert are $25. Doors open at 7 p.m., music and conversations begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for all performances are available through the box office at 86 Townsend Avenue or by calling 207-633-5159. Tickets are also available online at boothbayoperahouse.com.