LEWISTON — Lewiston and Auburn downtowns are getting ready for “College Night in Town” on Wednesday.

The May 9 event will offer college students discount dining and the public 30 free musical and dance performances at six downtown venues.

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’s theme is “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 in a statement.

Murphy noted that organizers hope it will become a twice-a-year event, every fall and spring.

Eighteen downtown businesses, including 14 downtown restaurants, will offer menu discounts and specials. Discounts will be extended to college students presenting a current valid ID card from their institution.

In addition, six locations — Naral’s Restaurant, She Doesn’t Like Guthries, Chopsticks Restaurant, Lyceum Gallery, Kimball Street Studios and the downtown courtyard across from 8th District Court — will offer 30 musical and dance performances starting around 5 p.m.

The entertainment will conclude at around 8 p.m., and the focus will shift to the downtown courtyard. Lewiston Mayor Robert E. Macdonald is scheduled to speak in the courtyard at 8:20 p.m. and festivities will conclude there with a concert featuring three of Bates’ a cappella groups — The Crosstones, the Deansmen and the Merrimanders.

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.

The 18 businesses offering discounts are: She Doesn’t Like Guthries, Niky’s Greek Restaurant, Mother India Fine Indian Cuisine, Fuel Restaurant, Naral’s Restaurant, Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pub, Chopsticks Restaurant, Baxter Brewing Co., The Vault, Fishbones American Grill, DaVinci’s Eatery, Kimball Street Studios, 84 Court St. Pizza, Lyceum Gallery, Great American Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn, Luiggi’s Pizzeria, Pub 33, Lewiston House of Pizza.