Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine June 21-27

Out and About for the York/Sanford Lakes Region of Maine June 21-27
June 20, 2018
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine June 28-July4
Out and About for the Bangor Lakes Region of Maine June 28-July4
June 27, 2018

Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine June 21-27

Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine June 21-27

“Figures of Speech Theatre’s Nightingale,” Celebration Barn Theatre, South Paris

June 21, Thursday, 7pm, “Dancer’s Choice Showcase and New Stravinsky Ballet,” Maine State Ballet celebrates its Company dancers with the annual production of Dancer’s Choice, a program selected by the dancers themselves, on June 20th and 21st only, at Maine State Ballet’s Lopez Theater in Falmouth. The first half of the program includes a variety of ballet pieces chosen and performed by each Company dancer, highlighting each dancer’s unique, individualized style and artistry. The second half of the program features the World Premiere of Stravinsky Concerto in D, a new neo-classical ballet choreographed by Artistic Director Linda MacArthur Miele. This program is a must see for anyone interested in the creative process of ballet. After all, it’s not often that Mainers get to experience a brand-new ballet choreographed by someone who actually knew and worked with composer Igor Stravinsky! Miele, who at age 14 became the youngest person accepted by George Balanchine himself into the New York City Ballet Company, had the honor and the privilege of working with both Balanchine and Stravinsky, $15-$20, Maine State Ballet’s Lopez Theater, 348 U.S. Route One, Falmouth. FMI: 207-781-7672, mainestateballet.org.
June 21-22, Thursday-Friday, 7:30pm, “Summer Lovin,” a romantic comedy, start your summer with the perfect combination of laughter and love as the Footlights Theatre brings SUMMER LOVIN’ to the stage for 5 shows only! A funny, fun comedy about life, love, and dreams. Critics and audiences are cheering as this long-ago couple attempt to reunite in the most unusual of circumstances. All Seats are “Pay What You Can”- reserve your seats or “just show up”, doors open 1/2 before curtain, Footlights Theatre, US Route 1, Falmouth. FMI: 207-747-5434, www.thefootlightsinfalmouth.com.
June 23, Saturday, 11am, “Sparks Ark,” officially started in the early 90s by David Sparks. He & son Josh had done wildlife rehabilitation for some time, but decided to also start humanely relocating nuisance wildlife. Over the years, they began taking in unwanted and illegal exotic animals as well. In addition to rehabilitation work, they do outreach programs with many of the exotics, educating people on the legality, pros & cons of owning an exotic; as well as how to safely interact with wildlife, $5.50-$7.50, Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26A, Gray. FMI: 207-657-4977, www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife-park/index.html.
June 23, Saturday, 7:30pm, “Figures of Speech Theatre’s Nightingale,” Figures of Speech Theatre uses original vocal music, live actors in flowing silk costumes, and 4’ tall intricately carved puppets to bring to life Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story, “Nightingale”. This lush, dazzling full-stage presentation is well suited to audiences from 6 to 86. The theme of “Nightingale” is the importance of maintaining a connection with Nature. The Emperor of China learns of the existence of a plain gray bird whose song is the sweetest in all the world. He summons her to court, where she moves him to tears. Later he is given a jeweled mechanical bird which makes him lose interest in the Nightingale, and banish her from his empire. But when he is alone and gravely ill, his tiny compassionate friend returns to bargain with Death and save the Emperor. The story is framed by narrators — adventurous medieval “traders in essences” played by Andrea Goodman, formerly a principal vocalist with the Meredith Monk Ensemble, and Carol Farrell, Co- Founder of Figures of Speech. A quest to collect the essence of the sweetest song in the world leads them to China, where they meet the Emperor, the Emperor’s daughter, the courtiers, and the nightingale. The production features an original vocal score composed by Goodman. Altogether, the layering of people, puppets, and music form a magical mix as the inanimate becomes animated, and the manipulators interact with the manipulated. The result is an exotic, sophisticated rendition of a classic tale which promises to be quite unlike any theatrical experience you’ve ever had before. Figures of Speech Theatre has performed throughout Japan, North America and Europe with performances which are enjoyed equally by adults and young people. In 1996 “Nightingale” played a successful Broadway run at the New Victory Theater and won the coveted “UNIMA Citation of Excellence,” the highest award in American puppet theater. The creation of “Nightingale” was funded in part by the Davis Family Foundation, the Jim Henson Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts, $14/adults, $12/seniors, $8/kids, Celebration Barn Theater, 190 Stock Farm Rock, South Paris. FMI: 207-743-8542, celebrationbarn.com.
June 24, Sunday, 7:30pm, “Arthur Migliazza,” Award winning Blues and Boogie Woogie pianist Arthur Migliazza began playing the piano professionally at the age of 13. It was through his love of Blues music and his dedication to the piano that he came under the wing of such mentors/teachers as Henry Butler, Ann Rabson and Mr. B. Arthur has been inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, was a finalist at the 2010 and 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, and in his 20+ years of performing has been privileged to play on some of the worlds greatest stages, including Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow as part of the sold out Kings of Boogie Tour, the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, as well as on National Public Radio in the US. “Boogie-woogie is the speed metal of traditional blues and jazz piano. The roots of the rolling, rapid-fire stylealso called barrelhouse; its origins are in honky-tonks, gin mills, and rent parties stretch back to the turn of the last century and are intertwined with its comparatively sophisticated cousin, ragtime. One of boogie-woogie’s greatest living young practitioners is New York piano man Arthur Migliazza…” seating is limited, reservation requested, $25/online, $30/door, $10/with student ID, Hayloft at Dragonfly Barn, 95 Sanborns Grove Road, Bridgton. FMI: 207-749-6160, www.facebook.com/dragonflybarnmaine.
June 25, Monday, 1pm, “West African Rhythms and Songs with Annegret Baier,” in her solo performance Annegret plays a wide variety of percussion instruments including Djembe, Conga, Kpanlogo, Kalimba, Balaphone and more. Audiences witness a stunning demonstration of her skillful playing and her powerful and uplifting stage presence and are invited to participate in dancing, drumming, singing and hand clapping. All ages will enjoy this interactive and educational presentation, Windham Middle School, 408 Gray Road, Windham. FMI: 207-892-1908, www.windham.lib.me.us.
June 26, Tuesday, 8pm, “Mystery for Hire,” In Lights, Camera, Mystery! by Dan Marois you are welcomed to Hollywood’s grand night for the presentation of the “Gimmie” Awards. The stars are out in full force ready to cut each other’s throat in order to win the coveted award. This show has the fun and excitement of a Hollywood Awards Program with special awards given to your guests through the evening. And an extra special treat is that each of your guests get their own personalized Hollywood star name. (Our favorites include Izzy Breathing, Ima Tubesox, and Patty O’Furniture!) Enjoy the fun of a Mystery for Hire performance at the historic Poland Spring Resort. Who knows? You might be nominated for a movie and actually win a Gimmie! Mystery for Hire has performed to audiences totaling 60,000 since 1995. The event is non stop fun with a mystery twist to test your sleuthing skills, $12, Poland Spring Resort, Poland. FMI: 207-998-4351, polandspringresort.com.

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