Total Eclipse of the Arts
Step into the spotlight and experience the celestial wonder of Maine arts events revolving around the upcoming solar eclipse. The Maine Arts Commission has curated a selection of spectacular and innovative happenings centered around the awe-inspiring cosmic phenomenon. Don't miss your chance to witness the convergence of art and science in an unforgettable celebration of creativity. Explore, engage, and elevate your eclipse experience.
| County | Events |
|---|---|
| Aroostook | 3 |
| Cumberland | 2 |
| Franklin | 2 |
| Knox | 1 |
| Penobscot | 2 |
| Piscataquis | 1 |
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Aroostook County
Houlton
UU Eclipse Concert Series in Houlton - April 5-8
Join us at 7PM each night of Eclipse Festival Weekend (April 5 – April 8) for our Unitarian Concert Series. The schedule is as follows:
Friday Night, April 5th at 7:00pm
Casual Guitar Duo Simon & Justin in the Cup Cafe – Donations Appreciated
Saturday Night April 6th at 7:00pm
Cosmic Dance Band – Electric Bonfire in the Sanctuary $20
Sunday Afternoon April 7th at 12:00 noon
Relaxing finger picking guitar Soloist & Bird Whisperer Ewan Dobson – $20
Sunday Evening April 7th at 7:00
Bertrand Lawerence and Kendall James- $20
Monday Evening April 8th at 7:00
All Star Jam Band Music Gathering – Bring your instruments, voice and free Spirit to co-create a Cosmic Send Off! – Donations Appreciated.
All tickets can be purchased at UUHOULTON.ORG
For more information contact Dave Hutchinson at moc.golbsdoowkcab@evad or 207-446-6858
Read more about the concert series by clicking HERE!
Houlton
CATE 2024 - April 8
Join an eclipse relay race for science! The Citizen Continental-America Telescope Eclipse (Citizen CATE) 2024 is a network of volunteer teams equipped and trained to capture videos of the Sun’s corona – or atmosphere – during the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse.
The 2-3 minute clips made by each team will be combined into a 60-minute movie that reflects the magnetic structure of the Sun’s middle corona, revealing the electron density and showing how magnetic energy is converted into heat. The movie will also reveal the motion of density features in the middle corona, allowing scientists to measure the strength of the solar wind.
Artist and musician "Genius Black," also known as Jerry Edwards, the Maine Arts Commission's 2024 Media Arts 
Fellow, will be in Houlton on April 8. Here's what he had to say:
Fellow, will be in Houlton on April 8. Here's what he had to say:"NASA and SWRI trained us and gave us a big telescope, computers, camera. So we are taking a small group up to Houlton and will be imaging from there. We will be meeting two news crews at our site to both live stream, and contribute to a written article for the BDN. Personally, I’ll be taking photos and video of the event, and the landscape during totality. We will also use our gear after the event to make astronomy and telescope more accessible to children and families in the South Portland community."
Presque Isle
Wintergreen Arts Center hosts eclipse-themed art project and artists - April 5
In celebration of the total solar eclipse, the Wintergreen Arts Center is featuring an art show and offering an art-making event during the First Friday Art Walk on April 5, from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
The public is invited to come view pieces of eclipse-themed art created by local artists. At the same time, Wintergreen is hosting a Family & Friends Art Night for tweens, teens, and adults to come together and create their own fierce and fiery sun. So, whether guests are viewing or doing, there will be something eclipsed based for everyone.
“We are looking forward to celebrating the eclipse in a very creative way,” said Gretchen Violette, Wintergreen’s events coordinator. “We hope families and friends will come out to both view art produced by local artists as well as create a unique souvenir of the eclipse for themselves.”
Cumberland County
Portland & Brunswick
Room To Breathe - April 6 + 7
Quiet the noise of the modern world and give your spirit Room to Breathe with this immersive, candlelight concert. Eclipses have long been seen as a time of letting go, as a reminder of the vastness of the universe. The total solar eclipse passing over northern Maine on April 8 is a special opportunity to harness this power locally. Room to Breathe is an artistic experience that allows audience members to tap into this power for personal transformation and collective renewal through music.
Room to Breathe features choral works by Caroline Shaw, Nico Muhly, Caleb Burhans, Howard Frazin, Frank Ticheli, and David Lang and sung by Classical Uprising's symphonic choir, Oratorio Chorale. In addition to the musical performance, audiences will be encouraged to join the creative process by writing down something they wish to let go of, setting their own intentions, and releasing what no longer serves them.
Room to Breathe features choral works by Caroline Shaw, Nico Muhly, Caleb Burhans, Howard Frazin, Frank Ticheli, and David Lang and sung by Classical Uprising's symphonic choir, Oratorio Chorale. In addition to the musical performance, audiences will be encouraged to join the creative process by writing down something they wish to let go of, setting their own intentions, and releasing what no longer serves them.
Date and Times: Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in Portland; Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. in Brunswick
Location: Saturday, April 6, 2024 – Williston-Immanuel United Church (156 High Street, Portland, ME, 04101); Sunday, April 7, 2024 – First Parish Church (9 Cleveland Street, Brunswick, ME 04011)
Tickets are available online here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=206554
Adults: $35 in advance, $40 at the door
Students: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Under 2: Free (must be accompanied by an adult)
Adults: $35 in advance, $40 at the door
Students: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Under 2: Free (must be accompanied by an adult)
Accessibility: Williston-Emmanuel United Church (Portland) - ADA/ACA Accessible; First Parish Church (Brunswick) - ADA/ACA Accessible: Pew arrangement allows for wheelchairs, and others may sit with you in the pew. Enter the vestry from Maine Street up the covered ramp for accessible access to the sanctuary.
Portland
Portland Symphony Orchestra - April 6 + 7
Get ready for an unparalleled journey across the stars!
Experience the music that transcends galaxies as we all prepare for the solar eclipse to pass us on Monday afternoon. Your PSO will bring to life pieces from the stirring scores of timeless classics like Star Wars, E.T., Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and more. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to the magic of orchestral music, this event promises an evening of pure cinematic splendor.
Led by Music Director Eckart Preu your PSO honors one of the most iconic film composers of all time—the great John Williams. Experience his critically acclaimed works live, including selections from Jurassic Park, Star Wars, and E.T.
Date and Times: Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Location: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street, Portland, ME 04101
Admission: $28 - $84
Accessibility: Yes.
Franklin County
Rangeley
Shadow of the Sun Festival - April 5-8
Get ready to witness the celestial event of the decade! On April 8th, Maine's skies will be painted with the magic of a total solar eclipse, and the Rangeley Region is where you want to be for an exclusive front-row seat to this cosmic extravaganza.
Dive into a four-day family adventure, exploring the majestic slopes of Saddleback Mountain and the enchanting charm of Oquossoc. The Rangeley Region has curated a lineup of exhilarating events leading up to the main event, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience for every member of the family.
Imagine yourself at the epicenter of celestial excitement in Rangeley, Maine, where the path of totality embraces the region in a direct celestial hug. The anticipation is building, and the Rangeley Region is THE destination to fully immerse yourself in the thrill and wonder of this cosmic rendezvous.
Mark your calendar and be part of the most unforgettable celestial celebration, creating memories that will become the highlight of your family's story for a lifetime.
Don't miss the cosmic dance of the 2024 solar eclipse—join us in Rangeley and get ready to be awestruck!
Monday, April 8th, 2024
Time to check out the Stars of the Show
The Sun, the Moon and the Eclipse
Duration: 2 hours, 21 minutes, 17 seconds
Duration of totality: 2 minutes, 25 seconds
Partial begins: Apr 8, 2024 at 2:18:02 pm
Full begins: Apr 8, 2024 at 3:29:32 pm
Maximum: Apr 8, 2024 at 3:30:44 pm
Full ends: Apr 8, 2024 at 3:31:57 pm
Partial ends: Apr 8, 2024 at 4:39:19 pm
Kingfield + Rangeley Lake Region
Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance: Solar Eclipse Trip
*This workshop is full; please email Gibson at gro.sretirweniam@rotcerid to be added to the waiting list.
Field Trip! A group of Maine poets and writers will travel from Portland to Kingfield to the Rangeley Lakes area to watch the solar eclipse and (maybe) write about it.
The group will be led by poet and MWPA Executive Director Gibson Fay-LeBlanc and Maine State Poet Laureate Julia Bouwsma, who we will pick up in Kingfield. This is not a workshop—it is a chance to hopefully witness an amazing cosmic event and to try writing about it along the way.
We will watch the eclipse from a private spot in the Rangeley Lakes area. We cannot promise that the weather will cooperate of course—it will be April in Maine! However, we can promise good fellowship, a few writing prompt ideas, a solar eclipse playlist in the van, and some great snacks and optional cocktails/mocktails at the Hillholm Estate in Kingfield. The schedule is below. Participants are welcome to start with us in Portland or Kingfield. The cost of this program just covers the van, gas, a pair of eclipse viewing glasses, and snacks.
Knox County
Rockland
First Fridays at the Farnsworth: April 5
Join the Farnsworth Art Museum every Friday of 2024 for an evening of art, culture, and community at First Fridays!
In April, join us to celebrate abstraction as we welcome the opening of our newest exhibition, Abstract Flash: Unseen Andrew Wyeth.
In April, join us to celebrate abstraction as we welcome the opening of our newest exhibition, Abstract Flash: Unseen Andrew Wyeth.
Amy Morey and Leith MacDonald from the Andrew & Betsy Wyeth Study Center will be on site to discuss the exhibition with visitors. William L. Coleman, Ph.D., Wyeth Foundation Curator of the Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Collection and Director of the Andrew and Betsy Wyeth Study Center, will offer brief remarks about the new exhibition for all present.
Amory Raymond, faculty member at Midcoast Music Academy, will be performing music in the Library.
Enjoy charcuterie platters of imported cured meats and cheeses with olives, pickles, fruit and nuts from Morse’s Sauerkraut. Plus, arrive early to take home special Farnsworth eclipse glasses in preparation for the April 8th solar eclipse, while supplies last!
Enjoy charcuterie platters of imported cured meats and cheeses with olives, pickles, fruit and nuts from Morse’s Sauerkraut. Plus, arrive early to take home special Farnsworth eclipse glasses in preparation for the April 8th solar eclipse, while supplies last!
First Fridays at the Farnsworth will delight and surprise visitors with unique programming themed to our exhibitions and offering a variety of activities for people of all ages and interests.
Date and Times: Friday, April 5, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Admission: Free, and no registration required, but eclipse glasses are limited, so arrive early.
Accessibility: Yes.
Penobscot County
Lincoln
Lincoln Solar Eclipse Viewing Party - April 8
The Lincoln Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce (LLRCC) is thrilled to announce our upcoming Solar Eclipse Viewing Party on April 8, 2024 from 1-4pm behind Greywolf Auto and Why Not Stop. Only select states, including Maine, will witness the moon's path completely covering the sun, creating moments of total darkness and a radiant ring around the sun. Positioned at the southern edge of the viewing area along I-95, Lincoln’s event promises to be an unforgettable experience. This awe-inspiring natural phenomenon won't occur again in the U.S. until 2044.
Join us for an afternoon filled with exciting activities for all ages! Indulge in mouthwatering eats from Joe's Chuck Wagon and snag some free samples from Wendy's, set to open its Lincoln location in late May. Don't miss out on delicious treats from the LLRCC bake sale and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. We're also excited to feature Lincoln’s very own TikTok star, Chef Adam Libby, who will be signing autographs. Explore our artisan market and support local artists and businesses, including Cold Stream Keepsakes, Hillside Designs, Handcrafted Lincoln, R3vamp’D Customs, and Emily's Escapades. For family-friendly fun, we'll have touch-a-truck, face painting, and a goat petting zoo from 4R Animal Shelter. Additionally, we'll be streaming the NASA live feed, ensuring you won't miss a moment of this historic event. The LLRCC Solar Eclipse Viewing Party is shaping up to be an afternoon filled with science, excitement, and a celebration of all that makes Lincoln special.
”It's not every day we get to witness something as incredible as a solar eclipse, and we wanted to make sure our community has a blast while experiencing it. This event is all about bringing people together, enjoying good food, fun activities, and creating lasting memories. We’re committed to fostering a strong sense of community and supporting local businesses.” – Bobbie Stormann, LLRCC President and owner of Just Baked.
For more information, visit lincolnmechamber.org, email moc.liamg@2ccrll, or call 207-794-8065. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled.
Date and Times: April 8, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Behind Greywolf Auto and Why Not Stop, 305 W Broadway, Lincoln, ME 04457
Admission: FREE, registration is not required.
Accessibility: Handicap parking available in front of Greywolf Auto
Millinocket
Eclipse Weekend: George Melies Film Series - April 5 - 8
The theater will be showing a series of early silent films (1900s) by French director Georges Méliès films during Maine’s full eclipse weekend. George Méliès was called the “Wizard of the Cinema” and was the first to introduce special effects. In his collection is a film called “The Eclipse or the Courtship of the Sun and the Moon."
Date and Times: Friday, April 5th, Saturday, 6th, Sunday, 7th, or Monday, 8th, at either 6 PM, 7:15 PM, or 8:30 PM.
Location: Boreal Theater 215 Penobscot Ave, Millinocket, ME 04462
Admission: FREE and open to the public. We will accept donations for the theater.
Accessibility: ADA Accessible.
GEORGES MÉLIÉS – BIOGRAPHY (Source IMDB)
On December 28th, 1895, in Paris, France, Georges Méliès was in the audience at the first public screenings of animated photography with the cinematograph, machine invented by the French Lumière brothers. Inspired, Georges Méliès became an illusionist and film director famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema. Méliès was an especially prolific innovator in the use of special effects, popularizing such techniques as substitution splices, multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, dissolves, and hand-painted color. His films include A Trip to the Moon (1902) and An Impossible Voyage (1904), both involving strange, surreal journeys somewhat in the style of Jules Verne, and are considered among the most important early science fiction films. Martin Scorsese said of Méliès that “he invented everything, basically, he invented it all."Piscataquis County
Dover-Foxcroft
Space Odyssey: Total Eclipse of the Ice - April 6 + 7
Ice Dance International (IDI) to perform Space Odyssey: Total Eclipse of the Ice, a free event at Dover-Foxcroft, Maine’s Central Hall Commons on April 6 and 7 in celebration of the solar eclipse
Space Odyssey, Total Eclipse of the Ice is a show for the ages with the aim to align oneself with the path of totality. This family fun event features skating on real ice skates on synthetic ice made of plastic. The show stars 2 time United States Figure Skating Champion, Alissa Czisny; headliners of the Radio City Christmas Show in New York City, Lara and Neill Shelton; and IDI company members.
The ice shows will be bracketed with community events celebrating the eclipse.
IDI’s Artistic Director, Douglas Webster, who moved to Dover-Foxcroft last fall, dreamt of creating a show that could bring people together for a dose of hilarity and fun to provide locals, and visitors coming to the area to view the eclipse, something extraordinary to experience over the weekend. Webster’s friend, nationally recognized coach and choreographer, Stephanee Grosscup, suggested an alien, space cowboy, plastic ice show, with music relating to the eclipse, and well, the rest is history.
Space Odyssey, Total Eclipse of the Ice is a show for the ages with the aim to align oneself with the path of totality. This family fun event features skating on real ice skates on synthetic ice made of plastic. The show stars 2 time United States Figure Skating Champion, Alissa Czisny; headliners of the Radio City Christmas Show in New York City, Lara and Neill Shelton; and IDI company members.
The ice shows will be bracketed with community events celebrating the eclipse.
IDI’s Artistic Director, Douglas Webster, who moved to Dover-Foxcroft last fall, dreamt of creating a show that could bring people together for a dose of hilarity and fun to provide locals, and visitors coming to the area to view the eclipse, something extraordinary to experience over the weekend. Webster’s friend, nationally recognized coach and choreographer, Stephanee Grosscup, suggested an alien, space cowboy, plastic ice show, with music relating to the eclipse, and well, the rest is history.
Date and Time(s): April 6 and 7; shows at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Location:
The Central Hall Commons provides the perfect location with a stage and audience viewing area. The free 30-minute shows take place both days at 4:00 and 7:00 pm. Audience members are encouraged to wear space outfits to join in the fun. Food and drink will be on sale. A dance party will take place after the Saturday evening show and there will be eclipse-inspired crafts, games, and face painting presented by the Maine Highlands Council for the Arts before and after the 4 pm shows. Space wear ecnouraged.
Admisssion: FREE
Accessibility: Yes
Additional Details:
Monson Arts is graciously providing housing for the Ice Dance International Company that includes:
Alissa Czisny (Toronto): 2 x United States Champion and Grand Prix Final Champion
Adam Kaplan (Barrington, RI): Ice Dance International company member since 2017
Jean-Simon Légaré (Miami, FL): Ice Dance International Company Member
Lara Shelton (Weymouth, MA): Featured in the 2022 Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Neill Shelton (Weymouth, MA): Featured in the 2022 Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Rohene Ward (Chicago, IL): World-famous choreographer for star skaters including Jason Brown
Alissa Czisny (Toronto): 2 x United States Champion and Grand Prix Final Champion
Adam Kaplan (Barrington, RI): Ice Dance International company member since 2017
Jean-Simon Légaré (Miami, FL): Ice Dance International Company Member
Lara Shelton (Weymouth, MA): Featured in the 2022 Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Neill Shelton (Weymouth, MA): Featured in the 2022 Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Rohene Ward (Chicago, IL): World-famous choreographer for star skaters including Jason Brown
Additional Resources
Maine State Library Eclipse Resources
On April 8, 2024, Maine will experience a total solar eclipse! The sky will darken, animals will settle as if the sun is setting, and most automatic lights will turn on. This LibGuides is for librarians, educators, and out-of-school time practitioners. Click HERE to learn more.
Portland Press Herald- Click to Read
