For the second half of August, our Partnership Grant program recipients are producing a number of impressive performances from Penobscot Theatre to Penobscot Bay. Although the sweet summer days may be winding down, there's still time to kick back, relax, and soak in some sun and culture throughout the great Pine Tree State.  (Homepage collage by Fern Hilyard) 

Portland Stage Company, Inc., Portland, ME:

8/17 - 8/20: “The All Night Strut!” Musical, 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm

• Join the Portland Stage Company for this classy, sassy musical celebration of the 1930s and ‘40s.
• This two-act musical moves through the Depression, World War II, and the post-war boom with jazz, blues, bebop and American songbook staples.

Maine Crafts Association, Portland, ME:

8/26: Portland Fine Craft Show, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

• The MCA will be celebrating the crafts of over 100 juried exhibitors from the greater New England area.
• The show features fine crafts in the following media categories: baskets, ceramics, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, and wood.

Penobscot Theatre Company, Bangor, ME:

8/17 – 8/20: “Something Wicked This Way Comes”, 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm

• The second session of Dramatic Academy Summer ’17 will culminate with four performances of this rich adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s classic story.
• One strange and dark year long ago, Halloween came early on October 24, the exact same time that Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show rolled into town. Two boys, Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway, are about to discover the diabolical truth about the carnival.  

Opera House Arts, Stonington, ME:

8/16: LIVE! For $5: Yellow Bird Chase, 6:30 pm

• Every Wednesday, Opera House family entertainment performance.
• This show follows a clownish maintenance crew that finds a magical yellow bird. Seeing its value, they try to capture the bird, but it escapes and so begins a great chase!
• Liars & Believers is a new story for all ages told in mask,  puppetry, and gibberish.

8/17 – 8/20: Henry IV, 4:00 pm & 7:00 pm

• Opera House Arts presents this classic Shakespeare tale of rebellion, familial drama, and triumph.
• Shuttling between dingy alehouse and a cloistered court, Henry IV chronicles Prince Hal’s moving journey as a prodigal son who must learn to become a man and a king.

Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor, ME:

8/16: Cultural Connections in the Park: Basketmaking Demonstration with Fred Tomah, Maliseet, 11:00 am -3:00 pm

• The Abbe Museum welcomes Fred Tomah. One of the only Maliseet basketmakers in Maine, Thomah is a Master Basketmaker, who has been making brown ash baskets for nearly 35 years.
• Fred will give a basketry demonstration and will discuss the steps he takes within the basketmaking process. 

8/16: Story & Activity Hour, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

• Visit the Abbe Museum’s Learning Lab and hear a story written by a Native American author and then participate in the craft. 

8/19 – 8/20: Aroostook Band of Micmacs Mawiomi of Tribes, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

• Join the Aroostook Band of Micmacs in celebration of the Mawiomi of Tribes through song, dance, food, and ceremonies.

Eastport Arts Center, Eastport, ME:

8/17: International Dance Workshop , 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

• Learn the traditional dances of Greek, Romanian, Bulgarian and Israeli music. Everyone, including beginners, is welcome to attend. 

8/25: Concert Series: Mira Gill, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Mira Gill will perform on piano for August’s last installment of the Concert Series.
• A reception will follow the concert with refreshments courtesy of Moose Island Bakery. 

Featured Partnership: The Eastport Arts Center

 All summer the Eastport Arts Center (EAC) is the community arts hub for string performances, film screenings, community dances, and art exhibits. Each week features a full list of variable productions and activities, which is intriguing that so much can happen under one roof. 

 The EAC is more than a performance space--it is a center that supports and promotes 7 different constituent groups. The groups are as follows: Eastport Gallery, Eastport Strings, Northern Lights Film Society, Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra, Quoddy Voices, Stage East, and The Concert Series. Whew! I'm out of breath. 

Functioning as a communal home for its constituents, the Eastport Arts Center has successfully become a diverse setting for performance, exhibition, and community outreach. But, the EAC goes even further than that. Along with hosting events and performances, the center also works with schools in the area to get children excited about the arts. The EAC gives children the opportunity to experience the arts in a fun and hands-on way, bringing workshops, master classes, visiting artists, and special presentations to various schools. Additionally the EAC Summer Workshop Series has been running since late June and will wrap up in August, so if you haven’t already been able to attend a class, now is your chance! 

By bringing together the community and supporting creatives in their artistic endeavors, Facilities Eastport Arts Center is making an impact on the region. From inspiring dance, theater, music, and hosting public gatherings, the Eastport Arts Center models a strong community-supported infrastructure for the arts.