This August edition of Maine Arts Monthly continues to spotlight the work of our Partnership Grant program. For August, we've highlighted a number of performances, events, and workshops that our Partnership recipients are presenting through these glorious days of summer. Like the bountiful display at your local farmer's market, the month is chock full of fresh performances, presentations, and workshops to keep the creative juices flowing all summer long. Here's our view of what's happening in the first half of August: 

Eastport Arts Center, Eastport, ME:

8/4: Concert Series Presents: “To Be Sung Upon the Water”, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Experience this water-themed performance of classical songs and chamber music.
• Performed by soprano Danielle Woerner and pianist Susan Aceto, with violinist Jonathan Aceto and cellist Joachim Woitun.

8/5: Judith Sloan Solo Show: “Off the Record”, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

• Judith Sloan is back at the Eastport Arts Center for another one-woman show.
• With characters and stories of humor, pathos, and a love of the absurd, the piece investigates the ways we collect evidence from eyewitness accounts in a world manipulated by fake news, investigative news. 

8/8: DOUBLE HEADER: Summer Workshop Series, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

• At 1:00 pm, The Eastport Arts Center will host professional musicians Patricia and Noel Brennan in leading musical workshops with Music from Mexico for Children.
• At 2:00 pm, Noel will lead Drum Set and Percussion Techniques, genres.  

Bates Dance Festival, Lewiston, ME:

8/3 & 8/4: Mill Town, 8:00 pm

• An immersive performance event featuring 50 dancers with live music, video, and installations in and around the Bates Mill Complex.
• Directed and choreographed by Stephan Koplowitz

8/5: Festival Finale, 7:30 pm

• Get a ticket for the last performance of the Bates Dance Festival!
• Festival students showcase their exceptional talent in new works by choreographers David Dorfman, Danny Buraczeski, Tania Isaac, Shakia Johnson and others, plus a production by our Youth Arts Program participants. 

Space Gallery, Portland, ME:

8/3: Community Event: Floral Dreamscapes, 6:00 pm

• Dreamscapes is a floral design showcase and fundraiser featuring over-the-top flower sculptures made out of 100% Maine-grown flowers, twigs, foliage, and plants.
• The proceeds from this event support the SNAP program at Portland Farmers' Market, expanding access to local food. 

8/4: Community Event: SPACE Birthday Party!, 5:00 pm

• Happy birthday, SPACE Gallery!
• 15 years ago on August 4, SPACE opened its doors to the public. Go celebrate  cake, games and good vibes.

8/13: Downtown Boys, Doors at 7:30 pm, Concert at 8:00 pm

• The American punk band returns to SPACE!
• This radically-minded and indefatigable rock band is unafraid to confront the inequalities and phobias present in 2017. Experience their unique music for yourself and grab a ticket.

Waterfall Arts, Belfast, ME:

8/5: {elbow room} presents: INCENDIARY: AN EVENING OF SHORT PERFORMANCES BY WOMEN, 7:00 pm

• Join Waterfall Arts for an evening featuring tarot performance by White Gourd, performance poetry by Becca Glaser, and puppetry by Lisa Leaverton.

8/6: MUSIC, FOOD, AND FUN FOR ALL! 4:00 pm

• Featuring Starcrossed Losers, William & Friends.
• Expect amazing music, delicious food, art making, and fun for all ages. 

8/11: Gelatin Print with Abbie Read, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

• Join instructor Abbie Read. Abbie has been working in abstract collage for decades and loves the freedom to invent compositions and playing around with the visual elements of shape, color, and line.  

 Opera House Arts, Stonington, ME

   8/3: presents: The Passion of Joan of Arc

    Experience live electronic score for Carl Theodor Dreyer's 1928 silent film masterpiece.  

    A combination of movie and concert, this evening will simultaneously transport you back in time
while exploring cutting edge modern music.

  8/11 – 8/13:  The 17th Annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival

   Presented by Opera House Arts and the Gallery,
the 17 Annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival features three days of world-class jazz musicians.

   Check out the Feature Story below for more info!

Featured Partnership:

Opera House Arts

Opera House Arts’ commitment to community enrichment has been evident throughout its 17-year run in Stonington, Maine. The nonprofit organization has restored both the historic Stonington Opera House and the Burnt Cove Church Community Center to work toward its goal: Incite art. Create community. Learn more about its unique stories and history here. 

Producing year-round performances and programs is one-half of the organization’s mission. The other comes from hosting civic gatherings and community events. Throughout the summer, OHA has been putting on high quality, original, professional performances, shows and events, including movie nights, concerts, magic shows, and plays. But the greatest excitement in Stonington will come in the second week of August when the entire island will be taken over by the Deer Isle Jazz Festival.

From August 11-13, Opera House Arts and the Gallery present the 17the Annual Deer Isle Jazz Festival. For three nights, smooth music and fresh melodies will echo through the island’s lush trees and sweet summer air, bringing together audiences in celebration. The festival will feature world-class musicians from all across New England and will showcase a number of Maine’s own student groups and musicians.

The lineup features everything from flute, cello, and drum trios to pedal steel guitars and baritone saxophones, making this year’s not one to miss! Check out the complete lineup here.