We have news to share! I am pleased to introduce Portland Ovations, the exciting new name for the non-profit arts organization our community has known and supported since 1931.
An ovation is a joyous sign of appreciation and welcome. That singular moment we share with our friends, family, and neighbors as we come together to rejoice in the magic of live art. It is the energy that flows from audience to artist and back, making Portland one of those special cities artists want to return to again and again.
For 78 years, we have connected Maine audiences with classical music, dance, theater, opera, jazz, and Broadway hits. For decades, our audiences have felt the singular connection that comes from attending live performances that stimulate, excite, transform, and resonate. From our earliest days presenting artists such as Lily Pons, Yehudi Menuhin, and Nelson Eddy to mid-century triumphs with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, Eileen Farrell, and Leontyne Price to our modern history with Yo-Yo Ma, Herbie Hancock, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ondekoza, Emmylou Harris, and Pink Martini to name but a few – we have brought the best live performances to Maine audiences.
Over time, we’ve done more than present artists. We’ve engaged audiences. We’ve educated children. We’ve enriched lives. We’ve broken down barriers and built up communities. We’ve been crucial partners in bringing Merrill Auditorium to life and filling it with live performances that have been integral to our lives.
The new season for Portland Ovations, along with our Ovations Offstage offerings, ushers in new opportunities to connect with some of the world’s finest artists – familiar icons, Portland favorites, and new voices. We are continuing two popular series, Traverser la Frontière and Maine & Its Ties to Africa, both of which resonate deeply with our audiences. Our latest exploration, Greening the Arts, offers us the opportunity to link artistic innovation with Maine’s natural beauty.
We’ve also created an exciting new Membership program that provides our patrons with greater flexibility, ticket discounts, and increased access to our visiting artists – all while supporting Portland Ovations. With your Membership in Portland Ovations, you play a vital role in our mission of connecting our community with the transformative power of art through live performance.
Portland Ovations: the evolution of an organization that for 78 years has responded to the community and its desire for diverse, high-quality performing arts experiences that connect us with each other and the world. We look forward to connecting with you and the artists we bring all season long and for years to come.
Warm regards,
Aimée M. Petrin
