Events for May 29, 2019 - February 20, 2020

Indigo Arts Alliance presents in partnership with Portland Ovations Toshi Reagon and Samuel James – Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Portland House of Music and Events – Doors at 7 pm – 21+   Toshi Reagon: Described by Vibe magazine as “one helluva rock’n’roller-coaster ride” and by Pop Matters as “a treasure waiting to be found,”…

Taylor Mac maintains we are “a nation of makers” and that one of his favorite makers is costume designer Machine Dazzle. Machine, whose parents met and married in Pembroke, Maine, will be in residence at the Maine College of Art (MECA) on Congress Street in Portland from September 15th – 19th 2019. His residency includes…

Taylor Mac maintains we are “a nation of makers” and that one of his favorite makers is costume designer Machine Dazzle. Machine, whose parents met and married in Pembroke, Maine, will be in residence at the Maine College of Art (MECA) on Congress Street in Portland from September 15th – 19th 2019. His residency includes…

Taylor Mac’s “A 24-Decade of Popular Music (abridged)” kicks off Ovations’ Maine Bicentennial season, with its focus on making our state’s invisible histories visible and an emphasis on resistance and rebellion. Our pre-performance panelists span generations, perspectives, and geographies of Maine’s past, present, and future relationships with its queer communities. Facilitated by longtime queer activist,…

https://youtu.be/c4svHYVA5Pg “A necessary and great American epic for our time.” - Los Angeles Times Fabulous. Fierce. Unforgettable. MacArthur Fellow and Guggenheim Award-winning performer Taylor Mac chronicles an unseen history of America through a hand-picked selection of songs ranging from murder ballads to disco and everything in between. At its core, this immersive and outrageously entertaining…

https://youtu.be/moUltcFBjuU Beautiful tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the…

Do people marry for greater health, love, financial security, socio-cultural norms, or family and religious obligations? If each person is shaped by very unique bio-psycho-social-cultural factors which contribute to the presentation of their personality, value and belief systems, then marriages are truly more complex than many of us are lead to believe. Some people can…

Ever wonder how much of the music you listen to is influenced by ancient Celtic traditions? Kittel & Co’s music is part of a rich tapestry of contemporary string music made today in the American, Scottish, Irish, and Scandinavian music scenes. Join us pre-performance at Port City Music Hall for an exploration of how those…

  https://youtu.be/8rV-gXb-zqA Grammy-nominee Jeremy Kittel is recognized as one of the most exceptional violinists and fiddlers of his generation. Joined by his band Kittel & Co., this extraordinary trio of musicians inhabit the space between classical and acoustic roots music, Celtic and bluegrass aesthetics, and folk and jazz sensibilities. From the Telluride Blues Festival to…

An Ovations co-commission and world premiere. A world premiere of Maine based artist Sara Juli’s latest feminist solo, Burnt­-Out Wife. Taking on topics such as monogamy, intimacy, loneliness, and other marital taboos, Juli employs her physical and comedic talents to explore autobiographical issues of importance to all women. This full length, multimedia work defies genre and will…

Songhoy Blues is acclaimed for its guitar mastery in the “desert blues” genre of contemporary North African music. The African rhythms underlying the music we know and love as “the Blues” traveled to the Americas via the Trans-Atlantic enslavement and trafficking of Africans. Join us pre-performance at Port City Music Hall as Marc Chillemi highlights…

https://youtu.be/ODjF7a9LzGc “Songhoy Blues puts its own exuberant take on African sounds.” - The Washington Post Sons of Mali, musical refugees, groundbreaking artists, virtuoso performers, survivors. Steeped in the deep traditions of classic Malian music and desert blues infused with youthful and supercharged sounds of today, Songhoy Blues makes music that is unique, exciting, contagious and…

To welcome Kingdom Choir and better understand their musical selections, presentation, and history join us for a walk along Portland’s Freedom Trail lead by artist Daniel Minter, Reverend Kenneth Lewis, Alain Nahimana, and Portland City Councilors(s) Jill C. Duson & Pious Ali, concluding with an engaging talk by Reverend Lewis. What is the “gospel” in gospel…

Why did enslaved Africans sing with so much emotion and spirit? As a form of resistance to captivity, enslavement, and oppression. Gospel music was the safest way to express the pains and hopes of enslaved Africans in the United States. Reverend Kenneth L. Lewis will discuss what makes Gospel Music Gospel Music, as well as…

Join Palaver Strings, the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, and Portland Ovations to hear stories of courage, resilience, travel, and transition from three of Maine's immigrant communities. Facilitated by Marty Pottenger, guests will be invited to share their own experiences and how and why they call Portland home. The afternoon will kick off Welcome Home,…

Were you awed by Kingdom Choir’s ethereal performance of “Stand By Me” at the royal wedding of Britain’s Prince Harry to Meghan Markle last year? Prior to the Choir’s performance, explore the history and British origins of this iconic song within the context of the African “call and response” tradition in the creation of gospel…

https://youtu.be/pJjLCvoEFYU “...their vocal power and ecstatic harmonies make for spine-tingling moments...” - The Guardian They say you shouldn’t upstage a bride on her big day, but luckily the Kingdom Choir didn’t get the memo. Their show-stopping performance of “Stand By Me” was the highlight of 2018’s Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, launching…

Welcome Home celebrates the vitality of Maine's immigrant communities through music and storytelling. Palaver Strings will collaborate with guest artists of Franco-American, Burundian, and Iraqi heritage, sharing traditional music and personal stories of their families' journeys to Maine. As the program tours through Maine, Palaver Strings will celebrate Maine's cultural diversity, reflect on our own…

“ a scene stealer, not just with his singing but his humor.” - The Seattle Times A once-in-a-lifetime pairing in an intimate club setting for Ovations audiences only, the charismatic Rizo returns with her very, very special guest Ari Shapiro. A provocateur with a razor sharp wit, Grammy Award-winner Rizo transforms cabaret standards and pop…

https://youtu.be/XJJOOBLSifQ “I’m thrilled that Showtime with Shakespeare will be touring this year! Stage Fright on a Summer Night has long been one of my favorite titles in my Magic Tree House series...” — MARY POPE OSBORNE, SERIES AUTHOR Let us whisk you back to Elizabethan England for an adventurous meeting with the Bard himself—all to…

https://youtu.be/XJJOOBLSifQ “I’m thrilled that Showtime with Shakespeare will be touring this year! Stage Fright on a Summer Night has long been one of my favorite titles in my Magic Tree House series...” — MARY POPE OSBORNE, SERIES AUTHOR Let us whisk you back to Elizabethan England for an adventurous meeting with the Bard himself—all to…

National Public Radio’s From the Top returns to Portland Ovations to elevate and celebrate the amazing talent and captivating personalities of virtuosic young musicians from Maine and beyond. A favorite of longtime classical musical enthusiasts and newcomers alike, From the Top combines serious music, light-hearted skits and informal interviews in a delightful and entertaining concert.…

Brother Arnold, one of only three remaining Shakers all based in Sabbathday Lake, Maine, shares the history and context of the seven Shaker songs included in the Boston Camerata’s performance. Through his personal experience and history, Brother Arnold breathes life into the stories of each song. ABOUT BROTHER ARNOLD Brother Arnold joined the Shaker Community…

https://youtu.be/6GcC7IzcYN8 “America’s foremost early music ensemble” – Le Monde A favorite of Ovations audiences, Boston Camerata returns with its latest program of early American music celebrating 18th and 19th century songs of rebellion and resistance. The program spans a diverse range of styles and includes songs from Maine’s own Shaker community. The unique instrumentation includes…

https://youtu.be/EM53RxlJwUo “WAITRESS is a little slice of heaven!” — ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed…

When we talk about immigration to Maine, we start with white settler-colonialism. What has been the impact of immigration on Maine’s land and people from the first French explorers in 1604 to the present? What are the drivers of recent immigration movements, and how does each new wave shift Maine’s economy and culture? What specific…

In a pre-performance lecture, “Hot off the Keyboard,” pianist Laura Kargul will discuss the renowned improvisational skills of some of the greatest classical composers. Works such as the Bach toccatas, Mozart variations, Chopin nocturnes and Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies often sound as though they were forged in the fire of a solo late-night jam session, perhaps under…

https://youtu.be/9zoWBomGGpk "Montero's playing has everything: crackling rhythmic brio, subtle shadings, steely power in climactic moments, soulful lyricism … and, best of all, unsentimental expressivity." – The New York Times   Award-winning pianist Gabriela Montero, lauded for her monster technique and thrilling tone, is equally known as an inspired improviser. Her unique program pays homage to…

https://youtu.be/Wul940qfvTw Direct from Broadway, the world’s best selling magic show is coming to Portland, Maine. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTSTM – LIVE FROM BROADWAY has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the…

Due to school cancellations, our 10 am School-Time Performance has been cancelled.  Stay safe, everyone! https://youtu.be/2JIfbXK_5Xo “MOMIX is a tension between illusion and reality, apprehension and excitement” – The New York Times THIS OPPORTUNITY IS SOLD OUT. THANK YOU! Long live the magic of MOMIX. The miraculous dance company balances whimsy with athleticism, playfulness with…

Do you shy away from contemporary dance out of fear of “not getting it”? Annie Kloppenberg, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Theater and Dance at Colby College, will join us for a Pre-Performance Lecture to discuss the language of dance, how dance artists work, and how dances develop their meaning(s). She will…

The show goes on! MOMIX is in town and loaded into Merrill and waiting for you for their 7PM performance! https://youtu.be/2JIfbXK_5Xo “MOMIX is a tension between illusion and reality, apprehension and excitement” – The New York Times Raise the Barre Series Long live the magic of MOMIX. The miraculous dance company balances whimsy with athleticism,…

Due to the worldwide public health concerns surrounding coronavirus, Shanghai-based artists GuGu Drum Group has cancelled their upcoming tour and Ovations performance on Thursday, February 13, 2020. The artists have not left China. Given the lengthy incubation period of this virus, we do not want to do anything to put our community at risk or create unnecessary…

Due to the worldwide public health concerns surrounding coronavirus, Shanghai-based artists GuGu Drum Group has cancelled their upcoming tour and Ovations performance on Thursday, February 13, 2020. The artists have not left China. Given the lengthy incubation period of this virus, we do not want to do anything to put our community at risk or create unnecessary…

Due to the worldwide public health concerns surrounding coronavirus, Shanghai-based artists GuGu Drum Group has cancelled their upcoming tour and Ovations performance on Thursday, February 13, 2020. The artists have not left China. Given the lengthy incubation period of this virus, we do not want to do anything to put our community at risk or create unnecessary…

You can ensure your child’s February break is filled with creativity, growth, play, and the exploration of endless imaginative possibilities by registering them for Ovations Offstage/Portland Recreation’s Theater Vacation Camp! Join guest artists Compass Creative Dramatics for 5 full days of theater camp including games, activities, rehearsals, and a final performance designed to highlight children’s inner performers. No…

Taking popular, recognizable folk tunes and 'dressing them up' for use on the concert platform has been going on for hundreds of years. From the multiple settings of the Medieval Burgundian tune L'homme armé during the Middle Ages, to Mozart’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star variations, to powerful musical statements on religion, nationalism, war and peace,…

https://youtu.be/1Ea5YO6C58w   “Bridget Kibbey makes it seem as though her instrument had been waiting all its life to explode with the gorgeous colors and energetic figures she was getting from it.” - The New York Times “Much as Andres Segovia brought the classical guitar into the concert hall, the Israeli virtuoso Avi Avital is doing…

Join Portland Ovations for 1 or both of these exciting events ahead of the performance of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Both events take place in the Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall. 5 - 6PM   JUST ADDED! A Conversation and Demonstration: Celebrating Acadian Culture, Where Maine and Louisiana Meet: Food, Conversation, History and Music with Robert Sylvain…

https://youtu.be/vnJNQZuHTRc “…vibrant and swinging…” - JazzTimes Just in time for Mardi Gras, Grammy Award-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra features 18 of the finest Crescent City musicians on the scene today. Under the direction of drummer Adonis Rose, an alum of Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, NOJO possesses the swing and swagger of a true New…