There are an estimated 200 million African descendants across 19 Latin American countries, whose collective cultural identity is known and celebrated as Afrolatinidad. Join Michele Reid-Vazquez, a vocalist, and Caribbean and Latin American studies scholar at Bowdoin College as she explores the historical, cultural, and personal significance of Afrolatinidad through Afro-Cuban music—particularly Afro-Cuban jazz—and its impact … Read more
History has always had a tendency to narrow its gaze, and classical music is no exception. Bach, now considered one of the greatest composers, was passed over repeatedly in his lifetime for positions given to composers whose names we barely remember today. Amy Beach set aside her career at her husband’s request, her voice constrained … Read more
In the age of the internet, social media, and AI, what keeps classical music relevant and engaging for audiences? How do young artists like Sophia Liu synthesize a centuries-old musical and cultural tradition with modern life? Our pre-concert talk with pianist and scholar Danny Holt introduces the audience to this extraordinary young talent, while exploring … Read more
Join Cape Elizabeth native and internationally award winning pianist Henry Kramer for a morning masterclass with students in the Osher School of Music piano program. ABOUT HENRY KRAMER Praised by The Cleveland Classical Review for his “astonishingly confident technique” and The New York Times for “thrilling [and] triumphant” performances, pianist Henry Kramer is developing a reputation as … Read more
Guest speakers Ed Pearlman and Laura Scott have worked professionally as performers, organizers, and journalists with most of the “All-Stars”—some of the top Scottish, Irish, and Canadian performers working today. In this lively pre-performance talk, we will learn more about the artists on the evening’s program, exploring their history and virtuosity with fiddle, bagpipes, banjo, Gaelic song, and traditional … Read more
Join Portland Ovations and local Drag Queens for an hour of stories and art! Glamorous expert storytellers use the art of drag to read books and lead craft projects at local bookstores, libraries, and community centers around Portland. This fun, fabulous literary experience fosters learning and play, encouraging children and their caregivers to celebrate all … Read more
Join Portland Ovations and local Drag Queens for an hour of stories and art! Glamorous expert storytellers use the art of drag to read books and lead craft projects at local bookstores, libraries, and community centers around Portland. This fun, fabulous literary experience fosters learning and play, encouraging children and their caregivers to celebrate all … Read more
Join Portland Ovations and local Drag Queens for an hour of stories and art! Glamorous expert storytellers use the art of drag to read books and lead craft projects at local bookstores, libraries, and community centers around Portland. This fun, fabulous literary experience fosters learning and play, encouraging children and their caregivers to celebrate all … Read more
The 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan marked a bloody end to the British Raj, displacing nearly 15 million people and fundamentally reshaping musical cultures of South Asia and its diasporas. Join ethnomusicologist Dr. Aruna Kharod to explore how cultural legacies of Partition and South Asian musical features inspire the border- and genre-defying aesthetics of Sunny Jain’s Wild … Read more
ABOUT THE BOOK CLUB Westerns may bring to mind cacti, shoot-outs, and spurs…but there’s so much more to it! Join Portland Public Library, Portland Ovations, and Back Cove Books as we read and discuss three very different westerns. Discover what’s in a western and see how this timeless genre continues to evolve. Part 1 is 12/16/25. We will discuss True … Read more