Conversation

“Wig in a Box”: A Conversation on the Performance of Gender

Presented in partnership with Equality Maine. This event is ASL-interpreted, captions coming soon. Celebrated performer, director and playwright John Cameron Mitchell sits down with Maine-based artists and advocates to discuss gender as performance, both on and off-stage.  A recording of this event will be available to watch on demand through March 18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sn0AFNDPfE In Conversation: … Read more

“Musical Narratives: The Russian Piano Sonata”

With Mozart as a classical departure point, Dr. Steven Pane, professor of music at the University of Maine-Farmington, talks about the expansion and exploration of musical color, narrative, and virtuosity in the late Romantic piano music of Medtner and Rachmaninov. This recorded pre-performance lecture is available to view now through February 11. About the Speaker Pianist George Lopez, … Read more

“A Conversation with Toto Kisaku and Portland-based Artists”

Join our visiting artist, Toto Kisaku, for a casual, lunch-hour roundtable with local artists as they discuss the process of writing and performing personal work, rooted in activism and community engagement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6gr8bn1ZGQ&t=2s In Conversation:   Reza Jalali, Moderator – Jalali is a noted writer and educator. He has taught at the University Southern Maine. Jalali’s … Read more

“The Helping Hands of Suffrage: Women in Classical Music”

George Lopez, Bowdoin College Artist in Residence, discusses the history and challenges of gender equality in classical music and highlight the significance of the quartet’s program. This recorded pre-performance lecture is available to view now through October 28. https://youtu.be/GpGUzvK2oy4 About the Speaker Pianist George Lopez, Bowdoin College’s Robert Beckwith Artist in Residence, has been a dedicated … Read more

“Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends”

“Our students LOVED the Rosie Revere! It was the first play or musical that many of them had ever seen. They are still talking about it! It was terrific!” MARY B, 2ND GRADE TEACHER Ms. Greer’s classroom includes three inquisitive out-of-the-box thinkers. Rosie Revere has big dreams. Iggy Peck has a relentless passion for architecture. … Read more

Step Afrika!

Limited availability – Please email offstage@portlandovations.org if interested in reserving tickets. “Exciting and brilliantly choreographed.” THE NEW YORK TIMES A joyful mixture of songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation make STEP AFRIKA! so much more than a dance concert. The thrilling company of dancers blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and … Read more

Dan + Claudia Zanes: Songs of Streets and Sunshine

“The family-music genre’s most outspoken and eloquent advocate.” TIME MAGAZINE Grammy Award winner Dan Zanes and Haitian-American jazz vocalist Claudia Zanes introduce young people to songs and the stories behind them while providing creative ideas to help everyone find their way inside the music. These uplifting and interactive videos are part concert, part history lesson, … Read more

“Cartography”

“Cartography explores a world alive with transitions and movement by characters speaking their minds; representing those often made purposely invisible by others…A wonder of theater-making.” DC METRO Inflatable rafts on the Mediterranean. Dark holds of cargo trucks. Family photos hidden carefully in a backpack. Hear the stories of young refugees when CARTOGRAPHY asks what part … Read more