Ovations Offstage

Firefly the Hybrid: “Sacred Fires”

Photo of Firefly singing on stage wearing an Indigenous head dress, sunglasses and fur coat

Commissioned by Ovations, Sacred Fires marks the electrifying return of multi-talented artist and dramatic performer Firefly (AKA Jason Brown) in a bold world premiere performance that expands on the stunning visuals and immersive soundscapes audiences experienced in Wabanaki Stories. A member of the Penobscot Indian Nation — one of the five traditionally allied Wabanaki tribal nations of the Atlantic Northeast — Firefly fuses Wabanaki tradition … Read more

Musical Adventures in Afrolatinidad

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

Hidden Figures: Notes from the Margins

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

Youth, Virtuosity, and Classical Music in the 21st Century

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

Piano Masterclass with Henry Kramer

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

An Intro to the Celtic All-Stars

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

Drag Storytime – May 17

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

Drag Storytime – April 18

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

Drag Storytime – February 14

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

Wild Wild East: Musical Roots & Routes

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