Ovations Offstage

CANCELLED “It’s Okay to Be Different” – Stories by Todd Parr

In light of the ongoing situation and out of an abundance of caution, Portland Ovations has cancelled Monday’s School-Time Performance of It’s Okay to Be Different. The safety and wellbeing of the students, educators, and families who attend our performances will always be our first priority. We know that attending this performance on Monday would be … Read more

“Cenicienta: A Bilingual Cinderella Story” – 10AM

“‘…students were fully engaged with Cenicienta throughout, even if they didn’t understand one of the languages being spoken. Such moments emphasize the important of latin youth seeing and hearing actors who look and sound like them on stage – such representation is necessary in fostering youth’s connection with theatre.” HOWL ROUND THEATRE COMMONS Produced & … Read more

360 ALLSTARS

“‘A supercharged show… heart-pumping music, dazzling lights and video, and incredibly talented athletes and musicians.” THEATREMANI A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS brings urban art forms to the stage. With performances drawn from BMX racing, freestyle basketball, circus, breakdancing and beatboxing, and a cast of World Champion and World Record-holding … Read more

“Wabanaki Stories” – 10 AM

“It was so valuable for my students to get a glimpse of Wabanaki tradition and culture. The mixture of storytelling, music, and visual performance/art was beautiful and engaged all my learners.” EDUCATOR “It was the best show I have ever seen. You should go see it immediately.” STUDENT The land and waters known as Maine … Read more

Stories and Songs with Samuel James

“A true original; the kind of artist who sets trends, as opposed to following them.” BILLBOARD MAGAZINE Live music and storytelling that educates and captures the imagination. With a voice of grit and gravel, roots musician Samuel James sings with an authenticity lost in time. A modern guitar master, James’ skill has a depth and … Read more

Latin Social Dance Class with Ballet Hispánico

Get moving with Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s largest Latinx cultural organization and one of America’s Cultural Treasures! Explore a variety of Latin social dance forms like salsa, merengue and more in this fun-filled class open to all ages and levels. Advanced registration required. All workshop participants will receive discounted tickets to Ballet Hispánico’s performance on … Read more

Laden With Happiness and Tears

Historical framing is set for the eventual uprooting of Tevye’s close knit community from “intimate, obstinate Anatevka,” to become “strangers in a strange new place.” After some generations of settled village life, “how swiftly flow the years.” By the turn of the 20th century, Jews of the Russian Pale were forced to wander and disperse … Read more

A Conversation with Harpist Bridget Kibbey

Hear Bridget in a lively pre-recorded conversation as she offers a glimpseinto the process of creating this original performance; incorporating elements of improvisation and poetry into a program of beloved classics, and how the harp is uniquely situated at the intersection of these seemingly disparate sounds and cultures. About the Speaker Brandi Parisi – In 2007 the Los Angeles classical … Read more

Beyond the Music: The Search for New Sound Ideas

George Lopez, Beckwith Artist in Residence at Bowdoin College and curator of Ovations’ 2022-23 Pre-Performance Lecture Series, discusses the varied historical inspirations for each work in the upcoming Janice Carissa program which include mythology, surrealism and the advent of psychology, and nationalism. https://youtu.be/XCeDna_Gx28 2022-23 Chamber Pre-Performance Lecture Series curated by George Lopez Pianist George Lopez, Bowdoin College’s Robert Beckwith Artist in … Read more

Community Write

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY WRITE Join Portland Ovations and the Portland Public Library as we embark on a four-part exploration of Octavia E. Butler’s Parable series. Each month, we will dive into these landmark works of Afrofuturism, led by Maya Williams. January 5, 2023, 6-7pm: Book discussion of Parable of the Sower February 2, 2023, 6-7pm: Book discussion … Read more