Nonprofit

Our Stories – Meet Dance Artist Riley Watts

Our Stories – Meet Dance Artist Riley Watts

After nearly a decade on the road touring internationally with the Forsythe Company, dance artist Riley Wattsdecided it was time to come home to Maine. For Riley, moving back to Maine was the right thing to do. It’s meant time and space: to heal, to pursue a different lifestyle for his body and mind and, … Read more

Our Stories – Meet Maine Artist Samuel James

Our Stories – Meet Maine Artist Samuel James

We’ve been lucky to get to know musician, storyteller and writer Samuel James this year as one of our Commissioned Maine Artists. This has included winding conversations about music, culture, home and justice, along with impromptu performances over Zoom. And now, through this series, we hope some of you are getting to know this marvelous … Read more

Our Stories – Seeking Belonging

Our Stories – Seeking Belonging

The more than year-long pandemic has taught us much to take into the future together. One of the things many Ovations’ Members have mentioned to us is how our human need to gather and to belong — to groups, to communities, to a place and to each other — have been made more visible by our social … Read more

Our Stories – The Intersection of Art, Food and Culture

Community suppers. Church potlucks. Festive receptions. Learning how to cook traditional dishes then sitting down together to enjoy. Gathering to exchange art, food, culture and community is on the menu at Portland Ovations. Throughout the years, our welcoming Portland communities have opened their hearts and cookbooks to Ovations artists visiting us from away. Fondly we … Read more

Our Stories – POP 90’s Impact

What an unforgettable night! Being back on stage at Merrill, reveling in the beauty of that space with artists working together LIVE … and you were there, too, only not in your usual red velvet seats. And still: your dedicated support as well as the enthusiasm of so many local businesses and others made POP 90 … Read more

Our Stories – The Making of POP 90

We’re hoping you’re joining us next Thursday, March 25 for Ovations’ big, live-and-virtual kickoff celebration of our 90th anniversary year. When you do, you’ll be experiencing Ovations through the looking glass of our digital realms: we will be live at Merrill Auditorium, but you, our audiences, are not quite able to be with us there … Read more

In Solidarity

Portland Ovations stands in solidarity with Black and brown artists, colleagues, and citizens in our communities and around the world. We join those who express outrage and grief for the killing of George Floyd, the too many who came before him and the centuries of injustice perpetrated upon people of color. As an organization that … Read more

Performance Notes: AURAL EXPLORATIONS: FARRIN, FURE, AND MESSIAEN

Experience International Contemporary Ensemble, live streamed in your home! Thursday, May 28, 7PM on Youtube FREE REGISTRATION Dear Friends, When we embarked on our work with International Contemporary Ensemble (I.C.E.) we knew it would be wholly unique and unforgettable for Ovations audiences. At that time we imagined a modified version of their ambitious chamber opera, … Read more

Support Maine’s Cultural Community

March 23, 2020 Dear Friends and Supporters of Maine’s Cultural Community, Like all parts of American society, Maine’s museums, libraries, and arts organization are mobilizing to respond to the coronavirus. We are working to keep our patrons, staff, and community safe; creating innovative ways to entertain, serve, and keep you connected; and doing our best … Read more