PMA Free Fridays are made possible by the generous support of Patricia H. Dodd, Cyrus Hagge, and Anne and Vince Oliviero, The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, Inc., Bangor Savings Bank Foundation, L.L.Bean, Evergreen Credit Union, and The Via Agency. Free Fridays are supported in part by Art for All.
What We Get to Keep, a new play by Roland Tec. Directed by Suze Allen
What We Get to Keep, a new play by Roland Tec. Directed by Suze Allen
Eleven years ago when 17 year-old Annie Solomon slipped away in the night never to return home alive, everyone had something to prove.
Today they each have something to hide.
There’s a shadow hanging over these two families and it can be traced back to the tragic death of 17 year-old Annie Solomon who ran away from home 11 years ago. Most vividly it can be felt pulling at the seams of the 30-year friendship between Annie’s mother Helen and her college chum Pat whose daughter is about to be wed. At the end of the day, things will be said that no one can take back and no one present will ever be the same.
Cast
Lisa Stathoplos
Lisa Barnes
Michael Puzzo
Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival at The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
Saturday, September 23, 2023, 9:30 am – 3 pm
The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine is proud to partner with Indigo Arts Alliance (IAA) for the 4th annual Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival, a celebration of children’s book authors and illustrators of the African Diaspora. On Saturday, September 23rd, CMTM will present an in-person schedule of literary and art activities for the whole family, including a Read Aloud with A Feast for Joseph author OD Bonny, art-making workshops, and theatrical beat-making. The Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival is presented with support from M&T Bank, and I’m Your Neighbor Books. The event is also an official Dollar Day$ event. Admission to the Museum & Theatre will be $1* for every visitor, thanks to generous support from WEX, Inc.
*Dollar Day$ admission applies to all visitors. Dollar Day$ admission pricing also applies to theatre shows when available. Separate reservations are required. Dollar Day$ is part of CMTM’s ongoing work and commitment, through the generosity of funding partners, to eliminate barriers families might face in taking full advantage of the facility. Everyone belongs at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine. A child must accompany adult visitors. Visitation is expected to be high. Reservations are recommended.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, September 23
Doors at 9 am. Events begin at 9:30 am.
Read Alouds, Music, and Art-Making Activities
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9:30 am – A Feast for Joseph Read Aloud Featuring Author OD Bonny
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10 am – Create An Artistic Feast!: Celebrating A Feast for Joseph
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10:30 am – Blackbird Beats
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11:30 am – When I Get Older Read Aloud
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12:30 pm – Blackbird Beats
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1 pm – Poem of Courage: When I Get Older Art and Poetry
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1:30 pm – Indigo Dreaming Read Aloud
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2 pm – Incredible Indigo: Symmetry in Art/ The Greatest Superhero You’ve Never Ever Heard Of, based on the book Stuntboy, in the Meantime
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2:30 pm – Blackbird Beats
60 Cove Street, Portland, ME 04101
Dinah Johnson, author of Indigo Dreaming is coming to Maine as a part of this year’s Beautiful Blackbird Children Festival! Join us at Indigo Arts Alliance on September 23rd at 1PM where there will be a read aloud of Indigo Dreaming and hands-on activities for all ages. Guests will also receive their very own copy of Indigo Dreaming. Be in the studio with us as we explore this beautiful story of family, heritage and tradition.
Dinah Jonson is the author of Black Magic, Jaiir Dance!, All Around Town: The Photographs of Richard Samuel Roberts, H Is For Harlem and several other books. She is a professor of English at the University of South Carolina.
It’s been teased and talked about for a nearly a year and we are finally ready to announce STOMP FEST II is happening Saturday September 23, 2023!!
Hosted by non other than Portland’s Freestreet this year’s fest is a refinement from the last and with our partnership with Dredge the House you can guarantee we are not fucking around.
Doors and show start promptly at 4 PM.
Tickets are $15 for the entire show.
As with last year we will have an array of local bands and artists with some added touring acts to really bring the heat. Tickets on sale now so go ahead and preorder your set today!
Artwork by Tom Lowell
Two nights featuring some of the best that Maine has to offer in Burlesque, Drag, & Flow, curated by La Petite Mystique!!
Saturday Host: GIGI GABOR (She/They) is a petrol-fueled force to be reckoned with. An unapologetic go-getter, she mixes grit and grace seamlessly into one powerful package. GiGi cut her teeth on the streets of New York City in both the technical and performance aspects of stage life before bringing her know-how back home to southern Maine. In her 13 years of performing, GiGi has graced stages all over New England, including [insert dive bar here] and [insert dumpster location here]. She is the proud owner of Curbside Queens, Maine’s #1 Traveling Drag Show! @the_gigi_gabor
Featuring: The Fsmarts, Kinky Slippers, Bee Kay Esq & MORE
Sunday Host: OPHELIA JOHNSON (She/Her) Ophelia Johnson is a Stepford wife whose motherboard is fried. Ophelia was named Portland’s best drag personality in 2018 & 2022. She has been doing drag for 7 years. If you’d like to help with replacement nuts and bolts, Venmo her at @ophelia_drag and follow her on Instagram @ophelia_drag
Featuring: Cinnamon Maxxine, Clamz! Kasino, Tasha Tektite & MORE
Attend both nights and get a special deal on tickets!
OD Bonny returns to Maine!
Children and adults are welcome for a performance of traditional Acholi music and dancehall/Afrobeat by our own South Sudanese singer, songwriter, and producer! Dance to OD’s traditional hits like Lodongo Acholi, Apoka Poka, Be Mine, and Weng Acholi!
Copies of OD’s new children’s book A Feast for Joseph written with Terry Farish will be given away at the event (while supplies last). The book, set in Portland’s Kennedy Park and the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda, was inspired by OD’s own journey from South Sudan to Maine.
This Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival event is sponsored by I’m Your Neighbor Books and Mayo Street Arts with special thanks to the Portland Food Co-op.
The September Fete Market is held at the FOX STREET location of Austin Street Brewing in Portland. We will be bringing you an awesome community event with live music, food, drinks, and the best lineup around of artists and creators.
Fete Market is a curated pop-up experience falling somewhere between a block party, a flea market, and a craft show. Our core goal is to cultivate community and empower entrepreneurs while offering Mainers a fun, free event to shop high quality art and vintage.
Fete market is a free-to-vend, free-to-attend model. By waiving booth fees, we strive to lower the barrier to entry, providing newer entrepreneurs with experience at market events and networking exposure in the local business community. Fete is a safe space for the LGBTQ community and welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life (and dogs!)
September Featured Creatives Include:
● Adam Kezer Art
● Breath & Burrow
● Bug-Eyed Co.
● Carol’s Apparel
● Ceramica Co.
● FVW Glass
● Ki Ceramics
● Moirai Tarot
● North Window
Ceramics
● Proper Chop
Woodworking
● Quiñohome
● Sampo Silver
Studio
● Sari Rae
● Shady Grove
Pickings
● Studio Ten
● Swell Affair
● Tempered East
● Weave and Sow
● White Pine Bath &
Brew
● Eighty8 Donuts
Two nights featuring some of the best that Maine has to offer in Burlesque, Drag, & Flow, curated by La Petite Mystique!!
Saturday Host: GIGI GABOR (She/They) is a petrol-fueled force to be reckoned with. An unapologetic go-getter, she mixes grit and grace seamlessly into one powerful package. GiGi cut her teeth on the streets of New York City in both the technical and performance aspects of stage life before bringing her know-how back home to southern Maine. In her 13 years of performing, GiGi has graced stages all over New England, including [insert dive bar here] and [insert dumpster location here]. She is the proud owner of Curbside Queens, Maine’s #1 Traveling Drag Show! @the_gigi_gabor
Featuring: The Fsmarts, Kinky Slippers, Bee Kay Esq & MORE
Sunday Host: OPHELIA JOHNSON (She/Her) Ophelia Johnson is a Stepford wife whose motherboard is fried. Ophelia was named Portland’s best drag personality in 2018 & 2022. She has been doing drag for 7 years. If you’d like to help with replacement nuts and bolts, Venmo her at @ophelia_drag and follow her on Instagram @ophelia_drag
Featuring: Cinnamon Maxxine, Clamz! Kasino, Tasha Tektite & MORE
Attend both nights and get a special deal on tickets!