L/A Arts March 2010 ArtsNews

March 2010
ARTSNEWS
from L/A Arts

Quick Links
The DownStage - Oil Painting Workshop -Family Shows - Gallery 5 - Art & Ale
Arts in Education - LEAP - Whisky 'n Plaid - Volunteers - Facebook
Additional Events - Area Arts Links

The DownStage

After a highly successful run of Out of the Box Theater Company's production of "Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington" (4 out of 6 nights SOLD OUT!), we invite you to more fun experiences at The DownStage (#5 Canal Street Alley*, Lewiston). The DownStage is a unique performing arts space, a fifty seat capacity means every seat is prime, and allows an audience/performer interaction that you can't find in the bigger venues. Plus The DownStage is a versatile workshop space perfect for a variety of arts activities.

Please contact L/A Arts if you are interested in holding classes or workshops at The DownStage:
(207) 78-7228 or mail@laarts.org.

March 22 - April 26 (Monday nights) from 6 -9 pm
Oil Painting Workshop
at The DownStage

Back by popular demand, Michael Ranucci will once again hold a six-week long Oil Painting Workshop. Brush up on your painting and drawing skills, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow artists, learn classic techniques, get individual attention. This workshop requires a minimum number of students and has maximum enrollment of 10. Class fee: $120

learn more about Michael learn more about the class enroll in the workshop on line

March 25 at 7:30pm
Down The Road Apiece (concert)
at the DownStage

Welcome in spring with this musical duo featuring local Lindsey Montana & Kathy Card (of Portland). Their specialty is Americana, bluegrass and old-time folk music. While some of you may have heard Lindsey with other bands or solo at local restaurants, enjoying his music in a concert setting is a different, and very fun, experience. Advanced Tickets: $10

find out more purchase tickets on line listen to a sound clip (mp3)

April 15 & 16 at 7:30pm
The Passion of the Hausfrau (theater)
at the DownStage

An illuminated solo comedy performed by Bess Welden, this witty piece of theater turns the hero myth on its head by making the central character a middle-aged mom, the play pokes fun at all the mistakes parents make with an honest and irreverent humor. Over 100 original cartoon projections help tell the story and add an engaging visual layer that illuminates the text, much like a graphic novel. Advanced Tickets: $10

find out more purchase tickets on line

*Canal Street Alley is located off the first block of Pine Street. From Main Street, Lewiston, turn down Canal Street. After you pass the Centre Ville parking garage on your left, go just past Pine Street and park in the Camden National Bank parking lot. As you look toward Lisbon Street, you will see a sign of The DownStage on first brick building of the block. Walk up Pine Street from the parking lot immediately turn right into Canal Street Alley (if you walk to Lisbon Street you will have gone too far). There will be a chain link fence on your right and a brick building with a small parking lot on your left. The DownStage is door number 5, and is unmistakable with its new sign.)

NOTE: Some of you may recall The Real McGonagall on L/A Arts' roster for March. Due to health reasons, the actor has had to postpone this show. We will let you know the rescheduled date in upcoming newsletters

2 Fantastic Family Shows to start April

The National Marionette Theatre has been performing with their beautifully handcrafted marionettes for over forty years. Each year they come up with new shows, based on well loved stories, to the delight of all. While it has been several years since L/A Arts has brought the company to Lewiston Auburn, their skills are as well honed as ever. Once the lights go down you forget that you are watching puppets and become entranced in the magic of the story. This year we are bringing 2 different shows to Lewiston. Bring your kids and grandkids and get set for a wonderful experience.

April 2 at 7pm
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (marionette show)
at Lewiston Middle School

What would you do with a cave full of jewels? Find out what our hero, Ali Baba does in this Arabian Nights tale sure to enchant one and all. This show is suitable for family audiences age 6 and up. Advanced Tickets: $7 / $5

find out more purchase tickets on line

April 3 at 2pm
Hansel and Gretel (marionette show)
at Lewiston Middle School

This most famous of the Grimm Brother’s stories comes to life in a performance which features the beautiful music of Engelbert Humperdinck, Hansel and Gretel is sure to delight audiences. This show is suitable for family audiences age 6 and up. Advanced Tickets: $7 / $5

find out more purchase tickets on line

Gallery 5

The Pixels Exhibition remains up through the end of the month. Two associated events we hope you can join us at are:

Artist Talk
Wed, Mar 10, 6 - 7 PM
Robert Gibson

Robert Gibson is an incredibly versatile artist, recognized for his vibrant use of color in his still-lifes, nature scenes, abstract and surrealist works. He has “always been drawn to the sheer joy and sensuousness of color, how the intense presence of color can arouse any number of moods, stir sensations, instigate memories and stimulate consciousness.” In addition to paintings, he also produces digitally altered art, and photographs of selected or created objects. He will be giving an informal talk on his artistic process, which he describes as “A Search for the Secret Life of Things” and will be able to answer questions that the public may have.

Don’t miss The Chamber's Business After Hours at Gallery 5!

Business After Hours
Thur, Mar 18, 5 - 7 PM

Gallery Hours: Tues - Friday 5-8; Saturday 10-4, 5-8

We are trying to keep Gallery 5 regularly "manned" during the exhibit, but it is always best to contact L/A Arts before you come if you plan on making a special trip to the gallery. L/A Arts: (207) 782-7228

link to Gallery 5 online view Pixels on line

Upcoming exhibit: . . . scapes April 2 - May 8.

Attention Artists:
Next Artwork submission Deadline: April 18, 2010 - In Contrast
(early submissions welcome!) download submission form (pdf)

Art & Ale Window

Melanie Therrien - Artist / Instructor
Up through April

"My ten series of original paintings represent the diversity in me and in all of us. They are parts of the bigger picture: the reality, dreams, thoughts and imagination that create our universe. Subjects as simple as flowers represent this; all different, but all a part of the magic of nature and creation, just like we are."

Melanie's chosen medium is acrylic. For nearly eighteen years she has been painting murals and commissions. In 2007 she created Wicked Illustrations when she began illustrating The Cape Cod Little Witch Series, a successful series of children's books by J. Bean Palmer. She is currently a Resident Artist at Captive Elements Art House and this year opened Wicked Illustrations Studio and Gallery where she now holds her own acrylic painting classes.

visit Melanie's website at wickedillustrations.com

Melanie's work will soon be available to view on L/A Arts website

Arts in Education

They say March comes in like a lion ... and that also goes for L/A Arts school residencies and performances as well. March into April is packed with an amazing assortment of artists who are engaging the students in this community. Below is a brief description of upcoming activities, in chronological order, that L/A Arts has planned for students. For more information on a residency, click on the school's link which goes to L/A Arts Education web pages. L/A Arts brings artist residencies and performances to all Lewiston Auburn public school grades k-8. If your child's school isn't listed it is because residencies at several schools took place earlier in the year.

Feb 25 & March 4, 11, 18, 2010
Writer and illustrator Nicole Chaison (grades 3 - 6) at Washburn School

March 8, 2010
Portland String Quartet at Lewiston Middle School

March 8, 10 & 15, 2010
Songwriting with Carolyn Currie (3rd grade) at Geiger School

March 15, 16, 18, 22, 23 & 24, 2010
Singing History with Monica Grabin (4th grade) at McMahon School

March 17, 21 & 31, 2010
“Able to Write a Fable,” Creative Writing with Lynn Plourde (5th grade) at Montello School

March 29 & 30, 2010
Songwriting with Carolyn Currie (3rd grade) at Martel School

March 29 - April 2, 2010
Puppetry Residency with Figures of Speech Theatre (7th grade) at Auburn Middle School

April 1 - 2, 2010
"Mime as a Teaching Tool" with Karen Montanaro (2nd/3rd grade) at Walton School

April 2, 2010
Dance workshops (K-3) and performance (school-wide) with Debi Irons at Sherwood Heights School

April 5 - 8, 2010
Poetry Residency with John Holdridge (preK-6) at East Auburn School

April 26, 2010
Visual Art/3-D Illustration with Robin Brickman (5th grade) at Park Avenue School, then on April 27, 2010
the students take a field trip to USM’s Atrium Gallery for an interactive tour of “Vernal Pools” featuring Robin Brickman’s work.

WOW!

LEAP

L/A Arts has partnered with Lewiston High and Middle Schools to provide an after school program for Grades 7-10. The program, titled LEAP (Lewiston Educational Achievement Program), is funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant. LEAP offers homework help to students to improve academic performance as well as creative enrichment opportunities. Since its launch in late September, the program has enrichment in creative arts such as Acting, Drumming, Dance, Drawing, Digital Storytelling, Woodworking, Quilting, Painting, Origami, and more!

FMI: Contact Doreen Morgan, Grant Director at L/A Arts.

2nd Annual Whisky 'n Plaid Night

April 17 at 4:30pm
at Martindale Club, Auburn

Get out the kilts and gather up the pipes, it’s time to celebrate “Highland Style” in our second annual “Whisky ‘n Plaid” fundraiser. Pipers, whisky (and other assorted beverages), Gaelic poetry and prose (just enough to be entertaining), buffet, silent auction, and more. With luck, the golf greens may even be dry enough to put in a round before the fun begins. Kilts and sporran optional. Tickets $35 / $60 per couple.

We're working to get information and tickets available on line. In the meantime, feel free to make reservation's via phone: 207-782-7228

Volunteers

L/A Arts is seeking volunteers for a variety of activities. If you are interested in supporting the arts with your time we would love to to meet with you and find how your interests fit our volunteering needs. Please contact us at 782-7228 or via email at mail@laart.org. We are still looking for a volunteer coordinator but in the meantime any of the L/A Arts staff will be pleased talk with you regarding volunteering opportunities.

Facebook

We're there and we'd love for you to be L/A Arts "friend" on Facebook. L/A Arts Facebook Page

Additional Events

In addition to selling tickets to our own events,
L/A Arts partners with a number of different organizations
in selling their tickets.

La Boutique Fantasque
March 6 at 2pm
at The Franco American Heritage Center

There are still tickets available for this wonderful ballet for children about a magical doll shop. While this is not an L/A Arts event, we are happy to be able to partner with Androscoggin Dance as a ticketing agent. Advance Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students and children. Tickets at the door on the day of the performance will be $15 /$10.

find out more purchase tickets on line

A Night at the Opera
March 27 at 7:30pm
at the Franco American Heritage Center, Lewiston
and
March 28 at 3pm
at the Orion Performing Arts Center, Topsham

The Androscoggin Chorale and pianist Bridget Convey will delight audiences with performances of many of your favorite opera solos and choruses. Suzanne Nance, soprano and the announcer for Maine Public Radio, as well as Leon Griesbach, baritone, will add their spectacular voices to the concert. Advanced Tickets are $18 / $16 seniors /$9 students / free children 12 and under.

find out more purchase tickets on line

Area Arts: Links

Winter/Spring Arts & Cultural Calendar Organizations

· Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce

· Auburn Public Library

· Bates College

· Bates College Museum of Art

· Community Little Theatre

· Franco-American Heritage Center

· Great Falls Forum

· L/A Arts

· L/A Arts Gallery 5

· Lewiston Public Library

· Maine Music Society

· Midcoast Symphony Orchestra

· The Public Theatre

Other Great Arts & Culture Links

· Androscoggin Bank Colisee

· Androscoggin Valley Community Orchestra

· Auburn Community Band

· Auburn Parks and Recreation

· Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul

· Bates Dance Festival

· City of Auburn

· City of Lewiston

· Fishbones American Grill

· Gritty McDuff's (Auburn)

· Holly's Own Deli

· Kings Bridge Theatre

· LA It's Happening Here

· Lewiston Department of Recreation

· Museum L-A

· Pleasant Note Coffee House

· She Doesn't Like Guthries (myspace)

· Theater at Monmouth

· USM, Lewiston-Auburn College

· Willy Beans

Know of another arts or cultural link in the Lewiston Auburn area? Let us know and we'll certainly consider adding it to the list.

So that's what we're working on at L/A Arts. We hope to see you soon !!!

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L/A Arts: 221 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, Maine, USA 207.782.7228