L/A Arts 2011-12 Season Mainstage Series Sponsors:
Center Street Dental
Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch
Austin Associates P.A.
Ouellette & Associates
February 3, 2012
IN THE BLOOD: A DOCUMENTARY FILM & LIVE EXHIBIT
 Directed by: Sumner McKane
Music by: Sumner McKane & Joshua Robbins
7:30PM Olin Arts Center
Bates College, 75 Russell Street, Lewiston, ME
(207) 786-6135
Tickets: $6
Sponsored by Lee Auto Mall
A live docu-exhibit illustrating the life, skills, & character of the turn-of-the-century Maine lumbermen & river drivers. Employing film, photography, interviews, sound design, and a live musical score, to tell a story. By presenting a historical subject in a contemporary and entertaining manner- using multimedia paired with compelling live music- a history lesson becomes an ENTERTAINING virtual journey into a bygone world.
For more information please visit: http://www.sumnermckane.com/
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February 11, 2012
COOL HAPPENINGS ON LISBON STREET
 Lewiston Youth Advisory Council
2:30PM Downstage at L/A Arts, 5 Canal Street Alley, Lewiston
LYAC, 513-3000, X3205
This event is Free
The 2011-2012 Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) will debut its 24-minute video entitled “Cool Happenings on Lisbon Street” on Saturday, February 11, at 2:30 p.m. at The Downstage at LA Arts, 5 Canal Street Alley, Lewiston. Members of the public and media are encouraged to attend the free event.
Why film what’s happening on Lisbon Street? LYAC members have heard about Lisbon Street bustling with activity years ago. In that regard, they wanted to remind residents and visitors alike, that today’s Lisbon Street is being rejuvenated one storefront at a time and wanted to capture that activity as an image booster for Lewiston. The video was both filmed and edited by youth council members in partnership with Great Falls TV.
 Filming was done over a period of two days, and featured in the video are: Kaplan University, Paul’s Clothing & Shoe Store, LA Arts, Baraka Store, Lewiston Public Library, LA Magazine, Captive Elements Art, Forage, The Vault, Niky’s Greek Restaurant, Chill Yoga, Mother India, Gallery 5, Fuel, Dube’s Florist, area pharmacist Dr. Abdifatah Ahmed, Global Halal Store, The Public Theatre (in Lisbon Street corridor) along with New York actor Dan Matisa, and local theatre supporter “Mona.”
LYAC was pleased to hear first-hand about the energy being experienced on Lisbon Street as evidenced by comments from folks such as The Vault owner Susan Hall, “A real renaissance is happening here not only with different businesses but with growing businesses . . . We’ve got an abundance of new local talent taking hold here . . . I have like-minded neighbors who see this as the renaissance and the happening area in Lower Lisbon Street.” The Vault, a specialty fine wine & craft beer shop, is located at 84 Lisbon Street.
At the February 11th event, pictures of Lisbon Street “then & now” will be displayed, and LYAC members will share their personal impressions from filming in the downtown. LYAC also hopes to have some hors d’oeuvres from Lisbon Street restaurants on hand for attendees to sample.
Inquiries about the event may be directed to LYAC, 513-3000, X3205; TTY/TDD: 513-3007.
March 17, 2012
L/A ARTS FUNDRAISER &
PIANO MEN: THE MUSIC OF ELTON & BILLY
 L/A Arts Fundraiser
7:30PM Franco American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar St, Lewiston, ME 04240
Advanced Tickets: $25, Performance and Reception $35
Featured Artist: Joe Boucher
The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel with The Southern Maine Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robert Lehmann
“Piano Men” is a tribute to the amazing songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. This concert combines a four piece pop group featuring Joe Boucher on piano and vocals playing with a full symphony orchestra with arrangements by Christopher Eastburn. Rarely have these songs ever been heard performed live in this way as Elton and Billy themselves have only on a few occasions performed with orchestras.
The music of “Piano Men” concentrates heavily on the recordings by Elton and Billy during their 70’s heyday when their many hit albums featured lush orchestrations.
Songs in the first set include, Prelude/Angry Young Man, Your Song, My Life, Tiny Dancer, Allentown, Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word, Moving Out “Anthony’s Song” and Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
Act Two continues with The Ballad of Billy The Kid, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Pressure, Rocket Man, New York State of Mind, Levon and ending with the rousing Crocodile Rock and Only The Good Die Young. The Encore is Elton Johns poignant “Candle In The Wind” followed by the anthem of the evening, Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” which the audience sings along and sings on their way home.
About the Creators:
Joseph Boucher: Piano and Lead Vocals
Joe grew up in the quaint seaside village of Biddeford Maine on the New England coast. He is a singer and songwriter who, for eight years, fronted the Portland, Maine based “Frotus Caper”. Together they recorded and released four albums while performing constantly. Frotus also collaborated on a highly successful sold out concert with The Atlantic Chamber Orchestra conducted by Lawrence Golan called “Beatles Over Beethoven” with Joe playing guitar, piano and singing the part of Paul McCartney. Throughout that time he worked regularly as a studio session musician playing piano and arranging pop, rock and country songs for many artists.
Joe’s professional background is in the theatre. He spent seven years touring internationally before meeting his future bride Barbara. For the past five years, Joe has acted as the Concert Manager for the Portland Symphony Orchestra. Joe and Barbara live in Portland Maine with their two year old son Henry, and most summer nights they can be found on the back porch sitting back and listening to the Red Sox.
For more information about Joe: http://web.mac.com/josephaboucher/Joe_Boucher/Home.html
Christopher Eastburn: Orchestrator and Bass Guitar
Joe grew up in the quaint seaside village of Biddeford Maine on the New England coast. He is a singer and songwriter who, for eight years, fronted the Portland, Maine based “Frotus Caper”. Together they recorded and released four albums while performing constantly. Frotus also collaborated on a highly successful sold out concert with The Atlantic Chamber Orchestra conducted by Lawrence Golan called “Beatles Over Beethoven” with Joe playing guitar, piano and singing the part of Paul McCartney. Throughout that time he worked regularly as a studio session musician playing piano and arranging pop, rock and country songs for many artists.
Chris's string quartet/vocal quartet score Consent to Gravity choreographed by Daniel McCusker was hailed as "one of the most successful new musical works for dance I've heard in ages" by Debra Cash, dance critic for NPR's Here and Now. His arrangement and orchestration of "Jazzy Old St. Nick, a hip swing version of a Christmas favorite" is now available from the Hal Leonard choral music catalog. As a choral director and song leader Chris enjoys working with people of all ages and walks of life.
For more information about Chris and his compositions visit: www.eastburnmusic.com
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April 21, 2012
BROADWAYS NEXT H!T MUSICAL
 7:30 pm. Franco American Heritage Center,
46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, ME
Tickets: Adults $20 Students/Seniors $15
Every song is fresh. Every scene is new. Every night is different. It’s all improvised and it’s all funny.
Sponsored by Platz Associates
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May 5, 2012
A STAR CALLED LOVE: THE FREEDOM STORIES OF LALA
 7:30 pm. Olin Arts Center, Bates College,
Tickets: $10.00 Per Show, Trilogy Ticket $25.00
One woman, 3 shows, 30 characters. See them all or see just one. The Imagine-a-nation of Lalachild. One Small Child... One Whole World, Wide-Open With Possibility. Welcome to 1890 Lovely, Kansas, a drought-stricken all-negro town, where a Chinese man rides a dust storm into ten year old Lala’s home and wins her Mamalou’s heart, spurring the gossipy shock of everybody else. Lala’s lyrical and imaginative child’s eye lends fresh perspective to ages old racial issues, washing us all with the sweet wisdom of an old soul in a small body. Full of humor and lively dancing, adults and children alike enjoy this gem of a performance.
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May 6, 2012
TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET
THE MUSIC OF JOHN COLTRANE
 2:00 pm. Franco American Heritage Center,
46 Cedar Street, Lewiston, ME
Tickets: Adults $20 Students/Seniors $15
Recorded four decades ago at a time when the country was deeply troubled by issues of race and war, John Coltrane’s music was a personal statement of redemption and salvation that struck a chord in the hearts of millions, becoming one of the most enduring jazz recordings of all time.
Sponsored by L.L.Bean
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May 13, 2012
THE EDUCATION OF LALA GIRL
 2:00 pm. Olin Arts Center, Bates College,
Tickets: $10.00 Per Show, Trilogy Ticket $25.00
A Turn-of-the-Century Mystic, Turning the World Around
Fourteen year old Lala falls head-long in love with young Lijah James, and they leap full-force into mysticism, spirit, and faith, transforming their entire town. This many-faceted love story contains the sweetness of one’s first love, the poignancy of a mother’s daughter coming of age, the powerful surrender of an old woman’s graceful aging, and the heartache, forgiveness, and passion that sings in us all.
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May 19, 2012
THE EMANCIPATION OF LALA
 7:30 pm. Olin Arts Center, Bates College,
Tickets: $10.00 Per Show, Trilogy Ticket $25.00
America’s Siddhartha
Visionary, powerful, eighteen year old Lala is thrust onto a spiritual quest, as tragedy sends her running from her home-town, train-hopping, parade-crashing, and wandering through ghosts towns of the era, seeking spiritual freedom through the 1898 American West. Utterly transformative, this show will resound in your mind and soul for weeks to come.
www.risingsundancetheatre.com
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L/A Arts 782-7228
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