Area Arts

Art Exhibition: 10th Anniversary Of Youth Art Month Exhibitions at the Portland Museum of Art. In celebration of National Youth Art Month during the month of March, the Portland Museum of Art, in collaboration with the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA), has organized an exhibition of artwork created by Maine art students statewide. This year celebrates the 24th anniversary of Youth Art Month exhibitions in Maine, and the 10th annual exhibition at the Museum. The Museum's exhibition will showcase more than 100 works of art by students throughout the state, from elementary school through high school. All participating students will receive certificates of recognition. The exhibition opening will be held on Friday, March 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free to the public and refreshments will be served.

National Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art education and to encourage public support for quality school art programs. The focus of this month is to convey to the public that art education develops self-discipline, self-esteem, and a sense of pride in self-expression. Youth Art Month has been observed nationally since 1961, and on the state level, sponsored by the Maine Art Education Association since 1980.

Solo Exhibition: "The Language of Family: Recent Weavings by Sarah Haskell": Maine weaver Sarah Haskell will be showcasing her work at the Area Gallery in USM's Woodbury Campus Center, Portland, in a solo exhibition that opened on Friday, February 13. "The Language of Family: Recent Weavings by Sarah Haskell," is part of a series of events built around a photography exhibition, "Domestic Objects: Past and Presence," by USM professor Rose Marasco that can be seen in USM's Gorham Art Gallery through Saturday, March 13.

Haskell is an award-winning artist who uses linen, rayon and metallic threads to communicate themes such as family, home, sense of place and language.

Related Events: Exhibition: Rose Marasco, "Domestic Objects: Past and Presence" USM Art Gallery, Gorham. Saturday, February 7-Saturday, March 13 (closed February 14-22) 780-5009

Film screenings: "A Midwife's Tale" and "Semiotics of The Kitchen" by artist Martha Rosler 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 4 Burnham Lounge, USM's Robie Andrews Hall, Gorham 780-5009.

Concert: Weill things are happening - again! The University of Southern Maine School of Music will present a special encore performance of soprano Judith James and pianist Edward Reichert performing their program, "Weill Things Are Happening!" The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, at the Portland Museum of Art in downtown Portland. Tickets are $12 for the general public, $9 for seniors and alumni, and $7 for students. Call the Music Box Office at 780-5555.

Musical: It's time for Company! The University of Southern Maine would like to invite you to be their "company" for the musical, "Company" -- the next collaborative production between the Department of Theatre and the School of Music. "Company" by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, is a fully staged sharp contemporary musical comedy about love and commitment. Not only will you get to enjoy the show, but you can also prove that Disco isn't dead by dressing in your best 70's attire. Each night, the audience member dressed in the "best" 70's outfit will win a prize!

The show will run from March 12 to 21, 2004, in Russell Hall on the USM Gorham campus. Curtain times are evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 for the general public, $9 for seniors, and $5 for students. Call the Theatre Box Office 780-5151 for reservations. Also, there is a high school matinee scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday March 16. Please call the box office for information.

Play: Windham Center Stage Theater Proudly Presents Our 2004 Children's Production Sleeping Beauty, Written by Michele Vacca, Directed by Matthew Ryder, Produced by Malory Shaughnessy. Saturdays: March 6,13, and 20 at 7 p.m. Sundays: March 7, 14, and 21 at 2 p.m. At the Windham Community Center on School Road, 1/2 mile from the rotary on Rt. 202 toward Gorham. For Reservations Call 893-2098. Tickets: $6 for students and seniors; $8 for adults. Produced by special arrangement with Classics On Stage! of Chicago.

Latin Dance Classes Heat Up The Winter: Fiddlehead Center for the Arts at Pineland are heating up the winter with their latest dance class offerings of Latin Dance Classes. Salsa, Meringue and Cha-Cha-Cha are now available for couples to melt through this winter. Instructor, Grimaldi Martinez, with Puerto Rico roots shares not only the steps but the origins of some Latin Dance steps. Join the group on Thursday evenings from 7-8p.m. at Fiddlehead. The cost for 8 weeks is just $80/couple. Call Fiddlehead to sign up today at 688-2244. Next class is Thursday, February 26th.

G-NG Middle & High School Present Fiddler On The Roof
A very special project is now underway at the Gray-New Gloucester Middle and High Schools. The two are teaming up to present Fiddler on the Roof on May 13th, 14th, and 15th at G-NG Middle School. The task of producing a hit Broadway musical is generally difficult for one school. This special ooperative effort will give students from both buildings an incredible educational and cultural experience. The high school's Mr. Walker will direct, while the middle school's Mr. Garfield will be the music director.
The cast members are Jody Michael Bagley, Ariel Moser, Mel Gillis, Christy Flanders, Nykole Cadigan, Emma Leavitt, Ashley Staples, Amanda Parechanian, Conrad Hutchings, Caitlin Haines, Daniel Bastian, James Kramlich, Matt Lorello, Eben Strout, Adam Vachon, Calvin Moisan, Devin Gilman, Darcy Thayer, Thomas Rice, Steve Moran, Joe Moran, Louie Bernadini, Brie Dombrowski, Shawna Foster, Amy Day, Alyssa Clark, Jenna McLean, Tyler Vachon, Garrett Schwindt, Justin Parsons, Erin Dodge, Danielle Coons, Caitlyn Mason, Jordan Hebert, Tim Kiyanitsa, Josh Spaulding, David Miklovich, Tom Carr, and Stephanie Hare.

Celebrate G-NG Fine Arts

A special evening of performances by Gray- New Gloucester's Fine Arts students will be presented February 26th at 7 p.m. in the G-NG High School West Gym. The high school's Patriot Players will perform their one-act competition piece, Country Gothic.

The middle and high school jazz bands will also be highlighted. All three groups are preparing for their upcoming competitions. There will also be a silent auction starting at 6:30 with proceeds going to production costs for this year's spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof. The hit Broadway play will be presented May 13th, 14th and 15th. So come and enjoy a Celebration of G-NG Fine Arts on February 26th and help support another presentation of G-NG's great student talent.