Maine Humanities Council
Home of the Harriet P. Henry Center for the Book

February 1, 13, 22, & 27, 2007 ~~~ Portland

In conjunction with its 2006-07 series, PCA Great Performances offers a series of fifteen scholarly, humanities-based pre-performance lectures to place the artists and their art forms in historical, literary, and social context. Unless otherwise noted, the free lectures are held backstage at Merrill Auditorium, starting 6 pm. On February 1, USM Instructor of Voice Ellen Chickering will discuss Christine Brewer's recital program. February 22 will bring retired university professor David Ober to talk about Beethoven's influence on Western music. The Evening Opera Series for Madama Butterfly takes place on February 13 and 27 in the Rines Auditorium at Portland Public Library. Dr. Deirdre McClure, Executive Director of the Portland Conservatory, and Ann Mills, former host of Maine Public Radio's Mainely Opera, will be the presenters. Additional lectures are still being planned; visit www.pcagreatperformances.org/EduAboutMusic.htm or call (207) 773-3150 for details.

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February 7, 2007 ~~~ Blue Hill

The Hancock County Cultural Network has planned a Brown Bag Artist Series for the first Wednesday of every month (with the exception of August) from April 2006 through March 2007. The intent is to encourage a varied audience to see behind the scenes of an organization or an artist's work. On February 7 at the Blue Hill Public Library, Anne-Claude Cotty of Stonington will present a talk entitled "Extolling Pinhole Cameras in a Digital Age." She will describe the process of making rudimentary cameras with household materials and the soft-focus and inadvertent effects they can capture on film. Speakers begin at noon and present for thirty minutes, then invite the audience to join in a discussion. For details and future lecture dates, please contact Carolyn Hecker at (207) 348-2535.

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February 10, 2007 ~~~ Belfast

The Camden Conference is a year-long forum for the exchange of ideas on key global issues, focused each February on a three-day event at the Camden Opera House and selected satellite locations. This year's conference topic is "Europe: Old Continent in a New World." Over the past several years, attendance at conference-related community events has grown to an estimated 4,000 people. Starting in December, events are planned from Damariscotta to Mount Desert Island, and at many locations in between. Lecture topics include public parks and gardens in France, European automotive innovations, Europe and the Middle East, and contemporary art in Germany. Book discussions, film screenings, and performances are being held at libraries. The ever-popular Camden Conference Energy Symposium is scheduled for February 10 at the Hutchinson Center. All community events are listed at www.camdenconference.org.

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February 17, 2007 ~~~ Portland

The Portland Freedom Trail links significant sites connected to the Underground Railroad and the anti-slavery movement with permanent granite pedestals in a walking route through the peninsula. Portland's trail will eventually be joined with national routes, with an emphasis on linking the trail from New Hampshire to Canada. The trail project also aims to engage the community in the ongoing research, and advance public discourse on social and economic justice. The first pedestal and brass marker (with artwork by Daniel Minter) was installed in a ceremony at the Eastern Cemetery on November 9, 2006. A gala event is scheduled for February 17, 2007, at the Eastland Park Hotel. Tickets are on sale now at all Bull Moose Music locations and at Longfellow Books. Tour information, a brochure, and related educational materials will be available in June. For more information, call (207) 591-9980 or visit www.portlandfreedomtrail.org.

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March 5, 2007 ~~~ Swan's Island

As the town of Swan's Island restores the historic Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station (built in 1872), residents hope to simultaneously restore an understanding of how the buildings were used. With the help of a 2006 planning grant from the Council, island resident Donna Wiegle began conducting oral history interviews with the surviving children of 1930s lighthouse keeper Roscoe Chandler. The oral histories will be combined with photos and explanatory text and presented at the March 5 town meeting, and a related exhibit will be on display at the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland from January 15 through August 1, and a permanent outdoor exhibit will be established on Hockamock Head, adjacent to the lighthouse station. To learn more about this project, please visit www.swansisland.org and click on "Lighthouse."

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May 24, 2007 ~~~ Portland

The Telling Room, greater Portland's community writing center, will present a forum called "A Sense of Place: Maine Writers on Maine" at the Salt Gallery on May 24, 2007. Four Maine writers-poet Betsy Sholl, spoken word performer Sontiago, novelist Monica Wood, and short story writer Lewis Robinson-will speak about their work and how it is informed by Maine. In addition, Joe Conforti, professor of American and New England Studies at the University of Southern Maine, will provide insight into the tradition of place-based writing in Maine. While it is open to the public, the primary audience for the forum is the teachers and students who participate in the Telling Room's educational programs. Related curriculum activities will be distributed to local middle and high school teachers months prior to the forum. For more information, please visit www.tellingroom.org.

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