This event is captioned.

You’re invited to a free conversation on contemporary art making on Wednesday, March 3 at 4 pm via Zoom. Please join Portland Ovations, Indigo Arts Alliance, and a dynamic group of North American Indigenous artists in a sweeping conversation, “Seeking Resonance: Toward Being Future Beings.” This gathering looks toward the development of renowned Yup’ik artist and choreographer Emily Johnson’s new multidisciplinary project, “Being Future Being,” of which Portland Ovations is a co-commissioner.

This virtual conversation brings Maine-based artists Jason Brown (Penobscot), Donna Decontie (Penobscot) and Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy) into dialogue with Emily, her collaborators Drew Michael (Yup’ik and Inupiaq) and Maggie Thompson (Fond du Lac Ojibwe), and you. Together, we will share a conversation that spans fashion, dance, performance, music, and textile and visual arts, as they discuss their experiences as Indigenous artists making work today: their relationships to tradition, place, spirituality, and more.

Join Portland Ovations on March 13th as Samuel James tells the Story of Tiny Bill McGraw! Tiny Bill, a little Black boy, doesn’t like being small. His grandfather takes Tiny Bill under his wing and teaches him – and the audience – about his musical heritage and that size isn’t everything, especially if you can make a big sound! Through the story of Tiny Bill, Samuel James interweaves music, performance, Black American history, and a few life lessons while putting on a performance of his own. From finger snaps to banjo to piano, James shares his depth of musical talent in this 30-minute poignant storytelling experience of the fictional Tiny Bill McGraw in 1930s America.

The innovative and playful video format allows the audience to see him play numerous instruments at once as he builds to a final performance as a one-man nine instrument folk orchestra. This arts experience is a layered lesson in music and history informed by James’ unique perspective as a Black American folk musician with deep ties to Maine. Samuel James is an award-winning singer/songwriter, world-touring musician and Moth Mainstage storyteller, filmmaker, journalist and educator. For more than a decade he has performed extensively throughout the United States as well as more than 20 other countries, back when you could do that kind of thing.

Suggested for ages 5 and up.

This virtual experience includes three 10-minute videos that includes music and storytelling.

This event will be captioned and ASL interpreted.

Join Portland Ovations and come hang with musician, singer, and storyteller Samuel James as he shares a behind the scenes glimpse at his “Story of Tiny Bill McGraw”. You can expect many guitars, some harmonica jams, and double finger snaps. It goes without saying that he’ll also play a few improvised tunes. This event is only offered live and will not be recorded. Recommended for all ages

FREE (does not include access to ‘Samuel James Tells the Story of Tiny Bill McGraw‘)

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
RSVP required, upon registration you will receive a Zoom link in your confirmation email to join the event.

Portland Ovations Presents the launch of their 90th year

Celebrate with the Portland Ovations team at a virtual, 3-part benefit party filled with Artists, Auctions, & Performances streamed to you LIVE from the Merrill Auditorium stage with esteemed emcees Kerem Durdag & Sara Juli and hosts, Mary Allen Lindemann & Aimée M. Petrin.

An exclusive pre-party followed by a dynamic, one-hour broadcast of celebrities, artists, performances, auctions, a raffle, and wrapping up with a live dance party hosted by Portland’s own Cherry Lemonade.