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    Orion Performing Arts Center
2014 EVENTS
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  Midcoast Symphony Orchestra  A Russian Trilogy--Sunday, March 16 2:30 pm
Yoichi Udagawa, Guest Conductor
Charles Floyd, piano soloist
Mikhail Glinka                 Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila
Sergei Rachmaninov       Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky         Symphony No. 5 in E Minor


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Dr. Ross W. Greene, "Lives in the Balance"  Wednesday, March 19, 6 pm  presented by G.E.A.R. Parent Network
Admission free of charge.  
Dr Greene speaks on his approach to helping children with behavior problems, and the adults who care about them.  For parents, teachers, counselors, administrators-- anyone who would like new ideas on building positive relationships with kids who have behavioral challenges. More info about this approach can be found at  www.livesinthebalance.org 


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MSAD #75 Art Awards--Reception and Ceremony  Thursday, March 20, 5:30 pm   
View artwork created by students from the entire district, elementary through high school, and then attend the art awards ceremony in the Orion theater.

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Friday, March 21: 7:30 pm-11 pm;  Saturday, March 22: 10am-11 pm 
Presented by Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts. Dancing, workshops, music, food--and more!  Friday evening and Saturday all day and into the night...  A favorite of contra-dancers in Maine!  More info. at www.deffa.org


PictureCast of The Brothers Grimm takes a bow after the performance for 5th-graders.
Mt. Ararat Middle School Band Concert  7th & 8th-Grade Band, 6th-Grade Band, and Jazz Band
Wednesday, March 26, 7 pm

Margie Landis conducts our talented young musicians.  Concert is free of charge. Orion Advisory Committee is raising funds for the floor campaign by selling concessions and raffle tickets for baskets of spring items for gardening and picnics.

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"Jacob & Wilhelm, The Brothers Grimm"  Mt. Ararat Middle School Play 
Friday , April 4 at 7 pm    Saturday, April 5 at 2 pm


Original play by Director Adam Blais about beloved Grimm’s fairy tales, and the brothers who wrote them. Orion Advisory Committee is raising funds for the floor campaign by selling concessions and raffle tickets for baskets of spring items for gardening and picnics.

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"Hair"--the Musical  Studio Theatre of Bath production  
Friday, April 18 at 7:30 pm  Saturday, April 19 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
The iconic tribal love-rock show of the 1960s.


Maine District III   
7th and 8th-Grade Honors Band and Chorus  April 11 and 12
Concert at 3 pm, Saturday, April 12  
free of charge



Picturephoto(c)Bridget Besaw
Maine Coast Heritage Trust Land Conservation Conference
Saturday, April 26, 8 am- 4 pm
Workshops, keynote speaker, exhibit fair, food, and more.  Registration and info at www.mcht.org

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L'Avenir  ~The Future~ A Collection of Dances--Sat., May 3, 2 pm and Sun., May 4, 2 pm
Choreographed and directed by Elizabeth Drucker, of The Ballet School.  
Tickets at the door. More info at 729-6794.


Parent Information Night  
(5th-graders of MSAD#75--an introduction to Mt. Ararat Middle School) Tuesday, April 29, 6 pm   
Principal Bill Zima welcomes you in the Orion, and then parents visit teachers in the classrooms. 


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Midcoast Symphony Orchestra  Concert IV  Sunday, May 11, 2:30 pm
Johannes Brahms  Academic Festival Overture  Peter Tchaikovsky"Romeo and Juliet" Fantasy Overture   Béla Bartók  Concerto for Orchestra
Tickets: $20; Students under 18 free.  Available online or at the door. 

Elementary All-District 75   Band and Chorus Concert  Wednesday, May 14, 7 pm
Students from all elementary schools in the district--Bowdoinham, Bowdoin Central, Harpswell, Willliams-Cone, and Woodside play varied band music and sing lovely songs.  Conducted by Dawne-Marie Powers.


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Celtic Festival Concert --presented by Topsham's 250th Committee    Friday, May 16, 6:30 pm
  • Several Celtic bands play, to celebrate Topsham's founders' heritage from the British Isles.  Enjoy Maine Public Safety Pipe and Drum Corps, Maine Highland Fiddlers, the Squid Jiggers, and 3 different dance troupes—Highland and Irish-style: Southern Maine School of Scottish Dance, Stillson School of Irish Dance, Brunswick Scottish Dancers.  
  •  $5 advance Tix $20 family) at Topsham Parks and Rec  $6 ($25 family) at the door. 
  • Concession sales benefit Orion Stage Floor Campaign.

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Studio 48 Year-end Dance Recital      Friday, May 23, 7 pm
Hi-hop, contemporary, tap, ballet, Broadway.  Directed by Rebecca Beck.  Tickets: $15 advance (at Studio 48); $18 at door


MSAD No. 75 Budget Hearing  Thursday, May 22, 6:30 pm

The MSAD No. 75 School Board presents next year's school budget to the public for review and preliminary vote.

Step-up Day for 5th-graders -- an introduction to Mt. Ararat Middle School  Wednesday, May 21 (during school day)

Mt. Ararat High School Band Concert     Tuesday, May 20, 7 pm       
Always a great show, conducted by Al Graffam.

Southern New Hampshire University--  Graduation Ceremony    Saturday, May 17, 1:30 pm
Commencement exercises, followed by a reception.


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Chorus Concert  Mt. Ararat High School and Middle School Choruses 
Thursday, May 29, 7 pm
Songs by our talented students, directed by Kristen Thomas.

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Seasons--A Year in Dance. Brunswick School of Dance: Year-End Performance  Friday, May 30, 7 pm Joanna Patterson's dance school presents a concert of varied styles of dance. "From the youngest dancers to the most experienced, they will take the stage to demonstrate the self-expression, dedication and passion for dance that we encourage in all students," notes the director on her website:  brunswickschoolofdance.wordpress.com Special Guests: LStreet Dance Theatre

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Oliver!  New England Regional Theater Company.  Friday, June 13, 7:30 pm    Saturday, June 14, 2 pm and 7:30 pm  "In Lionel Bart's musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel, orphaned Oliver Twist goes from mistreatment in the London workhouses to falling in with a gang of pickpockets led by the roguish Fagin, the kindhearted Nancy, and the menacing Bill Sykes, before finally finding a home."  Unknown. "PLAYBILL." Oliver! on Broadway. PLAYBILL INC., n.d. Web.25 Apr2014. www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/6052/Oliver
Directed by Adam Blais; music direction by Rebecca Beck.   A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Logan Sweet Foundation for research into childhood myocarditis. 

Mt. Ararat High School Senior Awards Night       Wednesday, June 4, 7 pm
Recognize and honor outstanding seniors.

Mt. Ararat Middle School Band Concert   Tuesday, June 3, 7 pm
Ms. Landis conducts the final concert for the 6th-grade, 7th & 8th-grade, and jazz bands.


Merrymeeting Summer Band Camp  July 7-11, 8 am to 3 pm     Concert:  Friday, July 11, at noon
Fun with music, instruments, and friends.  Taught by music teachers from SAD75, Brunswick, and Bath schools. Contact Al Graffam for more info--729-2951.    Registration form is here.


Maine Dept. of Marine Resources  ASMFC Striped Bass Public Hearing  Thurs., Sept. 4, 6 pm

School Event: Superintendent's First Day for Staff
   --  Tues., Aug. 26, 8:45 am
Superintendent Brad Smith welcomes MSAD#75 staff back to a new school year.  

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Juston McKinney, Comedian.  Sat., Sept. 6, 8 pm  Tickets: $15 donation  order online at www.ljal.org
Friends of Eagles Hockey present a fundraiser for the MTA hockey team.
Juston McKinney grew up in rural Maine near the NH border, worked as a deputy sheriff, and later moved to New York.  While living in NYC, Juston has appeared numerous times on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, and he was chosen to be a part of Comedy Central’s Blue Collar Comedy Next Generation Tour with Bill Engval, airing on TBS. Juston hosted his own radio program on Sirius/XM radio, Live from the Woods with Juston McKinney.  Juston’s TV credits include The King of Queens, The Sidney Lumet drama, and 100 Centre Street. Film credits include The Zoo Keeper and Here Comes the Boom. He is currently developing his web series, “Hosed,” into a full-length feature film.  Juston lives in New Hampshire with his wife, kids and dogs!  www.justonmckinney.com

Mt. Ararat Middle School Curriculum Night for Parents   Tuesday, Sept. 16, 6 pm
Come learn about what your children will be learning and doing in the coming school year.  Principal Bill Zima presents info and answers your questions. Meet your children's teachers.
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Orion Presents!  Vandini--Magic, Illusions, Comedy-- Great Family Show  Friday, Sept. 26, 6:30 pm  (come at 5 pm for pizza, hot dogs and sweets in the lobby)    Vandini, the children's magician, will delight and amuse.  The show is packed full of stage illusions, comedy, magic, an escape act, live doves and rabbits, music, and children's participation.   Vandini's website is here.   Advance tickets: Adult $10, Child (under 18) $5, available at brownpapertickets.com.    At the door, tickets are: Adult $12, Child $6.    Fundraiser for Orion Capital Fund.

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 Fiddle-icious! Sat., Oct.25, 7:30 pm
Fun and lively evening of music featuring tunes passed on from our Scottish, Irish, Quebecois, and Acadian ancestors. Fiddle-icious performs a new repertoire of tunes each year, with solos, ensembles, singing, and step dancing.    www.fiddleicious.com.   Tickets at the door, $10. Children 12 and under, free.


PictureLise Le La Salle -- Photo Credit: Lynn Goldsmith
Midcoast Symphony Orchestra featuring Lise de la Salle  'Vive la Musique'
 
Sun. Oct. 26, 2:30 pm

Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 32       Johannes Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 30              Sergei Rachmaninoff  Lise de la Salle, Piano Soloist
"In just a few years, through her international concert appearances and her award-winning Naïve recordings, 26 year-old Lise de la Salle has established a reputation as one of today's most exciting young artists, and as a musician of uncommon sensibility and maturity.  Her playing inspired a Washington Post critic to write, “For much of the concert, the audience had to remember to breathe...the exhilaration didn’t let up for a second until her hands came off the keyboard.”  A native of France, now living in Paris, Ms. de la Salle has played with many of the world's leading orchestras and conductors, including London Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic."  (from www.midcoastsymphony.org)Tix: $20; Students under 18 free.  


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Orion Presents!  Beatles for Sale  Beatles Tribute Band  
Sat., Nov. 1, 2014 -- 7:30 pm   Benefit for Orion Stage Improvement

Award-winning Beatles tribute band committed to  re-creating the sounds of the Beatles, live, in concert. No costumes or Beatle wigs--just all the great songs.  Celebrate 50 years since the "British Invasion" in 1964.  Tickets: $17 in advance-- in Topsham at Michaud's Market, Main Street, or SAD75 Admin. Office, 50 Republic Ave.  In Brunswick, tickets at The Music Center.  Buy online now at Brown Paper Tickets. **ONLINE SALES END AT 7:30 PM OCT. 31**    At door: $20 adult, $18 student.

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An award-winning, New England-based Beatles tribute band that gives a fun and energetic performance complete with original instrumentation and vocal harmonies that are as accurate as possible to the original Beatles' recordings.  This band of musicians was drawn together by their love of Beatles music and the desire to keep the music alive, bringing it to a whole new generation of Beatles fans.  But don't expect to see Beatle wigs or Sgt. Pepper suits. BEATLES FOR SALE feels that the most important thing about the show is the music. There are no "sampling" or "midi tricks" - everything you hear is performed completely live.        BEATLES FOR SALE has been entertaining audiences throughout New England since 2007 with a repertoire consisting of over 150 songs from the Beatle catalog.   BEATLES FOR SALE is: Joe Budroe - Bass, vocals; Steve Caisse - Guitars, vocals; Mike Christian - Drums, vocals; Dennis Cummins - Guitars, keyboards, vocals; and Dan Kirouac - keyboards, acoustic guitar, vocals.  Check them out at http://www.beatlesforsale.net/

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Man of La Mancha, presented by New England Regional Theater Company
Thurs/Fri., Nov. 6/7 at 7 pm and   Sat., Nov. 8 at 2 pm and 7 pm
Inspiring musical about reaching for "The Impossible Dream."  Food items will be collected in the lobby for the Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program.   New England Regional Theatre Company opens their 2014-2015 season with a musical production of Man Of La Mancha. With music and lyrics by Joe Darion and Mitch Leigh, and book by Dale Wasserman, Man Of La Mancha tells the story of Miguel de Cervantes--a writer, poet, and actor--and his servant, later to be known as Sancho Panza.  During the time of the Spanish Inquisition they are thrown into prison and in order for Cervantes to protect his precious manuscript from being burned, he must think quickly. He begins to distract the prisoners by telling them the story of Alonzo Quijana, also known as Don Quixote de La Mancha!  The production is directed by John Willey, and features music direction by Rebecca Beck.  Tickets:Adult $15; Student/Sr $12.


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Lord of the Flies   Fri. December 5  & Sat. December 6   7 pm
Mt. Ararat High School Stage Company Production
by William Golding, Adapted by Nigel Williams  Tickets: Advance--Gen. Adm. $13, 
Student(elem-college)/Sr (60+)/SAD 75 employee $8- available at  http://mtastage.brownpapertickets.com  At Door: Gen. Adm. $15, Student/Sr $10
A plane crashes on a deserted island. The only survivors are a group of school boys. They live in a land of bright exotic birds and dark blue seas, but at night their dreams are inhabited by a terrifying beast!  How will these students survive? Who will lead them in a world without adults? How will they create their own society? Will they be rescued?  The wonderful cast features:  Connor Bolduc (MTA '18) as Ralph, Sam Allen (MTA '15) as Jack, Ryan Green (MTA '16) as Piggy, Maddy Wilson (MTA '17) as Roger, Macey Downs (MTA '16) as Sam, Kelsie Dickie (MTA '18) as Eric, Daniel Blake (MTA '18) as Simon, Elyssa Eldridge (MTA '17) as Henry, Garrett Gelwick (MTA '15) as Maurice, Kobi Appleby (MTA '18) as Bill, Ashley Eugley (MTA '18) as Perceval, Jack Herard (MTA '16) as Naval Officer.
A hard working crew is also involved with make-up, costumes, props, lighting, sound design, and production management including: Maddie Plant, Kate Graeff, Ivy Dennen, Markis Larrivee, Ally Collins, Autumn Flibotte, Amy Eldridge, and Madison Leckbee.


Concert Bands of Mt. Ararat High School, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Jazz band, and more! Monday, December 15, 7 pm  
All of the bands in grades 6-12 will have their Holiday Band Performance. This is a great opportunity to see and hear the progression of bands in our program. You will hear the 6th-grade band, 7th and 8th-grade band, 7th and 8th-grade jazz band, high school symphonic band, high school wind ensemble, and high school jazz band.   Young musicians under the direction of Al Graffam and Margie Landis.   Free of charge. 
"Freedom Tour" Information Night for Parents
Thursday, November 13, 6-8 pm
Parents can come to learn about the “Freedom Tour,” a week-long field trip in the spring to take students to New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Gettysburg.  Hosted by trip coordinator Joel Merry, Sheriff of Sagadahoc County, and 8th-grade History teachers. 
Donna Doris Burns,   A Celebration of Life          Saturday, December 13, 9:30 am to noon
All who knew Donna are invited to attend and be ready to share a "Donna story" if you wish. For those unable to attend, memories and condolences can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.   In lieu of flowers, Donna's wish would be for people to make a contribution to: The Good Shepherd Food Bank, 3121 Hotel Rd., P.O. Box 1807, Auburn, Maine 04211.
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Movie Night for Families  A movie with Joyous Dancing Penguins*   *The title may not be released but you can guess.   Friday, Dec. 19, 7 pm       Presented by:  Student Leadership Action Committee (Mt. Ararat HS)     Donations Accepted
Mount Ararat movie night! Come have a great night with "the dancing penguins" and Mount Ararat Student Leadership Council! It's rated PG and lots of fun! Begin the school vacation with a fun movie and take a break from shopping.  Support the MAHS community service projects conducted by SLAC.  Admissions by donation and a bake sale too!


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