Island Readers and Writers History and Book Tour

The Island Readers and Writers Book Tour

Recently, I participated in the Island Readers and Writers History and Book Tour as videographer. The tour, which ran from October 5th till 16th, visited the year-round island communities of Vinalhaven, North Haven, Isle au Haut, Swans Island, Frenchboro, Isleboro, Isleford, Stonington, Mount Desert Island. The tour will visit Matinicus on November 5th!

Chris Van Dusen, writer and illustrator, brought his children’s book “The Circus Ship” to community members and school students, and Opera House Artistic Director and Storyteller, Judith Jerome, told the history of the Royal Tar.

The “Royal Tar” was a steamship, carrying circus animal, that sunk in Penobscot Bay in 1836. It is reported that survivors were taken to both Isle au Haut and Vinalhaven. However, the question of what happened to the animals on the ship lives in many islanders minds, and has created legends and folk tales, which today are still spark active and vibrant dialogue in these small island communities.

"The Circus Ship" is a children's picture book that tells a more cheerful and hopeful tale of historic steamship.

The tour was welcomed in many communities with stories and family traditions related to the steamship the Royal Tar. The team visited island schools and historical societies telling the both history of the Royal Tar and reading and talking about Chris Van Dusen’s new book "The Circus Ship".

-Emma

Special Thanks to the Maine Arts Commission and the Maine Humanities Council.

Q2: Habitat on August 7th and 8th of 2009

Amanda Crockett

Last night, on August 12th, comedian and trapeze artist Amanda Crockett appeared for the weekly "Live! for $5". She wowed the crowd with jokes, juggling, dancing, and trapeze work! She encouraged audience participation with jokes and interaction. "Live! for $5" is made possible through support from the Whitman Family Foundation.

9th Annual Jazz Festival

July 24th and 25th were jamming nights, at the Stonington Opera House, with the Deer Isle Jazz Festival. The event was the 9th annual festival and continued with the tradition of showcasing innovative jazz musicians.

On Friday, July 24th, the Danza Quartet performed. It was New Orleans "deep cuts" with pianist Tom McDermott and clarinetist Evan Christopher. The show explored music of New Orleans, French West Indian beguine, Brazilian choro, and Trinidadian calypso. The quartet was completed with drummer Shannon Powell (who has drummed with Diana Krall and Harry Connick, Jr., among many others), and Matt Perrine (arguably the finest sousaphonist in the world). Pianist Tom McDermott had spent the week prior to the performance in residency at the Haystack Mountain School of Craft in Deer Isle.

On Saturday, July 25th, the Pyramid Trio with Roy Campbell (trumpets) performed showcasing avant-grade, modern jazz. Campbell is one of modern jazz's most articulate and wide–ranging trumpet voices. His Pyramid Trio references the musical lineage that spans Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. This year marks Parker's return visit to Stonington; he was a performer and Haystack artist–in–residence in 2004. The trio also includes drummer Michael Wimberly.

Each night's performance was opened by local bands;on Friday, saxophonist Duncan Hardy's quintet; and on Saturday, George Stevens Academy's awarding–winning combo, Musaic, directed by Steve Orlofsky.

Is That All There Is

An excerpt from the July 22, 2009 performance by Adele Myers and Dancers at the Stonington Opera House, as part of the Live! for $5 series presented by Opera House Arts.

Old Gray Goose

Jeff (Smokey) McKeen and Carter Newell perform an old-time classic by Bonnie Quinn as part of the Live! For $5 series at the Stonington Opera House on July 15, 2009.

Adele Myers and Dancers

As a part of the weekly Live! for $5, at the Stonington Opera House, Adele Myers and Dancers appeared. The show was an inspiring blend of music, contemporary dance, and storytelling. The humorous and sometimes unsettling choreography explored human interaction in a modern and dynamic manner.

During the Talk Back session, the Connecticut-based dance company explained their dance style and voiced their delight at Deer Isle and the community of the Opera House. The Opera House Arts’ Live for $5 Family Theater Series is a six week long series of hour-long, live performances designed so that all family members, regardless of age, can enjoy live theater.

Live! For $5 tickets are available only at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. Live! for $5 is made possible with the generous support of the Whitman Family Foundation. For more information call 367-2788.