Arts around the Maine Lakes region? When travelers think of Maine, they think lobster, the great outdoors, beautiful lakefront settings, the rugged Maine coastline and the majestic mountains of western Maine. Yes, all are quintessential Maine. Not to be outdone are the still and performance arts around central Maine.
Within the southwestern Maine lakes region there are many options for those who want to spend their days in the great outdoors. However, later in the day you may wish to enjoy unique expressions of the arts around the area. I focus on a few venues below, but there are many, many more to explore within a short distance of the Wolf Cove Inn. This will (I hope!) whet your appetite.
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The Arts Around the Maine Lakes Region
Celebration Barn
Celebration Barn
One of the many sites of the arts around the lakes region of Maine, Celebration Barn is an immersive physical theater school housed in a restored horse barn. Students develop their own works in a supportive atmosphere encouraging experimentation and creativity. The Barn attracts today’s most sought-after physical theater instructors and performers. They grow and refine artists’ ideas through a uniquely rigorous and collaborative process.
Celebration Barn offers a wide variety of innovative shows on Saturday evenings beginning in early June through Columbus Day. From dance to comedy to variety and much more, there is always something unique to experience at the Celebration Barn. Located in South Paris, the Barn is about 20 minutes from the Wolf Cove Inn.
Bates College Museum of Art
Bates College Museum of Art at the Olin Arts Center in Lewiston Maine is located about 25 minutes from the Wolf Cove Inn. The Museum of Art offers a range of ideas and inspiration through temporary exhibitions, the permanent collection, and education programs. The Museum of Art is an integral part of the intellectual and cultural life of the College and region.
Past exhibits included Maine Collected, Points of View and The Painter of Maine: Photographs of Marsden Hartley. Each exhibit explores Maine artists, culture and history.
The Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Centre
Deertrees Theater Interior
Deertrees Film Festival
In 1936, Deertrees Theatre was built as an opera house at the site of an old deer run in north Harrison. Designed by Harrison G. Wiseman, his instructions were to “Design the most acoustically and technically perfect theatre possible.” Now in the National Registry of Historic Places, the Theatre presents an eclectic offering of performances, both musical and theatrical, as well as workshops.
The 2015 season includes classical music, comedy, Celtic music, theatre, opera, community theater and family events. With all those options you are sure to find something to bring you to Harrison for an evening of entertainment and enjoyment. Located in Harrison Maine, the theatre is about 30 minutes from the Wolf Cove Inn.
Bates Dance Festival
Bates Dance Festival
A part of the Bates College campus in Lewiston Maine, the Bates Dance Festival is a collaborative and cooperative program drawing from an international community of choreographers, performers, educators and students. Here, they study, perform and create new expressions of the dance form.
The Festival provides opportunities to interact with and enjoy the works of the artists from the beginning of July through early August. Available performances include conversations with the artists, dance programs and concerts.
The Public Theater in Lewiston
Travelers know the best way to discover a great place is to travel off the beaten path and listen to what the locals have to say. The locals have spoken. The Public Theater was recently voted “THE BEST THEATRE IN MAINE” by the Down East Magazine Readers’ Choice poll.
At The Public Theater you will find Broadway and Off-Broadway performances, often performed by well renowned artists. Some have even stayed with us at the Wolf Cove Inn, including the folks (pictured) who played Nurse Lydia and Officer Al Grabarsky on the TV show ER.
The Franco Center
Bob Marley in Concert
Situated in the former St Mary’s church in Lewiston, the Franco Center today operates as a performing arts and cultural events center. The center aims to preserve and celebrate the Franco history of the Lewiston-Auburn region. The center hosts a wide range of events from symphonies to comedy shows. As well, it features Broadway shows to popular musical acts such as Lazy Lightning and New York Funk Exchange.
And Then There’s Bob Marley
Finally, for those who would like to see Bob Marley in person, he will perform only a hop, skip and a jump from the Wolf Cove Inn. He will be headlining for the Tripp Lake Association benefit comedy show at the Harvest Hills Farm on Sunday evening, August 30th, 2015. Please contact the Wolf Cove Inn for more information. Last year the show was a huge hit and tickets went fast. Our rooms filled quickly once the show was announced.
More Options for Arts Around the Maine Lakes Region
There is no shortage of additional options for experiencing the arts around the Maine Lakes region. Here you can find some additional ideas. And if you need a place to stay in the region, Sue and I at the Wolf Cove Inn we would love to be your hosts.
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