Portland, Maine - Today, the Portland Performing Arts Festival received confirmation that it has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the Portland Economic Development Plan Implementation Program (PEDPIP), designed to help local non profits and public entities implement the city’s Economic Development Vision and Plan. The plan, developed collaboratively by the City of Portland, Portland Community Chamber, Creative Portland Corporation, Portland Development Corporation, and a task force representing a variety of stakeholders in the private sector, was adopted in November by the City Council and provides a road map for the city’s future success with steps to take to grow the local economy, enrich the creative economy and support local business. The plan is available online at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/citymanagers/portlandeconomicsevelopmentplan.pdf.
Grants help fund planning studies and other “soft” costs associated with economic development projects and programs to advance the initiatives spelled out in the Economic Development Vision and Plan’s priorities. The program will fund the following: a) planning to evaluate economic development opportunities; b) business recruitment activities with a focus on targeted industries; c) marketing plans/strategies for the city; and, d) programs to enhance the climate and access to downtown business districts.
Portland Festival applied for the grant to support its development as an initiative likely to stimulate cultural tourism and highlight the arts in Maine as an economic sector. “We couldn’t be happier that the Festival has been recognized with this seed funding. We’ve more than matched the amount granted already and it will make a big difference in our ability to launch the first year’s Festival with a real bang,” said Kara Larson, the Festival’s board chair.
The Portland Performing Arts Festival is presenting 8 featured performances between June 28 and July 1, and supporting the presentation of dozens of concurrent Fringe events.
FEATURED FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES INCLUDE:
June 28th:
Guitar Master Class, featuring visiting artists Sharon Isbin and Doug Wamble in teaching session with Maine artists, free and open to the public. 3pm, One Longfellow Square, 181 State Street, Portland
Maine performance art duo Eepybird (the Coke & Mentos guys), live demonstration spectacular. 6pm, Monument Square, Congress & Elm Streets, Portland (sponsored by Headlight Audio Visual) Free and open to the public: rain date Friday, June 29, 6pm
June 29th:
Sharon Isbin, classical guitar, solo concert. This multi-Grammy winning artist is regarded as the pre-eminent classical guitarist of our times. 7pm, Williston-Immanuel United Church, 156 High Street, Portland. Tickets $20-45, plus ticketing fee
June 30th:
Alison Chase/Performance, contemporary dance. Maine choreographer and Pilobolus co-founder Alison Chase launches her new dance company in an evening-length performance including the world premiere of new work. 7pm, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street, Portland. Tickets $25-45 plus ticketing fee
Celebration Barn Ensemble, world premiere play, “Thumbs Up.” Created by the artists of the Celebration Barn, “Thumbs Up” is an inventive and uproarious look at Maine’s unique qualities and characters. 8pm, John Ford Theater @ Portland High School, 284 Cumberland Avenue, Portland Tickets $15-30 plus ticketing fee
Doug Wamble, jazz. Featuring an 8-piece ensemble presenting “Yoknapatawpha,” an evening-length work based on the literary works of William Faulkner. 9pm, The State Theater, 609 Congress Street Portland (sponsored by The State Theater) Tickets $20-40 plus ticketing fee
July 1st:
Celebration Barn Ensemble, “Thumbs Up,” matinee performance. 1pm, John Ford Theater @ Portland High School, 284 Cumberland Avenue, Portland Tickets $15-30 plus ticketing fee
Piano Concert, Festival Finale. Curated by the Portland Conservatory, this concert presents the premier artists of the International Piano Festival in works by a variety of composers, including Maine resident Elliott Schawartz. 3pm, Williston-Immanuel United Church, 156 High Street, Portland Tickets $15-25 plus ticketing fee
Tickets for all performances are available through PortTix, tickets.porttix.com. More information about all the Festival performances is available at www.portlandfestival.org.
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