Arts and Culture

When "Almost, Maine" opened in Portland in 2004, the play was well-received and would go on to receive mixed reviews in New York a few years later. Today, it's one of the most frequently produced plays in the United States, particularly in high school and community theaters. “Almost, Maine” playwright John Cariani, who grew up in Presque Isle, joins the cast of the latest production at Portland Stage Company in celebration of Maine's bicentennial.

Two-hundred years ago tomorrow, a hurdle arose on Maine's path to statehood. It had a name: Alabama.

At the age of 92, Jacqueline Moore of Portland has published a book of poetry called “Chasing the Grass.” In it, she explores themes about the natural world’s beauty and vulnerability, especially against the backdrop of human disruption.

Maine composer Aaron Robinson says he was 16 or 17 when started playing the piano and taught himself the "Maple Leaf Rag."

Nearly 130 years ago, an anthropologist visited Calais and recorded songs, words and stories from members of the Passamaquoddy tribe. For years, these field recordings, some of the oldest in the world, were largely hidden from public view.

Maine is officially celebrating its bicentennial. Maine Public’s Morning Edition host Irwin Gratz spent some time with Herb Adams, a former state representative from Portland who is also known for being steeped in the state's history.  Adams sheds light on how the state came to be nearly 200 years ago, and the event's connection to the battle over slavery.

Over the winter, Maine Public’s Ed Morin has been watching a building go up across the way from our Portland studios. It turns out that the building is the new home of Indigo Arts Alliance, a new arts non-profit that aims to improve the visibility of Maine's artists of color, while connecting them with a national arts community. Ed headed over to the brand new and booming space to speak with founders Marcia and Daniel Minter about how conversations with friends over decades led to this project.