Arts and Culture

Arts and culture

Mainers In Paris 'Took Some Of The Last Photos That Exist' Of Notre Dame

By Emily Burnham - Bangor Daily News • Apr 16, 2019
Courtesy of Jasmine Ireland / via Bangor Daily News

Mainers who witnessed the enormous fire that engulfed the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris on Monday described the experience as harrowing and surreal.

How A Maine Artist Brings Characters To Life In New Animated Film 'Missing Link'

By • Apr 12, 2019
Courtesy Adam Fisher

The new animated movie "Missing Link" opens nationally and in Maine today. It tells the tale of a big foot-like character trying to find missing relatives. The film features the voices of Hollywood stars like Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, and Zach Galifianakis. But one of the films animators, Adam Fisher, is originally from Maine and recently left the West Coast to teach animation at the Maine College of Art.  Fisher spoke with Morning Edition host Irwin Gratz about the film and his work.

Roman Catholics Celebrate 150th Anniversary Of Portland Cathedral

By • Mar 25, 2019

PORTLAND, Maine - Maine's Roman Catholics are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

Maine Town Putting Kibosh On Releasing Balloons Skyward

By • Mar 25, 2019

UNITY, Maine - A Maine town is asking people to keep a grip on their balloons. Residents of Unity on Saturday approved an ordinance prohibiting the intentional release of 10 or more balloons within a 24-hour period.

Pollution Is Personal At A New Abbe Museum Exhibit

By • Mar 20, 2019
Caitlin Troutman / Maine Public

The rapidly changing climate in Maine and New England is affecting lives – those of the people who depend on the region’s waters, as well as the species that live there. At the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, a new exhibit explores the connection between the First People and the northern waters, and how that relationship is evolving in reaction to climate change and pollution.

Maine's Largest City To Say Goodbye To Annual Old Port Festival

By • Mar 6, 2019

PORTLAND, Maine  - Maine's largest city will hold its annual celebration of art, music and food for the last time this summer.

Despite Suit, Effort For Robert Indiana Museum Is Advancing

By David Sharp - Associated Press • Feb 25, 2019
Lauren Casselberry / Associated Press/file

PORTLAND, Maine — Despite costly litigation embroiling pop artist Robert Indiana's estate, the foundation tasked with transforming the reclusive artist's home into an art museum is moving forward.

Singer JanaeSound Among Maine-Based Talent Highlighted In 'Creative Portland' Event

By • Feb 15, 2019
Willis Ryder Arnold / Maine Public

Creative Portland is launching a new event intending to highlight the city's performing arts talent. It will take place this Sunday, Feb. 17. The show will feature music, dance, digital art. Singer JanaeSound recently relocated to Portland from St. Louis, Missouri, and will be performing on Sunday. Her song "Diamonds" has racked up more than 100,000 listeners on services like SoundCloud and Spotify. She spoke with Maine Public's Morning Edition host Irwin Gratz.

Maine Basket Maker Wins Prestigious $50,000 Fellowship

By • Feb 6, 2019
Jennifer Mitchell / Maine Public

ORONO, Maine - A Maine man who is part of a long tradition of basket makers in a native American tribe has received a prestigious fellowship and its $50,000 award.

Lewiston To Be Featured On CBS' 'Criminal Minds'

By • Jan 28, 2019

LEWISTON, Maine - Maine's second-largest city is getting some love from a TV show.

Verna Bloom, Dean's Wife In 'Animal House,' Dead At 80

By • Jan 11, 2019

BAR HARBOR, Maine - Verna Bloom, the actress who portrayed the wife of the dean in the movie "Animal House,'' has died. She was 80.
 
Family spokesman Mike Kaplan tells The Hollywood Reporter that Bloom died Wednesday in Bar Harbor, Maine, of complications from dementia.
 
In the 1978 John Landis film, Bloom played Marion Wormer, who flirted with and had a drunken romp with fraternity president "Otter'' Stratton.
 
She was Clint Eastwood's lover in "High Plains Drifter'' and was Mary in "The Last Temptation of Christ.''
 

McNair Recites Poem At Mills' Inauguration

By • Jan 3, 2019
Poetry Foundation

Former Maine Poet Laureate Wesley McNair delivered a new, original poem, "The Song of The Unsung," at Maine Governor Janet Mills' inauguration Wednesday evening in Augusta.

McNair spoke with Ed Morin on Maine Things Considered Monday, Dec. 31, 2019.

Former Maine Poet Laureate To Deliver Original Work At Mills' Inauguration

By • Jan 2, 2019
Wesley McNair

Maine Governor-Elect Janet Mills has asked former Maine Poet Laureate Wesley McNair to deliver an original poem written for her inauguration Wednesday evening in Augusta.

Maine Bluegrass Legend Al Hawkes Dies At 88

By • Dec 28, 2018
Susan Sharon / Maine Public

Award-winning bluegrass artist and Westbrook resident Al Hawkes has died. He was 88 years old.  Hawkes is being remembered as a musician with a style all his own.

A Quintessential Movie Idol's Hidden Life: Maine Author Reveals Rock Hudson's Private Struggles

By • Dec 19, 2018

In the 1950s and 60s, Rock Hudson was the quintessential matinee idol, with his chiseled good looks. Hudson had adoring fans and, on the surface, led the life of an A-lister, paired up onscreen with the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Doris Day. But Hudson had a hidden life as a closeted gay man whose secret didn't become public until he was dying of AIDS. His death in 1985 at age 59 is considered a turning point in AIDS awareness. Rock Hudson's career life struggles and death are all examined and detailed by Maine author Mark Griffin and his biography, “All That Heaven Allows.” Griffin spoke with Maine Public's Ed Morin.

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