Community Calendar

Join Portland Ballet as it follows Alice down the rabbit hole for its premiere of Adventures in Wonderland. Drawing upon the classic by Lewis Carrol, the peculiar world of Wonderland is brought vividly to life through the art of ballet and a curious cast of beloved characters. A new ballet choreographed by Artistic Director, Nell Shipman—don’t miss this enigmatic production created for audiences of all ages!

Adventures in Wonderland
Friday, October 24 at 7pm
Saturday, October 25 at 2pm
Westbrook Performing Arts Center

Join Portland Ballet as it follows Alice down the rabbit hole for its premiere of Adventures in Wonderland. Drawing upon the classic by Lewis Carrol, the peculiar world of Wonderland is brought vividly to life through the art of ballet and a curious cast of beloved characters. A new ballet choreographed by Artistic Director, Nell Shipman—don’t miss this enigmatic production created for audiences of all ages!

Adventures in Wonderland
Friday, October 24 at 7pm
Saturday, October 25 at 2pm
Westbrook Performing Arts Center

An America’s Got Talent finalist from Season 8 will stop by Sanford Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, with their magical production that features incredible dancers who work behind a screen to create shadow silhouettes of shapes from the world around us. With the arc of an arm, the point of a toe or the twist of a torso, Catapult’s dancers stretch their bodies, and your imaginations, telling stories with humor and pathos by transforming magically from one shape to another.

See Vivaldi’s Four Seasons spring to life, be amazed as you watch their bodies transform into a mountain, an elephant, a dragon, even a helicopter, and travel the world from Paris to Beijing in under 10 minutes! Animated by the dancers’ shadows, every cinematic scene in Magic Shadows is a kaleidoscope of colorful storytelling that will awe and astound you.

A great show for the whole family – full of laughs, emotions and miraculous transformations. You will leave this show dazed and happy, and you will never look at your own shadow the same way again!

Rennie Harris is the leading Hip-hop and street dance theater company in the U.S., dedicated to preserving and sharing the spirit of street dance culture for over 35 years. See them live on our stage.

Mixed Level Belly Dance:

Authentic Belly Dance, or raks sharqi, is an ancient form of dance. Raks sharqi means “dance of the east” in Arabic. Belly dance celebrates every body type and every stage of life. The dance is proud and powerful and soft and sinewy with elegant and isolating movements emanating from the core. It’s the Pilates of dance. And so much fun! In this Mixed Level (Beginner through Intermediate/Advanced) class, we will work with improvisation and group choreography, as well as continually working with subtleties of technique at whatever level you are.

Please wear comfortable clothing, similar to what you might wear to a yoga class that will allow for free movement and the ability to see your movement. Hip scarves make it even more fun. You can dance barefoot or in a pair of comfortable dance shoes. Zils (finger cymbals) and veils will also be used in class and are available for purchase from the instructor.

Fall 2025 & Winter 2026 Session I (Beg/ML)

10-week Session: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6-7:15pm
9-10 & 24, 10-8 & 22, 11-12, 12-10-25 & 1-14 & 28, 2-11 & 2-25-25
$150 per person for the 10-week session; $20 drop-in rate per class.

@ People Plus, 35 Union Street, Brunswick, ME

Register through Merrymeeting Adult Education for the current session.

A beloved tradition in our holiday season, A Victorian Nutcracker from Portland Ballet brings Tchaikovsky’s timeless score to life with a distinctly Maine flair. This enchanting retelling follows a young girl whose Christmas Eve dream, sparked by a mysterious nutcracker, sends her on a journey through swirling snowflakes to the dazzling Land of the Sweets.

What sets this production apart is its uniquely local touch. The first act is set in Portland’s own Victoria Mansion, with characters inspired by the city’s rich history. Lavish Victorian-era costumes, elegant set designs, and vibrant choreography make each scene—from the dramatic battle to the sparkling snowfall—an unforgettable visual feast.

Portland Ballet is celebrated for its world-class dancers and deep community roots.

Mixed Level Belly Dance:

Authentic Belly Dance, or raks sharqi, is an ancient form of dance. Raks sharqi means “dance of the east” in Arabic. Belly dance celebrates every body type and every stage of life. The dance is proud and powerful and soft and sinewy with elegant and isolating movements emanating from the core. It’s the Pilates of dance. And so much fun! In this Mixed Level (Beginner through Intermediate/Advanced) class, we will work with improvisation and group choreography, as well as continually working with subtleties of technique at whatever level you are.

Please wear comfortable clothing, similar to what you might wear to a yoga class that will allow for free movement and the ability to see your movement. Hip scarves make it even more fun. You can dance barefoot or in a pair of comfortable dance shoes. Zils (finger cymbals) and veils will also be used in class and are available for purchase from the instructor.

Fall 2025 & Winter 2026 Session I (Beg/ML)

10-week Session: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6-7:15pm
9-10 & 24, 10-8 & 22, 11-12, 12-10-25 & 1-14 & 28, 2-11 & 2-25-25
$150 per person for the 10-week session; $20 drop-in rate per class.

@ People Plus, 35 Union Street, Brunswick, ME

Register through Merrymeeting Adult Education for the current session.

A Victorian Nutcracker

Join Portland Ballet this holiday season for its gorgeous production of the beloved classic, in which a young girl travels through her dreams to the Land of the Sweets alongside her favorite gift—a Nutcracker. This version is unique to Portland, with the first act drawing upon the Victoria Mansion's own history and characters. Don’t miss the chance to see this lush holiday production, perfect for the whole family.

Saturday, December 6th at 2:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 6th at 7:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00pm - Merrill Auditorium (Featuring the Portland Ballet Orchestra at Merrill)
Saturday, December 20th at 11:00am - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 20th at 5:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Sunday, December 21st at 2:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center

A Victorian Nutcracker

Join Portland Ballet this holiday season for its gorgeous production of the beloved classic, in which a young girl travels through her dreams to the Land of the Sweets alongside her favorite gift—a Nutcracker. This version is unique to Portland, with the first act drawing upon the Victoria Mansion's own history and characters. Don’t miss the chance to see this lush holiday production, perfect for the whole family.

Saturday, December 6th at 2:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 6th at 7:00pm - Sanford Performing Arts Center
Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00pm - Merrill Auditorium (Featuring the Portland Ballet Orchestra at Merrill)
Saturday, December 20th at 11:00am - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Saturday, December 20th at 5:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center
Sunday, December 21st at 2:00pm - Westbrook Performing Arts Center

A holiday tradition for all ages, Bangor Symphony Orchestra proudly presents the annual production of The Nutcracker with the Robinson Ballet and Bangor Area Youth Choirs. Beloved by audiences throughout Maine, please join us for a magical afternoon as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Nutcracker grace the stage of the Collins Center for the Arts as the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Bangor Area Youth Choirs, and Music Director and GRAMMY-award winning Conductor Lucas Richman bring Tchaikovsky’s score to life. Arrive early to shop at the BSO’s Nutcracker Store, offering a variety of holiday gifts, Nutcrackers, and treats.