Community Calendar

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.

ArtsFarmington is pleased to present the full classical ballet of the Nutcracker on Saturday, December 6, at 3 pm at Bjorn Auditorium of Mt. Blue High School, at 129 Seamon Rd., Farmington, Maine.

The Ballet, with major sponsorship by the Franklin Savings Bank, will be performed by the premier Robinson Ballet Co. of Bangor to the full recorded score of the composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The Robinson Ballet has been touring for around 40 years to bring this delightful show to communities in Maine. This will be their 4th performance in Farmington. We are thankful to Mt. Blue High School for making their Bjorn Auditorium available for this Ballet!
Knowing how each year's show has some changes, it is unpredictable what the opening scene will be! But, a joyous, at times humorous, and always perfectly executed show is guaranteed to warm your heart this Christmas Season. As the Company states: "you will be enchanted by fairies, dolls, soldiers, angels, a snow queen, a Snow Prince and of course the Rat King!"

Thanks to generous support of our sponsors the ticket price is affordable for families with children: $25 for adults and free for youth 18 and under through the "Arts Inspire Youth" program. Tickets should be purchased in advance at artsfarmington.org. There are 3 spaces for wheelchairs in the Auditorium. Please contact: president@artsfarmington.org if you plan to use a wheelchair space or have other questions. Doors will open at 2 PM. There will be a brief intermission. The show will last a total of 2 hours. There cannot be a snow date but the parking lots will be plowed in case of snow.

ArtsFarmington is a nonprofit organization and is affiliated with the University of Maine in Farmington.

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.

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 Very Nutty Nutcracker
Sunday, December 21st at 7:00pm
Westbrook Performing Arts Center

Portland Ballet delights and surprises audiences with A Very Nutty Nutcracker—the classic story turned on its head, with comedic twists in every scene. Audience members are invited to wear festive sweaters and attire as we all embrace the funny side of ballet and the holidays!

Divine Dance: Belly Dance Movement & Meditation:

We will deepen our connection to Mother Earth, the Divine Universe and our own unique divinity through movement meditation. Open to all levels and forms of dance practice. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal and a pen.

Drop ins welcome! Join us monthly for intentional movement and meditation. Register at bellydancewithjosephina.com

We will deepen our connection to Mother Earth, the Divine Universe and our own unique divinity through movement meditation. Open to all levels and forms of dance practice. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a journal and a pen.

$60 per quarter (3 classes) or $25 drop in rate per class