Category: Arts & Entertainment

World-Famous Step Afrika!

The dancers of "STEP AFRIKA!" bring their electrifying choreography to the SPAC stage on January 28 Photo: Courtesy SPAC Sanford Performing Arts Center kicks off Black History Month with Step Afrika!, a global show that introduces audiences to traditional African step and contemporary rhythmic dance popularized by historically African-American fraternities and sororities. Showtime is 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28 on the SPAC stage at Sanford High School. Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional…

Upcoming Piano Competition

Väinö Viljanen, violinist Upcoming Piano Competition Honors Late St. Thomas School Music Teacher Compiled by Lee BurnettThe third annual Hanna Powell Memorial Piano Competition is set for Sunday afternoon, March 3, at the Sanford Performing Arts Center. The competition is open to pianists aged 15-30 who live or study in Maine, New Hampshire, or Vermont. Finalists will compete for the following cash prizes: first place is $2,000; second place is $1,500; and third place is $1,000. The $1,000 High School…

Award Winning Family Show Coming to the SPAC

The Fourth Wall Photo: courtesy of SPAC SANFORD — Few musical ensembles earn top marks for their hoverboard skills or “deft choreography,” but this is no ordinary ensemble. Part chamber music group, part devised theatre company, part modern dance troupe, part circus act, The Fourth Wall blends music, theatre, dance, and acrobatics into a new hybrid art form. You can catch them on stage at the Sanford Performing Arts Center at 3 pm Saturday, January 20. In their award-winning variety…

Victorian Nutcracker Returning to the Sanford Performing Arts Center

Press Release Following two triumphant years on the SPAC stage, Portland Ballet is back with the cherished holiday favorite, “A Victorian Nutcracker.” Performances start at 2 and 7 pm Saturday, Dec. 9.  Suitable for all ages, this enchanting performance brings to life the timeless tale of a young girl’s dream on Christmas Eve, ignited by the magical gift of a mysterious nutcracker. Whether you’ve seen it once or many times, “A Victorian Nutcracker” is an experience that never loses its…

You’ll Want Seconds of This “Oliver!” 

Oliver (Irie Mastrella) and The Artful Dodger (Bryn Rice) take their bows during the curtain call at Nasson Little Theatre's production of Oliver!This impressive production continues through next weekend.Photo: David Parent By Barbara Sutcliffe  “Please Sir, I want some MORE.”  The poor orphaned Oliver doesn’t get any more gruel in “Oliver!”, the musical being performed by Nasson Little Theater; fortunately, audiences still have more opportunities to see this outstanding production.  Based on Charles Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist,” the musical directed…