FEATURED

START MAKING SENSE
Waterville Opera House
1 Common Street, Waterville
Friday, September 15
8pm
From $20

Back by popular demand!

If David Byrne is one of the geniuses of modern times, then Start Making Sense is a tribute to genius. The musicians in this 7-10 piece Talking Heads Tribute take pride in faithfully recreating the music of Talking Heads entire career. Together they bring much of the Heads unique live show to the stage, with front man Jon Braun as a spot-on David Byrne, giving you a "once in a lifetime" experience. Prepare yourself for a rockin', funkin', danceable celebration of the new-wave art punk you loved from the 80's!

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ARTS

POTLUCK
Ticonic Gallery

93 Main Street, Waterville
On view August 2—October 2
Hours: Wednesday–Monday, 11am–7pm
FREE

Ticonic Gallery is pleased to present Potluck, an exhibition centered on the work of Jenny Ibsen, a printmaker, ceramicist, storyteller, and restaurant worker based in Portland. Curated with Diana Tuite, this installation is centered on a tablescape and features contributions from collaborators Heather Flor Cron, Alana Dao, and Raquel P. Miller. The metaphor of the potluck touches upon issues of care, sustenance and sustainability, and labor, and all of these themes will be explored through shared meals and conversations.

Funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and our exhibition sponsors: Kennebec Savings Bank, Morning Sentinel + Kennebec Journal, and PRO Moving Services.

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COMMUNITY DRAW-SEPTEMBER
Paul J. Schupf Art Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Wednesday, September 13
6–8pm
$10v

Seasoned and aspiring artists are invited to participate in this costumed figure drawing program. This class offers a unique opportunity for emerging and established artists to hone their drawing skills in a supportive environment. Participants bring their media of choice: charcoal, pastels, paint, clay, etc. Ticonic will provide the chairs, model, and camaraderie.

All levels of experience are welcome. Each class will begin with a quick drawing warm-up exercise, followed by timed, open-drawing sessions. There will be an optional 15-minute sharing of work after class.

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YOUTH ARTS ACCESS FUND: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
                 
Established in March of 2022, the Youth Arts Access Fund (YAAF) provides youth aged 18 and under with free access to Waterville Creates events and programs—all of them!

For just $1,000/month or $5,000/6 months, your business can be recognized as a YAAF sponsor of the month and provide critical support for this beloved program.

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FILM

FRAME BY FRAME: SHORTS BY BILL MORRISON
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Wednesday September 13 at 7pm
FREE, ticket reservations required

Join us for a free screening of a collection of Bill Morrison's short films that use decaying footage. These films (which include The Film of Her and Light is Calling) bring a new perspective to Morrison’s career, spanning both film and gallery contexts. Post-film conversation with Bill Morrison and Associate Professor of Cinema Studies Steve Wurtzler.

Frame by Frame is a collaborative program of the Colby College Museum of Art and the Maine Film Center. Film screenings are paired with speakers or programs that connect what we see on the big screen to what happens in the museum.

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BOTTOMS
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Now Showing
From $12

This film is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund.

It’s an outrageous–and hilarious–premise: Lesbian high schoolers PJ and Josie start a fight club as a way to lose their virginities to their school’s more conventionally stylish cheerleaders. Their bizarre plan works. The fight club gains traction and soon the most popular girls in school are beating each other up in the name of self-defense. But PJ and Josie find themselves in over their heads and in need of a way out before their plan is exposed.

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PERFORMING ARTS

RICKY NELSON REMBERED
Waterville Opera House
1 Common Street, Waterville
September 17
7:30pm
$38–$48

This event is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund.

A unique multi-media entertainment event featuring the live music of Ricky Nelson’s hit songs (including “Hello Mary Lou”, “Travelin’ Man”, “Garden Party”) performed by Ricky’s own twin sons Matthew & Gunnar and includes never before seen big screen video footage of the Nelson family with interviews from celebrities influenced by Ricky Nelson. The show appeals to a wide audience and multiple generations and celebrates the life of America’s original ‘Teen Idol’. The year 2020 marked the 35th anniversary of Ricky Nelson’s passing in a tragic New Year’s Eve plane crash. Ricky would have turned 80 on May 8th of that year.

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LITERARY

FALL STORY WALK OPENING!
Waterville Public Library
73 Elm Street, Waterville
September 9
1–2pm
FREE
Two new books open on story walk trails in Waterville this fall! Join us on September 9th at North St Community Connector Trail, near the community gardens entrance, for the official opening event! We will walk the story and create nature journals along the way. Also try one of the mobile museum exhibits with the Children's Discovery Museum, and pick up a free book from the Waterville Public Library while supplies last.

Skywatcher written and illustrated by Jaimie Hogan will open at the Community Connector Trail on North Street.

The Roar by Eoin McLaughlin and Polly Dunbar will open at Reed Field Storywalk, located by George Mitchell School at 58 Drummond Road. Families may find this walk easier with children under the age five.

UPDATE: Due to threat of storms in the early afternoon, this event is being moved to inside the Waterville Public Library!

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COMMUNITY

HOMESCHOOL HUB RETURNS!
Waterville Public Library
73 Elm Street, Waterville
September 14–28
1–2pm

Homeschool students who are pre-school through elementary grade levels* are invited to come to the library for fun and activities!

September 14: LEGOs
September 21: Making Autumn Fairy Crowns!
September  28: Board Games

The Bartlett Room for Teens is available for older siblings!

FMI: Call 207-872-5433, email [email protected], or go to http://www.watervillelibrary.org

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ELM CITY COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL

Waterville Senior High School
1 Brooklyn Avenue, Waterville

September 23–October 14

8am–12pm

Registration is now open for Elm City Music School's 4-week pilot program!

Private lessons and group classes are available for most instruments; we also have classes on music production, African-inspired dance, and creative movement for children and parents. Our partner, Pineland Suzuki School will be offering group classes, All State prep for strings students, Baroque performance practice, and Taiko drumming!

All classes will be held at the Waterville Senior High School, but students of all ages and communities are welcome. Most classes (especially private lessons) have minimum and maximum sizes. Register ASAP to ensure your class is available.  

Questions? Reach out to [email protected].

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UPCOMING

COMMON GROUND FAIR SEED PAINTINGS
Common Ground Fair
294 Crosby Brook Road, Unity
September 24
2–3pm

Using nonviable seeds, craft stunning paintings with instructors from Waterville Creates and Fedco Seeds! Combining art and a beautiful mixture of seeds, participants will create a special artwork to take home. This is art for all ages and abilities. All materials are provided.

Location: Railcar Speakers Tent

For more information about the Common Ground Country Fair, click here.

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3D PRINTING: EXPRESSIVE SELF-PORTRAITS
Ticonic Classroom
93 Maine Street, Waterville
September 14–November 7
5:30–7pm
$130

Combine art, 3D printing technology, and the psychology of identity to express your personal ideas, style, and uniqueness in an expressive self-portrait.

Co-taught by Stephen Rochelle and Mark Kavanaugh, Psychology Department Chair, of KVCC.For Ages 16+

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STOP MAKING SENSE (4K RESTORATION)
Maine Film Center
93 Main Street, Waterville
Opening September 28
From $12

This film is eligible for the Youth Arts Access Fund.

Join us in “burning down the house” with this thrilling 4K restoration of what is, by consensus and by a mile, the greatest rock and roll movie ever made, MIFF Midlife Award Winner Jonathan Demme’s Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense. We dare you not to dance! We dare you not to feel great! 40 years old and younger than ever in this restoration, with the volume turned UP, in the Maine Film Center is how you want to experience David Byrne and company.

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