Something different

Some of us like what we've seen of Japanese food TV: "Samurai Gourmet" and "Midnight Diner." Here's a chance to explore longer works:

https://film.jfny.org/category/film/?fbclid=IwAR3fJFU4efwtYJ42ltAuhgOk36J9ck6wrfQjbSV6w2HfsYRc4CUMHzvs36A

The Strand Theater in Rockland has had a steady output of films (paid) and other goodies (free) to get us through the pandemic. Get on their mailing list: https://www.rocklandstrand.com/ and look for "E-news signup" at the top. While you're there, check out their current offerings, right there on the home page.

Holiday music!

Maine holiday musical events coming right up:

Friday: our own local talent, Danny Williams (Collins Center director) and Emily Cain, plus vocal director/singer Fran Vogt, present a concert of holiday music: 

https://www.collinscenterforthearts.com/home-for-the-holidays/

Saturday night, you'll have to make a tough choice. Both are on YouTube and free:

• The Bagaduce Chorale of Blue Hill presents its annual holiday concert. If you're a fan of choral music, they are sublime.  https://www.bagaducechorale.org/
• Oratorio Chorale of Brunswick's concert, with the Portland Brass Quintet and others. https://oratoriochorale.org/

A local Nutcracker on TV

Get away from your streaming device and enjoy Portland Ballet's "A Victorian Nutcracker" on your TV! Just tune in to WLBZ or WCHS on Saturday the 12th, at either 9:00 AM or 8:00 PM. This is a real, staged ballet, not a Zoom thing, but has fewer dancers because of the need to distance. You can also watch on the News Center Maine website or Roku app. 

Scrooge!

"A Christmas Carol" comes to you in different ways this season. Check the dates; most run for the bulk of December. All but one require paid tickets, but the prices are reasonable.

The New York Times praises Jefferson Mays' one-man reading at the LaJolla Playhouse. He acts all the parts, but it looks more like a movie than a reading, with a ton of special effects. Expect a darker "take" than you may be used to.
https://lajollaplayhouse.org/show/a-christmas-carol/?fbclid=IwAR193FCSbopP_6f-WdV70ERMwTL8pW7RQLN2fOraZ2f1mJjRwz7jxc8KMdA

The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis has the reputation of being one of the very best regional theaters in the country (this writer has been thrilled with the three plays she's seen there). Its version reimagines Dickens' own readings when he took the story on the road.
https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2020-2021-season/dickens-holiday-classic/?fbclid=IwAR1napwU853kugRaDFG-Xc0sfNeua0coiaXTegdR15XX8nh7Hq-pYTqd71c

And what about Scrooge with dozens of paper puppets? This double version presents contrasting approaches, one traditional and one highly contemporary.
https://www.guthrietheater.org/shows-and-tickets/2020-2021-season/dickens-holiday-classic/?fbclid=IwAR1napwU853kugRaDFG-Xc0sfNeua0coiaXTegdR15XX8nh7Hq-pYTqd71c 

And one more, from Trinity Rep in Providence; this one's free:
https://www.trinityrep.com/show/a-christmas-carol-2020/?fbclid=IwAR3m6nDGNvfu16sh-9sFB0084ahjODib7TeNvThIUIa04QKSkluNNKQLkbE

Coming right up! The Boston Symphony, Jane Austen, and more

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has a concert available for viewing through December 19:
https://www.bso.org/brands/bso/features/bso-now/american-promise.aspx?fbclid=IwAR3HKkWUyAMsrlzE0sX4JiTjP0V4C2eFKx70LMroHGAs3mZzuNov1mp0wRo

OK, this one's a little odd, but then, so are the times we're living in: a Jane Austen virtual birthday party. Send her a card by December 6, and/or join in on the live get-together (well, she's not alive, obviously, but you get the idea) on the 16th:

http://strictlyjaneausten.com/happy-birthday-jane?fbclid=IwAR1USLOzLcxsF2Vq7oSDy5i_tE2JVwHEshAzMz_TgxedFcL7xYOOiFNJwzw

Shakespeare fans, or anyone interested in the Tudor period, will enjoy browsing the Fogler Shakespeare Library's (at Harvard) digital collection. Everything from doublets to hand-written cookbooks can be found. https://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet/FOLGERCM1~6~6