More performing arts

Here's a site that lists a dozen European theaters offering streaming dance, opera, and music, including much that is free. It may be a sort of mini-travel adventure. For example, I registered in Italian--it was easy--and saw the Rome opera company performing at the stunning Roman Baths of Caracalla. Subtitles may not be in English for opera, but dance speaks no language except that of beauty.

https://www.rhinegold.co.uk/opera_now/a-quick-guide-to-watching-opera-from-around-the-world-in-your-own-home/

"Going to" the theater

Now that the pandemic is in full swing again, theaters are trying to keep or regain their audiences by offering archived movies and films of live shows. In fact, there are so many possibilities out there that it can be hard to sort through it all. They're desperate for funds, so many of the shows have a fee. But there's also a lot that's free.

We'll keep adding to this list as we go along. Here are a few sites for starters:

Highly recommended: Maine's own Jewish Film Festival, with movies you'll never see anywhere else. Many offer a glimpse at cultures unfamiliar to most of us, like ultra-conservative Israelis. It's underway right now, so check out the remaining offerings at https://mjff.org/.

A big help: the updates provided weekly by the wonderful folks at the Collins Center at UM. Get on their mailing list, if you aren't already. They include all the performing arts. For example, coming up this weekend is West End Unplugged, with performances by London musical theater stars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51imb1n9rEo,

The Stratford Festival, Canada's Shakespeare theater, offers a sizeable choice of filmed plays for a $10/month introductory subscription. (You could always drop out later.) https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/AtHome

Stay tuned for more!

Opera

Don't stop reading just because you hate opera. Do you picture screechy sopranos in helmets? Boring, unrealistic stories full of tenors dying for hours and laughable plot twists? Weird music in foreign languages?

Those images are outdated. Today, the stories and music haven't changed, but productions certainly have. Audio technology eliminates screech and today's stagings are dramatic, engaging, even exciting. Carmen in sneakers? A tattooed woman playing Nero? Sure.

The pandemic brought a few good things, and one is the chance to experience things you couldn't in normal times. You don't have to go to New York and buy an expensive ticket to see an opera; you can do it for free in your living room. In some ways, HD broadcasts are better than in the theater; the cameras put you right in the singers' faces. Subtitles translate for you. Check it out: what do you have to lose?

For a donation, you can watch Wagner in 3D! Check it out at the Minnesota Opera:

https://mnopera.org/season/fall-season/das-rheingold/

Free: The Metropolitan Opera offers a different top-of-the-line show each evening:

 https://www.metopera.org/user-information/nightly-met-opera-streams/

Also free: The San Francisco Opera offers productions on weekends:

https://sfopera.com/opera-is-on/streaming/

And, for laughs, there's this goofy comic opera that combines Mozart's music with commentary life during COVID-19, by the Finnish National Opera: 

https://operavision.eu/en/library/performances/operas/covid-fan-tutte-finnish-national-opera

There's lots more, some free and some paid, including the Met's brilliant concert series, featuring its stars in exquisite European castles, seafront terraces, chapels, and such. A good umbrella site is https://operavision.eu/en

 

What's on?

 As we move more indoors, it's time to start noting upcoming arts, learning, and entertainment opportunities. So here we go!

Broadway and more

TodayTix gives you some streaming shows, some with big-name performers (Matthew Broderick! Ellen Burstyn!). Start times begin next weekend; new shows every few weeks. See details:

https://www.todaytix.com/

Your trusty local events concierge

The good folks at the Collins Center for the Arts post their excellent, weekly "Six picks" of upcoming shows each Friday. They also include a wealth of other arts and entertainment to explore.

https://www.collinscenterforthearts.com/

Enjoy this beautiful weekend and check back for more to do indoors at the beginning of next week!

What now?

It's November, and there's no getting around the big question: how will we get through the winter with body and soul intact?

We'll use this space to bring you as many resources for keeping fit, mentally and otherwise, as we can find. Stay tuned!

Our first recommendation:

Many, many sources of learning and amusement are streamed via the Internet--everything from drama and comedy--including the Penobscot Theatre, Portland Stage Company, and regional/international theaters--plus lots of  programming from Great Courses, the Smithsonian, and many more.

While you can certainly watch and listen on your PC or laptop, a streaming device hooked to your TV is a big asset. If you don't have one, consider getting one, probably for around $35. There are different kinds, depending on the age and capabilities of your TV. Get a savvy family member to help you buy and set one up. Then you can curl up in your favorite comfy chair with your popcorn and a beverage for your viewing. 

We'll be posting a lot of streaming offerings among our other suggestions. Enjoy!

And so fall begins . . .

Today's the day! Courses begin this very day, and we're so excited. We have a nice selection of topics, from zoology and pet care, Maine poetry, and race/privilege to watercolor painting, and so much more! 

Yes, we're still on Zoom, like so much of the rest of the world. But that's OK. We're still offering great courses, just in a little bit different way. Our summer Zoom offerings were a huge success, and we see no reason why fall shouldn't be just as wonderful.

If you've missed the start date but wanted to take a class, never fear. This year we plan something new: a winter term with at least a couple of offerings. So stay tuned! 

Meanwhile, happy fall!

Learning, learning, learning!

It's amazing how many ways there are for seniors to keep learning. Of course, our fall semester catalog is the place to start: https://pvsc.myrec.com/info/default.aspx

And of course, if you're a member, you can take courses at Senior Colleges across the state. The Lewiston-Auburn SC has just opened its fall courses to members of other SCs, so their lineup is worth a look: www.usm.maine.edu/seniorcollege