Welcome Home
Welcome Home celebrates the vitality of Maine’s immigrant communities through music and storytelling. Palaver Strings will collaborate with guest artists of Franco-American, Burundian, and Iraqi heritage, sharing traditional music and personal stories of their families’ journeys to Maine. As we tour with this program around Maine, we will celebrate Maine’s cultural diversity, reflect on our own histories, and create space for dialogue between performers and listeners from different backgrounds. We believe deep listening and empathy for unfamiliar experiences is an important part of making Maine a safe and inclusive home for everyone.
PROGRAM
Iraqi Folk Songs arranged for Strings and Oud
Burundian Traditional Songs arranged for Strings, Drums and Voice
Franco-American Tunes arranged for Strings, Solo Fiddle and Piano
DATES
Thursday, Nov 7 – 7:00pm – Denmark Arts Center – Denmark, ME
Friday, Nov 8 – 7:00pm – Crosby Center – Belfast, ME
Saturday, Nov 9 – 7:00pm – Criterion Theatre – Bar Harbor, ME
Sunday, Nov 10 – 3:00pm – Eastport Arts Center – Eastport, ME
Thursday, Nov 14 – 7:00pm – Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME
Friday, Nov 15 – 7:30pm – Johnson Hall – Gardiner, ME
Saturday, Nov 16 – 7:00pm – Centre Theatre – Dover-Foxcroft, MEPRE-CONCERT EVENT
Sunday, Nov 3 – 4:00pm Welcome Home Pre-Concert Panel & Conversation | Indigo Arts Alliance, 60 Cove Street Portland, ME
Friday, Nov 8 – 7:00pm – Crosby Center – Belfast, ME
Saturday, Nov 9 – 7:00pm – Criterion Theatre – Bar Harbor, ME
Sunday, Nov 10 – 3:00pm – Eastport Arts Center – Eastport, ME
Thursday, Nov 14 – 7:00pm – Port City Music Hall – Portland, ME
Friday, Nov 15 – 7:30pm – Johnson Hall – Gardiner, ME
Saturday, Nov 16 – 7:00pm – Centre Theatre – Dover-Foxcroft, MEPRE-CONCERT EVENT
Sunday, Nov 3 – 4:00pm Welcome Home Pre-Concert Panel & Conversation | Indigo Arts Alliance, 60 Cove Street Portland, ME
Come join Palaver Strings, the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, and Portland Ovations to hear stories of courage, resilience, travel, and transition from three of Maine’s immigrant communities. Facilitated by Marty Pottenger, guests will be invited to share their own experiences and how and why they call Portland home. Attendees will also be encouraged to add their stories and reflections to the Welcome Home participatory art installation created by Portland-based artist, Titi de Baccarat. Featuring Welcome Home speakers Kifah Abdulla, Alain Iginareza, and Rhea Côté-Robbins, as well as musicians from Palaver Strings.
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