Performing Arts

New online options bring performing arts to you – The Maine Campus

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The year 2020 has been full of twists, turns and surprises. Many changes have been made since the start of the pandemic to allow business owners, employees, artists and homeowners to adapt to a new way of living. Although COVID-19 has limited in-person interactions and experiences during the past few months, businesses are making it easier than ever to see your favorite shows, musicals, events, museums and activities right in the comfort of your own home. 

The Collins Center for the Arts (CCA) at the University of Maine has taken steps to ensure its students have access to virtual recordings of shows and performances. Students can go online and have 24 hour access to event listings and opportunities while coping with the pandemic and all of its effects. They have event updates, season ticket information, venue information, an education section and pages specifically designed for giving students the latest information on online activities and ideas.

Each week the center’s website posts “Six Picks.” These updated lists showcase six links to videos of visual and audio experiences that students can take part in exploring. There are full show album recordings, dance festival videos, mini-concerts, comedy, broadway shows and even music from the Bangor Symphony Orchestra available to watch for free and from anywhere. The site also gives tips about where to find certain recordings of shows and events that might otherwise be inaccessible during this time of hiatus. 

Starting on Friday, Dec. 11, students can view “Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: Celtic Family Christmas.” The video includes musical performances by MacMaster and Leahy, as well as images and clips of their holiday traditions and Christmas decorating. On Saturday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m., there will be a virtual live-stream concert by Andrea Bocelli titled “Believe in Christmas.” She will be performing seasonal songs from the Teatro Regio di Parma opera house in Italy along with guest performers. 

On Friday, Dec. 18, a live-stream of the “Home For The Holidays Concert” will be performed by Emily Cain, Danny Williams & Friends on the CCA stage. Other events available for view in December include the show titled “Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish” and the Netflix show  “Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker” which is available now.

Along with the CCA, other theaters and performing arts companies like Playbill have scheduled upcoming and current live-stream broadcasts. Playbill has a list of all dates for current showtimes and days for availability. Some of the video performances available for view include “Ann,” “Gloria: A Life,” “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Red.” “Ann” is a solo play written and performed by Holland Taylor, which will be available to stream through Dec. 4. “Gloria: A Life” is a play by Emily Mann about Gloria Steinem that was originally filmed at the Daryl Roth Theater.

Billboard also has a running list of virtual shows available to view that is regularly updated and includes information and links to each one. On Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., viewers can purchase tickets starting at $15 to see a virtual live show of Gorillaz. Running Dec. 10-20, singing group Straight No Chaser will be performing 10 live virtual shows with tickets starting at $20 each. They will be singing holiday favorites as well as pop songs from Maryland’s MGM National Harbor stage.

Groups that have already performed live this holiday season include Evanescence, The Hold Steady and country star, Dolly Parton. 

Along with updated lists of performances and concert dates, Billboard also has a web page specifically for the season’s best holiday shows and films. Some note-worthy movies include “High School Musical: The Holiday Special” airing on Disney+ starting Dec. 11 and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” airing on PBS at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. The site also lists live TV shows and specials occurring throughout the month of December. The most recent upcoming show is the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. on the CW channel. 

Songkick has a similar section of their website where fans can see upcoming live-stream concert dates, links and ticket information. The company currently has a running list of over a dozen upcoming live-streams available for ticket purchase and registration. Future performances in December include a concert by the band Misterwives and one by the K-pop group BLACKPINK. 

Information has been taken from the CollinsCenterforthearts.com, Billboard.com and Playbill.com.

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