A new version of Orono’s annual festival showcasing local artists will take place in mid-July.
The town’s elected officials last month chose Mary Jean “MJ” Sedlock, a local theater production manager, to host Orono’s annual Artsapalooza, though it will now go by Orono Arts Fest.
Stillwater Community Arts had held Artsapalooza, a festival featuring visual and performing artists at local businesses, since 2011. The nonprofit announced in March that it would no longer host the event. In April, the group’s vice president, Connie Carter, said the nonprofit will disband.
While the spirit of Artsapalooza will live on, the new Orono Arts Fest will have somewhat of a different feel. It will span the weekend and showcase artists “who are coming from a wider regional footprint rather than just locally,” Sedlock said.
“I wanted to start a festival that continues to feature local and regional artists but also increases the caliber of the experience for both the artists and the audience,” she said.
For instance, this year only musicians will perform at Orono restaurants, whereas in the past drag artists and others have performed. Those needing space for dancing, juggling and other acts will be outdoors or at Orono High School’s performing arts center.
The Orono Town Council, which stepped in to see if the festival could continue without Stillwater Community Arts, voted in April to spend $7,000 from its contingency account on the event. Its chairperson, Dan Demeritt, said previously that $2,000 would go to the coordinator, while the rest would pay the artists and cover other costs.
Orono Arts Fest will take place from Friday, July 12, through Sunday, July 14. Most activities will be free, though there will be three ticketed events. They will take place at 7 p.m. each night at the performing arts center.
On Friday, July 12, the Halcyon String Quartet will perform its rendition of Robert McCloskey’s “Make Way for Ducklings” with actor Ben Meader. The group is based in midcoast Maine and puts on performances that combine live music with art, film, science and the spoken word.
The Focus Group, a Bangor-based improv troupe, will perform Saturday, July 13.
“Enter the Fish Tank,” a show offering an “immersive audio, visual, and narrative experience,” will take place Sunday, July 14, according to the festival’s website. It combines the work of electronic producer ThinkFishTank and stage performer Shane Miclon, who is known for juggling and prop manipulation.
Each evening will also feature a concert series. While Sedlock is still locking in dates and locations with musicians, she knows Rockin’ Ron & The New Society Band will perform from 5 to 6:30 p.m. July 12 at Pat’s Pizza, and Peach Belly will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. July 13 at Orono Brewing Co.
The festival will offer a variety of children’s activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13, outside the Orono Public Library. The day will include a reading from a local librarian, a performance from the Silver Circus, a costume photo booth and a concert.
An artists’ market is slated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 14, at the Pine Street parking area. Vendors will set up booths and sell their paintings, apparel, bespoke stickers and other creations. A belly dancing demonstration and other entertainment will be happening nearby.
Money collected through ticket sales and other means will go toward producing next year’s festival.
Sedlock, who was chosen to organize the festival in early May, is squeezing a lot of planning into a short period of time, but she has big dreams for what it could grow into. She does not have a formal contract in place for next year, but the town has expressed its interest in having her coordinate future festivals, and she is also personally interested, she said.
Sedlock lives in town and works as the production manager and technical director at the University of Maine’s School of Performing Arts. She is also a senior lecturer at the university.
“My hopes for this festival are that people are exposed to how many truly wonderful artists there are right here locally and in the state of Maine, and what interesting, unique and diverse work these artists are doing,” she said. “People should come because it’s going to be a great time.”
As Sedlock schedules more events as part of Orono Arts Fest, she will post them on the website and Facebook page.
