The 27th Annual Capriccio, Ogunquit’s town-wide Festival of the Arts, runs from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17 in an elegant showcase of the town’s rich cultural heritage.
Major arts organizations in Ogunquit, including art galleries, service organizations and local businesses have teamed up to present a series of concerts, films, new exhibits and receptions, historical look-backs, special tours of theatres and art galleries, and to fete the art of kite-flying.
According to a press release from event organizers, “Capriccio is defined as a joyous musical composition or work of art, in free form, and brilliant in style.”
The festival opens at 8 p.m. Sept . 8 with international bass-baritone Erik Kroncke presenting a program called “Broadway Songs and Opera Favorites.” Music ranges from “South Pacific” to “Don Giovanni,”and Kroncke’s presenation explore music written for the bass voice in opera, songs, and musical theater.
He will be accompanied by pianist Mary Jane Austin, and will cover many composers, genres, and styles, guaranteeing the audience will hear both familiar favorites and new discoveries.
Throughout the entire week of activities, the Ogunquit Playhouse will offer special buy one, get one tickets for performances of “Heartbreak Hotel” during Capriccio. The world-premiere show is from the creator of the Tony Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet and is a brand new tribute to Elvis Presley during the early years of his career.
Ogunquit Playhouse also will provide backstage tours on Sept. 8, Sept. 10 and Sept. 15 during Capriccio. Tours are open to the public, and cost $10 for a full 90 minutes behind the scenes look at the storied history of the playhouse and the hundreds of stars who have graced the stage over the years.
The colorful Capriccio Festival of Kites runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, and is sponsored by the Ogunquit Camera Shop, Ogunquit Rotary Club, Kennebunk Savings Bank, and the town of Ogunquit.
Featuring professional kite flying demonstrations, kite decorating contests for children, and the climactic Grand Ascension, which fills the sky with all kites in the air at the same time, this is one of the most photographed events in all of Maione during the fall. Kites are available for sale at the beach, and are provided free for the children’s contest.
The Leavitt Theatre will observe Capriccio with live entertainment and the screening of a number of special films during the festival. The facility is Ogunquit’s oldest theatre, playing first-run movies and showcasing live entertainment and live music from spring to fall.
The Ogunquit Performing Arts at the Barn Gallery joins Capriccio by presenting Andy Happel and his Los Galactacos String Band at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 in a program called “Songs From the Americas.”
Open houses and tours of art galleries in Ogunquit will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16. Exhibitions feature paintings, photographs, and sculpture by local, regional, and national artists, the art galleries of Ogunquit offer artworks for every preference.
The Ogunquit Heritage Museum is going to have an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 at 86 Obeds Lane in Ogunquit. Constructed about 1780, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The Barn Gallery is celebrating Capriccio with the opening of Fall Exhibitions by Ogunquit Art Association members and a Gala Reception, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at 1 Bourne Lane in Ogunquit.
To wrap up the 27th Capriccio Festival, the Ogunquit Museum of American Art will host Capriccio Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept, 17, It includes a special admission discount of two for the price of one and the Museum Gift Shop will also participate by offering price discounts of 10 percent off all merchandise.
For complete details about the 27th Annual Capriccio Festival in Ogunquit, visit www.ogunquitperformingarts.org.
— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com
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