June 20, 7 pm: Jennifer Pictou, a citizen of the Mi'kmaq Nation, is a traditional storyteller and artist with a diverse background as a museum director, tribal historic preservation officer, and historian. Her true passion lies in sharing stories that connect people to Maine's landscape and Wabanaki cultures. She is also an artist who tells stories in glass and beads. From Jennifer Pictou: “As an artist deeply connected to my Mi’kmaq heritage, I draw inspiration from the rich cultural tapestry of my ancestors’ resistance and survival, infusing my work with elements of tradition and history. Through
all of my work I explore the themes of identity and belonging, using the interplay of light and color to reclaim and redefine Mi’kmaq narratives in a contemporary context. Each piece is a rebuttal of the prevalent ideas that we are no longer here, reminding viewers of the importance of preserving and honoring indigenous heritage in an ever-changing world.”

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July 17, 7 pm: Elizabeth Peavey is an award-winning writer, educator, and storyteller from Portland, Maine. Her one-woman performance, My Mother’s Clothes Are Not My Mother, has played to sold-out houses since 2011 and received the Maine Literary Award for Best Drama. In addition to her storytelling performances, she is also an accomplished writer, her countless features and humor writing appearing in numerous publications, including Down East magazine. She has written three books and taught creative non-fiction for the University of Maine and memoir-writing workshops for the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance. She also served as a lecturer of public speaking at the University of Southern Maine and for various private clients.

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August 22, 7 pm: Antonio Rocha is an internationally recognized storyteller and mime from Portland, Maine. Originally from Brazil, in 1988 he moved to Maine after receiving a Partners of the Americas grant to study in the United States. He has studied under the mime master Tony Montanaro, and has a theater degree from the University of Maine.  Featuring a tenor voice, realistic sound effects and exquisite moves, his repertoire includes stories of his homeland, folktales, exquisite mime illusions, and even Maine history. Rocha is a recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s ORACLE Circle of Excellence award.  He appeared in the first year of the Downeast Storytellers and was so popular we’ve invited him back to present his new show: Once Upon a Hill in Maine: The Pedro Tovookan Parris Story. The performance highlights Maine’s connection to the slave trade and the resilience of a man brought from Africa to Maine, features Rocha's signature blend of storytelling, song and mime.

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