Maine State Ballet to perform Friday, Saturday in Houlton

    HOULTON — The Maine State Ballet will appear in Houlton, Friday and Saturday as part of a fundraising effort for the Health Services Foundation’s digital mammography campaign.
    Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased at the following locations: Health Services Foundation, York’s of Houlton, York’s Bookstore, Houlton High School Office.  Tickets will also be available at the door.
    “Come join us for uplifting performances that will not only have you smiling and your toes tapping, but feeling really good in your support of two very important organizations that give back so much to our communities,” said Elizabeth Dulin, Health Services Foundation Executive Director. “These performances are a ‘must see’ for the whole family.”
    The Maine State Ballet will present the adventures of  “Peter and the Wolf,” with music by Sergei Prokofiev, and “Western Roundup,” a rousing fun-filled, saloon girls, swinging ballet set to traditional western music, staged and choreographed by Linda MacArthur Miele.  
    “The Houlton Community Arts Center Council and the Health Services Foundation are very excited that the time has finally arrived to showcase performances by the Maine State Ballet, the premier Ballet Company of Portland.  The Company showcases full-length ballets along with contemporary pieces in a varied repertoire of this highly versatile company under the direction of Ms. Miele” said Sue Waite York, Arts Center Trustee.
    With the desire to bring cultural arts and the best healthcare options to our communities, there seemed no better match than to team the resources of the Arts Center and the Foundation to achieve their current individual fundraising goals.  Monies raised will contribute to Phase Two of the Arts Center’s campaign to build an additional wing which will play a dual role in accommodating the growing educational needs of students, and provide future events, performed at the Center’s auditorium, a proper, separate environment to practice and present the performing arts.  For the Foundation it will be their current campaign to bring Digital Mammography to Houlton Regional Hospital, in support of earlier detection of breast cancer. 
    “This is a fun, cultural event that sends out a wonderful message to our communities of ‘Look what we are doing together.’” Dulin added. “This mutual effort will not only assist each organization toward their ultimate fundraising goals, but also bring cultural enrichment to our communities with the Performing Arts.”
    For more information regarding the Houlton Community Arts Center call 207-532-6089, or visit www.houltonarts.org, and for the Foundation, 207-521-2147 or www.healthservicesfoundation.org.