‘In the Blood’ Friday at Center Theatre
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft announces a one-time performance of “In The Blood”, a live docu-exhibit illustrating the life, skills and character of the turn-of-the-century Maine lumbermen and river drivers. “In The Blood” will be performed at the Center Theatre on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
“We brought Sumner McKane and his other piece, The Maine Frontier, to the Center Theatre last year,” said Executive Director Angela Bonacasa, “The response was so overwhelming that we had to bring ‘In The Blood’ here as well. It isn’t often that we are fortunate to have access to an artist with such a strong connection to Maine history.”
“In The Blood” uses the most captivating rare films and photos that Maine’s archives have to offer. After over three years of research, combing libraries, museums, historical societies and archives, these films and photographs have been handpicked with careful consideration. By taking such steps as creating 3D images out of 19th century photographs and editing historic footage and interviews to be clear and audible for all audiences, “In The Blood” has broad appeal and is an engrossing exhibition of film, music and history.
The musical score for “In The Blood” was composed to reflect the moods and environment of the films, photos, and stories. Based in composer Sumner McKane’s own brand of ambient Americana, there are elements of ethereal soundscapes and textures, country-blues, post rock, hopeful melancholia and traditional lumbermen’s melodies — deriving from Celtic and English folk songs. Melodic electric guitar and bass join textured sequences and manipulated loops of percussion- of which 80 percent were sampled from actual woods sounds (leaves rustling, axes, logs rolling, trees creaking, and walking in snow).
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Center Theatre Box Office at 564-8943, stopping by the theatre at 20 East Main Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, or by going to the website at www.centertheatre.org. The Center Theatre is a non-profit performing arts center dedicated to making the arts a part of life in the Maine Highlands.