The City That Carries Us:
Pain, Streets, and Heartbeats
This spring, Maine Inside Out (MIO) and our partners are presenting a free public art festival called The City That Carries Us: Pain, Streets, and Heartbeats in partnership with the City of Lewiston and with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. The purpose of the festival is to bring everyone together and show the beauty of the Lewiston community. The festival will be an expression of the joys, struggles, and strength of Lewiston.
Maine is experiencing a heatwave this week and has issued an excessive heat watch. The opening ceremony, art making, and Maine Inside Out performance will now take place inside the air-conditioned Public Theatre from 1-2:30pm. Please come prepared by dressing for the heat, drinking lots of water, and monitoring your health during the day. We will be providing free water throughout the day. The festival safety team will be hosting shaded cooling areas at Kennedy Park that will include drinking water, cooling water, shade, chairs, and a first aid kit. There is a city operated cooling center open at 10am-4pm at the former ARGO, 64 Lisbon St, Lewiston (right at Dufresne Plaza across from the District Court).
The festival is designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, with wheelchair accessible spaces and restrooms and ASL interpretation. If you need any specific information or accommodations in order to participate, please contact admin@maineinsideout.org.
This is a substance-free event.
Juneteenth Parade, Block Party, and Performances
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
1:00pm Opening Ceremony inside the The Public Theatre (31 Maple Street, Lewiston) featuring:
1-2pm Face painting, mask making, and banner reveal with artist Serafim Yssolo
1:15-2pm Community grief ritual
2-2:30pm Original Maine Inside Out performance followed by the Glen David Andrews Band
2:30pm Parade from The Public Theatre to Kennedy Park with Glen David Andrews Band, MIO artists, festival coalition partners, and community members.
3:15pm Arrive at Kennedy Park. Moment of silence and completion of grief ritual.
3:30 - 6:30pm Block Party at Kennedy Park - BBQ, food trucks, bounce house, dunk tank, art making, music, dancing, and more! Featuring MIO artists, speakers, and special guests Kenya Hall, Samuel James, Andre Hicks, and DJ Dane Morgan.
PARADE ROUTE
Parade route: Maple, Knox, Birch, Bates to Kennedy Park (distance is around .5 miles).
Kennedy Park Map
Previous Festival Events
“Life Lost in the Streets”
Friday, June 7, 2024, 3:00 - 5:00pm
Mountain View Correctional Facility, Charleston
An original performance created by MIO artists incarcerated at Mountain View, followed by dialogue led by the artists about the content of their play. RSVP required.
“Streets and Heartbeats”Open mic
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 5:30-8:30pm
L/A Arts 168 Lisbon Street, Lewiston
“Streets & Heartbeats” is a community open mic featuring Andre Hicks and MIO community artists.
Community members are invited to perform!
All ages welcome and substance free.