HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

BRUNSWICK — Longfellow Days, a celebration of the life and works of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — and his connection to Brunswick — continues through Feb. 26.

Events throughout the rest of February include a cabaret show with performers from Maine State Music Theatre and Bowdoin College; poetry readings; and the closing chapel service that includes a performance of Longfellow’s poem “ Snow- Flakes” set to music by Charles Kaufmann.

Longfellow Days 2012 marks the ninth year that Bowdoin College, his alma mater, and other local groups have celebrated Longfellow. He graduated from Bowdoin College with the class of 1825 and worked at the college as a professor of modern languages and librarian from 1829 to 1835.

This year’s theme, “Longfellow: Poet of the Heart,” will honor the foremost 19th- century American poet with cultural programs that explore the loving connectedness that enriches our personal and public lives.

Public events include:

— Saturday, noon to 3 p.m., “Tour Longfellow’s Home,” Joshua Chamberlain Museum, Maine and Potter streets.

Visit as guests of the Pejepscot Historical Society. Tours begin each hour on the hour. Free.

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— Sunday, 1 p.m.: The Coursen Readings, Fireplace Room, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St.

Poets Robert Farnsworth, David Moreau and Alice Persons read from their work. Free.

— Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.: Readings at The Highlands, Holden Frost House, 7 Academy Lane, Topsham.

Hosted by Ted Bookey and Helene McGlauflin, resident poets and community members read and discuss their works. Refreshments. RSVP by calling 725-2650. Free.

— Feb. 19, 1 p.m., The Coursen Readings, Fireplace room, Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St.

Maine poets Carolyn Gelland Frost, Bob MacLaughlin and Kevin Sweeney read from their work. Free.

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— Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m., Readings at Thornton Oaks, Multipurpose Room, Thornton Oaks, Baribeau Drive

Hosted by Ted Bookey and Helene McGlauflin, resident poets and community members read and discuss their works. Free.

— Feb. 24, 7 p.m., Cabaret, The Inn at Brunswick Station, Noble Street

A Valentine buffet of desserts, cheeses and beverages will be served up with music, love letters and poetry. Maine State Music Theatre’s Birdie Katz and pianist David Dean head a local cast, which also includes Rob Jarratt, Maryli Tiemann and the Bowdoin College a cappella group Ursus Verses.

Reservations at $ 20 are encouraged by Tuesday, Feb. 14, at www.brunswickdowntown.com via PayPal or by calling 729-4439.

— Feb. 26, 3 p.m., Chapel Service, Bowdoin College Chapel

Themes of love inspire music, song and readings in a service led by the Rev. Brad Mitchell with organist Grace Lewis McLaren. A Bowdoin College a cappella group, The Longfellows, and the Merrymeeting Singers will perform “ Snow- Flakes,” a Longfellow poem to music composed by Charles Kaufmann. The piece premiered in Portland with the Longfellow Chorus in 2007 and won second prize in 2008 at the Ithaca College Composition Contest.

Offering will benefit the reconstruction of the Unitarian Universalist Church at Pleasant and Middle streets, which burned in June 2011. The church had housed a Bible that was a gift from Longfellow.

Longfellow Days is a program of the Brunswick Downtown Association and Bowdoin College with support from the Nathaniel Davis Fund of Brunswick, the Senter Fund, Maine Humanities Council: Power and Pleasure of Poetry, Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, and the Association of Bowdoin Friends. Longfellow Days receives in-kind support from Art Forms/Cool as a Moose, Brunswick Inn, the Inn at Brunswick Station, Bohemian Coffee House and Curtis Memorial Library.


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