When Michael Cooper presented his one man show “Doc Cooper – A Son Recalls” at UMF last January, it turned out to be too much of a good thing. There were so many people who were turned away from the doors that night that Michael has agreed to perform it once again, this time at the newly renovated Meeting House in the center of Chesterville, Doc & Joan’s home town.

Don’t miss this second chance to help celebrate the life and times and 60 year career of western Maine’s legendary large animal veterinarian. Every story and song, and every breathtaking mask was carefully crafted by Michael to honor his late father, and the passion he had for the rural life and all the creatures who populate it.

“It’s a labor of love”, Michael says, “that would not have been possible without my 40 year career on the stage, honing the crafts of storytelling and visual theater in front of thousands of audiences across the country and around the world. “Dad as well as Mum were my best friends, and have always been my greatest inspirations in life, so in the wake of their passing it’s no surprise this has become my favorite show to perform. My goal is to do them both proud as I tell the remarkable story of lives so well spent, tenderly caring for each other and for the endless parade of family, friends and animals that passed their way.”

The performance at the Chesterville Meeting House will start at 7:30 PM on Friday, April 2oth. The first two rows will be reserved for all those who couldn’t get into the Farmington show.

By the way, April 20th was Doc’s birthday! So come to the party!

 

Importantly, this is NOT a professional story-telling session.  It is intended to be casual, true, personal stories told without notes or scripts.  Think "Moth Radio Hour," if you are familiar with this program on public radio podcasts.  For that program, the participants stand up on stage, but at its beginnings it was a group of people sitting on a screen porch on summer evenings just telling their own experiences.  This is what we want to emulate.  Due to weather vagaries of October in Maine, we will not be on a porch or around a campfire, but we can pretend to be! 

So, what we envision is sitting around as casually as we can, with refreshments - (feel free to bring something), - taking turns telling a 5 - 10 minute true personal story, as the spirit moves us.  These are not to be read or "performed," just told as you might on a late summer evening on a porch with friends somewhere.

This event is free, but we encourage bringing an item for the Food Pantry, and as usual we do accept donations toward our non-profit efforts to keep the building standing!

If you'd like to talk about this event, call Cynthia at 778-3513

.

Michael Cooper is an eye-popping local visual artist and virtuoso mime whose exquisite performances have dazzled audiences for years.

His one-man extravaganza combines his breathtaking handcrafted masks, original stories of courage and wonder, including stories about Dr. Cooper - the beloved country veterinarian, and a physical repertoire that ranges from the madcap to the sublime.

​This​ is a family friendly performance​.  Doors open at 7:00 and the show begins at 7:30 PM on Saturday, August 20.

---

Friday, September 30, 2016
7 PM

Chesterville Poetry Night

Corner of the Borough and
Zion's Hill Roads
Chesterville

Sunday, October 2, 2016
10 AM - 5 PM
Monday through Friday,
October 3 - 7
By Appointment
Saturday and Sunday October 8-9
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chesterville Art Open House
Corner of the Borough and
Zion's Hill Roads
Chesterville

Poetry and Art to Shine at Chesterville Meeting House

The work of Margie Austin, among others, will be on display at the

Chesterville Center Union Meeting House beginning Sept 30, 2016.

     CHESTERVILLE: The Chesterville Center Union Meeting House is pleased to host a second Chesterville Poetry Night, an evening of poetry readings by Chesterville authors Friday September 30, 2016 beginning at 7 p.m. Following on the success of last year’s Poetry Night, the Meeting House walls will again echo with the voices of Chesterville poets reading their own work or the work of past Chesterville authors. Recalling last year’s event, Meeting House president Carolyn Drugge commented “We hadn’t realized so many talented writers were…here in our midst. It was inspiring and powerful to hear their works read aloud in this historic building.”

     Works read at the 2015 Poetry Night were collected and published in a booklet which has been well received by area residents. Meeting House organizers are excited to announce that a similar book will be published from this year’s poetry readings with permission of the authors.

     But this year’s Poetry Night is just the beginning of a larger Arts Week which will showcase other artistic talents of Chesterville residents. Paintings, drawings, photography and other works by Chesterville artists will be on display at the Meeting House during Poetry Night and again on Sunday October 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday October 8-9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment throughout that week. The growing list of local artists displaying their work includes Margie Austin, Mark Tenney, Anstiss Morrill and Jeffra Hays.

     Poetry Night and the Chesterville Art Open House are open to the public and free of charge. Donations are gratefully accepted to support the Meeting House and last year’s “An Evening of Poetry Readings” will be available for sale. The Chesterville Center Union Meeting House is a non-profit community resource located at the corner of Zion’s Hill and Borough Roads, in Chesterville. For more news and events at the Meeting House, visit www.chestervillemeetinghouse.org.

Past Events

2015

Past Events

2014