Enhance your experience for our upcoming FIRE! performances with one or all of the following enrichment activities!

PRE-CONCERT LECTURES WITH HERB ADAMS – A Deeper Dive into Portland’s History

Join us at 2:00 pm before both performances of FIRE! for a special pre-concert lecture with Herb Adams, former Maine legislator and expert on New England history. As part of ChoralArt’s world premiere of FIRE!, Herb will offer an enlightening look at the historical context behind this powerful oratorio, inspired by the devastating Great Fire of 1866. His lecture will explore Portland’s resilience in the face of tragedy, offering a unique perspective on the city’s recovery and the spirit captured in FIRE!. Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your concert experience and connect with Portland’s rich history before the performance begins.

Herb Adams is an Adjunct Professor of History and Government at Southern Maine Community College and a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government Executive Program. A long-time state legislator from Portland, he is now at work on a biography of Maine Governor, Percival Baxter. His articles have appeared in publications as varied as the Maine Sunday Telegram, Yankee Magazine, and The Farmer’s Almanac. He is a frequent guest on Maine Public Radio and can be seen on the History Channel and The Learning Channel, discussing the nooks and corners of New England history.

LECTURE WITH MAINE STATE HISTORIAN, EARLE G. SHETTLEWORTH, JR.

Enjoy this prerecorded lecture with Earle G. Shettleworth, the longtime Maine state historian, as he traces the origin, path and aftermath of the event that reshaped Portland into the city it is today. This is presented in partnership with the Maine Historical Society.

FIRE WALKING TOURS WITH GREATER PORTLAND LANDMARKS

Saturday, March 1, 2025 – 10:00am – Registration is closed.

Saturday, March 8, 2025 – 10:00am – Registration is closed.

Saturday, March 15, 2025 – 10:00 am – Registration is closed.

Join ChoralArt and Greater Portland Landmarks for an informative, fun and free walking tour of the Old Port area which was destroyed during the Great Fire of 1866.

To reserve your spot, please send an email to Ann Dillon, ChoralArt Manager, manager@choralart.org with your name, email address, cell number, and the date you would like to attend. Ann will confirm and share our meeting location.

Registration is first come, first served and is limited to the first 15 registrants.

MEET YOUR TOUR GUIDE

Alessa Wylie joined the Greater Portland Landmarks staff in May 2015. A New York State native, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Union College, Schenectady, NY. She served as Director for Old Fort Johnson National Historic Landmark in Fort Johnson, NY for 14 years before moving back to Maine with her husband in 2014. While in New York she served on the board of historic Green Hill Cemetery in Amsterdam, NY where she created and led walking tours, including popular evening candlelight tours. She was also part of a four person team that researched and produced a book Uncovering The Underground Railroad: Abolitionism and African American Life in Montgomery County, New York 1820-1890.

FIRE! & FACTOIDS TRIVIA NIGHT AT THREE OF STRONG SPIRITS

Thursday, March 13, 2025 – 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Three of Strong Spirits, 35B Diamond Street, Portland, Maine

Join us for a special themed edition of Thursday Trivia at Three of Strong Spirits in honor of ChoralArt’s upcoming performance, FIRE! Hosted by trivia master, Mike from Hardly Trivial. Sip on exclusive handcrafted cocktails, play six rounds of themed trivia and win special one-time-only prizes.

Please RSVP with your team size. Teams of 2-6 players. RSVPs are free.

Don’t miss this night of history, music, and fiery competition.

SOCIAL MEDIA SCAVENGER HUNT

As we prepare for our FIRE! performances, Fireman Bob will take us all on a special adventure through Portland’s rich history. Over the next few weeks, he’ll be posting pictures of himself at various historical sites around the city—some that survived the fire, and some that didn’t. Your challenge? To guess where Fireman Bob is in the photos!

Here’s how you can participate:

• Follow @choralart on Instagram and/or Facebook!
• Watch for Fireman Bob’s weekly posts, where he’ll share a photo and clue.
• Drop your guess in the comments.
• The first person to guess correctly will be entered into a raffle to win two free tickets to the FIRE! concert on March 22nd or 23rd at 2:30 pm at Woodfords Congregational Church.

It’s a fun way to learn more about Portland’s history and get excited for the concert. We hope you’ll join Fireman Bob on his adventures!