While Cobscook Center has been closed to the public for community programming since COVID-19 came to Maine in March 2020, we have continued our commitment to community programming via virtual formats for the past several months. A big thanks goes out to the Maine Arts Commission and Maine Community Foundation’s Belvedere Traditional Handcrafts Fund for helping make so much of our community programming accessible.

Community Programming Highlight: Monday Night Music

A cornerstone of Cobscook Institute community programming since 1999, Monday Night Music is now happening online via Zoom. Ed Brine (below left) has enjoyed Monday Night Music for the last twenty years. The guitar picker and former principal of Campobello, NB schools shared that, “The whole concept of sitting around in a circle and taking your turn singing a song, playing an instrument, reciting a poem, or telling a story is so relaxing and enjoyable. Everyone is made to feel welcome no matter what one’s level of accomplishment may be....no pressure, just enjoyment! Virtual Monday Night Music has become a much- needed respite from what’s been going on in the world.”

Diane Getchell (below right), a Cobscook Institute founder and resident of Campobello, does not play an instrument herself, but she enjoys listening and sometimes sings along. When Monday Night Music shifted to a virtual format last spring, Diane reflected that she was “so delighted to just be with people on Zoom. Being on Campobello, we can’t go over to Maine for non-essentials. But with music nights on Zoom, I can be home and see people that I know. It’s the next best thing to being there.”

Diane added, “Virtual Monday Night Music has definitely felt like a safe harbor during the storm that is COVID-19. It is one of the main things I can enjoy right now. I like that there are different people from many different places and that we get to know each other.”

If you would like to join us for Monday Night Music or have ideas for other virtual programming you’d like to see, contact Daphne Loring at (207) 733-2233 or daphne@cobscookinstitute.org.