“The Inaugural Celebration is about paying tribute to our great state.”
Augusta, MAINE – Governor-elect Janet Mills announced today that her Inaugural Celebration, which will take place this coming Friday, January 4th from 7:00-10:00 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center, will feature entertainment from Maine-based musicians as well as food and beverages from each of Maine’s sixteen counties.
“The Inaugural Celebration is about paying tribute to our great state,” said Governor-elect Mills, “What better way to do that than to showcase Maine’s extraordinary musical talent along with food and drink from every county?”
The Inaugural Celebration will be divided into two areas: 1): the main auditorium, which will feature a large stage for entertainment, a dance floor, tables, food stations, and bars; and 2) The State of Maine Showcase Lounge in the North Wing, which will feature additional entertainment, tables, food stations, and bars, as well as displays promoting the state.
The Inaugural Celebration will be emceed by Blake Hayes and Eva Matteson of Coast 93.1. In line with past practice, the black-tie optional event is by invitation-only. Costs will be covered by a $20 ticketing charge, as well as by donations raised through the Mills Inaugural Committee.
The event is open to the press but will require credentials in order to cover. Additional details on credentialing and coverage logistics will be released later in the week.
Timeline (Subject to Change) and Background on Entertainment
- 6:00 p.m.: Music and Dancing, VIVA & The Reinforcements
Auditorium
VIVA & The Reinforcements deliver spicy cosmopolitan grooves in a show that balances the zest of burlesque with classic standards elegantly renewed. Backed by an ever-changing fleet of the jazz elite, Viva has played hundreds of events, each different than the last in song choice, instrumentation, and costume design in dozens of cities across the continents. Viva lives in Portland where she produces the ongoing music festival #PollFest, a musical initiative to increase voter engagement and education. - 6:30 p.m.: Musical Performance, GoldenOak
State of Maine Showcase Stage
GoldenOak is an emerging sound in New England folk music. A Portland, Maine based, Indie-Soul-Folk, sibling duo, Zak and Lena Kendall were born and raised in the Sandy River Valley of Western Maine. The two started making music together as kids and the bond of brother and sister is evident in their carefully crafted songs, poetic lyrics, and flowing harmonies. Influenced early by legends like Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Band, and by the like of Fleet Foxes, First Aid Kit, and Ray LaMontagne. - 7:00 p.m.: Welcome from the Emcees, Blake and Eva
Auditorium - 7:05 p.m.: Opening Song, The Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus
Auditorium
Founded by Con Fullam, an award-winning producer, musician and songwriter, Pihcintu is a multicultural chorus that brings together young immigrant women who have escaped war, bloodshed, famine, refugee camps, and political turmoil to sing as one. Through the power of music, they are able to form a powerful bond that helps them restart their lives and begin the process of healing. The chorus includes young women from Cambodia, China, Congo, El Salvador, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Viet Nam, British West Indies, and Zambia, along with children whose families have been here for generations. - 7:10 p.m.: Music and Dancing, Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations
Auditorium
Led by former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, Pat Colwell, the band performs a mix of Motown and Memphis Soul Music, an old school soul revue complete with a full horn section. The band covers Soul Classics from Sam and Dave, the Supremes, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, The Staple Singers and Aretha Franklin. - 7:25 p.m.: Musical Performance, 240 Strings
State of Maine Showcase Stage
A youth classical music group, 240 Strings provides free classical music education to cultivates young minds and hearts, while building community along the way - 7:50 p.m.: Maine Music Society Chamber Singers
State of Maine Showcase Stage
An 18-member a cappella group, the Maine Music Society Chamber Singers musical repertoire includes a delightful mix of genres, including Renaissance pieces, madrigals, spirituals, and ballads as well as modern songs by composers such as George Gershwin, the Beatles and Billy Joel. They have performed at many different locations including naturalization ceremonies, the summer L/A Art Walks, the summer Wednesday Noonday Concert series at the Basilica of Ss Peter and Paul; Veterans' Day festivities, and the B2B Trade Show. - 8:15 p.m.: Introduction of Governor Mills with Brief Remarks
Auditorium - 8:25 p.m.: Surprise Special Musical Guest
Auditorium - 8:45 p.m.: Music and Dancing, Bob Charest Band
Auditorium
A nine-piece event band, the Bob Charest Band performs a range of music from sophisticated 4-part vocal jazz standard, to Motown and R&B, to 80's classics and contemporary dance. - 8:50 p.m.: Musical Performance, Batimbo United
State of Maine Showcase Stage
Located in Portland, Batimbo United is a club of artists from Burundi who drum and perform traditional dances. - 9:05 p.m.: Musical Performance, University of Southern Maine Chamber Singers
State of Maine Showcase Stage
Representing the most outstanding vocal performers at the university, the USM Chamber Singers perform a diverse repertory centered on a cappella literature of the Renaissance Era and the Twentieth Century. The group performs throughout the northern New England region during the academic year and have toured internationally. - 9:25 p.m.: Musical Performance, University of Maine Steiners and Renaissance
State of Maine Showcase Stage
An all-male a cappella group founded in 1957, the Maine Steiners is a student-run and directed organization of about 7-14 men that are auditioned from the much larger campus choir, University Singers. As a touring group, The Steiners act as crusaders for young male singers everywhere. Their goal is to share a love of music and a passion for singing, in hopes of inspiring young individuals to pursue a life-long commitment to musical learning and enjoyment.
Founded by former Maine State Senator Emily Cain and eight other members in 1999, Renaissance was created to empower women to pursue their passion of music. Renaissance offers a diverse repertoire that includes chart topping songs from the 1960s-2010s, modern pop songs, classical arrangements and everything in between. - 10:00 p.m.: Close
Background on Featured Food and Drink:
The Inaugural Celebration will feature food and beverage from each of Maine’s sixteen counties, broken down into various food stations which include:
- Mashed Potato Bar featuring: Potatoes from Pineland Farms in Mars Hill; Bacon from The Bacon Man in Dedham; Cheddar Cheese from Pineland Farms in New Gloucester; Butter and Sour Cream from Oakhurt Dairy in Portland; and Dipping Sauces from Stonewall Kitchen in York.
- Meat Carving Station featuring: Top Round Beef from Bubier Meats in Green; Ham from W.A. Bean in Bangor; Bread Rolls from Apple Shed Bakery in Kents Hill; and Sauces and Condiments from Raye’s Mustard in Eastport.
- Sausage Station featuring: Sweet Italian and Hot Italian Grilled Sausage from Mailhot Sausage Co. in Lewiston and Condiments from Raye’s Mustard in Eastport and Stonewall Kitchen in York.
- Smoked Seafood Bar featuring: Smoked Mussels, Smoked Scallops, Smoked Shrimp and Smoked Salmon from Duck Trap in Belfast; Lobster Bites from Shannon’s Unshelled in Boothbay Harbor; and Mustard from Raye’s Mustard in Eastport.
- Maine Cheese Spread featuring: Katahdin Cheddar Cubes, Kennebec Dill Cubes, Glen Cove Gouda and Bacon Dry Jack Wedges and Wheels, and Boursin and Horseradish Spread from State of Maine Cheese Company in Rockport; and Baguettes from Spruce Mill Farm and Bakery in Dover-Foxcroft.
- Vegetable Crudite Spread featuring: Cherry Tomatoes from Backyard Farms in Madison; and Carrots & Radishes from Stonecipher Farm in Bowdoinham, among other vegetables.
- Dessert Station featuring: Whoopie Pies from Wicked Whoopies in Farmingdale; Homestead Pies from The Homestead in Farmington; Blueberry Bites, Apple Bites, and Triple Chocolate Bites from Izzy’s Cheesecake in Portland; Needhams from Linda’s Gourmet Chocolates in Norway; and Cupcakes from Hello Good Piece in Belgrade.
- Beverages include: Red and White Wine from Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville; Tumbledown Red from Tumbledown Brewing in Farmington, Mountainside IPA from Rising Tide Brewery in Portland; and Mo Pale Ale from Maine Beer Company in Freeport. Additionally, Moderation Brewing of Brunswick has brewed an “Inaugur-ale” in honor of the Inaugration while Coffee By Design in Portland is also designing a special coffee brew. Lastly, a signature cocktail called “The Governor Janet” with prosecco and Maine blueberries from Blue Hill Berry Co. in Penobscot.
To see a complete breakdown of food and beverage by county, click HERE.