The new sidewalks in Wiscasset Village are finally getting the workout they deserve. In 2019, the sidewalks were under construction during an MDOT project and underused during the Covid shutdown of 2020. But on Thursday, Aug. 26, from 5-8 p.m., art, art-making, music, dancers, and performers invite residents and visitors to enjoy the luxurious spaces which become an impromptu stage.  

Dancemaineia from Waldoboro, under the direction of Melanie Lecher Pagurko, makes an appearance in the Village as dancers tread not so lightly and dive into their hip hop routines. Pagurko, who has been teaching dance in Midcoast Maine for more than 30 years, said she’s delighted to feature her dancers in Wiscasset Village where they’ll move from Village sidewalks to Creamery Pier, interacting with visitors as they dance.

Another form of startling movement during Wiscasset Art Walk will be the stilt-walkers from Mortal Beasts and Deities in Connecticut, under the direction of Mark Alexander. Stilt performers will alternate costumes, from physically exhausting floating doves to the fun hijinks of tall, very tall people on stilts. 

And yes, it’s likely that the hip hop dancers and the stilt walkers will cross paths as they perform.  What will happen then?  Both Pagurko and Alexander anticipate the unknown but amazing possibilities.

Also on the sidewalks will be the bountiful bouquets from Garden Club of Wiscasset member gardens, community tables, artisan vendors, and art-making projects under the direction of Celia Ludwig and Jan Whitfield. Sarah’s Café and Mammy’s Bakery are offering picnics-to-go for advance order and evening pick-up. Participating galleries and shops will have walking maps for visitors and streamers at their doorways. Details on www.wiscassetartwalk.org or the restaurants’ web sites.

For more information about WAW visit the website or email to wiscassetartwalk@verizon.net.

Wiscasset Art Walk is a program of Wiscasset Creative Alliance. The sidewalk performers are funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.