September 2010

Laura Fuller in Front of Her Studio, Fuller Glass on the Hill

For the second time in as many years, Laura Fuller & Friends are preparing to leave for the Newstart Orphanage in Zimbabwe. The Four Friends are leaving Portland on Saturday, October 2nd. They will return to Portland in three weeks. Fuller owns the Fuller Glass Studio on the Hill.

The orphanage is run by Dr. Saleem Farag and his wife Grace,a nurse. According to Fuller, she and her Friends will do whatever we are asked to do. This will include caring for the children in the nursery, helping to maintain the facility and helping to build a new school for the children which has been paid for through donations.

“I learned how very fortunate we are to have what we do here and take for granted. Like clean water and electricity. It’s a heavenly place all the time – children around the whole time.” Fuller lost a daughter, Delaney, to an incurable disease a few years ago. Traveling with Fuller are two nurses: M Lennon and Kay Marchisco. Lennon’s husband, Mark, is also going.

As on their first trip, Laura & Friends will be taking shoes, school clothing, diapers, medical and other supplies for the children. Oh, and they also love chocolate, especially M&Ms, Fuller said, grinning broadly. “After all they are like all children.”

For more information, please visit delaneysheart.org

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By Carol McCracken (Post # 597)

As patrons arrived at the box office at Merrill Auditorium earlier this evening, tickets holders were informed that the much-anticipated Liza Minnelli In Concert had been cancelled for the evening. The reason given was that Ms. Minnelli was ill.

Ms. Minnelli arrived in Portland and was preparing for a sound check at Merrill when she was sick. She is on her back back to New York City. The iconic star also canceled a presentation of the key to the city yesterday afternoon on the steps of city hall. The Mayor was supposed to have presented it to her at 4 pm. It was rescheduled and was supposed to have been presented at tonight’s concert instead.

Portland Ovations is trying to reschedule the performance and ask tickets holders to await further word. Pls. visit www.portlandovations.org for more details.

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By Carol McCracken (Post # 596)

As previously reported, the city had planned to present a key to the city to Liza Minnelli to welcome her to the city. Mayor Nicholas Mavodones was scheduled to present the honorary key to the iconic musician on the front steps of the city hall late this afternoon. However, the event had to be rescheduled because Ms. Minnelli was delayed in New York City surrounding the launch of her new CD and combined with inclement weather there.

Rather, the Mayor will officially welcome Ms. Minnelli at the beginning of her performance at Merrill Auditorium, Wednesday, September 29th at 7:30 pm.

For more information about Ms. Minnelli’s performance, visit www.portlandovations.org.

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By Carol McCracken (Post # 595)

To honor Liza Minnelli’s first ever trip to Portland to perform, Mayor Nicholas Mavodones will officially welcome her and present her with a key to the city. This special occasion takes place Tuesday, September 28th at 4 pm on the city hall steps, 389 Congress Street. Should the weather be inclement, the ceremony will take place inside the city hall in the State of Maine Room.

“It is an honor to welcome Liza Minnelli to Portland,” stated Mayor Mavodones. “She is an incomparable performer and while it may pale in comparison to her Tonys, Oscar Grammy, Golden Globes and Emmy, I hope our key to the city gives Ms. Minnelli a sense of how proud and excited we are to have her as our guest,” said the Mayor in a press release issued by Nicole Clegg, the city’s director of communications.

For the first time ever, Ms. Minnelli will be performing at Merrill Auditorium, Portland on Wednesday, September 29th at 7:30 pm. About 100 balcony tickets are still available. Seats cost $50. and $70.

The legendary Ms. Minnelli will be performing some of the greatest American standards of all time. She’ll be joined by a sextet of talented musicians led by famed jazz pianist, Billy Stritch. She will also perform selections from her latest album, Confessions. She is the daughter of the late Judy Garland.

Andy Gilbert, of Portland Ovations, said “bringing talent of her caliber is an honor for us. Bringing Liza Minnelli to Merrill is a dream come true. It’ll be a very intimate and engaging experience for all.”

For tickets, please call PortTix at 842-0800 or visit portlandovations.org today!

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