Bard Birthday Bash

What ho! The 451^st birthday of the great bard William Shakespeare will be celebrated in Waterville, on Thursday, April 23, with an all-day event.

Weather permitting Recycled Shakespeare Company (RSC) will start the party on the Concourse on the stage behind Barrels Market at 10 a.m. Join costumed readers and revelers as they parade down Silver Street to Main Street. (If the weather is not cooperative, we will begin at the REM Forum in The Center, 93 Main Street at 10 a.m.)

At noon the public is invited to bring their lunch and enjoy Shakespeare's sonnets and songs in the REM Forum, and at 1 p.m., the parading continues up Main Street to Selah Tea, where more sonnets and entertainment will run from 2 to 7 p.m. All 154 sonnets will be read throughout the day.

This is the second annual Shakespeare birthday celebration presented by the RSC, which offers free community theater for all. Everyone is invited to participate, so sign up to read a sonnet or two or do a favorite Shakespearian monologue at either location. Last year every sonnet was read by a wide variety of people including city dignitaries, politicians, shopkeepers, librarians, social workers, artists, writers, chefs, retired folks and students age six to eighty, and we hope to repeat this exhilarating success. Costumes are encouraged, although not required, as we party like its 1599!

As a special feature this year's event will include a simulcast sonnet with St. Anselm College in New Hampshire which has been doing this festival for over 30 years and is the alma mater of Emily Rowden Fournier, RSC's producer and president. Please contact her as soon as possible if you would like to be part of the fun. All ages are welcome and no special talent is required but please sign up in advance to get your sonnet and chose a time you wish to read.