Film, history and live music all come together at the Tillotson Center in Colebrook on Friday, March 11, at 7 p.m. Presented by the Great North Woods Committee for the Arts, it's all the brainchild of Sumner McKane, who is a filmmaker and composer working along Maine's midcoast. His latest movie, "In The Blood," is a multimedia experience that examines the logging camps of Maine from the early 1800s to the middle of the last century.

The movie is largely made up of archival footage and oral history recordings. During the screenings, McKane and musical partner Josh Robbins perform live music to score the piece.

Viewers are taken on an virtual journey into a turn-of-the-century Maine logging camp. By exploring the character of the men who lived in the logging camps, a new light is shed on a vital era in northern New England's rugged history. Step back in time and appreciate the grit of these loggers and the harsh realities they faced to provide for their families. Watch their stories unfold, and allow the music to bring you back in history.

The film begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are available at Fiddleheads, 110 Main St., Colebrook, or at the door. General admission prices are: adults, $15; students, $12; children under 12, $5.

"This is our first time hosting a film with live musical accompaniment and the subject matter is irresistible," said GNWCA President Charlie Jordan. "The hand-hewn character of this footage, wrapped with Sumner's music, will make for a memorable night.

Sumner McKane records instrumental music, film scores, and music for media. He produces historical documentaries along with companion live presentations to his films. In a few short years, Sumner has built a reputation for innovative historical storytelling using multimedia, combining various mediums to tell a historical story in a live setting. Sumner studied photography in Missoula, Montana, at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography and the University of Montana. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine with high honors in history. His music is often featured on NPR's "Echoes" program, and he is a recent Maine Arts Commission Performing Arts and Media Fellow award recipient.

For more information on this and other upcoming GNWCA presentations, visit www.gnwca.org or call 237-9302 or 246-8998.

Editor's Note: This same documentary will be shown in Berlin, on March 12. Click here for details.


Posted 2/27/16