BECOME A PREMIER MEMBER TODAY! Join the Merrymeeting PREMIERE Membership Club for only $25! *membership fee is annual.

Membership benefits include:

Early Access: Premier members receive a copy of our catalogs prior to public distribution, for exclusive early access to class schedules and offerings (actual registration still limited to public release).

Loyalty Program: Premier members receive $5 off every class they take with Merrymeeting (applies to all classes under $100, excluding certain programs).

Catalog Opportunity: Premier members may submit announcements in our future catalogs, as we are dedicating a page for announcements by our Merrymeeting Premiere members. (restrictions apply, contact us directly for details).

Discount Offer: Premier members receive a 10% discount on any Merrymeeting Youth & Family program (excluding DE and any program over $400; can only be used once annually).

Subscription Service: Premier memberships include a free subscription to our latest Merrymeeting Premiere Magazine (exclusive annual online publication emailed directly to club members).

Special Invitations: Premier members will enjoy access to special workshops and events developed especially for them.

Authentic Belly Dance, or raks sharqi, is an ancient form of dance. Raks sharqi means “dance of the east” in Arabic. Belly dance celebrates every body type and every stage of life. The dance is proud and powerful and soft and sinewy with elegant and isolating movements emanating from the core. It’s the Pilates of dance. And so much fun! This is a great refresher class for experienced dancers and suitable for dancers new to belly dance. Please wear comfortable clothing, similar to what you might wear to a yoga class that will allow for free movement and the ability to see your movement. Hip scarves make it even more fun. You can dance barefoot or in a pair of comfortable dance shoes in the studio. Zills (finger cymbals) will be used in class. Check in with the instructor before you purchase any. As an added bonus, you will also have access to a video library with instruction, drills, and ongoing choreography during the length of the session. The class fee is per person and for 10 sessions. Class meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month: 9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/13, 12/11, 1/8, 1/22, 2/12, 2/26. *No Class: 11/27 & 12/25.

Iceland, China, Japan, Canada…we’re moving through time and across what may be unfamiliar terrain as we discover some new artists. It will follow the same format as previous art and artist classes in terms of part art history, part art studio. There may be times where we look at not one artist that week, but a particular idea or way of making art indigenous, or very central to, that area of the world. *No Class: 2/18.

Have you struggled with writing your memoir? Have you started and don’t know how to move forward? There will be guided instruction on the craft of writing (setting a scene, dialogue, voice, showing vs. telling, character development, etc.) and weekly writing for critiquing. Memoir writing is a discovery process in which you weave life experiences into a coherent pattern. Give it a try in an informal, friendly, atmosphere with an instructor with fifty years of teaching experience and author of two memoirs. *No Class: 2/18.

Have you wondered what meditation is like or how to counter stress patterns more effectively? This class will assist you in establishing a meditation practice and introduce you to practical mindfulness practices you can resort to whenever you feel stressed out. Taught in an informal, personalized, manner by a certified stress management and yoga instructor with a twenty-year meditation practice. Please bring a cushion or small blanket for the meditation. *No Class: 2/18.

This intermediate to advanced-level class integrates pen and ink techniques with watercolor. Students will gain skills for observational drawing with traditional ‘dip pens’, and precision painting with watercolor. Through projects such as utilizing color theory to paint white flowers, students will develop in-depth skills for illustration. Students can either buy themselves the required materials - the materials list is linked here - or they can buy material kits from the Mix, an art store in Brunswick (here is a link to a student-grade kit, and here is a link to an artist-grade kit).

We will create designs on glass with a frosted look. These designs will be permanent on the glass. Bring your own wine glasses, vases, etc to personalize. Some glass items will be provided as well. Quick, fun, easy projects with beautiful results. Lab fee: $5.

This gentle class is for those looking to stretch, connect to the breath and practice traditional yoga postures, at a slow pace. We gently and safely encourage our muscle tissues to deeply lengthen and stretch, increasing range of motion and flexibility. Conscious intention and awareness are given to the breath, strengthening the nervous system and deepening the connection to mind and body. This class is designed for new, as well as, seasoned yogis looking for a mindful, gentle practice.