Some gifts you open and are all excited about, but then you find, a few weeks or months later, that you have forgotten you even got it — and you've never used it. So here are some places that will sell you gifts of experiences that can last all year long.
SEASON TICKETS
A small number of non-theater organizations offer you the opportunity to buy tickets to all their events for a year, all at once! (See the theatrical ones next.)
BANGOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | Year-round performances of classical and contemporary music | Subscriptions start at seven shows for $80 | 207.942.5555 | bangorsymphony.org
BAY CHAMBER CONCERTS | Producing a wide range of events at the Rockport Opera House | Discounts vary based on the number of shows ticketed | 207.236.2823 | baychamberconcerts.org
PORTLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL | Summertime classical performances at USM's Abromson center | subscriptions start at four shows for $100 | 800.320.0257 | pcmf.org
PORTLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | Performing live classical and contemporary music year-round | classical subscriptions start at five shows for $85; PSO Pops start at four shows for $80 | 207.773.6128 | portlandsymphony.org
WE DIDN'T FORGET THEATER!
Most theater companies also sell season tickets. We've listed as many as we could find, but if your favorite theater company isn't listed, give them a call and ask.
ARUNDEL BARN PLAYHOUSE | Starting at five shows for $125 | 207.985.5552 | arundelbarnplayhouse.com
CITY THEATER | Starting at four shows for $62 | 207.282.0849 | citytheater.org
GOOD THEATER | Starting at four shows for $55 | 207.885.5883 | goodtheater.com
LYRIC MUSIC THEATER | Starting at five shows for $84 | 207.799.1421 | lyricmusictheater.com
MAD HORSE | Starting at four shows for $60 | 207.730.2389 | madhorse.com
MAINE STATE MUSIC THEATER | Starting at four shows for $122 | 207.725.8769 | msmt.org
OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE | Starting at five shows for $237 | 207.646.5511 | ogunquitplayhouse.org
PENOBSCOT THEATRE COMPANY | Starting at three shows for $75 | 207.942.3333 | penobscottheatre.org
PONTINE | Five shows for $90 | 603.436.6660 | pontine.org
PORTLAND PLAYERS | Mid-season mini-subscription three shows for $50; or five shows for $80 | 207.799.7337 | portlandplayers.org
PORTLAND STAGE COMPANY | Starting at five shows for $129 | 207.774.0465 | portlandstage.com
PUBLIC THEATRE | Four shows for $72 | 207.782.3200 | thepublictheatre.org
THEATER AT MONMOUTH | Four shows for $90 | 207.933.9999 | theateratmonmouth.org
MEMBERSHIPS THAT BRING TICKET DISCOUNTS
Though they don't sell outright season tickets, you can join these non-profit organizations as a member and get free or reduced-price admission to events and exhibits throughout the year.
ONE LONGFELLOW SQUARE | Individual membership starts at $75 | 207.761.1757 | onelongfellowsquare.com
MUSIC HALL | Friend starts at $50 | 603.433.3100 | themusichall.org
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY | Individual support starts at $40 | 207.774.1822 | mainehistory.org
PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART | Individual membership starts at $50 | 207.775.6148 | portlandmuseum.org
SPACE GALLERY | Individual support starts at $40 | 207.828.5600 | space538.org
SEE YOUR NAME IN PRINT
There are plenty of other arts and culture institutions that could use your support, and (if you give enough) will thank you for it in their programs and publicity materials. If you're up for getting your name "out there," check in here, or with your favorite organization.
ACORN PRODUCTIONS | Highlighting theater arts through performances, workshops, and classes | accepting donations in all amounts | 207.854.0065 | acorn-productions.org
AIRE | Contemporary and classic Irish-American theater productions | accepting donations in all amounts | 207.799.5327 | airetheater.com
CHORAL ART SOCIETY | Singing the wonders of the human voice | Aficionado starts at $1 | 207.828.0043 | choralart.org
DEERTREES THEATRE | Serving theater and music performances in the lakes region | accepting donations in all amounts | 207.583.6747 | deertreestheatre.org
FRIENDS OF THE KOTZSCHMAR ORGAN | concerts and other events (such as scored silent films) featuring the group's namesake instrument at Merrill Auditorium | Piston starts at $1 | 207.553.4363 | foko.org
GASLIGHT THEATER | Memberships start at $15 | 207.626.3698 | gaslighttheater.org
L/A ARTS | Producing all manner of performances in Lewiston and Auburn | accepting donations in all amounts | 207.782.7228 | laarts.org
MAINE STATE BALLET | Based in Falmouth, the MSB puts on full-length ballets and shorter dance performances, as well as offering classes in ballet and other dance forms | Dancer's Circle starts at $25 | 207.781.7672 | mainestateballet.org
PLAYERS' RING | Local theater in a historic building in Portsmouth | Memberships start at $35 | 603.436.8123 | playersring.org
PORTLAND BALLET COMPANY | Performing full-length classical and contemporary ballets, and teaching ballet to all ages | Apprentice starts at $50 | 207.772.9671 | portlandballet.org
PORTLAND OVATIONS | Bringing all sorts of events — dance, classical and world music, Broadway shows, and more — to the Forest City | Friend starts at $40 | 207.773.3150 | portlandovations.org
PORTLAND STRING QUARTET | Plays and teaches about stringed classical music throughout Maine | Friend starts at $1 | 207.761.1522 | larksociety.org
PORTOPERA | Producing opera and vocal performances year-round | accepting donations in all amounts | 207.879.7678 | portopera.org
SEACOAST REPERTORY THEATRE | Contemporary and musical theater in Portsmouth | Intern starts at $35 | 603.433.4472 | seacoastrep.org
THEATER PROJECT | Maine's only all-pay-what-you-can theater | Stagehand starts at $1 | 207.729.8584 | theaterproject.com