LEWISTON – The U.S. Postal Service will offer a special pictorial cancellation honoring the Bates Dance Festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, at the Mays Gallery in Chase Hall. The cancellation is part of the five-week dance festival, which includes a number of events for dancers and dance enthusiasts.

The Postal Service will also present an enlargement of the new American Choreographers stamps to Festival Director Laura Faure at the festival finale at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, in Alumni Gym. The finale will feature faculty repertory works and is the culmination of the celebration of dance and movement.

Lewiston Postmaster David St. Andre and his staff will be present at the special cancellation. Retail Specialist Alicia Gamow will present the American Choreographers stamp enlargement to Faure.

The Bates Dance Festival brings together an international mix of choreographers, performers, students and educators in an artistic atmosphere to study, perform and create new dance works.

Now in its 22nd season, the festival fosters a creative environment for those interested in learning about movement and dance. It also encourages an exploration of ideas and provides opportunities for participants to experience a variety of dance disciplines.

At the special cancellation, the Postal Service will offer postal customers several artistic stamps, including the new American Choreographers stamps featuring Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, George Balanchine and Agnes de Mille, as well as stamps honoring composer Henry Mancini and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, who designed theater sets for a number of American choreographers, including Martha Graham and George Balanchine.

Other postal products available at the cancellation include Ballet Bears and Greetings from Maine merchandise. The philatelic event is free and open to the public.

The special cancellation will be available through the Lewiston Post Office by mail through Sept. 9. Requests should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope inside a larger stamped envelope sent to Bates Dance Festival Station, c/o Postmaster, Lewiston Post Office, 49 Ash St., Lewiston, ME 04240-9998.