Apr 25 Thursday
Shannon Bowring will discuss the book The Road to Dalton with host Bill Nemitz on April 25th at 7:00 PM.
Do you love books? Are you interested in hearing from the author and looking behind the curtain at what the author was thinking while writing? Perhaps have the author respond to a question or two that has been on your mind about a particular scene or character. Look no further than the Maine Public Book Club!
Click HERE to join the book club and receive information about book club news & events!
May 02 Thursday
Join in the fun and register your team for a 2024 News & Brews Trivia night!
Team check-in starts at 5:30pm. Trivia starts at 6:00pm!
*Note that we can’t accept teams with more than 5 players.
Click HERE to see the full 2024 News & Brews schedule!
Apr 23 Tuesday
Neil Byrne is an Irish singer/songwriter/musician and one of the principal singers in the world-renowned group Celtic Thunder. Many times over, Celtic Thunder has been Billboard’s Top World Artist. It has graced the stages across the United States, Canada, and Australia and cruises in the Caribbean, including performances at The White House, the Boston Celtics, and NYC’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Neil blends his Irish roots with traditional Americana and folk in his solo work. The Irish are known for their storytelling, and Neil delivers this through his songwriting style, creating a sound that feels familiar yet unchartered. His solo show includes an impressive set list of Irish classics, Celtic Thunder favorites, original songs, and hits from his time in the duo Byrne and Kelly.
Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 on performance day. Meet and Greet Tickets are available by preorder only. MIHC members save $5 on both General Admission and Meet & Greet tickets.
Apr 24 Wednesday
Orkney (Scotland) born fiddler Louise Bichan and Indiana (USA) mandolinist Ethan Setiawan present a collaboration and meeting of their musical worlds in Hildaland. A path steeped in the fiddle traditions of their respective sides of the Atlantic, the journey taken wends through Scottish, oldtime, and Swedish inspired music intertwined with contemporary compositions. Bichan’s fiddle is a melodic foil to Setiawan’s counterpoint and harmonic depth, and the two weave in and out seamlessly.
Setiawan has won such accolades as the 2014 National Mandolin Championship, the 2017 RockyGrass Mandolin Championship and has shared the stage with the likes of Julian Lage, Darrell Scott, Bryan Sutton, Mike Marshall, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, Casey Driessen, the Steel Wheels, Don Stiernberg, Matt Flinner, and Jacob Jolliff.
Bichan has won awards for her compositions and playing, and has travelled far and wide to perform in various line ups since a young age. She has appeared at the likes of the BBC TV's Hogmanay Live show, Edinburgh Castle, Reading Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival, Lorient Interceltique Festival, Milwaukee Irish Festival and Sligo Live festival. In 2016 she released her first solo album, Out of My Own Light, to great acclaim.
Appalachian and Scottish traditions, intertwined with contemporary compositions.
Apr 27 Saturday
The Maine Highlands Council for the Arts is thrilled to present Maine fiddler Owen Kennedy and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Tischler on Saturday, April 27 at 6:00 pm at the Central Hall Commons, 152 E. Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft. Expect creative & playful arrangements of tunes from New England to Scotland and Scandinavia, heartfelt songs, and original compositions. Owen and Ethan will also be featuring tunes from Owen's debut album, "Oh When: Now" and songs from Ethan Tischler’s acclaimed album “Across the Waking Skies.” Both albums will be available for purchase.
Owen and Ethan will also be giving workshops in fiddle and DADGAD guitar at 3:00 pm on that same day.
Workshop Descriptions (3 pm, cost $20)Learn a Fun Set of Maine Tunes: This workshop is for intermediate fiddlers and above or people interested in learning more about the Maine/New England style of playing. In this one-hour workshop, we'll discuss the background and history for a set of fun tunes played around Maine and New England. I'll be teaching a few tunes from the set and sharing how to play them in the New England style. Bring your fiddles!
Fundamentals of DADGAD Guitar:This workshop is designed for guitarists comfortable in standard tuning, who are interested in getting a feel for DADGAD guitar. DADGAD tuning, commonly used for accompanying and playing Celtic tunes, has a recognizable and lovely full sound, while using accessible chord shapes. In this one-hour workshop, we will cover the basic chords necessary to play in the key of D, as well as exploring right-hand technique and rhythm for backing up fiddle tunes. Bring your instruments and your questions!
To sign up for a workshop, fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeQceb7vRPMKxh2kkpVdakiCp8UpwG7NxQ9GpUJWwudYkabg/viewform
Or contact Owen directly: 207-458-2468 or fiddlerokennedy@gmail.com
Apr 28 Sunday
On April 28, the internationally renowned duo of harpist Máire Ní Chathasaigh and guitarist Chris Newman from Ireland will make a special appearance in West Kennebunk. Both Máire and Chris are recognized as virtuosos on their respective instruments; they are among the most highly regarded Irish traditional musicians playing today. Máire has been called “the great innovator of modern Irish harping, a player of outstanding technique and imagination.” Chris’s 2021 release, Breaking Bach, of solo guitar arrangements of Bach’s sonatas and partitas for unaccompanied violin and cello, has been hailed as “ground-breaking” and “a magnificent tour-de-force.” Their concert takes place at the West Kennebunk United Methodist Church, Sunday afternoon, April 28, from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
May 04 Saturday
On May 4 and 5, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Bagaduce Music Performance Hall, fabric artist Jo Hesse and fiddler Owen Kennedy will present “Music is the Fabric of Community,” a weekend of dancing and crafting that will combine the traditions of Scottish music and Turkish felt-making to create beautiful rugs. Participants can attend lectures, workshop, or concert, or all of the above. For more information, go to www.bagaducemusic.org
May 05 Sunday
May 11 Saturday
Community Dance 6pm – 6.45pm … 2nd Saturdays in Surry at 6!This is a fun and friendly dance for all ages and is led by Bennett Konesni of Bagaduce Music with support from the All Comers Band (open to all musicians, instruments & skill levels). Show up 15 minutes early to get situated if you’d like to play with us! This is a wonderful “training ground” for contra dancing.No admission charge for the community dance, but donations are very welcome.
Contra Dance 7pm – 10pm … 2nd Saturdays in Surry at 7!All ages welcome and no experience is necessary! All dances are taught & no need to bring a partner. See schedule below for who will be calling and providing live music each month.$10-$20 suggested. A portion of funds raised help support the Arbutus Grange and Bagaduce Music.
This dance is totally chem-free! No tobacco, alcohol, drugs or strong fragrances.The Surry School Auditorium is at 754 North Bend Rd, Surry. Just 6 miles outside of Ellsworth.
More info: alicekslater@gmail.com, 385-7694 or follow @SurryContraDance on FB/IG:facebook.com/SurryContraDanceinstagram.com/SurryContraDance
Jun 08 Saturday
Jul 13 Saturday
Aug 10 Saturday