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
The Adult Choir of First Parish Church in Brunswick will present their Spring Concert, Echoes of Creation: A Choral Celebration of the Earth on Saturday, April 27th at 7p.m. Under the direction of Dr. Jane Hagness, the concert will feature music reflecting on our spiritual connection with the natural world and the premiere of a new choral song cycle composed by Dr. Hagness, Journey Through Sacred Lands, based upon her journey to the national and state parks of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and South Dakota. Projected photography will enrich the musical experience as you journey in both sight and sound in this Pilgrimage Through Sacred Lands. The concert will take place in the beautiful and historic sanctuary of First Parish Church at 217 Maine Street in Brunswick, ME. Free child care beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Pilgrim House. General Admission Adults: $20.00. Students and Children: Free.
The musicians of "Novel Jazz" have been performing straight-ahead jazz around Maine and New England for over three decades. They draw from the Great American Songbook and specialize in the works of Edward Kennedy ("Duke") Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. The band members hail from all over Maine…Belfast, Buxton, Chebeague Island, Gardiner, Newcastle, Vassleboro as well as Westbrook. They perform regularly in mid-coast Maine (the town of Damariscotta, at the Skidompha Public Library; approximately four times per year) as an effort to keep jazz alive in the state. Fifteen years ago, they embarked on a project to go through the massive archive of compositions by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn-- who wrote about 2,500 pieces between them-- transcribe some lesser known gems for the band and reinterpret them with a 21st century sound. Their first CD was released in 2008, their second was released in 2011. The band released their third CD, "Novel and Novelle... More unearthed treasures by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington" in June 2015. Their fourth CD was released in the summer of 2019. Public radio did a special radio news interview on the Ellington/Strayhorn project of Novel Jazz. Miscellaneous press clippings can be found here. Several two-hour programs dedicated to Novel Jazz have been broadcast on Maine Public Radio's jazz show, "Jazz Tonight" over the years.
These are all seasoned jazz guys, and the result is a sound that made me sway, smile, groove, slow-dance with myself around the living room and play the air snare drums. Note to self: Bring this disc to work and impress jazz-appreciating boss. — Aimsel Ponti, Music Writer, Portland Press Herald
Come welcome Spring and bring a friend to a fun contra dance. All dances will be taught by caller Bill Schubeck. Music by Big Moose. Beginners and experienced dancers welcome.
Choreography by USM Dance Faculty & Guest Artists
To reclaim - one’s space, one’s movements, one’s environment - is a powerful gesture that requires strength and conviction. To reclaim is also to recover, to reuse, to recycle, or to remake what once was, into something new. Using this theme as inspiration, the USM dance faculty and guest artists have created new contemporary dance works for the Russell Hall Stage.
Lara Tupper (vocals) and Bobby Sweet (guitar and vocals) present spirited interpretations of folk/pop standards and Bobby’s original Americana songs. Bobby, who toured with Arlo Guthrie for many years, is an award-winning singer-songwriter with seven albums. Lara, born in Boothbay, has performed all over the world as a resident vocalist in Hilton Hotels International. With their rich harmonies and natural stage presence, they have a special way of connecting with listeners. Don’t miss this chance to see and hear some of Boothbay’s favorite voices!
Apr 28 Sunday
who: The Maine Resistance Revival Choirwhat: a singing group and mutual support society during troubled timeswhen: Sunday April 28th 3 PM to 5 PM, where: 37 Miller Street, BelfastWhy? because we need to find strength in solidarity!
"There is an old proverb that says "Times may be tough but that is not a reason to stop singing," said Joe Niemczura, a local music impresario in Waldo County. "Music has a power to get people together and impart a sense of joyfulness and hope during challenging times. That's why we are doing this."Joe was the behind-the-scenes organizer of last year's benefit concert for Ukraine that featured the Maine Balkan Choir and the Huddled Masses Orchestra in Belfast. It was part of a series, and the Choir attracted fiftyfive singers from around the state to learn to sing in Ukrainian and present a musical overview of Ukraine during the invasion. This year, the vision is to sing in English and present songs from the Civil Rights era with more of a gospel feel to them."We've already chosen a name - The "Maine Resistance Revival Chorus" modeled after a group in New York City that encourages sister groups to form around the country. They are a potent force to develop solidarity among people concerned with bodily autonomy issues and reproductive rights. There is a large community of persons in Maine who are worried by the erosion of women's rights over their own bodies, and this will be a way to create community among like-minded persons." he said. "There are many people who feel like they are being attacked by the news every day. Getting together and sharing music is a way to cope, plus it is a lot of fun.We want to start here in Belfast and then include other local groups singing the same repertoire in other Maine cities and towns."The first meeting will be held on Sunday April 27th in Belfast from 3 to 5 PM, in the basement of the UU Church, 37 Miller Street. You do not need prior singing experience to join, and its even more fun if you come with a group of friends. The Maine Resistance Revival Chorus has a FaceBook page and an event page on FB. Interested parties can send an email to joeniemczura@gmail.com or call (808) 352 1714 to join a notification list. --Joe Niemczura(808) 352 1714
The Portland Rossini Club proudly presents the Portland Piano Extravaganza, featuring the piano students of Laura Kargul, Director of Keyboard Studies at the University of Maine's Osher School of Music.
In celebration of International Jazz Day, local business Wanda Entertainment is hosting a Jazz Jam Night with Common Roots Studio in Biddeford, ME.
Celebrate International Jazz Day with a free jazz jam session. Whether you're a musician, singer, or music-lover, you're welcome to come and enjoy the fun of Jazz!
For musicians & singers: Please bring your own real books & instruments! We will have extra available too.
For music-lovers: Bring a snack or drink you love. Prepare to indulge in the improv and ever-changing moments of jazz!
Drinks & snacks will also be provided. End of the night is tentative. Extra instruments, music books, snacks and drinks are first come first serve.
Apr 30 Tuesday
This language enrichment program is geared for children 3-6 years old and will include stories, songs, movement activities, STEM activities and more!