Rustic Overtones - Deering Oaks 8/25

"The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office TRIAD Program and ECMG Events are proud to bring Maine's favorite sons, Rustic Overtones to the bandstand at Deering Oaks Park in Portland on Saturday, August 25th, at 4PM. Rustic Overtones has just released a brand new CD entitled Let’s Start a Cult and will be performing tracks from their latest album, along with all the fan favorites. This special event starts at 2:00 PM with original singer/songwriter Eric Bettencourt, followed by Eric's party band Velourosaurus at 3 PM. All proceeds benefit the various charities supported by the CCSO TRIAD throughout the year. Tickets will be available at the show for a suggested 10-dollar donation."

Alive at Five - 2012 Schedule

Free Concert Series Thursdays, 5pm - 7:30pm Monument Square

"Listen to free music by your favorite bands in the summer sun, and enjoy a cold drink in the beer garden, presented by Sebago Brewing Company!"

July 12 - Phantom Buffalo (Indie Rock) and dilly dilly (Folk Rock)

July 19 - Spencer Albee (Pop Rock), Zach Jones (R&B), Lady Zen (Soul)

July 26 - McCarthys (Alt Country) and Amy Allen (Singer-Songwriter)

August 2 - March Forth (New Orleans Marching Band), Anna and the Diggs (Americana), Veayo Twins (MAMM Slam High School Band Winners)

August 9 - The Mallett Brothers (Country Rock) and CuLLu (Reggae)

Mumford and Sons tickets on sale Friday

WHO: Mumford & Sons with St. Vincent, Dawes, The Maccabees, Apache Relay, Simone Felice and Haim
WHEN: 2 p.m. Aug. 4
WHERE: Eastern Promenade, Portland
HOW MUCH: $69; A limited number of $59 tickets will be available first-come, first served; On sale at 10 a.m. Friday
INFO: Gentlemenoftheroad.com

- PressHerald:

Winston Marshall says it's a "disgrace" that his band – acclaimed British folk rockers Mumford & Sons – haven't played Maine yet.

That's partially why he and his band mates have picked Portland as one of just four U.S. sites for the band's "Gentlemen of the Road Stopovers" tour this summer. The Aug. 4 outdoor show on Portland's Eastern Promenade was announced by the band Tuesday and tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, only at Gentlemenoftheroad.com.

Hundreds of places across the country were considered by the band. But Marshall said Portland was one of the few picked because of its setting on the ocean, its vibrant arts and music scene, and the fact that the guys in Mumford & Sons had never been here before.

Portland Performing Arts Festival

A four day performing arts festival is scheduled for this summer.  portlandfestival.org:

The Portland Performing Arts Festival is a new summer festival presenting nationally-renowned performances in music, dance and theater. Join us June 28 – July 1, 2012 for a range of performances presented at venues all over Portland Maine’s Arts District. Featuring music, dance, theater, and performance art, the Festival will transform Portland’s Arts District into a hotbed of creative activity for four days

Another music venue in town!

The owners of Walter's are opening a jazz club down the street from the restaurant. Perhaps in an effort to one up the only (?) other jazz club in town, Blue, the new club will be called Gingko Blue Jazz and Blues Lounge.

Mainebiz: "A new, intimate music venue is coming to the Old Port. Called the Gingko Blue Jazz and Blues Lounge, the space on the corner of Fore and Union streets will feature local and regional acoustic jazz musicians.

The entrepreneurs behind the new venue at 2 Portland Square are Jeff and Cheryl Buerhaus, owners of nearby Walter's restaurant, according to Ann Ewing, senior account manager at Front Burner PR. Jeff Buerhaus is the chef at Walter's. 'They've always had an interest in acoustic jazz venues; in their travels they like to enjoy that, and the space became available and it was a good fit and good timing,' Ewing says. Renovation work is under way on the 1,800-square-foot lounge, in space formerly occupied by clothing retailer Betsy's, and Gingko Blue will likely open in mid-November. Ewing would not divulge the cost of the renovation work or the Buerhaus' lease for the space.

Vote for your Favorite Locals

Voting is still open for this year's Indie Biz Awards. And come out to SPACE on the 13th to celebrate the winners, and enjoy some great local food and music (get tickets here).

"Reading through this year's list of nominees reminded of us of just how great Portland is. Help us honor and celebrate the local businesses and nonprofits that make this a terrific place to live by voting for your favorites in the 2010 Indie Biz Awards.

Help Portland Bands Represent in NYC

"HillyTown - in conjunction with the NY-based Battering Room - will present a 'Maine vs. New York Day Party' on October 22nd at Brooklyn's The Rock Shop in Park Slope. This free, afternoon bash will feature Maine's Phantom Buffalo, Jesse Pilgrim, and Brenda. They will be joined by four New York Acts, including Greg Jamie (of O'Death and Blood Warrior - and soon-to-be Biddeford, Maine resident), Mussels, New Numbers, and Milagres.

On Saturday, October 23rd, an official CMJ Showcase will feature the Portland, Maine music scene at Trash Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Seven bands from Maine will play, including Foam Castles, Marie Stella, Dead Man's Clothes, The Class Machine, Holy Boys Danger Club, The Lucid, and Good Kids Sprouting Horns. This is the first Maine showcase to happen in the history of CMJ.

Support though Kickstarter

Maine (Internet) Radio Project

Mainebiz:

"Next month, the Maine Radio Project is scheduled to launch and give the city's musicians, artists and writers a free, non-commercial forum to broadcast locally produced programming and performance listings in the area, according to Jason Basiner, who serves on the new radio station's board of directors. The station will be broadcast online only at www.maineradioproject.org.

State Theater Leased!!

Info from the press release below; and more from Hillytown

The Bowery Presents, an independent promotion company based in New York City, and Alex Crothers of Higher Ground Presents, an independent promoter and a fixture in the New England music scene, have announced todThe Bowery Presents, an independent promotion company based in New York City, and Alex Crothers of Higher Ground Presents, an independent promoter and a fixture in the New England music scene, have announced today that they have signed a deal with Stone Coast Properties to reopen the State Theatre in Portland, Maine. Music industry veteran and Portland local Lauren Wayne will serve as General Manager of the State Theatre and will lead the charge in booking the venue, with the first shows slated to begin this fall. The historic theatre has been closed since 2006, and the new partnership between The Bowery Presents and Alex Crothers will continue the upgrades to the historic theatre started by the owners.

The Bowery Presents and Mr. Crothers will be equal partners in operating and programming all music events at the State Theatre, with Lauren Wayne reporting to both parties. The group expects to book approximately 80 shows a year with a cross section of live music from diverse performers. In addition to the State Theatre, the partnership will explore options to book other venues and festivals in the area and develop marketing and partnerships opportunities for their concerts.

Thievery Corporation, July 17th

This year's Pier Revue will feature Thievery Corporation.  For a couple of DJs whose studio work is pretty chill, their live shows are outstanding.

Thievery Corporation in their only New England appearance this summer will headline the third annual Pier Revue for one show only on Saturday, July 17th on the Maine State Pier located next to Casco Bay Lines ferry terminal off of Commercial Street in Portland's historic Old Port. Proceeds from Pier Revue will benefit local social services agency Preble Street.

Willie is Coming to Portland

Willie Nelson will perform at Merrill Auditorium on Aug. 11.

Tickets for Nelson go on sale to Portland Ovations members May 7 and to the general public on May 10. Prices range from $41 to $59 for members and $45 to $65 for the general public. Tickets can be obtained at PortTix, the Merrill Auditorium box office.

- Portland Press Herald

Nateva Festival

The new Nateva Festival to take place this summer in Oxford now has a decent listing of bands, including Further (Grateful Dead members), moe, The Flaming Lips, and Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi. The festival is organized by Portland's PortCity Music Hall.

"The Nateva Music & Camping Festival is a 3-day, multi stage outdoor camping event to be held July 2nd, 3rd & 4th at the beautiful 100 acre Oxford Fairgrounds – 2 hours and 25 minutes from Boston and 45 minutes from Portland, Maine. As New England’s premier Jam based music festival, we look forward to bringing you world class artists in the true Jam Band tradition – as well as a sweet mix of Country, Folk, Reggae, Classic Rock and Indie Artists too."

Portland's Who's Who

According to the Phoenix:

"We started with a simple question: Who are the people without whom Portland would be the poorer? But that's not the only criterion. Who is making Portland, and Maine, great for all of us to live, work, and play in today, and even better for tomorrow? Who is spending their time and energy really contributing deeply, in a way we should all notice and appreciate (even if they're too modest — and busy — to seek that publicity themselves)?"

Portland Monthly on the State Theatre

Portland Magazine looks into the situation with the State Theatre. And no, it is not encouraging.

"Its decline from grand-dame cinema status to that of a smut-film street mistress and the rocky road to its current dormancy is one of the more tragic stories rattling its chains along Congress Street. Built in 1929, it operated as a first-run movie house until the 1960s, when it became a porn theater, closing in 1989."
...
"Promoter Lauren Wayne, who presented countless concerts here for producer Live Nation, confidently states, 'In order for the State to be successful you need to have three things: money, an astute business sense, and a working knowledge of concert promotion and marketing. If you only have one or two of those things, you’re going to fail. You need all three.'”

- tip Hillytown

Hell No on One! ~ Benefit Shows

Two shows at Empire Dine and Dance: Saturday 10/18, and an all ages show Sunday 10/19. Shows benefit Protect Maine Equality.

Featuring performances in whole or in part by members of:
Spencer and the School Spirit Mafia
Gypsy Tailwind
Lady Lamb the Beekeper
Jason Spooner
Kyle Gervais
The Rock and Roll Guru from WBLM
Chef Death Match
Kenya Hall
Lady Zen
The Number 9
As Fast As
The McCarthys
The Goodnight Process
Holy Boys Danger Club
Seymor (Billy Libby, Aren Sprinkle, Sean Morin)

Phish 11/29

Portland Press Herald:

"Jam band Phish performs at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29.

Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. on Oct. 24. General admission and reserved seat tickets are $50 and are available through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available through the civic center box office on Spring Street or by calling 775-3458.

Box office sales on Oct. 24 are cash only. A limited number of tickets are available through the band's online ticketing system until 5 p.m. on Oct. 16. Go to http://phish.portals.musictoday.com."

PICNIC Saturday

PICNIC music and arts festival:

"This year’s event will be held on September 12, 2009, from 11am to 6pm, in Lincoln Park at Congress Street and Franklin Arterial. The festival will feature local crafters selling unique handmade items, live indie rock on stage all day, plus plenty of space to relax on the grass and have a picnic. Come spend the day with us!"

Western Prom Folk Series

Wednesday, July 15 - 7:45 PM Darien Brahms
Wednesday, July 22 - 7:45 PM Black Powder (Country Folk Trio)
Wednesday, July 29 - 7:30 PM Sara Cox with Special Guest Player Nate Schrock
Wednesday, August 5 - 7:30 PM Truth About Daisies (Folk Quintet)
Wednesday, August 12 - 7:30 PM Slaid Cleaves

Concerts last approximately 40 minutes (If there is inclement weather, the concert will be canceled).

tip HatcherGroup

Alive at Five Schedule

The Alive at Five Free Concert Series starts next Thursday.

"Thursdays July 9 - August 6, Rain or Shine! 5 - 8pm in Monument Square"

The Phoenix vs. PICNIC

The people who did the PICNIC Music + Arts Festival let us know about the Blissful Revolution.

"Just a quick note to let you know that we won’t be having a Spring Picnic in June. The city approved the application for an almost identical event to be run by Blissful Revolution, which is now run by the Portland Phoenix. Their event is also an indie craft show with indie music in Lincoln Park, where we had Picnic last September.

However, we are on track for Fall Picnic this September, which is going to be even bigger and better than last years! Looking forward to seeing you there!"