|
January 1, 2012
Thanks to Jerry Conway for the great
Winter Wail logo!
Off we go on another experiment!
The Winter Wail (see above & below) is taking off. Besides
all kinds of fun, I'm hoping the Wail will spark creativity
among musicians and other participants and ignite the process
of generating new ideas for making the Lubec neighborhood
a musical hot spot. Spring will be here before we know it
and this time we will be ready!
Note the new calendar and forum links
- these features are still in a "rough" state
but are the beginnings of a more interactive and dynamic
site that will invite your - audience and peformers alike
- interaction and move toward my goal of a "one-stop"
musical center for the area.
November 28 2011
Debra Cowan has been a January tradition
since 2010 when she performed her first Washington County
show on a snowy Thursday night at the CCLC. We started talking
then about expanding on the success of her first performance
and this year we're going to do it.
Sassafras Stomp will kick off the
Lubec "Winter Wail" with a contradance workshop
for the kids at the Lubec Consolidated School on Friday,
and Debra will christen the CCLC's new Friday Night Coffee
House series with a concert Friday evening. We'll have a
full weekend of music and other events at the School and
other locations. Come join us, stay over, help our restaurants
stay open through the "dark season" and celebrate
life in this beautiful setting - beautiful even in the dead
of winter. Lots more TBA - stay tuned.
October 4 2011
The wonder of last weekend's visit
from Ronny Cox, Karen Mal, and Radoslav Lorkovic still permeates
my thoughts while at the same time I'm listening to the
new CD from October's guest, Andrew McKnight. I can't begin
to express how grateful I am for the opportunity to share
such talent with you and to be smack in the middle of it
all. Please - mark your calendars *now* for October 28-29.
We'll have a concert, workshop, house concert/jam, and something
special for the kids at Lubec Consolidated High School.
August 30
Pirates on the horizon and I still
haven't had a chance to post anything about the incredible
collaboration of Maryann Price and the Austin Thomas Unit
that took place a weekend ago. And 4 gig of photos from
the Bangor American Folk Festival and recordings to edit
and Ronny Cox will be on his way with Radoslav and Karen
in just a few weeks! Come out to the dock Saturday morning
and watch, weather permitting of course, the first arial
Pirate invasion while O'Mcrelli plus the Pink Capos perform
on the Cobscook Bay Music Arena stage.
August 7 2011
You may have noticed I haven't been
keeping the online calendar up to date. I'm working on a
new and better system and hope to have it functional soon.
It was wonderful to have Debra Cowan
come back and share more great folk songs and the stories
behind them, and to enjoy the connection Debra made with
the Sunrise County Ramblers at the Friday night Crow Town
concert. Traditional folk has a great future! Speaking of
which - talk is increasing about a January winter defiance
festival....
Looking forward to the return of
Maryann Price, alumnus of Dan Hicks, Asleep at the Wheel,
the Kinks, and last year Trio Del Rio, who were a big hit
here last summer. Maryann is doing a solo tour this year
but will team up with Warren Foley & Jon Watts here
for at least one performance. More information later.
But Wait! There's More! Cobscook
Bay Music (c'est moi) is partnering with Cobscook
Community Learning Center for an August Concert Series
- Sunday afternoons at 8 pm. Weather permitting the music
will be outdoor in the Center's ampitheater.
July 24
A great evening with Adam Nordell
on Friday, plus our 2 out of 3 of the Sunrise County Ramblers.
The latter started the show with foot-stomping, whistling
& clapping music and primed the audience for Adam's
sensitive, introspective, but sometimes uproariously funny
songs and stories. A unique artist, we'll have him back
so those who missed out on the fun can have a second chance.
We wish Adam well as he pedals his four-wheeler (2 on the
bike, 2 on the trailer. Not sure if he has big honkin' airhorns
on the bike but he should), singing and playing his way
to Portland.
Oh - so swamped I didn't have time
to comment on Rod Picott's show on July 9. Good turnout
and a ton of laughter. Rod's not just a great singer/songwriter
- he could make it as a stand-up comic too. A wonderful
close to the Lubec Bicentennial excitement. Really want
to post pics and clips... maybe in winter when their's allegedly
nothing to do here. Yeah, right.
July 14 - A wonderful project for
Lubec from Mark Buell - Coops Too
So, here's what we're proposing:
a hodgepodge of many things. A folklore center; a place
to have a coffee; a refuge from facebook (even though I've
lately become an addict); a place to hide from commercial
music and so a place to make (or learn to make) your own.
A place for stories. A folklore center is a place that focuses
on the people inside it: their gaze is not outside wishing
for another's greener grass, but inward, seeking ways to
cultivate their own. Sounds a little strange? Well, consider
the source!
To start, every month, for one week,
lessons will be offered on guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele
(really, they're very cool) -- I'll even throw in the Appalachian
dulcimer if there's any takers. Beginners welcome, and depending
on the instrument and style we could get pretty advanced.
I'm open to individual lessons, small groups, families --
whatever seems most comfortable. But the idea is not to
have a lesson and then go home and practice alone, but to
jam and sing and explore -- with real people. Play in the
nursing homes, and school rooms, sing in the parks and gazebo,
take your mandolin to Quoddy Head and sing a song to East.
On July 16th, Coops Too will be having
a very informal open house at 56 Washington Street. Not
sure about the time yet -- and I haven't even been inside
the building, so I don't yet know exactly what we can have
in there in terms of food and beverages or even sizes of
groups. But, we will fill it with people, big and small,
and we'll smile and sing and play.
Remember, it'll be a place to learn,
not pose: We're not looking for the next American Idol.
(Arrrgh!) Singing out of tune will be greatly encouraged
and appreciated -- I will definitely be the leader in that
respect!.
Check us out on the 16th! @ 2pm..
Thanks!!!
June 14
Still recovering from Bicentennial
Mania. Thanks to all for a memorable (in the best possible
way) experience! Thanks for all who supported my "mini-music
festival," especially the volunteers manning the gates,
built and hauled the stage to the site, and braved the fog
& chill to enjoy Schooner Fare. Rod Picott was a hit
also in the last of the Bicentennial series. Hope he'll
be back with Amanda Shires in the fall or winter. Adam Nordell
is next and then Debra Cowan and then Maryann Price and
Warren Foley and then... still more. "Music all year
'round!"
June 28
Bicentennial Concert #1 was a huge
success - SRO! The house concert the night before was less
well-attended, but went on longer and was great fun. Beginning
with Michael DeLalla's clectic repertoire, covering everything
from Tanzania to the Hebrides and between, it changed drastically
when Jim O'Niel and John Viselli arrived and Michael switched
to a flat-picking jam that lasted 'til the wee hours.
On Saturday, Daphne Nichols and Michael
filled the Crow Town Gallery, their distinct styles contrasting
yet complementing each other and even blending in a great
duet.
Now it's on to the big one - a first
for me. A full day and evening outdoor show featuring Schooner
Fare, of whom I've been a fan since the '80's. Looking forward
to seeing a huge crowd there!
June 9, 2011
Now begins a most exciting period
in the Cobscook Bay Music adventure. Three straight weekends
of concerts including my first ever outdoor effort featuring
none other than Schooner Fare, of whom I have been in awe
since about 1987. The adventure starts with a house concert
by Michael DeLallala, an amazing fingerstyle guitarist and
all around good guy. The next day he'll be joined by Daphne
Nichols. If the last name sound familiar it should since
Daphne is the daughter of the well-known Gene Nichols. She'll
be joined by her dad and bassist Heron Weston from Eastport.
Michael and Daphne will share the bill at Crow Town Gallery
on June 25 and given their classical training and innovative
styles, the result is bound to be a musically enrichening
afternoon.
Schooner Fare will top off an all
afternoon music festival featuring some of our favorite
local artists. Schooner Fare will also participate in a
ceremony at the Fisherman's Memorial site before their concert
begins.
On July 9, Rod Picott, who gave up
sheet rock work here in Maine to make it big first collaborating
with Slaid Cleaves and then making a name for himself in
Nashville, will return (if you weren't here in December
you missed a great show by Rod and his partner Amanda Shires)
to Lubec riding the wave of his new CD release, "Welding
Burns." Rod would like to present a song writing workshop
on the 10th, if I can round up 10 interested people. Who
wouldn't want an opportunity to learn from a master such
as Rod? Contact me so we
can make this happen!
May 30, 2011 - Memorial Day
Just a few more weeks until the first
of Cobscook Bay Music's Bicentennial Concert series. From
one per month to three straight weekends and then even after
the Bicentennial celebration is officially over, two more
concerts are scheduled in July. Hope to see you at *all*
of them!
May 14, 2011
Still not sure the season has started
but it was a warm Spring day for the concert. Thanks to
all who helped make this second SoS concert a wonderful
event!
April 24, 2011
It's almost here - the "Start
of the Season" concert. Welcome back David Mallett,
Susan Ramsey, and Michael Burd as well as a long-overdue
Spring. Monica's dinners are already sold out but we'll
have coupons for you for Frank's Dockside and the Water
Street Tavern.
March 21, 2011
"Cabin Fever" ended with
a great jam and a great audience for Steve Erwin. I'm encouraged
enough to reconsider taking a break in May/June and having
at least one more. Meanwhile tickets are already selling
for David Mallet. If you want to have one of Monica's wonderful
dinners better hurry - 1/4 sold already as of this writing.
March 3, 2011
A great turnout and a great time
at Crow Town Gallery last Saturday with Slim Chance
& the Can't Hardly Playboys. I wish I
had time to put some of the many photos and recordings from
all the concerts on this site but it's more important to
be planning the next ones. Steve Erwin is
an outstanding musician and I can't wait til you hear him
if you haven't yet. See you on March 19 and yes - David
Mallett is coming back April 30! See the "Coming
Events" link for more.
January 23, 2011
Thanks to all for coming out yesterday
to hear Debra Cowan and Stephen Sanfillipo.
The two-concert formula helped dodge winters whim. Friday's
show was cancelled but we did get a little music in anyway
thanks to the Water Street Tavern.
January 21, 2011
As of 1130 am the forecast for this
evening is not encouraging but we will hold off cancelling
until it is hopeless, i.e. decision at 4 pm.
December 27, 2010
So sad we had to cancel Rod &
Amanda's Friday concert but Saturday's was great fun. Can't
wait 'til they come back for a longer visit.
November 23, 2010
Thanks to Jud Caswell for two great
performances and a very informative workshop! We hope it
was the first of many.
Rod and Amanda have finished their
Texas gigs and are resting up before heading North on their
"Lubbock to Lubec" tour. Mark December 17 and
18 on your calendars now - you won't want to miss them!
October 24, 2010
Do you write songs, think about writing
songs, really want to write song, wonder how songs are written,
or maybe *need* to write a song? Jud Caswell's songs are
used as teaching material and he is a highly regarded craftsman
with eight national song-writing awards. He'll share his
thoughts, hints and "tools of the trade" in an
informal workshop on Saturday, November 13 at 11 am - location
and price to be announced.
October 5, 2010
Thanks to Jack & Ronny and all
who came to see them. We dodged another bullet weather-wise
- that is, the wind died down before and the rain held off
til after the concert in Eastport. The unannounced concert
in Lubec was a pleasure too. Want to know about "unannounced
concerts?" Send me an email and get on my "secret
list." It's that easy.
Next up - November 12-13 in Lubec
- Jud
Caswell.
September 30, 2010
We're all hoping "Nicole"
turns out to be another "Earle" for Eastport and
doesn't mess up the wonderful concert by Jack Williams and
Ronny Cox Friday night - October 1 at 7 pm. Watch the weather
forcast and if in doubt, call (207) 853-4650 to make sure
the concert is a "go."
August 29, 2010
Red
Molly is in Eastport next Saturday, September 4! RM
isn't a CBM concert but I wish they were. I have a front-row
ticket and am urging everyone to see this amazing group.
They are the best. See the Eastport
Arts Center for ticket purchase. If you're in Lubec,
let me know - maybe we can arrange for a water taxi.
Jack Williams and Ronny Cox will
be at Eastport Arts October 1. This concert *is* one of
mine so please make plans to be there. Those who were at
Jack's concert at the CCLC last September know he's a "must"
to experience whenever you can. Ronny is well-known as an
actor - "Deliverence" to "Robocop" and
many more - but his folksinging and songwriting are something
new for most of us.
Just got back from my first visit
to the Bangor Folk Festival - what a great event! Hope I
can find time somewhere to put some photos and a few recorded
highlights. Want to do that for the Cobscook events as well.
Congratulations to the folks who work so hard to put this
together.
August 18, 2010
How did I get so lucky? Every month,
wonderful people making wonderful music, and more wonderful
people enjoying it. Can't wait for Dana & Susan to come
back next year, and looking forward to the return of Jack
and Judy and meeting Ronny Cox next month. Mark your calendars
for Friday, October 1!
July 21, 2010
Next up is Dana & Susan Robinson.
They are old friends to many up here in New England, but
I'm looking forward to hearing them for the first time.
A song and story performance in the intimate setting of
the CCLC on August 13, a noisier and more pub-like show
at Anna's on the 14th, and I'm working on something special
for their arrival on Thursday, the 12th. They'll also be
appearing in Calais - I'll add that date shortly but I think
it's Tuesday, the 10th.
What fun it was having Maryann Price,
MariLisa, Tanner, George, and Raeh hanging out in my "music
room," jamming and rehearsing and then a wonderful
set of concerts at CCLC and Annabell's. Trio Del Rio DELIVERED
and I am sad for those who missed their extraordinary performances.
That nearly the whole audience from CCLC showed up at Anna's
the next night, and all were on their feet at the end of
both performances speaks for the exciting audio visual experience
that TDR produces. They'll be back!
July 5
Actually just writing this on the
21st - can't keep up with all the excitement. Many thanks
to Richard & Elena for a wonderful show at Brian's Bistro
(aka the Newman chalet etc.) and their "special guest"
appearance at Anna's on the 4th. Some pics on Facebook (link
later).
June 28
Thanks to all for the great support,
compliments, and for being part of the best place imaginable
to live. Morgan loved his first visit and everyone wants
him to come back. I think that can be arranged... but first
- July is nearly upon us and that means Trio Del Rio.
Although Austin, Texas based, TDR's Maryann Price spends
as much time as she can in Maine and has a cabin in near
Bethel. Let's give her and her Texas friends - MariLisa,
Tanner, and George a warm welcome on July 16 and 17.
June 24
Pain, heartbreak, sorrow and misery
- that's what Friday and Saturday, June 18 and 19 were about
and everyone loved it! Of course, we're talking about Morgan
Davis at the Cobscook Community Learning Center and Annabell's.
Saturday's History Workshop was a hit too, bringing one
person all the way from San Diego to attend. Well, all right,
he was here for other reasons but was drawn in and brought
his friends. Everyone learned a lot - no instruments were
required - but by fortuitous coincidence our own Warren
Foley dropped by and joined Morgan in a great two-song jam.
May 8
What an experience! It is always
a thrill to hear musicians like David Mallett, Susan Ramsey,
and Michael Burd. To hear them in an environment like the
Congregational Christian Church, with it's beautiful architecture
and magnificent acoustics is something rare indeed. A big
thank you to all who attended, all who helped set up, and
the sponsors - the Peacock House, Bay Views B&B, and
Monica Elliott, whose cooking received rave reviews from
those fortunate enough to have acquired a lunch or dinner
plus concert ticket.
And special thanks to Gary Cook,
whose opening songs set a wonderful mood for what followed.
March 18
Welcome and thank you to Bay Views
B&B and The Peacock House B&B for providing accomodations
for David Mallett and the band.
March 15
Tickets are on sale now for the David
Mallett concert so don't wait - save money and let us know
you are coming by purchasing them online. Remember David's
"the
Garden Song? "Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make
this garden grow?" You can help make
this concert grow - download
a flyer and help pass the word. Advance ticked sales
will help encourage sponsorship, and sponsorships, which
will help fund the Lubec Bicentennial.
March 3, 2010
Great News!
Cobscook Bay Music has arranged for
none other than David Mallet, Susan Ramsey, and Michael
Burd, with Tom Gordon on the sound console, to perform at
the Lubec Congregational Church on May 1. Proceeds will
be for the benefit of the 2011 Lubec Bicentennial Celebration.
More details soon. Sponsors and other help wanted. Contact
me
February 1, 2010
Bitter and Sweet
The bitter, as many
of you know, is the loss of Wayne and Lorraine Rice in a
car accident on Friday. They will be missed by the community
and by everyone at the Cobscook Community Learning Center
where they worked added to the joy at the Monday night music
jams.
The "First Friday Pizza Night"
will be postponed until Feb. 12 in honor of this beautiful
couple.
The Sweet
Despite a snowy night, an enthusiastic
crowd sang along with Debra or were breathlessly hypnotized
by her marvelous voice as she guided us through a mini-history
of folk music.. Both the CCLC and the Cobscook Bay Area
Chamber of Commerce were delighted with the response, the
sponsor, aka me, most of all, since this was my first winter
experiment. Here are some of Debra's words excerpted from
her blog:
"I just returned from a lovely
but cold trip to Northern Maine. I had never been to that
area before and I was overcome by the beauty of the landscape.
I did a show in the town of Lubec which has the distinction
of being the Eastern-most town in the USA. It was a cold
and snowy evening, but a number of hearty souls came out
and we all had a great time..."
"...As wonderful as the scenery
is, the people I met were the best part. I was welcomed
with open arms and made to feel as if I belonged to these
communities. Thank you, Maine! I'll definitely be back."
Highlight of highlights was Deb's
performance, well, more than a performance, on Friday at
the Whiting Middle school. Photos later...
We're discussing plans for more winter
music next year. If you have suggestions, thoughts, ideas,
desires - want to help - please, drop me an email!"
January 5, 2010
The time has been agreed upon for
Debra's concert. Doors will open at 6:15 so you will have
time for refreshments and socializing before the concert
starts at 7. Looking forward to seeing you all there. See
the link above for more information.
Thanks to the Last Friday Coffee
House - Schoodic Arts for working with Cobscook Bay Music
to bring both Jack Williams to our area. Debra will be at
the LFCH the following night so you'll have another chance
to hear her.
December 10, 2009
Why didn't somebody email me and tell
me the email form was broken???
Ok - due to technical difficulties beyond
my control (i.e. I'm not too bright) progress has been slow.
Much has been going on behind the scenes though (reading
manuals & stuff) and I'm happy to announce Cobscook
Bay Music's first concert tour of 2010 will be none other
than Debra Cowan. Deb will be at the Cobscook Community
Learning Center on January 28 and Last Friday Coffee House
in Winter Harbor on the 29th. More details soon to come.
Visit Debra's
web site to learn more about one of my favorite folk
artists.
October 4, 2009
What a week! What a great honor to
hang out with Jack Williams and his wonderful wife Judy
and attend three of his four concerts in Maine. Trescott,
Winter Harbor, and Calais were all different and all verified
Jack's status as the ultimate entertainer and superb musician.
Pictures and sound clips coming soon.
Last Monday was the CCLC super song
circle beginning a week of 10th anniversary festivities.
The usual Monday evening jam was enhanced by great pizza
and other goodies and a full house audience. Illustrations
on that coming soon too.
October 3 was another CCLC extravaganza,
this time an all-day concert by both local musicians and
favorites from further afield. Sounds and pics on the way.
|
Member
- Cobscook Bay Area
Chamber of Commerce