Bath, Maine, USABath is an industrial town. The major industry is shipbuilding and has been so for the last 300 years. Up until this century shipyards lined the river but now we are down to just one, Bath Iron Works. They build Navy ships exclusively.
Bath is a quaint little city (and it does have a city government with a mayor and council and all) with brick buildings full of antique shops, diners, banks, department stores, etc.
Musically we are very lucky. As most of you know from my previous posts there is the Chocolate Church Arts Center established in an old Episcopalian Church on the corner of Washington Street and Center Street. The church is painted dark chocolate brown. The venue runs the full range from folk, through rock, to classical music. On its stage I have seen magicians, Maori tribal dancers, and wonderful performances by such artists as Livingston Taylor, Christine Lavin, Connie Dover, Jez Lowe, The Battlefield Band, Schooner Fare, Artisan, Patrick Ball, Tanglefoot, etc. And these are only the ones I went to see. The church also hosts and produces concerts and plays by a full range of performers and troupes.
Within the local area are two coffeehouses, the Mocha Café, affiliated with the Chocolate Church, and the Side Door Coffeehouse, affiliated with the Unitarian Church in Brunswick (the neighboring town).
Near us, in Brunswick, is Thomas Point Beach. There are three festivals there every summer. The Maine Arts Festival features Maine performers and artists with every form of music imaginable. The bluegrass festival is specialized and very well attended. And then there are the annual Scottish games.
Additionally there are local performers who schedule themselves into concerts at various churches and other venues. We have a very active music scene here.
Unfortunately Bath-Brunswick is not really very well stocked in music stores. However, just up the coast are some very well known luthiers including Nick Appolonio who built Gordon Bok's guitars. I am proud to number a few very talented luthiers among my friends.