Portland ME Area Folk Scene

Subject: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 03 Jan 02 - 09:25 PM

Ahoy Mates!

This is essentially a continuation of the essentially past-tense "XMas Chantey Sing" thread.

If I knew how, I'd put a "blicky" at the end of it to link it here, as seems to be the 'Cat custom when threads go over 100 messages or take a significant turn in subject direction. For those who do know the HTML incantations and are so inclined, by all means feel free!

But having done this & said that... these Chantey Sings really get my musical sap flowing and I find my old bones hankering for MORE MUSIC!!!

Bria'n; I wasn't aware (or forgot) the Re'Ra' Monday nite open-mike thing; it's a rough night for Susan, as she is usually exhausted after a day's work, and loathe to go out on a "work-night", but I may well overcome my aversion for "big cities" and pop down for one if I knew you and/or other members of the local Celtic/Chantey Music community were going to be participating.

Perhaps those of you "in the know" about what's happening on a regular (or irregular) basis between Portsmouth NH and Bath Me (?) for instance, post it from time to time (as has been done & appreciated) here so that those of us on the "outskirts of civilization" (Ja, right; Yarmouth) might know in advance & plan to participate.

And now for some spontanious and gratuitous brain flatulance, for what it's worth...

Any chance of a ressurection of the old "Portland Folk Club"? I never got in for many of those sessions, but those we did were wonderful. As much as I love the "Songs of the Sea", I'd like to share some music of other ecclectic genres within the general "Folk/Trad" realm as well. We did that a couple of times up in Bath with Naemanson, and it was great! We seemed to do as much socializing and getting aquinted with fellow area Musicians as we did singing & listening, but both activities (not to mention helping Naem' dispose of his surplus brews) were equally enjoyed.

I'm aware of a few clusters of the "Celtic" crowd, and certainly the "Chantey" Crews (with some interesting overlapping going on there), but have we in the area any:

Old time "Gospel" aucoustic groups - "shapenote" or otherwise?

People interested in Victorian-style "Glee-Club" Quartet singing? Not to be confused with "Barber-Shop"; The Glee was actually the predecessor to the BSQ style - they moved the "Lead" from the Tenor to the Baritone around the 1880's and went from there. Of course these groups weren't limited to a "Quartet" per se, but that was traditional as most of the music from that period is written in 4 parts.

Of course this is the kind of singing that would fit in perfectly with my "Living History"/Reenactment activities, so your suspicions of an alterior motive here may, in fact, be quite well-founded! Might I point out that both the "Victorian Mansion" and the Center for ME History are right in town, and the latter has an "early 19th Century in Maine" exhibit on through most of this year. Id' think that they might be interested in hosting some sort of a musical History "do" in conjunction with their regular activities. I wouldn't be surprised if some local Portland Resident approached one of them if they might not be open to a possible "Victorian Sing" in one of their facilities... just a thought... Don't they have a piano-forte or harpsichord in one of those places? I'm told that the Victorian Mansion has some interesting acoustics...

Let's keep in touch, eh? I'll be looking forward to sharing much more "Joyful Noise" with ye all in 2002!

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 01:24 AM

Hi Jacque. During my last apartment search, I was shown a small one bedroom in the building next door to the Victoria Mansion. I can ask my agent if she has a contact at the museum. It's worth a try. My place is small but could handle a friendly group once I am settled in.

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 09:59 AM

What this job takes, the reorganizing of a Portland area song circle (folk club, session, open-mike), is a couple of people who really want it to happen. There is a whole range of spaces to choose from, from people's living rooms to churches to pubs and restaurants. The old Portland Folk Club probably ran through every conceivable combination, and we probably should write a song with verses about some of our more bizarre experiences.

For a no overhead place to sit around, eat something, drink something, sing something and meet new people, my best suggestion is Silly's at the foot of Munjoy Hill; talk to Stephanie. That would be fine for a dozen or so as long as it's not during prime feeding frenzy. Please don't pick Tuesday night, Roll & Go rehearsal night.

Another format to consider is the UU open-mike coffeehouse and the one I'm most familiar with is the 3rd Friday Sidedoor Coffeehouse in Brunswick on Pleasant St.; talk to Pat Gardiner. Good luck and keep me informed!

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Naemanson
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 10:46 AM

I am planning to revive my "House Full Of Song" this winter. Sunday afternoons in the living room once I can conquer the Christmas/D&D/New Year's mess.

For those who are local the Mocha Cafe is on tap for January. The coffeehouse will be open on January 11, second Friday of the month. Please note that the life of this coffeehouse is limited. I will not be able to make it back from Europe on a monthly basis to keep it going. That means it will fall to Murrey to keep it up. Murrey may not be able to due to a full time job, the catering and the other pursuits that occupy the time.

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 12:47 PM

Besides conflicting with the Sidedoor Coffee House, Friday night also would conflict with the Portsmouth, NH weekly Press Room session -- and none of us (especially Tom who's session boss or whatever it is you call the official person who attempts to herd cats or nail Jell-o to a tree) could make the trek to Maine. I think it would also conflict with a coffee house in Kennebunk, too.

Linn

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Brían
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 09:07 PM

I would love to be involved with getting something going in this area. We would gladly offer out house for music parties when its ready, however the house probably won't be ready for a party until spring.

I could go up and talk to Stefanie about using Silly's. Does anyone know if The Swedenborgian Church is a possibility?

I have been trying to find directions to the Press Room, but I can't even find it listed in Portsmouth or NH websites. Is it under an other name.

The open mic at Rí-Rá's is on Monday's at 9 PM, sign up at 8 PM. It seems to be a singer-song writer sort of scene, but there are some traditional and old-timey sorts showing up.

There is a traditional music seissiún on Wednsdays(7:30-whenever) now meeting in the pub(whith the t.v. off)! The format is instumental music, but they do enjoy an ocassional song.

Brían

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Brían
Date: 04 Jan 02 - 09:13 PM

For posterity's sake: X-MAS CHANTY SING

Brían

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 12:27 PM

Brían-

Talk to Nor and Eli about the Swedenborgian Church space, but my word of caution is that you might do better with what "newcomers" might consider neutral space, a pub or restaurant. Balance that off with the greater control one can exercise over a church's more private space.

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Brían
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 02:36 PM

Understood completely, Charley!

Brían

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: breezy
Date: 05 Jan 02 - 06:54 PM

Where's Searsport please?

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 01:42 AM

Oy, Brian, melad; so generous of ye t' offer the use o' yer "outhouse" fer a singgaddoo!! I sorta thought tha they didn't alow them rigs any more down t' Portland Town on accouta them new health regulations & all, but you apparantly got lucky & god "grandfathered in". With all th' interest in Folk Music 'round heah lately, I shore hope it's at least a four-holer!! Leave the door open, fer Chrissakes Mate! It's gettin' a wee bit IN-Tense in here!

Can we read our music by the light of a Crescent Moon ? Better have it memorized cold! Speaking of "cold", is that outhouse heated? ...Oh, I see; "Biomass". Gawd, aint' you progressive!?

"They passed an ordinance in the town
Said we'd have to tear it down

That little brown shack out back so dear to me

Though the health department said

It's day was over and dead

It will stand forever in my memory

Don't let 'em tear that little brown building down

Don't let 'em tear that little brown building down

Don't let 'em tear that little brown building down

There's not another like it in the country or the town..."

ODE TO THE LITTLE BROWN SHACK
(Billy Ed Wheeler)

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Naemanson
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 02:25 PM

Breezy, you need to head north on Route 1 for about an hour and a half from Bath. You can't miss it, the road goes right through the center of town.

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Murrey
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 06:32 PM

As it stands now there will not be any open mike in Jan at the Chocolate Church because I cannot manage Fridays anymore. We are , however, planning to regroup and go back to Saturday nights in the not too distant future and hopefully on a more regular basis.I'll try to keep everyone posted. Anyone interested in helping with set up etc. can call the Chocolate Church 442-8455 and let us know. There seems to always be lots of folks wanting a place to sing and share music which is great but it requires some work as well !

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Brían
Date: 06 Jan 02 - 10:16 PM

Uncle Jaque,
When it comes to the improvement we're doing on our humble abode, "tearin' down the little brown shack ain't fah' from the truth. Underneath the slats and horse-hair plaster in the walls, there were bare wires on ceramic insulators(*shudder*). The original hot water heater(the wood stove ) was being used up to a few years agoI tell yuh, that dahn inspectuh was some pleased t'see the improvements we are doin'.

Brían

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 08:26 AM

Brían - maybe you need one of my "home-improvement" songs.

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: breezy
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 03:54 PM

Dear Naemanson,
thank you for info, now where's Bath cos I knows the one in zomerset ENG butthe A1 dont go near it.
I know of Boston Mass and Portland Maine, can you explain where Searsport is with regards to these please.
Mild but damp 'ere today.

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 05:53 PM

Breezy - I'm not sure where you are. If you're in Maine or planning to be in Maine, then Bath is about 40 minutes up the coast from Portland via I-95 and Rt.1. Searsport is about another 90 minutes up the coast on Rt. 1 from Bath. Hope that is helpful but a map would be better.

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Jan 02 - 06:32 PM

Charley has it, Breezy. You drive I-295 which changes to I-95 at Falmouth. 26 miles up the coast from Portland is Brunswick where you pick up Route 1. You stay on route 1 through Bath. About 90 minutes from Bath you arrive at Searsport. Route 1 is a 2 lane road that runs up some very scenic sections of the coast.

I'm curious why the question came up. What is in Searsport that you want to do?

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Brían
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 10:52 AM

I am presuming there is a Side-Door Café open mic this coming Friday. I am planning to be there. I still would like to have a Portland area sind-around. I was down at Rí-Rá's last night, but the manager wasn't there. I'd like to see about the possibility of having a folk-format sing-around like we once had in Portland there.

Brían

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From:
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 11:50 AM

Hullo! I'm looking into setting up a community/folk music school at the newly renovated St. Lawrence Arts building on Munjoy Hill in Portland, and am wondering what classes and teachers you would recommend. This could become a central place for all sorts of activites. Please contact me directly if possible, [e-mail] Elizabeth Trice

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: breezy
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 03:31 PM

There's a lead musician from Padstow Cornwall Eng eager to find a session in Searsport.Jigs, reels etc and he is a real good guy, husband and daddy. He never misses Padstow May-day and he leads the blue oss.
Thanks all for the geog and directions, now does anything go on there ?

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 10:38 PM

For events in the coastal Maine area (generally), check out:

http://www.visitmaine.net/events.htm

for ME Music events, try DEFA (Down East Folk Arts):

http://www.deffa.org/

Hope those help.

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Uncle Jaque
Date: 08 Jan 02 - 10:45 PM

This from the DEFA site litings for "Regular Events":

PORTLAND International: Every Friday at the Center for Cultural Exchange, One Longfellow Square. Different ethnicity each week! Info>761-1545.

Let me know when th' IRISH (or Scots for that matter) roll around!

Sacred Harp Singing: 2nd Sunday, Woodford's Congregational Church, Portland, 1:30-4 pm. Info> 775-1486.

Now this looks like fun! Anybody know if these things are still up and running these days?

Subject: RE: Portland ME Area Folk Scene
From: Charley Noble
Date: 09 Jan 02 - 10:02 AM

"DEFFA", the musical monthly newsletter for DownEast Friends of the Folk Arts is a great resourse for contradances and other musical special events. However, it shares a tendency with other such newsletters of continuing obsolete listings for monthly events, through no fault of its editors but because those who originally listed the event don't bother to inform the editors when all activity has died. Before going I suggest calling ahead, if you can find a contact number.