The word “Community” gets bandied about a lot when folk music fans talk about their favorite music venues.  Contributions from a bunch of community supporters can help a venue to overcome the difficult numbers game that small presenters face, and create new opportunities for local artists. 

This past fall, Shawn and Molly Mercer, of Bucksport, managed to launch a new monthly music concert series, “Over the Bridge Productions”, in the Alamo Theater.  They distilled support for their new venture from the businesses, media outlets, and organizations in and around this small Maine town. The list includes a motel, a downtown eatery, the popular acoustic music radio station WERU, an art gallery, and a local small business group.

At left, The Alamo Theater in Bucksport, ME.

 

 

Anna Maria Tocci and her business partner Kim Anderson have captured that same type of energy at the foot of Munjoy Hill in Portland’s east end.  The North Star Music Cafe opened its doors in April of 2007, and since then, has become the center of a large community of social activists, artists, poets, songwriters, performers, and the gentle people who seek out and support those creative types.  This classy, yet extremely comfortable and laid back room provides a wonderful way for local music to find an appreciative audience, and for regional and national touring musicians to introduce Portland’s music fans to their practiced craft.

Below, the cozy and welcoming spaces at The North Star Music Cafe in Portland

 

In Lewiston, The Maple Room opened its doors late last year, and brought a new high-quality listening room to the region.  Taylor Mesple and his wife, Rebecca, along with business partner and venue manager Aaron Slocum, have created a space that prioritizes intimacy between the performer and the audience, top-notch acoustics, and the juxtaposition of great local talent with the very best in national and international touring songwriters and performers.  This team’s formula for success also includes a large dose of support from local businesses and community organizations.

 

On the other end of Congress Street from the afore-mentioned North Star Music Café in Portland, Tom Rota has returned to work at a venue that he helped operate a few years back; but this time, he’s in charge! He is doing a great job of re-establishing a wonderful listening room at One Longfellow Square (formerly known as The Center for Cultural Exchange).  Tom has worked hard to reach out to the Maine music community, and to develop collaborative concert deals with local artists that result in benefits to both parties.  The activity in this room has exploded in the last several months since Tom took over the operation.  Portlanders have been treated to the very best in touring and local talent, in a great room, and at a reasonable price. 

At left, the entrance to One Longfellow Square, at the corner of State and Congress Streets in Portland, ME.

 

These are only the best examples of a long list of music venues that have opened their doors in the last year or so, expanding the opportunities for Mainers to enjoy great folk music.  The common threads that run through these operations are: 1) the integral role that music plays in the personal and professional lives of the venue operators;  2) the role that community support plays in keeping the doors open;  and 3)  the spot that these venues have reserved for local Maine musicians and artists in their vision for success.

And those local musicians and artists have made the most of it!  Clara Berry is a young songwriter and keyboard player from Biddeford, who played at the Maine Songwriters Association weekly showcase and open mic at the North Star Music Café on several occasions this past year.  Taylor Mesple, of the Maple Room, is a regular host of that series, and caught Clara’s set there; Clara is now working with Taylor on her debut CD, and Taylor booked her into an opening slot at the Maple room in front of Pierce Pettis.

 

Hosting the weekly MSA Showcase night is only one way in which Anna Maria Tocci supports local musicians at the North Star.  Anna Maria is a gifted songwriter and performer herself; she is securely checked into the network of local talent, and provides many opportunities for those folks to get their stuff in front of the attentive North Star audience. Recent and upcoming local acts include Nancy Cartonio, The Mutineers , Keith Dover, Vanessa Torres, Sara Cox, David Bullard, and Carolyn Currie.  Watch for a special treat on occasional Sunday afternoons:  “Squash and Gourds” is highly-entertaining bluegrass band featuring mandolin, bass, banjo, and fiddle players who are quite accomplished for their tender ages!

At left, The Mutineers

 

 

 

Shawn and Molly Mercer, up in Bucksport, have their musical sonar pinging away in that area’s talent pool, and have booked a local or regional opening act for each of the shows that they have scheduled so far, and into the future.  Portland’s Marie Moreshead warmed up the crowd for the fabulous Mark Erelli; Chris Merenda, of the Mammals, opened for Jess Klein. Local western swing and blues duo Jay and Bjorn Peterson will play a set before another act with local roots, the Ameranouche Trio, on January 24.  Boheme is an Orono jam band that will open for Lucy Vincent this coming April.  There will be plenty of other opportunities for local openers at the Alamo; Bill Morrissey, Tracy Grammer, and Karen Savoca are some other great headliners who are booked in Bucksport this coming spring.

 

At left, Jay and Bjorn Peterson

 

 

 

Jonathan Call is a young man from Portland with a catalog of upbeat, uplifting acoustic songs shot through with jazz, blues, and reggae influences.  He does a great solo acoustic set, and lately has been fronting a very tight trio that he calls “Jon Call and the Foundation”.  Jon is totally psyched about these new local venues.  He bagged an opening slot at The Maple Room on January 25, before Livingston Taylor takes the stage.  (pssst…. Brunswick’s Jud Caswell is opening for Liv Taylor’s second Maple Room show on the 26th!)   Jon Call has also booked his CD release party in February with Tom Rota at One Longfellow Square.  

Above, Jon Call

 

Putnam Smith writes and performs acoustic, old-timey banjo music, and has been seen around Portland a lot lately.  He was delighted when he, Sarah Jessup, and the Low Tide String Band attracted a standing room only crowd to One Longfellow Square for a combined concert on a Saturday night early this month.   Tom Rota made this group of performers a deal that worked out great for all parties;  the room was full, the ticket prices were reasonable, and the performers got some great exposure.  Tom has booked a passel of local acts as headliners or openers, including Truth About Daisies, Megan Jo Wilson, Pam Baker, Kate Schrock, Samuel James, Moses Atwood, and the Jerks of Grass.

 

At left, Putnam Smith

 

 

 

Promotion and booking is hard work for these songwriters and performers; it’s not easy to land exciting and important gigs here in Maine, or anywhere else.  It takes loads of talent, preparation, persistence, and a great attitude.  But with presenters and venue operators working just as hard to support local music, these artists at least can feel that their hard work has some chance to pay off.  The sense of community that infuses the folk music scene in Maine will continue to increase the likelihood of success for these venues and artists.  Ultimately, it is we, the folk music fans, who take home the prize!