Maine is full of festival music in the summer!

By Polly Pruneau

 

By the time you read this, it will officially be summer in vacationland, when hills, waterfronts and meadows will be alive with the sounds of music. Celebrating everything from Celtic heritage to clams, and scheduled for a weekend or just one day, there are a variety of festivals and concerts featuring folk music in Maine. There’s no better time to enjoy the musical offerings and the wonderful weather.

 

Begorrah!  Belfast will host the Maine Celtic Celebration on July 18, 19 and 20, with Castlebay, the Maine St. Andrews Pipe and Drums and more. On Sunday, the second annual Maine Celtic Sussein will offer the opportunity for musicians of all ages to get invited onto the stage to play along with the featured entertainers. Be prepared for awesome jigs and reels.

 

The Bangor Waterfront is the site of  The American Folk Festival with a variety of grassroots acts that Mainers might not be able to see throughout the rest of the year. From August 22 to 24, music will range from acadian to zydeco with a lot of variety in between. Catch Sana Ndiaye playing the Senegalese akonting, the West African ancestor to the banjo;   Hassan Hakmoun play some Morrocan trance music known as gnawa; or a Trinidian steel band, CASYM Steel Orchestra.

 

Down the coast, stop at Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick on August 28 to 31, for the internationally recognized bluegrass festival. You’ll find yourself listening to world-class bluegrass musicians who can set your feet to stompin’ and hands to clapping.

In Sidney, Maine, you can catch the Blistered Fingers Bluegrass Festival on Aug 21 through 24.

The Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival is in Cornish on July 24-27 and the County Bluegrass Festival takes place in Forth Fairfield, July 25-27.

Don’t miss the Yarmouth Clam Festival July 18,19 and 20, with Jerks of Grass and the Mutineers.  The Kevin Midgely Duo is a good bet for some Delta blues and awesome blues harp, and the folk duo McKillop and Dickson will give up some great harmonies and original tunes.  Don’t be shy to try  your hand at the clam shuckin’ contest or some contra dancing to the music of the Sea Slugs.

There’ll be lots of local talent at the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, July 30 through August 3. One of Maine’s favorites, the Don Campbell Band, will be wooing the audience, along with the Old Grey Goose, who specialize in traditional folk.  Also, catch The Lomax (folk) and the Katahdin Valley Boys (bluegrass). While you’re there, don’t pass up the opportunity for some delicious Maine lobster, and cheer on the official Lobster parade.

Blue Hills Fairgrounds is the site of Shangri-La Music and Arts Festival featuring folk greats Susan Werner, Josh Ritter, Erin McKeon, The Avett Brothers and more.  The Festival opens August 1 and continues through August 3.

For a real Maine music experience you can’t do better than the free concerts at Discovery Park in Freeport, sponsored by L.L.Bean.  Martin Sexton, the virtuoso of voice, will sing about his New England experiences and beyond, on June 28. Kathy Mattea is offering her acoustic/country music on July 12; Brandi Carlile will take the stage August 2 with special guest, Portlander Jason Spooner. For all those 50 years old and over in the crowd, remember Richie Havens? He’ll be weaving his musical magic on August 9.  And while John Hiatt may not live in Maine, he has become a local favorite ever since his daughter attended The Hyde School in Bath.  John is back to wow the crowd with his musical acumen and stupendous songwriting.  (Keep your fingers crossed it doesn’t rain like last year when they had to cancel the show.)

Even though it doesn’t take place in Maine, you might want to slip across the border into New Hampshire for the Great Waters Music Festival,  July 25 through 27.   The lineup includes too many great artists to mention them all – but here are a few: Anais Mitchell, Jonathan Edwards, David Olney, Bill Staines, Cheryl Wheeler and Saco’s own Catie Curtis.  Portland folk artist Emilia Dahlin is also on the roster!

For more information on musical happenings in Maine this summer, check out the events page on Maine Info. Music is in the air, it’s everywhere.  Pull up your chair and sit down and listen.

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