5 things to do this weekend. 6.12.09

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5 hings to do this weekend, 6.5.09

5 things to do this weekend, 5.29.09

5 things to do this weekend, 5.15.09

5 things to do this weekend, 5.8.09

Mainers win major awards!

Two pairs of Mainers have won big awards this past month!

First off: The Flannery Brothers, Maine's own kid's music stars, won the children's music category of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest! Votes from fans online, undoubtedly many of you reading, helped nudge them over the top. For their victory, Mike and Dan receive $1,000 worth of Mackie, Ampeg and Crate recording products, as well as 1,000 custom printed CDs. Go Flan! Listen to "One Wasn't Enough," their winning song, at http://www.jlsc.com/winners/2008b/lennon_awards.php.

The other winning team is Eepy Bird, the Buckfield-based team who created the Webby Award-winning "mentos and diet coke" viral YouTube video. Well, they've won another Webby Award - this time for their Extreme Sticky Note Experiment video. Fritz and Stephen won the People's Voice Award for their video, which can be viewed at htttp://www.eepybird.com.

Congrats to everyone!

5 things to do this weekend, 5.1.09

Maine YouTube infodump.

Ice going out on the Penobscot - woohoo!



Poetry Out Loud Maine State Finals 2009



Full Contact Kitty, rockin' band from Belfast, live in Thomaston, 2008



Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, 2009

5 things to do this weekend, 4.23.09

5 things to do this weekend, 4.17.09

Rock and/or roll.

Dear everyone,
I downloaded these four albums last week, and must highly recommend them all. In no order:

PJ Harvey/John Parish - "A Woman, A Man, Walked By"
It's somewhere in between the ethereal, scary beauty of 2007's "White Chark" and the roaring blues rock of both "To Bring You My Love" and "Uh Huh Her." PJ and Parish haven't worked together since 1996's "Dance Hall At Louse Point." It's brutally lovely.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "It's Blitz!"
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are a wonderful combination of the Ramones, the Bangles and TV on the Radio - bouncy, fuzzy and fun. Karen O is my fashion hero.

Mirah - "(A)spera"
Mirah dresses up her spare, achingly intimate indie folk with string and horn orchestration. Mirah somehow manages to be both maternal and comforting and a total sex kitten, all at the same time. One of my favorite contemporary vocalists.

DOOM - "Born Like This"
Not a word out of rapper DOOM, aka MF Doom, aka Daniel Dumile, since 2005's "The Mouse and the Mask." Now, out of the blue, comes the dark, sinister, ridiculously eloquent and intelligent "Born Like This." Weird beats and even weirder rhymes, and yet it's still totally irresistable. And it's funny, too.

VOTE FLAN!

From the Facebook group:
"The Flannery Brothers won Session II in the John Lennon Songwriting contest for our song "One Wasn't Enough," and now we need your help! We are going head to head in a popular vote with the winner from Session I, Gustafer Yellowgold. We are definitely the underdogs here, but with your support, we have a chance to win the Lennon Award!!!"

Vote once a day, every day @ www.jlsc.com/vote
For more visit www.flannerybrothers.com

http://www.jlsc.com/vote.php

5 things to do this weekend, 4.9.09

5 things to do this weekend, 2.19.09

1. OK, here's a big plan for a night out in Bangor on Friday. Start the evening off with the Downtown Bangor Art Walk, set for 5 to 9 p.m. and featuring seven locations around downtown, including 31 Central Street, the Bennett Gallery, also on Central Street, Central STreet Yoga and Studios, Metropolitan Soul, the Exchange Street Building, the University of Maine Museum of Art and One Lupine Fiber Arts on PArk Street. It's completely free, and you'll get a chance to see some of the great artists that live and work in our community. For more info, call 561-3350.

2. After that, check out the first Penobscot Theatre production of 2009 is "Dinner With Friends," the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama written by Donald Marguiles, which will open at 8 p.m. on Friday at the Bangor Opera House. Tickets are available at the box office; for more info, visit www.penobscottheatre.org.

3. And then, after you've had Dinner with Friends, go have some drinks with friends, at the newly-reopened Luna Bar and Grille on Park Street, the downtown nightspot formerly known as the New Moon Cafe. A renovated space includes a piano bar, a revamped menu and new cocktails. There, now isn't that a delightful evening in the Queen City?

4. HOWEVER! If you're not Bangor-centric, then take a drive up to Orono on Friday night to check out the National Acrobats of China at the Collins Center for the Arts. The performance starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are available by calling 581-1755.

5. Finally, opening on Saturday at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport is a new photography exhibit titled "On and Off the Midway." 25 photographers, including the BDN's own Kate Collins and Bridget Brown, document the festivities at state fairs, ice fishing derbys and and beach side resorts throughout the summer in Maine. The exhibit runs through June 21; for more info, visit www.cmcanow.org.

5 things to do this weekend, 3.12.09

1. They're back in their original formation, and I for one am thrilled: the Napper Tandies, Maine's finest Irish band, play a pre-St. Paddy's Day show this Saturday at Paddy Murphy's in Bangor. Original members Randy Billings, Matt Smith and fiddler Liam Andrews, on loan from South Carolina, will play starting at 9:30 p.m. For more info, visit www.myspace.com/thenappertandies.

2. Mystery man Leon Russell will play a show at the Skowhegan Opera House this Saturday. Russell is a rock legend, writing for some of the biggest names in the biz all the while sporting his trademark white beard and long white hair. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.; for tickets, visit www.skowhegan.org.

3. The Wrestler, featuring Mickey Rourke in the Oscar-nominated title role, starts at Movie Magic on the Odlin Road this Friday. As always, admission is just $3, and on Tuesday it's a buck!

4. The Bangor Symphony Orchestra plays its fourth concert of the season at 3 p.m. this Sunday at the Collins Center for the Arts. The BSO, led by conductor Trond Saeverud, will perform Dvorak's "New World Symphony," along with selections from Schumann and Saevurud's granddad, the Finnish composer Harald Saeverud. For more info, visit www.bangorsymphony.org

5. And finally, full disclosure: these guys are my buddies, but that means that I know how talented they are. The Colin Graebert Trio, a jazz group featuring pianist Graebert, will play from 4:30 until 9 p.m. at the Maine Cigar Shop on Main Street in Bangor. Smoke a stogie, listen to some sweet jazz, and unwind after work in one of Bangor's most comfortable, best kept secrets. For more info, visit www.cigarsmokeshoppe.com.

5 things to do this weekend, 3.5.09

1. OK, technically, this is occuring this weekend. Tonight, at midnight, Bangor Mall Cinemas will screen the long-awaited film version of the great graphic novel "Watchmen," much to the delight of comic book fans the world over. It's one of my absolute favorite books of all time, so I'm kind of ridiculously excited to see it. And midnight screening are always fun.

2. On Saturday the Kave, the Bucksport all ages venue, will host about 8 bajillion bands starting at 5:30 p.m. See You Next Tuesday, Full Blown Chaos, Interrogator, A Plea For Purging, Grave Valor, A Day to Remember, The Falling Fight, Vail’s Gate, Fight For Blood and This and That Apocalypse will play until everyone is too tired to headbang. Admission is $15 at the door, for more info visit www.myspace.com/thekave.

3. River City Cinema again hosts two Oscar-worthy flicks at the Bangor Opera House this weekend. Friday night check out the delightful Lebanese film "Caramel," and Saturday go see "Frozen River," and indie drama who's star, Melissa Leo, was nominated for Best Actress. Both movies start at 7:30 p.m., and both are $5.

4. We don't get much ballet here in eastern Maine, so when one of our beloved regional dance companies perform, it's something you don't want to miss. The Atlantic Ballet Company will perform Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" this Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Camden Opera House. Admission is $14 for adults and $10 for students; for more info visit www.atlanticballetcompany.com.

5. Contrary to some silly rumors spread around the interwebs, the Bar Harbor Blues Authority is NOT closing, and in fact has expanded its weekend lineup of music to include a totally sweet blues brunch from 12 to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Local blues musicians spice up your post-Saturday night breakfast food extravaganze, and it's only 13 bucks. For more info, visit www.barharborbluesauthority.com.

Flan-tastic!

The Flannery Brothers, the Bangor-based purveyors of delightfully wacky kid's music, have just received yet another major honor. Dan Flannery, one half of the songwriting team, won the children's music grand prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, a major yearly competition judged by music industry luminaries. Bob Weir, the Black Eyed Peas and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees were among the panelists this year. To listen to some Fllanery Brothers tunes, visit their web site, www.flannerybrothers.com. Congrats, fellas!

Eric Green, local bluesman extraordinaire.

I search YouTube for Bangor-centric videos because I love you.

5 things to do this weekend, 2.26.09

1. Psychedelic folk rock supergroup Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams are Maine favorites, and they're playing not one, but two shows in the area this coming weekend. Check them out Friday night at 8 p.m. at College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, and Saturday night, also at 8 p.m., at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts.

2. River City Cinema continues it's winter movie series, screening Academy Award-nominated documentaries and features. Friday night, check out "Trouble the Water," a documentary about Hurricane Katrina, and Saturday night go see the OScar-winning doc "Man on Wire," detailing the high-flying art of French tightrope walker Phillipe Pettite. Both movies screen at 7:30 p.m. at the Bangor Opera House.

3. Feel like taking the show on the road? Whether you're driving or you live in the area, take a haul down to Deer Isle and see almighty blues duo Green and Bosse play at Mikey's G Spot. It looks like we're in for slightly warmer weather this weekend, so hit the road and help bring spring a little closer.

4. 103 Ultra Lounge in Orono hosts a who's who of Maine bands this Friday, including the Divine Ruin, the Big Coffin Hunters, Afterblack, Wolves Among Sleep and the Exclusive. Show starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $12 at the door.

5. And finally, OK, so Gilbert and Sullivan might not be everyone's cup of tea. But if it is, and you appreciate good, solid theater, then head down to Ellsworth this weekend for the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's take on "The Pirates of Penzance," set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Grand Theatre.

5 things to do this weekend, 2.19.09

1. Here is a very important thing: Demetri Martin is at UMaine this weekend. You may have seen him on his new show on Comedy Central, "Important Things with Demetri Martin," or you may remember him from the Daily Show. Either way, he's absolutely hilarious. He'll take the stage at the Collins Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Saturday. For tickets, call 1-800-622-TIXX.

2. The Grand Theatre in Ellsworth hosts a Cabin Fever Bailout concert featuring a tasty lineup of local bands, including Rant, A Dying Breed, Poetic Acrimony and Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids. The show starts at 7 on Saturday, and admission is $15.

3. John Cariani's "Almost Maine" is enjoying a nice run at various theatres throughout the state. The Broadway play about a small Maine community will be produced this weekend and next at the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft; showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and also at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

4. The Bar Stewards, Bangor's best Irish band, play at Paddy Murphy's pub this Saturday, starting at 9 p.m. Expect loud, raucous songs about drinkin', fightin' and lovin'.

5. The Academy Awards are set for this Sunday evening, and several area theatres will host simulcasts of the show, including big fundraisers at the Grand Theatre in Ellsworth and Reel Pizza Cinerama in Bar Harbor. For 15 to 50 bucks, you get hors d'oeurves, champagne and a chance to get all dolled up which watching the Oscars, and all the proceeds go to benefit at Beth C. Wright Cancer Center. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.; for more info, visit www.grandonline.org

5 things to do this weekend, 2.12.09

1. OK, first off, it's a very, very sad day for the denizens of downtown Bangor. Christopher's and Red Martini, the two bars that have become staples of Queen City nightlife over the past few years, are closing tonight, Thursday, for good. Yes, I know - it was a shock to me too. So, give it one last hurrah and come out tonight to bid goodbye to yet another casualty of downtown Bangor. It was nice knowin' ya, guys.

2. UMaine's spring production of the musical "Side Show" opens Friday night. It tells the story of conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton, who worked in freak shows and vaudeville along with other famous freaks, like the Dog FAced Boy and the pinhead. The show is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Hauck Auditorium on the UM campus. Admission is $10.

3. Saturday is the big day, and whether you've got a sweetie or not, check out the Lover's Leap event in downtown Bangor. From 4-6 pm River City Cinema will screen "Some Like It Hot" at the Opera House, from 6 to 8 p.m. J.B. Parker's will offer a delicious catered dinner, and from 8 to 10 p.m. the sweet sounds of Noir, Josh Mooers and Sarah Madelina will be on the bill back at the Opera House, along with a performance from the Penobscot Theater Company, magician Dr. Wilson and fashion designer Caitlyn Cogan. Admission is $10.

4. The International DAnce Festival takes the stage again this year at the Collins Center for the Arts on the UM campus. at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday dancers from places like Brazil, Iran, Cuba, Bulgaria and more will show off their skills. It's free, and it's a whole lot of fun.

5. Don't expect him to play "Rock n Roll Hoochie Koo." But do expect some serious blues chops to be on display when the legendary Johnny Winter performs at the Skowhegan Opera House on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at skowhegan.org.

New albums you should listen to.

I think you should buy, download or whatever the following new albums:

Andrew Bird - Noble Beast
Franz Ferdinand - Tonight
Morrissey - Years of Refusal
Bat for Lashes - Two Suns
Mastodon - Crack the Skye

That is all.

Lincoln to Bangor in six minutes.

5 things to do this weekend, 2.5.09

1. The biggest band in the land, Rustic Overtones, will play a show with Tree By Leaf at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Camden Opera House. Tickets are $18-$28 and and are available by calling 470-7066.

2. Sometimes Why play progressive bluegrass, in the vein of Old Crow Medicine Show and the Yonder Mountain String Band, and its comprised of three massively talented young ladies. They'll play at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Unity Centre for the Performing Arts; for more info, visit www.unitymaine.org.

3. Hey, if you want to start your weekend early, you can head down to Benjamin's on Franklin Street in Bangor, the club formerly known as Fuzion, and party with Chris Rush, formerly of WTOS, as he spins rock n roll all night starting at 9:30 p.m. Classic rock, modern punk, punk rock, you name it.

4. Try something different this weekend. Saturday night at Dino's Pizza and Banquest Center on North Main Street in Brewer, Independent Wrestling Entertainment will host a night of local wrestling, featuring White War Pony Johnny Primer against Jivin' Jimmy Capone, Cameron Matthews versus Scotty Vegas, and Rockstar Chris Cole pitted against Mason X. Saturday, Saturday, Saturday! The bout starts at 7:30 p.m., and your $10 admission goes to benefit Eastern Agency on Aging's Meals for Me program.

5. Daniel Bernard Roumain is a composer and violinist who blends funk, rock, hip-hop and classical music into a new sonic vision of music. He's playing Sunday afternoon at Minsky Recital Hall on the UMaine campus, in a program titled A Civil Rights Reader, in which he pays tribute to people like MAya Angelou, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. It's probably some of the most interesting music you'll hear played in this area in a while. The performance starts at 3 p.m., and tickets are available by calling 581-1805.