August 20, 2009

Is the music in you? It can be this weekend

So this weekend, let's put some music on the menu - actually, let's fill the whole three-day menu with it, starting with Friday.

Get the night started right with a visit to Empire Dine and Dance for Zach Deputy with Whitehouse on Trial at 7 pm. Zach's not from around here, matter of fact he's from South Carolina, but he'll treat listeners to some blues, roots-rock and soul, with a touch of Calypso and reggae. It's just $5 to get in and that's well worth it for a potential trip to the islands.

If you'd rather skip town for an eve, head to the Midcoast for some Friday Night Jazz at Solo Bistro in Bath. Listen in from 6:30-9:30 and you can probably round up a decent drink from the spot where Chef Esau Crosby does his thing.

Finally tonight, how about some feel good music at a feel good place? It's Song Circle night at North Star Music Cafe with Rebecca Katz, Amy Petty and Chris O'Brien. The music starts at 8 pm and you pay what you can with admission by donation.

There are plenty of tunes to be had on Saturday, too. Start off the evening with another trip to Empire. I hate to send you to the same spot back-to-back but tonight's show is just $1. Yup, ONE DOLLAR! It's the Cajun Aces playing at 9 pm. Just in case it isn't smoking hot outside, you can bet it will be inside.

If that doesn't do it for you, there's an even cheaper option at Port City Music Hall's Front Lounge. That means it's free. Check out the H+ +L show featuring two DJs and lots of classic tracks at 8 pm. Make sure you're + is of the 21 years variety.

Finally, as far as tonight's music goes, the show of the eve might be up in Freeport where the Maine Songwriters' Evening is the highlight at Discovery Park. It's another freebie from L.L. Bean and it features the Carol Noonan Trio, Ellis Paul and Slaid Cleaves. Get your chair out there early and then show up to plant your butt in it just before the 7:30 pm show.

BONUS EVENT: I know this weekend is all about the music, but I couldn't resist dropping this option on you. Tonight at Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick the Southern Maine Astronomers will be holding a star gazing. The farm is on Pleasant Hill Road and the gazing commences at 7:30 pm. If you want to take part, you'll need to hand over a donation, but I'm guessing it'll be well worth it for a look toward the heavens with some local pros.

Sunday's always bittersweet; still part of the weekend but the unavoidable signal that the work week is soon to return. So why not take a drive - to Bethel. The Swamp Donkeys happen to be playing a freebie Bandstand Concert at 4 pm in town. And it's beautiful up in the country.

If you don't have the wheels to get away, there's always Open Decks night at Slainte right here in Portland. Groove with DJ Silverchild and Elusid at 9 pm.

And finally, if you have no cash, no friends, no wheels and no desire to hang at one of the may fine local watering holes, how 'bout a trek to a natural body of water. You've got a radio, right? Or an iPod? Or a boom box? Grab it and go to the closest beach. Rock out to your own tunes and boogie your way through the end of another (hopefully) great weekend.