Top of the East voted the place to meet

Top of the East at the Eastland Park Hotel in downtown Portland has been named Best Place to Rendezvous by "Down East Magazine."

"It is such an honor to be voted by Down East magazine as Maine's number one place to rendezvous" said General Manager Tamara Gilliam.

Ray LaMontagne live at Merrill Auditorium

RAY LAMONTAGNE with special guest THE LOW ANTHEM
Merrill Auditorium Portland, ME
April 11 at 7:30pm

Tickets go on-sale Friday, February 6 at NOON. Tickets are available at the PortTix Box Office at 20 Myrtle Street, charge by phone at (207) 842-0800 and online www.livenation.com.

Tickets are $35.50 and $29.50. Reserved seating, all ages.

Ray LaMontagne announces his first North American tour dates of 2009 today including an April 11 date at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine. The tour is LaMontagne's second in support of his latest album Gossip In The Grain which achieved the Maine singer-songwriter's highest chart number debuting at #3 on Billboard Charts its week of release. The album was a huge digital sensation being the top selling album on iTunes that first week.

Fans will also be given the opportunity to buy VIP Charity Packages including front row seats through Tickets-for-Charity.com®. A portion of each package purchased through their website will automatically benefit The National Children's Cancer Society, while purchasers will be able to donate further proceeds to a wide variety of other charities.

Concert goers will be treated to a different show than they have seen in past years. Spin remarked in a review of a Radio City Music Hall show wrote that the, "…laughter, both by LaMontagne and the audience -- was something new. His fresh style showcased both on his new album and in the performance Saturday, illustrated a near flawless transition from a front porch in Maine to the front of the most prestigious stage in the world."

Rolling Stone raved about the album and especially LaMontagne's voice saying in the review it was "full of the warm yearning of a young Van Morrison…" Most reviews remarked on a more upbeat attitude and a new looser even more soulful sound than previous releases. That sound is epitomized on the Stax inspired horn-led first single, "You Are The Best Thing."

With his remarkable, rough hewn vocals and evocative, finely etched songs, LaMontagne has, in but a few short years, become the rare artist of whom the world waits with to see what each new work will reveal. Now, on his third album, the singer and songwriter has crafted a warm and welcoming record which unveils heretofore untapped depths of ingenuity and optimism. Touching upon a range of styles and musical setting # spanning pastoral folk, railroad blues, front porch country, and plangent balladry # Gossip In The Grain proves to be LaMontagne's most creative and emotionally expansive collection to date.

'Port City Show' call for photo-based entires

What is it?
a photography exhibit featuring photography of Portland, Maine.

When is it?
The show will open June 20, and run through the end of July 2009.

What can I submit?
Any photo-based image taken in Portland, Maine, and only Portland. Not South Portland, not Portland, Oregon, just Portland, Maine.

If accepted, your photo must be framed and ready to hang. The maximum size of the framed images is 20 x 25 inches

Who can enter?
Anyone!

How much does it cost?
$15 to enter 3 images.

How do I enter?
See here.

What is the deadline for submittals?
May 4. If you are accepted to the show, you will be notified about delivery of the framed print.

Where is it?
It will be at Portland Photo Works in Portland's Arts District.

What can I win?
Money, and other stuff (more on that later).

There will be two categories for prizes:

Essence of Portland ~ photos that capture life in Portland.

Artistic Expression ~ simply beautiful images. As long as the photo was taken in Portland, it is acceptable.

You don't need to specify category when you enter.

For all the details: www.portlandphotoworks.com

Annual New York City Broadway Raffle for two

The St. Lawrence Arts Center is having our 4th annual NEW YORK CITY BROADWAY RAFFLE FOR TWO!

Tickets on sale until February 22nd at www.stlawrencearts.org/tickets.html
Only 400 tickets will be sold so your chances of winning are great!

By participating in this yearly raffle, you are supporting the St. Lawrence Arts Center and helping us to upgrade and maintain the theater, the equipment, and the building. We hope to make your experience at the St. Lawrence better each time you visit. Please take a chance on the raffle just as you've taken a chance on the St. Lawrence and helped renovate this landmark that our theater-in-residence, GOOD THEATER, calls home and so many other talented theater companies use and adore.

GRAND PRIZE!
Round Trip Airfare for TWO
2 nights hotel for TWO
Tickets for two Broadway shows for two

Other prizes include:
*Two Season Tickets To Good Theater's 2009-2010 Regular Season *Two passes to five St. Lawrence Events (excluding Good Theater) *An Angela Adams Purse *A Signed Copy Of The Lobster Coast By Colin Woodard * A Signed C. Michael Lewis Watercolor Print Of The St. Lawrence Arts Center

We hope you will take a chance on the raffle just as you've taken a chance on the St. Lawrence

Two Maine restaurants make mag's "50 Great Ideas" list

Back Bay Grill in Portland and Natalie's at The Camden Harbour Inn, were recognized by national magazine Restaurant Business this month in its "50 Great Ideas" issue. The issue celebrates innovative ideas created by people in the restaurant business.

Maine artists can apply for Monhegan residency

Applications are being accepted for the Monhegan Artists' Residency for emerging Maine artists. Formerly called the Carina House Residency, this summer the program provides a visual artist with the opportunity to live and work on Monhegan for five weeks.

Final call for high school rock bands

The deadline for Maine High School rock bands to sign up for the 25th (and final) Annual Reindeer Rock-Off competition is fast approaching.

The event is open to original high school musicians of all levels and genres who would like their moment of fame in the Rock-Off spotlight. In addition to the coveted title of Best Young Band In The State Of Maine, the winning band will win $1,000.

The Rock-Off is presented by Portland-based independent label Reindeer Records and is designed to provide lots of benefits to every band whether they win or not," said Executive Producer Louis Philippe, who created the event when he was president of the local music union. "It's a great platform for learning and growing as individual musicians, with plenty of industry exposure and networking opportunities, and it's just plain tons of fun."

Deadline to register is February 1, after which bands will be slotted for a live showcase performance on March 15 or 22 at McAuley Performing Arts Center in Portland. Five bands will then be selected to play in the Finals, slated for Sunday, April 19.

Musicians interested in obtaining a registration packet or more info should contact Reindeer at 857-9002 or email events@reindeergroup.org.

Innovative Partnership, The Project Space, leads to arts facility in Biddeford

Biddeford, ME: The North Dam Mill and River Tree Arts are pleased to announce the formation of The Project Space, an innovative partnership that will lead to the creation of an interdisciplinary arts facility located in Biddeford's North Dam Mill.

The Project Space will unite exhibition, performance, and studio spaces under one roof and will foster unique and exciting opportunities for creative collaboration. According to Rick Longo, Executive Director of River Tree Arts, "Having access to specialized facilities for creating work and unbounded spaces for exhibiting and viewing it will be an incredible resource for the region. When you bring a bunch of creative people together in spaces they can live, work, play, and make, amazing things happen. This will be a tremendous asset for emerging and established artists, local schools, and the community."

While the full realization of The Project Space's goals may be a bit in the future, programming will start immediately in a number of the Mill's raw spaces. Doug Sanford, owner of the North Dam Mill, states: "Walking through these spaces, you've got high ceilings, great light, and a building with its own character. We always knew it would a perfect space for the arts. We're excited it can happen so soon." The Project Space will start with approximately 6,000 square feet of raw space and will eventually expand as much as 20,000 square feet within the North Dam Mill and will be part of a growing campus of arts opportunities in the Biddeford area. A major draw of The Project Space will be the ability for artists to fabricate and present large scale work and installations that can not be readily exhibited in more traditional art spaces.

North Dam Mill and River Tree Arts plan to announce further details during "River Tree Presents. . ."-- a coffeehouse-style performance featuring Christian Cuff, Emilia Dahlin, and Dead End Armory held at North Dam Mill on January 30 from 6-9 PM.

About the Organizations

The North Dam Mill includes three connected, well-preserved brick buildings perched above the banks of the beautiful Saco River. Through the development of a careful blend of residential, commercial, and community spaces, the North Dam Mill seeks to be a force in the growing creative economy of Biddeford.

River Tree Arts is a nonprofit organization with locations in Biddeford and Kennebunk. Offering programs in music and the visual arts, River Tree is committed to "Strengthening Communities Through Collaboration in the Arts & Education."

Port City Music receives 11th hour City and State help in liquor licensing

The Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress Street, Portland is OPEN and has BEEN GRANTED A 30-DAY TEMPORARY 21+ LIQUOR LICENSE by the City of Portland.

This will help us greatly as we work through a difficult process with the State licensing board. We will be serving our full menu of wine, liquor and beer as of tonight, Saturday, January 24.

Our temporary license allows us to admit ages 21 and over only. We regret having to rule out the 18-21 audience at this point. We are still working towards having the State issue us a license that will allow us to admit people 18 and older. We will let you know as soon as this issue is resolved.

We deeply appreciate the efforts of the City of Portland in helping us with this issue.

State Senator Justin Alfond (District 8, Portland) has also been key over the past several days in aiding us in this issue. He has also made plans to help us with our state process in the next few weeks.

Please e-mail Senator Alfond a simple thanks, or You Rock or whatever and let him know you (and we) greatly appreciate his efforts in supporting the Portland music community and small business in Maine. These pro-active legislators are exactly who we need at the State House. (If you are 18-21, you are an important voter - he needs to hear from you.)

justin@justinalfond.com

New Kids on the Block tickets on sale Jan 24

Due to overwhelming demand, NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK announced a new string of North American show dates today for Spring 2009. The recently announced NKOTB Cruise sparked a fan frenzy proving people everywhere want more NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK! NKOTB fans have spoken and the band obliged! Fresh off sold out shows across the globe, the group will kick off their first batch of 2009 dates in March and include a March 25 date at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland.

Tickets go on-sale SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 at 9 am. Tickets are available at the Cumberland County Civic Center box office, charge by phone at (207) 775-3458 and exclusively on-line at www.livenation.com

Tickets are $69.50, $49.50 and $39.50, reserved seating, all ages.

The shows have featured a varied set list including classics such as, "Hangin Tough," "Step by Step," and "Right Stuff," mixed with the newer tunes like, "Single" and "Summertime" from their brand new album, THE BLOCK. As the New York Post described, "the encore of 1990's 'Step By Step' and the 1989 tune 'Hangin' Tough' were gasoline on the concert fire." and the OC Register exclaimed, "they put on a stellar show that kept the crowd on its feet for two hours." "Not only do the New Kids sound better than they ever did, they also look like they're having even more fun than they did 20 years ago," lauded Newsday.

The reunion of all five members of the famed 90s group that sold millions of albums and ignited a worldwide phenomenon has enthusiastically been embraced by screaming fans. With the support of the fans the group successfully sold out show after show on both sides of the Atlantic and now return home for another wave of packed arena shows.

The band has also teamed with I Love All Access to provide a variety of VIP ticket packages for the tour, including premium seats, meet and greets, photo ops, parties and more.

"This is beyond our wildest dreams, the t-shirts, the screams, the emails, the messages, it's been amazing so far and we are all just so happy to keep it going." Says Donnie Wahlberg.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK sold more than 80 million albums worldwide -- including back-to-back international #1 songs, 1988's Hangin' Tough and 1990's Step By Step -- and a series of crossover smash R&B, pop hits like "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Cover Girl," "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)," "Hangin' Tough," "I'll Be Loving You," "Step By Step" and "Tonight." The group shattered concert box office records playing an estimated 200 concerts a year, in sold out stadiums throughout the world. They still hold many of these records to date. They were Forbes highest paid entertainers of 1990, beating out Michael Jackson and Madonna. The band boasted an extensive and highly profitable merchandise line which included everything from lunch boxes and sleeping bags to comic books, marbles and dolls.

www.nkotb.com

HEAT! A Benefit CD Recorded in Maine

HEAT! is a two-CD set compiled from live performances recorded at The Maple Room in Lewiston, Maine. Featured artists on the disc include international heavyweights such as blues legend John Hammond, jazz guitar legend Bill Frisell, fingerstyle guitar award winner Pierre Bensusan, and singer-songwriters Pierce Pettis, Peter Mayer and Jeffrey Foucault. There are also a number of local Maine artists featured on the compilation. All proceeds from the sales of Heat! will go to the Maine Community Action Association.

Over the past year, local music impresarios Taylor Mesple and Gil Helmick have been working on the project - contacting artists, agents and attorneys from California to France. The artists involved overwhelmingly gave their blessing and permission and "Live at The Maple Room Volume 1 - HEAT" was born. HEAT is a 2 CD set containing over 140 minutes of exclusive live performances from The Maple Room stage recorded between June 2007 and August 2008. These performances represent the cream of the first year's harvest. They were recorded and mixed by Mesple and his company InnerCircle Productions in Lewiston and Durham. HEAT is being released by the Maine-based record label, Old Port Records.

In May of 2008, Maple Room owner Taylor Mesple and creative dynamo and poet Gil Helmick came up with the idea for HEAT!. Relative newcomers to the area, each wanted "leave a positive footprint preceding their arrival" into the hearts and minds of Maine. In August, 2008, Taylor revealed his wealth of recorded art and his desire to give something to the community. He asked for ideas. Gil had been following the cycles of speculation a in the oil markets and the grief on the winter horizon. He mentioned an article about state sponsored "warming centers" in communities across Maine. Gil suggested HEAT! Taylor's reply was immediate. They went to work - and they haven't looked back.

Taylor Mesple is also a talented solo artist and composer in his own right. "It doesn't matter what role I play in bringing great music to listeners - it's all part of my life's work", says Mesple. He believes that Lewiston will become a creative force in New England once again. Mesple's state of the art recording studio in downtown Lewiston features vintage analog equipment and a large vintage guitar and amplifier collection.

Gil Helmick is the Executive Producer of "Heat". In addition, Helmick and his ensemble "snowmonks" are featured on Disc 2 of HEAT!. Gil is an accomplished author and poet who incites musical improvisations amidst his poetry on the snowmonks stage.

Heat! is available online at www.Heat4All.com and at all Bull Moose Records locations. For more information, call 207-400-7543 or e-mail gilhelmick@gmail.com.

Red Sox Road Trip comes to Freeport Jan 19 to hand out ticket vouchers

As the Boston Red Sox prepare to launch the 2009 regular season
general ticket on-sale, the team will host the 2009 Red Sox Road Trip
presented by Coca-Cola with stops in all six New England states over the
January 17-19 holiday weekend.

For the first time ever, as part of a road trip, the team will distribute vouchers valid for the guaranteed purchase of
two Red Sox 2009 Regular Season tickets. A total of 6500 vouchers good for
tickets will be given out 1000 vouchers in each state over the weekend and
an additional 500 vouchers in the Greater Boston area on Thursday, January
22. In addition, one lucky fan from each state, who visits a Red Sox Road
Trip tour stop, will be selected as a Grand Prize Winner for the Red Sox
Road Trip Opening Day VIP Experience (includes pre game VIP tour, watch
batting practice on the field, and 4 tickets to Opening Day game versus the
AL Champion Rays). Fans can register at each tour stop and the winner will
be randomly selected from all names. The winner will be notified by email.

The Red Sox Road Trip will have two simultaneous itineraries to ensure all
six states are covered over the weekend. The first itinerary includes: a
visit to the Warwick Mall in Warwick, RI, on Saturday, January 17; the Mall
of New Hampshire in Manchester, NH, and the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua,
NH, on Sunday, January 18; and the L.L. Bean Flagship Store at the Freeport
Outlets in Freeport, ME, on Monday, January 19. The second itinerary
includes: a visit to the Field of Dreams store at the Westfarms Mall in
Farmington, CT, and a stop at the Crystal Mall in Waterford, CT, on
Saturday, January 17; the Holyoke Mall in Holyoke, MA, on Sunday, January
18; and the University Mall in South Burlington, VT, and the Diamond Run
Mall in Rutland, VT, on Monday, January 19. The Road Trip schedule also
includes stops in Greater Boston on Thursday, January 22; locations will be
announced in the near future.

Vouchers will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis to fans that
come to the Road Trip stops. Coupon holders will have a chance to purchase
tickets in advance of the general on-sale, which begins on Saturday, January
24, 2009.

The group making stops on the Red Sox Road Trip will include Wally the Green
Monster, either the 2004 or 2007 Red Sox World Series Trophy, and Fenway
Ambassadors. The Ambassadors will give away pocket schedules and other
collectibles and souvenirs at each stop. Fans will also have the
opportunity to sign up for Red Sox Nation, the official fan club of the
Boston Red Sox.

All distributed vouchers, which will be valid for two 2009 Red Sox Regular
Season Pre-Sale tickets, must be redeemed online at www.redsox.com between
noon on Tuesday, January 20 and noon on Friday, January 23. Fans holding
vouchers who do not have internet access or who require ADA accessible
seating may also call 1-877-REDSOX9. Hearing impaired fans may call the Red
Sox TTY line at (617) 226-6644.

The Road Trip will lead up to the general ticket on-sale for 2009 Regular
Season games at Fenway Park, which begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January
24, 2009. Fans will be able to purchase tickets to all games at Fenway
Park, with the exception of Opening Day and all games with the Yankees for
which a special random drawing will be held at a later date. Tickets for
Green Monster Seats and Budweiser Right Field Roof Deck Tables will also be
sold via the random drawing. To purchase tickets, fans can log on to
www.redsox.com. Fans who require accessible seating can call 1-877-REDSOX9.
Hearing impaired fans may call the Red Sox TTY line at (617) 226-6644.
Tickets for the 2009 regular season remain at 2008 prices, part of Red Sox
ownership's price freeze for all 2009 tickets.

Local restaurants invited to participate in winter Restaurant Week (March 1-10)

Chefs and restaurants are joining forces to present the first RestaurantWeekME this winter. Dates for the 2009 event are Sunday, March 1 through Tuesday, March 10. Restaurant registration forms are now available online at www.restaurantweekme.com, under the "restaurant resources" link, or by calling (207) 775-2126 ext. 122.

The preliminary list of participating restaurants includes Fore Street, Back Bay Grill, Hugo's, Eve's, The Front Room, Vignola, The Grill Room, Bar Lola, Bull Feeney's, Inn on Peak's Island, Bresca and Cinque Terre. More names are being added to this list everyday.

Modeled after similar events in food-conscious cities around the country including New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles and many more, a Restaurant Week event is a perfect fit for our market. Already a "foodie" destination due to the quality of our restaurants as well as sell-out epicurean events such as Harvest on the Harbor, Maine Fare, Taste of the Nation and more, the creation of RestaurantWeekME™ is timely.

During RestaurantWeekME™ chefs will showcase their specialties on specially priced, prix fixe menus. The event was created to give diners an affordable,accessible reason to spend an entire week eating at area restaurants, during winter. Foodies and curious diners are invited to take advantage of RestaurantWeekME™ by sampling new restaurants and visiting old favorites.

Chefs participating in the event will be serving specially priced, three-course meals priced at $20.09, $30.09 or $40.09 depending on the restaurant. Pricing is per person and excludes beverage, tax and gratuity. In addition to prix fixe menus all around town, a variety of culinary events are planned as part of RestaurantWeekME including tastings, tours, book signings, competitions, cooking demos and guest chefs.

To sign up to receive RestaurantWeekME news and announcements via email, visit www.restaurantweekme.com/join_list.htm.

Confirmed 2009 event sponsors include VineOne/Constellation Wines, Shipyard Brewing Co., Citadel Broadcasting, Native Maine Produce & Specialty Foods, and Portland Downtown District. For more information regarding RestaurantWeekME contact Jim Britt, gBritt PR, at (207) 775-2126 ext. 122 or jim@gbritt.com.

Last Call - PB-Arts Contest

The deadline for submissions for the third annual Pabst Blue Ribbon "PB-Arts Contest" is Saturday, January 31.

Works for the PBR-Arts Contest will be accepted in four categories -- photography, painting, sculpture and poetry (new this year) -- from September 1 through January 31, 2009. PBR will select one grand prize winner and one runner-up in each category on January 31, 2009. As in past years, the winning artwork will be honored and displayed in cities across the United States in various ways -- wallscapes, alternative weeklies, building projections, newspaper racks, bus benches, store displays and other visual outlets.

- Grand prize winners will receive $1,893 in cash, symbolic to the year 1893 when PBR won their famous blue ribbon, and a one-year supply of the inspiring brew.
- The runners-up in each category will receive exactly 1/3 of the Grand Prize: $631 in cash and a four-month supply of Pabst.
- For further submission and contest details your readers can visit www.pabstblueribbon.com

New Director for the Portland Museum of Art

The Portland Museum of Art announced today that Mark Bessire has been hired as the new Director of the Museum. Since 2003, Bessire has been Director of the Bates College Museum of Art in Lewiston, Maine, best known for its Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection. Bessire will begin his new position at the Portland Museum of Art on March 2, 2009.

Among his many accomplishments at the Bates College Museum of Art, Bessire initiated a Collections Project Series, worked with departments to create cross-disciplinary exhibitions through a Synergy Fund, exhibited Chinese art to support Bates's strong Asian Studies Program, and strengthened the Friends of the Museum program. Bessire was also a lecturer in the Humanities and Chair of the Committee on Public Art.

Previously, Bessire was Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art at the Maine College of Art in Portland, Maine, from 1998 to 2003. He organized many exhibitions there including The Photography of Ike Ude and Eracism: William Pope.L, which traveled nationally and was accompanied by an MIT Press Publication.

Bessire holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University, a M.A. in art history from Hunter College, and a B.A. from New York University. He was a Helena Rubinstein Fellow at the Whitney Museum of Art and a Fulbright Fellow in Tanzania. He has published widely including three books with MIT Press, has organized numerous traveling exhibitions, is active in local, community, and national public art programs, lectures on museum studies, and has participated on national art juries. His upcoming publication Stairway to Heaven: From Chinese Streets to Monuments and Skyscrapers will be published this year by University Press of New England. Bessire is a founding board member of the non-profit Africa Schoolhouse, which is dedicated to building schools in rural Africa.

In naming Bessire as the new Director, Hans Underdahl, President of the Board of the Portland Museum of Art, said, "I am delighted that the Search Committee chose and the full Board endorsed the decision to invite Mark H. C. Bessire to be the new Director of the Portland Museum of Art. The success and stature of the Museum, combined with the attractiveness of Portland as a place to live, resulted in a very capable pool of candidates from all across the country. After extensive study of the challenges and opportunities that the Museum will have in the years ahead, it was decided that Mark had the best combination of leadership and practical skills to achieve them."

In accepting the position, Bessire stated, "I am honored to be selected as Director of the Portland Museum of Art. I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Museum at this critical point in its history. The acquisitions of the Winslow Homer Studio, the Charles Q. Clapp House, and the property at 87 Spring Street all demand a clear articulation of the Museum's mission and aspirations in order to determine the next exciting stage of its growth. Developing these priorities will enable us to expand audiences, attract donors, and build the collection to make the Portland Museum of Art one of the most vibrant museums in America."

"Our Director Search Committee was comprised of a broad spectrum of Museum trustees," said Search Committee Chair and Trustee James L. Moody. "We interviewed several executive search consulting firms and chose Russell Reynolds Associates. The Portland area and the quality of our Museum attracted a large pool of candidates. Our committee is confident that Mark Bessire will do an outstanding job as our new Director, and we look forward to working with him to make our Museum and its programs even better."

Mark Bessire is married to Aimée Bessire, Associate Professor at Maine College of Art. They reside with their two children in Portland.

The Portland Museum of Art, founded in 1882, is Maine's oldest and largest public art institution. The Museum's three architecturally significant buildings unite three centuries that showcase the history of American art and culture. The Museum's collection of more than 17,000 objects includes decorative and fine arts dating from the 18th century to the present. The heart of the Museum's collection is the State of Maine Collection, which features works by artists such as Winslow Homer, Marsden Hartley, John Marin, Louise Nevelson, and Andrew Wyeth. The Museum has the largest European collection in Maine. The major European movements from Impressionism through Surrealism are represented by the Joan Whitney Payson, Albert Otten, and Scott M. Black collections, which include works by Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, René Magritte, Claude Monet, Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The Elizabeth B. Noyce Collection, a bequest of 66 paintings and sculptures, has transformed the scope and quality of the American collection, bringing to the Museum its first paintings by George Bellows, Alfred Thompson Bricher, Abraham Walkowitz, and Jamie Wyeth, and adding masterpieces to the collection by Childe Hassam, Fitz Henry Lane, and N. C. Wyeth.

UNE Art Gallery highlights 5 African American artists

In a show that will be on view throughout Black History Month in February, the University of New England Art Gallery in Portland opens "The Freedom Place Collection" with a reception and gallery talk Friday, Jan. 16.

Consisting of 52 works by five contemporary African American artists, the show was assembled by D.C.-based collectors Stuart Bloch and Ambassador Julia Chang Bloch. This is a carefully nuanced collection, each work playing off another and adding up to a sophisticated assemblage of contemporary fine art that represents a first-rate contribution to American art today.

The show highlights the work of Romare Bearden, Benny Andrews, Alma Woodsey Thomas, Richard Yarde and Robert Freeman. The subjects, mediums and messages chosen by the artists differ widely, incorporating color theory, collage, lithographs, oils and watercolors into the show. Many diverse elements are presented, from country figures to city scenes and from geometric designs to magical landscapes.

The name of the collection refers to a stop on the Underground Railroad located near where the Bloch's home, also named Freedom Place, stands today.

The show, which was previously on view a the Zenith Gallery in Washington D.C., remains up until March 15. The UNE Art Gallery is located on the Westbrook College Campus at 716 Stevens Ave., Portland. FMI visit www.une.edu/artgallery/freedom.asp.

Fri., Jan. 16
Conversation with the Collectors and artist Robert Freeman, 4-5 pm
Opening Reception, 5-7 pm
Both events are free and open to the public.

Get on the trail of great art

The Maine Art Museum Trail has launched a new website and brochure that showcases each of the seven art museums featured on the Trail. Both the website and brochure include information and artwork from each museum, along with links to regional arts and cultural organizations on the website.

The Maine Art Museum Trail is an educational partnership of all seven of Maine's leading art museums. The Trail museums include: Bates College Museum of Art (Lewiston), Bowdoin College Museum of Art (Brunswick), Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville), Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland), Ogunquit Museum of American Art (Ogunquit), Portland Museum of Art (Portland) and University of Maine Museum of Art (Bangor).

As a whole, the museums' permanent collections include works of art by the many artists who have summered or worked in Maine, such as Marsden Hartley, John Marin, Rockwell Kent, Louise Nevelson, Fairfield Porter and Alex Katz. They also feature treasures ranging from European masterpieces by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Pablo Picasso to Greek and Roman sculpture, early American silver and furniture, and contemporary textiles, prints, ceramics and sculpture.

For more info, visit the website or call (207) 775-6148, ext. 3224 for a brochure.

The Cambiata to play three free shows

In support of their self-titled January 9th CD release, Maine band The Cambiata will play three shows in Bull Moose stores around the state. They will be performing Friday, January 16 at 6:30 PM at Bull Moose's Scarborough store (456 Payne Rd.), again on Saturday, January 17, 4:00 PM at the Lewiston store (Lewiston Mall, 20 East Avenue), and finally on Sunday, January 18 at 4:00 PM at the Bangor store (Maine Square Mall, 683 Hogan Road). All shows are free and open to the public.

One of the top-selling local bands at Bull Moose, The Cambiata released their first album, "Into the Night," in 2006. Their second, a 2008 EP "To Heal," was number 6 on Bull Moose's top 10 local CD sales this past year. Both releases went on to win the Best Album award from Portland Phoenix Best of Music Poll Awards in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

In an article for MaineToday.com last July, WCYY disc jockey and Portland Music Association board member Mark Curdo described The Cambiata as having "a surprising array of eclectic influences from a wide palate of genres," and called vocalist Chris Moulton as "just incredible."

The Cambiata is made up of Chris Moulton (Vocals, Guitar), Sean Morin (Guitar, Keyboards), Miguel Barajas (Guitar), Stan Dzengelewski (Bass), and Dan Capaldi (Drums, Percussion). Often generically classified as "Rock/Pop," "hard rock"or "indie rock" they claim to simply be influenced by "creative and passionate music."

Backstage Jaye Drew: The Cambiata gets theatrical

The Port City Music Hall Opens January 17

On January 17, 2009, the Port City Music Hall will open its doors at 504 Congress Street in Portland, ME. The new state-of-the-art music venue will offer a robust schedule of nationally touring bands of all genres as well as the best of the local scene.

"The thriving music scene in Portland is a strong foundation for a mid-size venue like Port City Music Hall," says owner Rob Evon. "Our location on Congress Street is prime and I hope that our investment in the Arts District will spur continued arts-related development. With some extra effort, Portland can overcome the difficulties of being a secondary market and I know from experience, that if we give the artists and their management a memorable, professional experience - they'll be back!"

The spacious three-story space, formerly a movie theater and then a sports bar, has been completely redesigned and rebuilt as a performance venue. Evon was committed to working with local businesses in developing the venue. He worked closely with Portland architect Mark Sengelmann (ALPHAarchitects) and interior designer Joshua Bergey (Joshua Bergey Design Studios, Portland/Philadelphia) to create a comfortable yet elegant multi-use space. Evon paid special attention to acoustic elements and used his background in sound recording to outfit a top-of-the-line sound system for the venue. Branding and logo design for the business were provided by Portland's Lapchick Creative.

The central music hall can accommodate audiences of up to 660. Depending on the genre of music and the size of the expected crowd, flexible seating arrangements can offer cabaret seating at small tables; seats in rows; or standing room and a large dance floor.

The venue features a plushly appointed Front Lounge with intimate groupings of couches and comfortable chairs. The lower level offers a lounge with pool tables and the capability for live video and sound feeds from the stage. The third floor of the venue contains the Port City Music Hall administrative and production offices as well as a spacious Green Room for the artists # complete with separate dressing room, shower, and a rooftop deck.

The opening schedule indicates the broad scope of the venue's booking policies. A partial list includes reggae star Collie Buddz; blues icon Johnny Winter; indie-pop superstars OK Go; guitarist Derek Trucks, crowned the "New Guitar God" by Rolling Stone Magazine; and a showcase of four up-and-coming New England bands.

Tickets are now on sale for the following shows: 1/17 Fear Nuttin Band with Sidecar Radio; 1/22 SonicBids Showcase featuring Putnam Smith, the Firewater Band, Jordan Valentine & the Sunday Saints, and Lovewhip; 1/29 The Zen Tricksters with Sly-Chi; 2/6 The Derek Trucks Band; 2/15 Johnny Winter with Samuel James; 2/19 Jazz Mandolin Project; 3/12 Duncan Sheik; 3/13 OK Go with Longwave and Oppenheimer; 3/20 Assembly of Dust.

Tickets for all Port City Music Hall shows are available online at www.portcitymusichall.com and at all Bull Moose Records stores. For more information, call 207-899-4990 or e-mail info@portcitymusichall.com

Attention H.S. rock musicians: It's Rock-Off time again

The talent search is on once again for "The Best High School Rock Band in the State of Maine." But the 25th Annual Reindeer Rock-Off--the flagship event of Portland-based independent label Reindeer Records--is being presented for its final year.

The competition is open to original high school bands from across the state who would like their moment of fame in the Rock-Off spotlight. In addition to the coveted title of Best Young Band In The State Of Maine, the winning band will win $1,000.

Deadline to register is February 1, after which bands will be slotted for a live showcase performance on March 15 or 22 at McAuley Performing Arts Center in Portland. Five bands will then be selected to play in the Finals, slated for Sunday, April 19.

In the past 25 years, the Rock-Off has become a household name among high school musicians of all levels and contemporary genres. Many local artists have taken advantage of their Rock-Off experience and exposure to garner regional and national success: Howie Day, Jeremiah Freed and Rustic Overtones, to name a few.

Having reached its Silver Anniversary status, Reindeer announced its goal to shift away from live event production in order to focus more on artist and product development.

The Rock-Off is designed to provide lots of benefits to every band whether they win or not," said Executive Producer Louis Philippe, who created the event when he was president of the local music union. "It's a great platform for learning and growing as individual musicians, with plenty of industry exposure and networking opportunities, and it's just plain tons of fun."

But Philippe warns the Rock-Off is a very structured, intense, no-nonsense competition that is unlike any typical battle-of-the-bands. "A band will face several panels of judges who evaluate pretty much everything about their act-their presentation, their live show, their original material and numerous other record industry criteria," Philippe said. "It's not just about a band's music, it's about their aptitude, acumen, image and ability to be stars."

Reindeer is very excited to have once again as a media sponsor, MaineToday.com, which is very supportive of the high school scene, and whose online site will soon offer some fun interactive ways to get involved with the Rock-Off and further promote the bands.

Musicians interested in obtaining a registration packet or more info should contact Reindeer at 857-9002 or email events@reindeergroup.org.