Page 16 — THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN, Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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MUSIC CALENDAR –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Whether he is performing his own compositions or drawing on a seemingly endless repertoire of American popular music, it is all filtered through a sensibility and aesthetic entirely his own. Fishman’s performances combine the exuberance and spontaneity of jazz with a storyteller’s sense of drama, emotional depth and play. The All-Music Guide has called him “an important force in creative music,” and The New York Times has written that his work “transcends time and idiom.” $17 advance, $20 day of sale. One Longfellow Square.
Thursday Dec. 2 Lady Lamb The Beekeeper at Geno’s 9 p.m. No-longer-local indie sweetheart Lady Lamb The Beekeeper brings out her banjo and harmonica one more time (or a lot more time, who knows) for a benefit show for Nick Stevens of the 13th Cookie. Samuel James and Sontiago join. 21 plus.
Pete Miller at One Longfellow 8 p.m. Pete Miller’s honest songwriting and musical stylings stem from an intimate upbringing in Southern Maine, an intuitive awareness of the aesthetic world, and a passion for spending time among waves and snowy peaks. A blend of indie and folk, his songs explore the unmasking of human tendencies. Miller’s lyrically clever offerings delve into the raw nature of humans—exposing, proposing, desiring, and accepting. $8 adv/ $10 day of show. All ages
Friday, Dec. 3
Thursday, Dec. 9 HillyTown Presents: Acoustic night at Mayo Street Arts 8 p.m. Local music blog Hillytown hosts a night of acoustic music at Mayo Street Arts in East Bayside. The all ages, 8pm, $5 show will feature all acoustic performers, including Jacob Augustine, Denise Dill, D. Gross, and Irish Christmas in America comes to One Longfellow Square on Dec. 9. (COURTESY PHOTO) Nate Martinez (of the Brooklyn-based band Thieving Irons). $5, all ages Saturday, Dec. 4
1930s night at the State Theatre 5 p.m. (Movie starts at 7 p.m.) The State Theatre revisits its glorious beginnings as it transforms itself back into a 1930s Movie House with a screening of The Wizard of Oz. Forget 3-D… Bring the family to the Ultimate Technicolor Triumph! Over A Cardboard Sea, Portland’s premiere nostalgia act, will set the mood with a pre-show performance of classic vaudeville tunes. An old-timey photo booth, Shirley Temples at the bar, and Depression-level ticket prices complete the transformation.
John McCutcheon at One Longfellow 8 p.m. John McCutcheon is America’s balladeer. His songs sing of the nation’s heritage. His words channel the conscience of our people into streams of poetry and melody. Think of McCutcheon as an incarnation of Pete Seeger and Mr. Rogers, Will Rogers and Bruce Springsteen. The most versatile and compelling performer you will see this year. $20 advance, $23 at the door, all ages.
State Theatre presents: Dark Side of the Rainbow 10 p.m. Dark Side of the Rainbow (also known as Dark Side of Oz or The Wizard of Floyd) refers to the pairing of the 1973 Pink Floyd music album “The Dark Side of the Moon” with the visual portion of the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” This produces moments where the film and the album appear to correspond with each other. Band members and others involved in the making of the album state that any relationship between the two works of art is merely a coincidence. $5, all ages.
Matisyahu’s Festival of Lights at The State Theatre Casco Bay Concert Band in Gorham 3 p.m. Casco Bay Concert Band, consisting of musicians from 29 surrounding communities, will present “The Many Moods of Christmas” at the McCormack Performing Ars Center, Gorham High School. CBCB is under the direction of Dr. Peter Martin and is welcoming New Associate Conductor Will Wohler. $7 Adults, $6 Seniors, free for children/students. Wheelchair accessible. www.cascobayconcertband. org (501(3c)). The program will feature Russian Christmas Music, Sleigh Ride, a musical reading of The Night Before Christmas, works by local arranger Terry White with guest solists Nicole Rawding, mezzo-soprano and David Delano, Bass-Baritone, a traditional sing-along and much more.
George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic 7 p.m. George Clinton (born July 22, 1941) is an American musician and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and is a solo funk artist as of 1981. He has been called one of the most important innovators of funk music, next to James Brown and Sly Stone. Clinton is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of ParliamentFunkadelic. $30 adv / $35 dos, all ages. State Theatre.
Howard Fishman album release 8 p.m. Howard Fishman, composer, guitarist and bandleader, has come to be recognized as one of today’s most agile interpreters of the American songbook.
7:30 p.m. A Hasidic Jewish musician from New York City singing reggae songs about his religious devotion, fans responded to this one-of-a-kind voice, driving Youth, Matisyahu’s Grammy-nominated 2006 studio disc, to the top spot on Billboard’s reggae albums chart. That album, as well as Matisahu’s previous recording “Live at Stubb’s,” went Gold. His new album, “Light,” which debuted in the top 20 on the Billboard charts, is out now on Epic Records. Produced by David Kahne (Paul McCartney, Regina Spektor, Sublime), Matis recorded the album in Brooklyn, NY and Jamaica and got an assist from several guests Stephen McGregor, Sly & Robbie, members of Fyre Dept. and Fishbone, and others. $26 in advance/$28 day of show, all ages. State Theatre.
Irish Christmas in America 7:30 p.m. Irish Christmas in America tours throughout the USA with some of Ireland’s top traditional artists. Now in its sixth year, Irish Christmas in America features members of leading Irish traditional band Téada, vocalist Séamus Begley, and other top traditional artists performing Irish ballads and holiday carols, lively fiddle tunes and old-style Irish dancing. Narration brings to life ancient customs and stories, while photos provide a backdrop of rich historical context. It’s a family friendly show steeped in traditional music and perfect for getting into the spirit of the holiday season. At One Longfellow Square, Also Dec. 7 at Unity Center for the Performing Arts and Dec. 8 at South Carthage’s Skye Theatre.
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The Rat Pack Christmas Show 7 p.m. The Rat Pack Christmas Show with a surprise ending. Anthony’s Dinner Theater and Cabaret. Special sixcourse Christmas dinner, $39.95. www.anthonysdinnertheater.com/shows.html
Kirtan with Muraladhir Pai 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Kirtan with Muraladhir Pai, born in India, son of two Sat Gurus. He is an accomplished classical musician who will share original bhagans including ones written by his parents. Sadhana, the Meditation Center, 100 Brickhill Ave., South Portland. FMI: www.SadhanaMe.com.
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Old Port Playhouse 8 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s-era radio broadcast, directed by Whitney Smith, at Old Port Playhouse. “The saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty, whose guardian angel has to descent on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him—by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born—that his has been, after all, a wonderful life!” It runs Dec. 3-19. Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. $15-$22. Box Office, 773-0333, http://oldportplayhouse.com
Viva Lebowski benefit at Bayside Bowl 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Bayside Bowl will host Viva Lebowski, a tribute to the Coen Brothers’ cult classic, “The Big Lebowski.” The event will feature an evening of bowling, trivia and costume contests, and will also include a screening of the Coen Brothers’ film. Part of the event’s proceeds will go to benefit local business owner Nicholas Stevens, a Port-
land resident who has been struggling with the cost of treatment for Multiple Sclerosis since opening his bakery, 13th Cookie. “This is going to be a really fun event, and we’re so pleased at the number of businesses which have offered sponsorships,” said event coordinator Dave Cousins. “The interest is there, because of the vast appeal of the film. College students, older folks, there’s so many people who love The Big Lebowski. We’re glad to use this as vehicle for a good cause, too.” Bayside Bowl is located at 58 Alder St. For information and directions to find Bayside Bowl, visit their website at http://baysidebowl.com/. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the evening of the event. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.vivalebowski.com or at Bayside Bowl. For further information, go to vivalebowski. com or email the event at vivalebowski@gmail.com.
Sunday, Dec. 5 ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Old Port Playhouse 2 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Life,” the beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s-era radio broadcast, directed by Whitney Smith, at Old Port Playhouse. “The saga of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been quashed by family obligation and civic duty, whose guardian angel has to descent on Christmas Eve to save him from despair and to remind him—by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born—that his has been, after all, a wonderful life!” It runs Dec. 3-19. Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. $15-$22. Box Office, 773-0333, http://oldportplayhouse.com
Levey Day School Hanukkah Party 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Levey Day School, 400 Deering Ave.,
Portland. Hanukkah Party. RSVP: 774-7676 or leveyday@ maine.rr.com. Suggested Donation: $3/child over 2 years. Latkes, Donuts, Games, Crafts and Entertainment.
Wreaths Across America Project 4:30 p.m. The annual Wreaths Across America Project convoy will make a stop at Cheverus High School on its way to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The public is invited to attend. The convoy will consist of as many as 12 tractor trailer trucks and their escorts en route with handmade Maine wreaths to lay on the graves of veterans at Arlington. The ceremony at Cheverus will take place in the school’s gymnasium beginning at 4:30 p.m. and will last approximately an hour. The event will consist of a roll call of all branches of the military; a speech by Karen and Morrill Worcester of Worcester Wreath Company; Fr. William R. Campbell, S.J., President of Cheverus High School, will deliver a blessing the wreaths, including wreaths to be given to local area high schools, and one which will be hung on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Shannon Moss of Channel 8 News will be the ceremony’s emcee. “Cheverus High School is proud to be a part of the Project. Stopping the convoy at Cheverus was the idea of long-time Cheverus swimming coach, Kevin Haley. Haley, also a Portland Police officer, felt it was important to involve ‘our kids and all high school kids in the area. I have been here for over 21 years and thought the Cheverus community would benefit and learn from their mission, ‘To honor, To Teach, To Remember.’” The Project means a great deal to Haley as his brother, William Haley, Cheverus class of 1970, is buried at Arlington. “I started five years ago going down to Arlington and volunteering. I want other Cheverians, staff and families to experience what the Worcesters do for our nation and honor our fallen heroes that gave the ultimate sacrifice.” The Arlington Wreath Project and the wreath convoy was the brainchild of Morrill Worcester, President of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrison, Maine.