PORTLAND, Maine — The weather is turning toward summer and concert season is heating up in Maine. Portland Press Herald music writer Aimsel Ponti joins us to preview concerts coming to Maine over the next couple of weeks.
SHOW: Diana Ross
WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, May 14 @ Merrill Auditorium in Portland
COST: $147 to $244
DETAILS: Ms. Ross is on her Beautiful Love Performances legacy tour.
SHOW: “The Best Part of My Life: The Mama Cass Elliot Story"
WHEN & WHERE: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through May 25.
COST: $20
DETAILS: Cass Elliot was a member of the ’60s folk rock band The Mamas & The Papas and also released five solo albums. The Mamas & The Papas were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2022, Elliot received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Local actress and singer Eliza Ruth Watson is portraying her in a multimedia show featuring TV, radio, and print interviews and 13 songs sung live. Michael Tobin wrote this show when he heard that Elliot’s daughter Owen Elliot-Kuggel had written the book “My Mama, Cass: A Memoir”
SHOW: Melissa Ferrick
WHEN & WHERE: Friday, May 17 @ Jonathan’s in Ogunquit
COST: $36.50 to $7.50
DETAILS: I’ve been a fan of singer-songwriter Melissa Ferrick since she released her debut album “Massive Blur” in 1993. Incredible acoustic guitarist, with passionate vocals, and great songwriting. Her music checks a lot of boxes and her live performances are always great because she’ll go from telling a hilarious story into an emotional song. Truly one of a kind.
SHOW: The Pine State Pitches
WHEN & WHERE: 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 19 @ First Congregational Church in South Portland
COST: $10 at the door
Tickets & Info: No tickets needed. See Instagram
DETAILS: The Pine State Pitches, a Portland-based, 15-member a cappella group. PSP was founded in 2021 to restore community and connection through song. This concert will feature an uplifting and playful selection of vocal covers, from Billie Eilish to "Dear Evan Hansen."