PORTLAND, Maine — Aimsel Ponti is the music writer for the Portland Press Herald and joined us to preview upcoming concerts in Maine.
SHOW: Big Yellow Taxi: The Music of Joni Mitchell
WHEN & WHERE: Friday, Oct. 4 @ Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel
COST: $ 25 in advance, $35 day of show
DETAILS: Tribute to Joni, celebrating her "Court and Spark" album. The six-piece, New England-based Joni Mitchell tribute band is performing the singer-songwriter’s “Court and Spark” album in its entirety Friday at One Longfellow Square in Portland.
Big Yellow Taxi is fronted by vocalist Teresa Lorenco. The rest of the band is Joe Fitzpatrick (drums), John Cabán (guitar, vocals), Rich Cahillane (bass, guitar, dulcimer, vocals), Anne T. Patterson (vocals, percussion) and Robert Sherwood (piano, keys, bass).
Big Yellow Taxi takes its name from the title of a song on Mitchell’s 1970 album “Ladies of the Canyon.” "Court and Spark" songs include "Help Me," "Free Main in Paris," "Raised on Robbery," and "Down to You."
SHOW: Being Petty
WHEN & WHERE: Friday, Oct. 11 @ Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath
COST: $25
DETAILS: Bruce Hilton is an award winning singer/songwriter who was enjoying regional success with Hilton Park, a folk trio that also featured his son, Conor. COVID brought about a long term hiatus for the band, and by 2021 Bruce was ready for a new challenge. He teamed up with drummer Larry Ladrie and started runnin’ down a dream… to put together the most kick-ass Tom Petty tribute band around. Renowned bassist Ben Butterworth was a perfect fit, seeming to channel Ron Blair and Howie Epstein through his fingers. With Ladrie as Stan Lynch, the baddest rhythm section in the northeast was in place.
SHOW: The Stoneheads
WHEN & WHERE: Friday, Oct. 11 @ Boothbay Opera House
COST: $20 in advance, $25 day of show
DETAILS: The Boneheads playing Rolling Stones songs! Bob Colwell, Steve Jones, Scott Elliot & Dick Hollis.
SHOW: Maia Sharp & Willy Porter
WHEN & WHERE: Friday, Oct. 11 @ Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield
COST: $25
DETAILS: A pair of exceptional singer-songwriters!
SHOW: Bala-Bila: Maili to Mozambique
WHEN & WHERE: Saturday, Oct. 12 @ The Dance Hall in Kittery
COST: $25 in advance, $30 day of show
DETAILS: BALA-BILA brings together two African master musicians: Balla Kouyate on balafon, calabash, bass guitar and voice, and Matchume Zango on timbila, mbira, percussion and voice. It's a live concert framed as an intercultural musical conversation between the two artists.
SHOW: Genevieve Stokes
WHEN & WHERE: Saturday, Oct. 19 @ Portland House of Music
COST: $20
DETAILS: Album release show for "With a Lightning Strike."
LIGHTNING ROUND!!
- Louisa Stancioff + Eliza Edens + Molly Parden @ One Longfellow Square on Friday, Oct. 4
- Vanessa Collier, sax player @ Jonathan’s in Ogunquit on Oct. 11
- Jake Blount & Mali Obomsawin. Friday, Oct. 11 @ Portland House of Music and Saturday, Oct. 12 @ The Strand Theatre in Rockland
- Mindy Smith @ One Longfellow Square on Oct. 13
- Rickie Lee Jones @ Stone Mountain Arts Center on Oct. 18
- The Lone Bellow @ Stone Mountain Arts Center on Oct. 19