I have an opportunity to move to Portland Maine for a year and one of my concerns is the irish music scene. From the Sessions section on this site, it looks like the few sessions there have died off. However, being so close to Boston, I'm wondering if most go there to play? But in the winter? With all that snow???
Anyway, if you're local to the area, I'd really appreciate any feedback on the irish music scene.
As to visiting Boston, true, we're just a couple of hours away. But I suspect you'll be more inclined to try and stay closer to home if you can, yes, especially during the winter. However, if you can bunk with someone in town for a couple of days, you could have a fine little "musical visit" to Boston.
well...the best little secret in Portland is its two sessions. The first is Brian Boru's in Center street Sundays 3-6 PM and it is run by two uilleann pipers (Tom Wilsbac and Tom Rota). This is definitely an "A" session but all levels are welcome. The other session is at Bull Feeney's in Fore Street and it also runs on Sundays 7-10 PM by a fiddle and flute duo (Steve and Nicole). Both sessions are Boston-caliber, in fact a good friend of mine calls the Portland sessions "Little Ennis"...so stop on in and give us a visit...just say the bouzouki player told you about it
My brother lives in Portland so I had the chance to hit the Boru session over the summer - it was a bit cramped but great otherwise. Wonderfully welcoming people and good players.
By odd coincidence, a guy I session with often here in NC was in Portland the same weekend I was. . . .it was odd but cool. "what the hell are you doing here?" Was the mutual response. Still, a good session.
Portland Maine
Portland Maine
I have an opportunity to move to Portland Maine for a year and one of my concerns is the irish music scene. From the Sessions section on this site, it looks like the few sessions there have died off. However, being so close to Boston, I'm wondering if most go there to play? But in the winter? With all that snow???
Anyway, if you're local to the area, I'd really appreciate any feedback on the irish music scene.
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by Jreidy
Re: Portland Maine
I'm not a "Mainer," so I can't really offer you much insight -- but I can give you the Web site for a couple of pretty active performers who could:
http://www.katewegner.com/
It's a start, anyway.
As to visiting Boston, true, we're just a couple of hours away. But I suspect you'll be more inclined to try and stay closer to home if you can, yes, especially during the winter. However, if you can bunk with someone in town for a couple of days, you could have a fine little "musical visit" to Boston.
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by sts
Re: Portland Maine
well...the best little secret in Portland is its two sessions. The first is Brian Boru's in Center street Sundays 3-6 PM and it is run by two uilleann pipers (Tom Wilsbac and Tom Rota). This is definitely an "A" session but all levels are welcome. The other session is at Bull Feeney's in Fore Street and it also runs on Sundays 7-10 PM by a fiddle and flute duo (Steve and Nicole). Both sessions are Boston-caliber, in fact a good friend of mine calls the Portland sessions "Little Ennis"...so stop on in and give us a visit...just say the bouzouki player told you about it
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by zoukmike
Re: Portland Maine
My brother lives in Portland so I had the chance to hit the Boru session over the summer - it was a bit cramped but great otherwise. Wonderfully welcoming people and good players.
By odd coincidence, a guy I session with often here in NC was in Portland the same weekend I was. . . .it was odd but cool. "what the hell are you doing here?" Was the mutual response. Still, a good session.
# Posted on November 22nd 2005 by wormdiet
Re: Portland Maine
Ditto to what Bouzouki Mike says
# Posted on November 23rd 2005 by meemtp