Unity Centre Schedule

John Sullivan, Gen. Manager
42 Depot Street 207 948-SHOW
show@unitymaine.org
Ticket Outlets: Crosstrax Restaurant in Unity, the Music Gallery in Waterville, Mr. Paperback in Belfast.

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Built from a hundred year old barn, the Unity Centre is a comfortable 200 seat theatre with a great sound system. The generosity of Unity philanthropists Bert and Coral Clifford made it happen.
In January 2007, the Cliffords donated the theater to Unity College.

Tickets bought online will be held for you at the box office.
There are no additional charges for tickets bought online.

Mark Erelli and Jeffrey Foucault
Saturday October 4 at 7:30 pm

For the last 10 years, over the course of six albums and countless miles traveled from coffeehouse to house concert to listening room, Erelli has made himself the veritable James Brown of Unitarian church basements. He’s "the hardest working man in folk business" and one of the most respected singer-songwriters on the circuit. Beyond his solo career, he has also fashioned himself into one of the most in-demand instrumental sidemen, touring with Lori McKenna and gaining strong attention as a writer, performing in Nashville song circles and backstage pickin’ parties with the likes of Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and others. Things are working for him. So why is his new album, Delivered, about change? He'll perform some great songs from that album that will have you thinking about it too.

This CHICAGO SUN-TIMES review of Ghost Repeater says it all:
"One of the best albums of the year... Jeffrey Foucault incorporates the best of the Americana, alt-country and roots-rock genres into his third solo album... Those who recall Bruce Springsteen in the pre-"Born to Run" days will hear echoes of the Boss... as well as the best of the Texas troubadours, including Joe Ely and Butch Hancock. But there's nothing derivative about Foucault's haunting allusions... the fundamental truths that emerge are undeniable... Musically, Foucault has created a harmonious minimalist sound that's driven by his acoustic strumming and the economical Mark Knopfler-style electric fretwork of veteran Iowa guitarist Bo Ramsey... there's a tumbling tumbleweeds sensibility to Ghost Repeater reminiscent of the finest Dust Bowl anthems."
Tickets $15

Liadan
Tuesday October 7 at 7 pm

Traditional Irish music group, Líadan, weave music and song to form a unique blend of old and new. The distinctive sound of Líadan lies in the deeply traditional essence of their music and in each band member’s ability to shine both instrumentally and vocally. From Galway, Limerick and Dublin, this inspiring all-female band comprises of six members: Síle Denvir, harpist; Deirdre Chawke, piano accordion; Valerie Casey and Claire Dolan, fiddles; Sarah-Jane Woods, flute; Elaine Cormican, whistles.
"Líadan has the instrumental chops, impressive lead vocals, well-executed vocal harmonies, imaginative arrangements, extensive and diverse repertoire, and apparent elan to become the next major global force in Irish traditional music." --
Tickets $15

Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang
Tuesday, October 14 at 7 pm
Eddie Shaw has done just about everything in the blues business. He’s been a sideman, singer, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, producer and tavern owner, including acting as bandleader and manager for the late Howlin’ Wolf from 1972 to 1975. After working for years behind the scenes, Eddie stepped out on his own as a band leader, proving himself to be one of the blues world’s premier horn players and a fine vocalist to boot. Besides constantly touring for over two decades, Eddie has continued to record prolifically. Eddie Shaw has been bringing his fat-toned, blues-drenched saxophone to blues fans for fifty years, thirty of them as a band leader and vocalist. He’s won fans all over the world, and continues to perform constantly, carrying on in the Windy City spirit of his mentor Howlin’ Wolf and his friend Magic Sam, but above all as his own man, Chicago’s #1 blues horn player. Tickets $10.00

Tree by Leaf
Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 pm
Tree by Leaf will perform a benefit concert for hunger-relief efforts in Waldo County, as part of the second annual Arts for Hunger sponsored by the Unity Area Rotary Club.

Tree by Leaf is the unique synergy and musicianship of Garrett Soucy, whose songwriting taps at the pulse of the soul of human experience, but never dips into journal-entry pathos, Cliff Young, whose keyboards slide from roaring command to a mere hum of electricity, and Siiri Soucy, whose voice could draw a heart right out of its body. Eric Sanders adds the primal rhythm to the new TBL sound. Influences as divergent as a childhood steeped in church music, hip hop, rap, and the classical education that Cliff Young and Siiri Soucy brought to the band, turned Garrett's ear for melody and undeniable writing talent into something extraordinary.
In addition to the concert, an Art Sale featuring items donated by local artists and citizens will take place throughout October in the UCPA Art Gallery. All proceeds from the Tree by Leaf concert and the art sale will benefit the hunger-relief efforts of the Volunteer Regional Food Pantry, People for People and Open Door. Patrons are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the concert. Tickets $10.00

The Brew
Friday October 31 at 8 pm

The Brew is an energetic quartet hailing from Massachusetts' North Shore. Formed in 2002 when longtime friends Dave Drouin (guitars/vocals) and Kelly Kane (drums) decided to formalize their music careers and team up with brothers Chris Plante (keyboards/vocals) and Joe Plante (bass/vocals). The music of The Brew is friendly to both home stereos and dancing shoes. The voice of this rising, young quartet can be experienced through tightly crafted songs that contain poignant and often fantastical lyrics, as well as an innate ability to travel and explore within those songs through improvisation. The Brew appeals to rock, funk, jam, jazz, reggae, and pop enthusiasts alike, and it has been said that their music summons the spirits of artists such as Peter Gabriel, YES, The Police, and contemporaries like Percy Hill. After cutting their first studio album in 2003, The Brew have since released two more, including their 2006 release, The Key.
Tickets $15

Al and the Transamericans
Wednesday November 5
Al & the Transamericans are a roots rock, alt country, Americana group hailing from the great northeast.

The music is a nice blend of bluegrass, country, & rock. All of the musicians have 'day jobs' in other bands (moe., Strangefolk, Okemah, the Gordon Stone Trio). These guys all come to this simply for the love of playing a good 3 chord song. Their shows typically feature everything from straight up acoustic bluegrass barnburners to balls out rock. Heavy country and bluegrass influences abound, with plenty of jammy energy. Grateful Dead with a kick in the pants. The band is Al Schnier (vocals, gtr, mando), Vinnie Amico (drums), Kirk Juhas (b3, rhodes, piano, vocals), Eric Glockler (bass, vocals), Gordon Stone (banjo, pedal steel).
Tickets $15

Strangefolk
Saturday November 22 at 8 pm
Strangefolk is a rock-oriented jamband originally from Burlington, VT. Since forming in 1991, they have released five studio albums, two live albums and one live concert DVD. The band consists of Jon Trafton (lead guitar, vocals), Erik Glockler (bass, vocals), Luke "Patchen" Montgomery (rhythm guitar, lead guitar, vocals), Don Scott (keyboards, vocals) and Russ Lawton (drums). At the heart of Strangefolk's songwriting is a seamless blend of narrative lyrical content and inventive melody. Rock, folk, blues, and bluegrass influences converge to create an instantly recognizable sound, which keeps Strangefolk's listeners moving from start to finish. When punctuated with Strangefolk's trademark three-part harmonies and soaring lead guitars, the band's unique songwriting ability develops a natural avenue for the band to extend themselves in a live setting. The result is one of the more gratifying live music experiences around.
Tickets $24

Carlene Carter
Sunday November 23 at 7 pm
Born Rebecca Carlene Smith, this prodigal child of country music royalty (granddaughter of Maybelle Carter of

the original Carter Family, daughter of June Carter and Carl Smith, stepdaughter of Johnny Cash) has been making a name for herself since her debut album, "Carlene Carter," on Warner Bros. in 1978. Launched by Emmylou Harris's hit recording of her song "Easy From Now On," the young mother of two left Nashville at 22 to make a record in England with rocker Graham Parker's band, The Rumour. TIME magazine named the album "Tops in Pops" for the summer, and when Maybelle died that fall, Rolling Stone magazine wrote that she "lived to see her granddaughter Carlene merge Nashville with contemporary rock & roll." Many albums later, Carlene is now carrying the Carter name into the new millennium with her "Stronger" CD, released on March 4, 2008. "It has the kick and luster of Carter's best songs from the '80s and '90s. It's an ironically joyous, even witty CD, filled with the kind of rollicking roots rock that extends the great American legacy that lives in Carter's genes... " -- Jim Farber - New York Daily News
Tickets $25

Frank Vignola Quintet
Friday December 12 at 7:30 pm
The Frank Vignola Quintet has shattered the barriers between popular music and traditional jazz to create an exciting new sound in acoustic string music.

Mixing high-energy original material with new unique renditions of contemporary tunes by the likes of The Police, Frank Zappa, Black Sabbath and even Slayer, the quintet also taps into the standard songbook, creating unique interpretations of classic jazz tunes. Vignola and the band also tackle new arrangements of Bach and Mozart. It's a melding of contemporary gypsy jazz, bluegrass, toe-tapping swing, blues and acoustic rock, and great renditions of old standards. Frank is one of the most accomplished, multi-dimensional players walking the planet today. Monster player, composer and improviser, Frank plays proficiently in every genre, from jazz to bluegrass, and works with everyone and their brother. Other members of the quintet are Vinny Raniolo on guitar, violinist Aaron Weinstein, Pete Coco on bass , and percussionist Rich Zukor.
"How versatile is Frank Vignola? He's collaborated with Lionel Hampton and Madonna, covers Mozart and Black Sabbath on the same record, and is one of Les Paul's favorite guitarists." - Joan Anderman, Boston Globe 8/29/08
Tickets $15

Sometymes Why
Saturday February 7 at 7:30 pm
You might know the three women of Sometymes Why as singers with one of their other bands. Aoife O'Donovan (Crooked Still), Kristin Andreassen (Uncle Earl) and Ruth Ungar Merenda (The Mammals) have been at the center of a creative revolution in the acoustic stringband scene for the past few years.

With Sometymes Why, Aoife, Kristin & Ruth create music that moves past the "stringband" label entirely. They sing their own songs and back each other up on Wurlitzer, glockenspiel, high hat & tambourine. They appeal to a part of their audience (and a part of themselves) that's more aligned with Feist, Joni Mitchell, and Bessie Smith than by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys. The band is best heard live. "There's an instantly appealing quality to the trio-harmony blend of their voices, and in live performance they relate to each other with a charm and ease that radiates to the audience," said No Depression, which claimed that Sometymes Why's impromptu Sunday morning set in a parking lot at North Carolina's epic festival Merlefest "stole the show." Since their first show at the Sidewalk Café in New York City in 2005, Sometymes Why has played extensively in the northeast, toured across Ireland, and joined their friend, Chris Thile (Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers), as the opener on two sold out tours.
Tickets $15

All dates & performers subject to change.
Call 207 948-SHOW for latest update or email show@unitymaine.org.

Past Shows
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