Wyman's Pond Music Fest 4

The 4th Annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest is scheduled for Saturday July 27th, and the line up is set! Years 1 & 2 featured sunny dry weather. Last year, the final two acts got rained out. This year our fingers are crossed!

3 pm: Almanac Mountain

4 pm: Flair

5 pm: Elizabeth Lorrey

6 pm: The Rafters

8 pm: "Nights @ Niemi Cove"

WPMF: Alumni Shows This Weekend

If you were at July 31st's Wyman's Pond Music Fest, you got to hear stripped down versions of some fine musicians' work. If you'd like to hear them in a different setting this weekend, here are some dates:

• Tonight (8/13) @ Lidio's in Leominster: Lee Villaire and Elizabeth Lorrey will be trading sets from 6- 10 pm as they perform outdoors on the patio of this fine local restaurant. Grab a good meal, have a few drinks, and enjoy a four hour mix of rousing and thoughtful songs during Lidio's “Acoustics Under The Stars”. And best of all it's free!
  
• Tomorrow (8/14) @ The New Studio in Rollinsford, NH: Almanac Mountain will be headlining the 2nd "Goodnight, John Boy" show at The Upper Mill at 8 pm. For $8 you get to hear him fully-plugged with backing musicians, plus hear a few new songs! And FYI, it's BYOB.

Let us know if you went, and how the shows were. When we cannot attend, we always enjoy hearing about what we've missed!

"Goodnight, John Boy" image by Christopher A Cote

Wyman's Pond Music Fest - Wrap Up

On Saturday July 31st, 2010 several local New England musicians gathered down at scenic Niemi Cove on Wyman's Pond in Westminster, MA for a day of unplugged music. The Wyman's Pond Music Fest began at noon on the sunny lakefront (it was a perfect day, blue skies, 78 degrees and dry), and the music ran from 2 pm to just before 8. The artists played anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour each for the crowd of 60-plus (of whom 20 were kids), who spent the day swimming, eating grilled meats, and listening to the finest gathering of local talent on the East Coast. And best of all, admission was free!

The roster included (in order of performance):

• Seacoast NH - Almanac Mountain
• Groton, MA - Elizabeth Lorrey
• Central MA (via Montreal) - Lee Villaire
• Brighton, MA - Vanessa Kafka
• Dover, NH - James McGarvey III
• Boston, MA - Kenneth Budka

The kids all had a blast, sitting in the front row, and asking the musicians for autographs. Vanessa even let some of the girls sign their names on her guitar case! The artists could be seen chatting with each other, and several of them did a cd swap amongst themselves. One copy of each performer's cd was given away in a simple raffle at the end of their set, as well as a t-shirt with the event roster, which was a welcome surprise. After nearly six fantastic hours of original music (and a few covers), the incredible day ended with new friends made, new fans found, new music connections, and happy people all around.

Pictured (l to r, bottom): Almanac Mountain, Elizabeth Lorrey, Lee Villaire, Vanessa Kafka (and bandmates). Photos by Ken M.

Saturday Music Getaways

If you are scratching your head for something to do this Saturday, and you are a fan of long summer drives, being outdoors and local music, then may we suggest two fantastic options:

• Lee Villaire (full band show) will be playing outside at the Honora Winery & Vineyard in scenic Jacksonville, VT from 2 - 4 pm. A scenic afternoon drive will find you in the lush hills of Vermont, with fine wines, cheeses, and a free concert. We think it's a great way to spend a Saturday.
• Elizabeth Lorrey will be taking part in the Lowell Folk Fest Weekend by performing a set at The Worthen House, Lowell's oldest tavern. She will be playing at 7 pm, but get there before six so you can check out The Rafters too, all for free!

And in case you've forgotten, both Lee and Elizabeth will be performing at the 1st Annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest the following Saturday, July 31st. But check them out a week early if you can - we just might see you there!

Stuff To Do On A Saturday

So, you say you've got no plans for this Saturday evening. May I humbly suggest stepping out to a local music event?

By a freak coincidence, nearly all of the bands/musicians who will be appearing at the Wyman's Pond Music Fest on Saturday July 31st also have gigs this Saturday July 10th:

• 5 pm @ Church of Boston: Vanessa Kafka will be playing her amazing songs, both old and new, at this hip entertainment & fine food venue, just a few blocks from Fenway Park. With pool tables, plasma screens for the 1 pm Red Sox game, and a wide variety of beer, it's a great place to escape the heat, and make a day of it. And while Vanessa goes on at five, the music starts at three (bonus!). $8 cover.
  
• 8 pm @ Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA: Lee Villaire and the boys are launching her latest cd, "Curious". Plus you get the added value of experiencing the sounds of both the esteemed Elizabeth Lorrey, and young Rhode Islander Jack Babineau as well! So come spend the evening listening to three quality local acts, and eating some fine food. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
  
• 8 pm @ "Goodnight, John Boy!": Almanac Mountain is performing at his rustic home base in Exeter, NH. It's an intimate show in an old Victorian house with label mate Octo Octo. If you live nearby and have time to stop in, or if you feel a road trip coming on, you won't regret experiencing Almanac Mountain's infectious brand of 'trip-folk', with a few acoustic numbers and other good stuff mixed in. $5 suggested donation.

As always, show times with links are at the top of the page, or just click the ones in this post. And if you can't make it to one of the events this Saturday, check out each musician's artist page for future dates. Plus, don't forget to respond to the e-vite for Wyman's Pond Music Fest on Saturday July 31st, where you'll get to see Vanessa, Lee, Elizabeth, Almanac Mountain and more, all in one beautiful lakeside place!