PORTLAND, Maine — Across the state, there are lots of music venues. From large theaters to small rooms, concerts are taking place in all corners of the state. Portland Press Herald music writer Aimsel Ponti joins us to preview a few of those shows that you won't want to miss.
SHOW: Leslie Odom Jr.
WHEN & WHERE: Thursday, April 25 @ Merrill Auditorium in Portland
COST: $38 to $161
DETAILS from Porttix: Leslie Odom, Jr.. a multifaceted, Tony and Grammy-winning artist whose incredible talents span Broadway, television, film, and music, returns to Portland Ovations. After his breakout role as Aaron Burr in the hit musical Hamilton, Odom Jr. went on to critically acclaimed performances such as legendary soul singer Sam Cooke in Regina King’s film One Night in Miami and most recently as the title character in the Broadway revival of Ossie Davis’ Purlie Victorious. He is a Tony winner, a Grammy winner, three-time Emmy Award nominee and two-time Oscar nominee, one of only four performers in history to be nominated in both the acting and writing Academy Award categories in the same year. From the Great White Way to the silver screen to sold-out crowds in hallowed halls around the country, Odom Jr. is an artist of our times.
SHOW: The Suitcase Junket with opener Sara Cox
WHEN & WHERE: Friday, April 26 @ Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel
COST: $20 in advance, $25 day of show
DETAILS: Cox’s latest album is last year’s “A Collection of Days”. The Suitcase Junket is singer-songwriter Matt Lorenz who has created a highly original and creative one-man-band sound and set up for himself. He finds, salavages and builds instruments.
SHOW: Mary Fahl
WHEN & WHERE: Saturday, April 27 @ One Longfellow Square in Portland
COST: $35 in advance, $45 day of show
DETAILS: Her most recent album is “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head” and she’s also celebrating the 20th anniversary of her original album “The Other Side of Time.”
SHOW: Head Over Heels (musical)
WHEN & WHERE: Waterville Opera House’ April 26-28, May 3-5
COST: $34, $36
DETAILS: A hilarious, exuberant celebration of love, Head Over Heels follows the escapades of a royal family on an outrageous journey to save their beloved kingdom from extinction—only to discover the key to their realm’s survival lies within each of their own hearts. This laugh-out-loud love story is set to the music of the iconic 1980’s all-female rock band the Go-Go’s, including the hit songs, “We Got the Beat,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Vacation,” Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” and “Mad About You.”
LIGHTNING ROUND
- Josh Ritter @ Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield on April 26
- Heather Maloney @ Chocolate Church in Bath on April 26
- Knower @ Portland House of Music on April 27
- Darlingside @ Waldo Theatre in Waldoboro on May 1
- Another Tequila Sunrise – Eagles tribute on May 3 @ Jonathan’s