Breakin’ Strings Submitted photo
Maine bluegrass band Breakin’ Strings, blues guitarist Samuel James, and Jonathan Sarty & the Cold River Radio Band will perform as part of Dam Jam Revival presented by Denmark Arts Center. The event runs from 3-8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 20, at Bicentennial Park in Denmark. The outdoor festival features family fun with kid’s art, stilt-walkers, face painting, traditional crafts and good music, with a yummy selection of food trucks.
Breakin’ Strings takes the stage at 7 p.m., Samuel James starts at 5:15 p.m., and Jonathan Sarty & The Cold River Radio Band begin at 3:30 p.m.
Nashville recording artists Breakin’ Strings is a Maine based bluegrass band started 18 years ago. After a 10-year hiatus, they are back and better than ever. Band members are Cliff Gelina, Cody Howe, Hunter Webber, Ed Howe and Brian Durkin. They have a hard driving bluegrass sound that brings people to their feet, but they will also blow you away with their strong ballads and tight harmonies. The band released their debut album, recorded in (Studio A) at the legendary Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, in spring of 2022.
Samuel James Submitted photo
With a voice of grit and gravel, roots musician Samuel James sings with an authenticity lost in time. A modern guitar master, James’ skill has a depth and range that seems impossible for a man with only two hands. An award-winning songwriter, one of the world’s most innovative guitar players, and a Moth Mainstage storyteller, James brings all of this to his amazing stage show. A live performance by Samuel James is part theatre concert, part porch-stomping dance party and part stand-up comedy. Samuel James’ songwriting has been compared to Leonard Cohen’s and his guitar virtuosity to that of Jimi Hendrix.
Jonathan Sarty is a native of New England and founder of the White Mountain Boys, the Jonathan Sarty Band, and the popular Cold River Radio Show (hosted by Jonathan and his renowned Cold River Radio Band). The Cold River Radio Band is known for their music featuring jazz, crooners, and almost exclusively hits from the Great American Songbook.
Jonathan Sarty & The Cold River Radio Band Submitted photo
Jack Gentempo and his vaudeville skits knit the performances together and will keep you rolling on the grass with laughter!
There will be a kids area featuring free activities with the ArtVan and Neveah Dance Circus with hula-hoop jam, face-painting, and roaming artists. Kids can design their own t-shirts and make spin art. Children’s readings every hour with children’s author Donna Seim and her creative and crafty characters from her children’s books. There will also be a special visit from Princess Bigfoot from the new children’s book by Suzi Linden.
A traditional crafts area will include guitar-making with luthier Alex Edney, Tear Cap Workshops, and Kathy Banks with Pickett Hill Pottery.
Food Truck Alley includes Smokin’ J’s Wicked BBQ, SAO Cooks & Catering with their rustic vegan gourmet, Sail Away Coffee-Bridgton with coffees iced and hot, smoothies and juices and sweet treats.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at denmarkarts.org/events or through Eventbrite. Children 12 and under (and all of their event goodies) are free. Rain will cancel the outdoor events and move inside to Fryeburg Academy’s Leura Eastman Performing Arts Center in Fryeburg for a 7 p.m. performance with bluegrass highlight Breakin’ Strings.
Parking is off-site, with shuttle service provided. Parking Lot A (Denmark Town Offices-Rte 160/62 East Main St.), Parking Lot B (Downeast Energy-48 Bull Ring Rd), and Parking Lot C (Khiel Lumber/Logging & Chipping-65 Bull Ring Rd). Shuttles will make the rounds every 30 minutes to pick up from parking lots and drop off at Bicentennial Park.
The Denmark Arts Center is an award-winning 501(c)3 cultural organization founded in 1994 in the rural community of Denmark. Housed in the town’s historic 1883 Odd Fellows Hall, the DAC offers year-round events and workshops in contemporary dance, theater, music and visual art to community members young and old. DAC is at 50 West Main St., Denmark. For more information, visit http://www.denmarkarts.org.
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