Word is that the TWO Local Music Series at Port City Music Hall (Tuesdays, two bands, $2 cover, $2 beers) is going well (see photos from last week’s Dilly Dilly + Lady Lamb show there)… and in the interest of a bit of self-promo, here’s the flyer (above) for tomorrow’s installment of the concert series, featuring Marie Stella (the band I play in) with Metal Feathers. MF have a new jam up on their myspace called “City Hall” which I highly recommend you go and listen to, like right now. Very good.

However, before that, there’s tonight. Chicago’s Maps & Atlases are at SPACE with openers Brenda and Dead Man’s Clothes, who will be making their SPACE debut, so come out and support them!

Last year at MECAF was a good time – I just hope that this year I can find time to make it to some of the panels! Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Maine Comics Arts Festival: May 23, 2010. See you there!

I’m on my way out the door, but there’s so much going on today that I’d hate to just not mention anything… of course you know it’s First Friday, which means that just about every store front and gallery in town will be open and exhibit some sort of art. Here are some hilights:

• Stop by Fuller Glass Studio on Munjoy Hill to check out work from Ponomo and others.
• Two Point Gallery has a new 6-artist show opening called “Constant Urban Influence.”
• Geno’s is showing work from Nathan Fogg & Justin Mershimer.
• Sanctuary Tattoo has a metal-themed show from a variety of artists in various mediums.
• At HOPE.GATE.WAY (185 High Street), Tower/Building Of Song’s Alicia Ines Sampson shows “I sail oceans in maps,” selected works from 2003 to the present.

When you’ve had your fill of wine, cheese, and visual art, come by SPACE Gallery for Drum Swamp (sponsored by the Drum Shop), a 20+ drummer collaboration. Should be pretty epic. That starts at 8pm, will last about an hour, and is free.

Also, the Portland Phoenix Best ‘10 nominations are in, and now it’s time to vote for your favorites! HillyTown was nominated in the category of Best Blog, so vote for us! (note: Food blogs have their own, separate category).

It was great to see Port City Music Hall filled with so many people for this double bill of local musicians on Tuesday, February 2. Lady Lamb The Beekeeper and Dilly Dilly each played two sets – partially together – as part of the venue’s TWO local music series. Photos by Bryan Bruchman. Read on for the full gallery after the jump. (more…)

I haven’t put on a show in a while. Let’s do this.

Phantom Buffalo + Metal Feathers + El Jezel

As I tend to do, this show includes one band from away. El Jezel are an indie pop/shoegaze band from NYC who I’ve known for a few years now and whose lush songs will fit nicely between Metal Feathers’ noisier edge and Phantom Buffalo’s psychedelic indie pop. They’ll play between the two local bands at this show on Thursday, February 18 at the Apohadion Theater (107 Hanover Street, Portland). See you there!

On Wednesday, January 20th, Toronto dance/drum & bass band The New Deal played Port City Music Hall with openers Big Gigantic. Photos below by Bryan Bruchman.

This 4th Of July weekend will bring a new festival to Maine. the Nateva Music & Camping Festival will take place in Oxford, Maine on July 2,3,and 4th. The event, sponsored by Port City Music Hall, has tickets on sale now, but what exactly do you get for your (currently lowest price) $159? Only one band has been announced so far, but it’s a big one, and probably enough of a draw to get things off to a strong start: The Flaming Lips. Hey, it got my attention! The festival is described as heralding “world class artists in the true Jam Band tradition – as well as a sweet mix of Country, Folk, Reggae, Classic Rock and Indie Artists too,” so it’s interesting that the first band announced happens to come from the last category thrown in there (though the Lips certainly have a certain jam/hippie sensibility that gives plenty of room for crossover). Join their email list to find out which other acts will be joining the lineup.

Nosh, the new “Kitchen Bar” opening in the space at 551 Congress Street formerly occupied by The White Heart, looks like it’s just about ready to open (anybody out there have a firm date? Perhaps this weekend? word is a soft “friends and family” opening now – or rather already tonight – with a full opening this weekend or Monday at the latest, depending on who you ask). Their menu looks interesting, with a wide range of moderately priced burgers and snacks (including a whole “noshing” menu of small items to be combined into platters), creative fries (bacon dusted?!), and a slew of sandwiches on the higher end ($8-$10). The menu lists the hours 11am-1am, so it sounds like this will be the new go-to late night food option (though in that crucial 1am-2am hour, Otto will still be the only game in the Arts District – which reminds me, how exciting it is that Otto is expanding into the space next door? Word is they’ll have a bar of some sort in there..). Though a lot of people certainly miss the White Heart in its heyday, Nosh definitely looks to be aiming pretty high, and I’m curious to see how it does.

Last year I caught a bit of the Downtown Showdown Rail Jam in Monument Square (photo above), and this year it’s happening again this Saturday, January 30th. The event is sponsored by Sunday River and Sugarloaf and starts at 5pm.

I meant to post this a while ago. But today is as good as any time! The show it refers to is next Tuesday! Beware the sort of gross chewing sounds.