Wayside Grange and Theatre

08/13/2024

Back by Popular Demand, Saturday August 24th!!!

“Bluegrass” BearTracks Band & friends are storming the Wayside stage August 24th

DEXTER - Wayside Grange & Theatre is excited to host Beartracks, featuring siblings Tommy and
Julie & friends, bringing you a great night of Bluegrass Standards, Originals & Songs with a Twist.

They began as a trio in 2004 with Legendary Dobro player Junior Barber who convinced his cousins,
Tom and Julie, to make the switch from playing traditional country music in clubs to playing bluegrass
oriented material at festivals around the Northeast. The main focus of the group was the sibling vocal
harmony of Tom and Julie and Junior’s unique stylist approach to playing resonator guitar. Although
not a traditionally structured bluegrass group, the trio gained acceptance and a solid fan base at
festivals throughout the Eastern US and in Canada from Calgary to PEI.

When illness forced Junior to retire in June of 2013, Beartracks added a banjo and fiddle to give a
more traditional sound. Beartracks has been fortunate to have some very skilled musicians working
with them over the years and have found, that as long as Julie and Tom are together, the backbone of
Beartracks remains the same.

Since their inception in 2004, Beartracks has recorded six albums, available on CD Baby, I-Tunes,
Rhapsody and Spotify which includes traditional bluegrass songs, classic country with a bluegrass twist
and originals.

Tom Foote, from KAOS-FM, Olympia, WA commented, “Smooth vocals from Tom and his sister Julie
in the old-time duet tradition...

From now through October 2024, Wayside Grange & Theatre will be entertaining the Penquis area with a wide variety of music. Many of the musical groups stemming from the area and others traveling a great distance. McKusick Petroleum, again is fostering great music in the Penquis Region with their generous donation to help continue the Wayside Grange & Theatre music mission.

The 2024 lineup continues:
August 24 - Bear Tracks
September 21 - Denny Breau
October 26 - Half Moon Jug Band

The Wayside Grange & Theater in Dexter, Maine presents programs of theater and music in an historic and acoustically perfect setting. The building has served the Dexter community for decades and continue in 2024.

The Wayside Grange Kitchen is open at 5:30 pm for a homecooked “By Donation” Crock Pot Supper. At 6:30 pm the doors open for the Concert and Beartracks takes stage at 7 pm. There is no need for reservations and tickets are only $15 per person. Desserts and “pretty good” coffee will be available in our downstairs dining area at intermission.

If you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer, a call Tim Breen at
355-5507 and please check out our page at www.Facebook.com/waysidestage.

The Grange Volunteers have improved the comfort level at the Grange Hall with AIR CONDITIONING!!! We also have access at ground level entrance, and can be found at 851 North Dexter Rd (Rt 23) in North Dexter, Maine.

Keep watching our page for more family fun events!

08/07/2024

Schedule for this Sunday. It’s going to be a good time. Drop in and say hi, listen to some music and have a fun time!

08/06/2024

Coming up this Sunday, August 11th

08/06/2024

The Perseid Music Festival has been an annual event, ongoing since 2006.

Musicians gathered on the shore of Center Pond in Sangerville to enjoy the Perseid meteor showers in the vast dark sky and share some great music.

Playing bluegrass, traditional, country and original music, they invite folks to come, listen, and join us in support of the Wayside Grange Theatre.

A couple of the bands performing will be Northwoods Rail and The Wooden Project.

So tune up your instruments, warm up your voices and stop in for some great family fun. No instrument? No problem. We need listeners or it will only be practice.

So please come and support the Grange! Sunday August 11, 8 am to 4 pm at Wayside Grange Theatre on Rt 23 in Dexter.

Coffee and light lunch. Admission by donation ($10 suggested)

SCHEDULE
- 8 AM Doors open. Warm up and tune-up and set up
- 9 AM Gospel Hour
- 10 AM Picking Parlor
- 11 AM Band One
- 12 AM Lunch / Picking Parlor
- 1 PM Band Two
- 2 PM Picking Parlor
- 3 PM Band Three
- 4 PM Closing Ceremony

07/10/2024

Wayside Grange & Theatre features the Annual 2024 Variety Show

DEXTER - Once in every orbit around the Sun, Wayside Grange Theatre presents its infamous Variety Show. This year we will be celebrating it on July 20th with a light supper starting at 5:30 pm, theatre doors opening at 6:30 pm and our variety show at 7:00 pm.

Among the acts featured will be Timberdoodle, Some Reel People, the Penquis Ukelele Players, and cellist Ruth Fogg, and possible surprise appearances. These are all local musicians and they are all damn good.

This year we also feature the return of Bill Egerd, Wayside's hard luck Every Man, who will be confronted with a new 21st Century problem: Dealing with artificial intelligence. Come and enjoy the show!

From now through October 2024, Wayside Grange & Theatre will be entertaining the Penquis area with a wide variety of music. Many of the musical groups stemming from the area and others traveling a great distance. McKusick Petroleum, again is fostering great music in the Penquis Region with their generous donation to help continue the Wayside Grange & Theatre music mission.

The 2024 lineup continues:
July 20 - Variety Show w/Timberdoodle
August 24 - Bear Tracks
September 21 - Denny Breau
October 26 - Half Moon Jug Band

The Wayside Grange Kitchen is open at 5:30 pm for a homecooked “By Donation” Light Supper. At 6:30 pm the doors open for the Variety Show and they takes stage at 7 pm. There is no need for reservations and tickets are only $15 per person. Desserts and “pretty good” coffee will be available in our downstairs dining area at intermission.

The Wayside Grange & Theater in Dexter, Maine presents programs of theater and music in an historic and acoustically perfect setting. The building has served the Dexter community for decades and continues in 2024.

If you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer, a call Tim Breen at
355-5507 and please check out our page at www.Facebook.com/waysidestage.

The Grange Volunteers have improved the comfort level at the Grange Hall with AIR CONDITIONING!!! We also have access at ground level entrance, and can be found at 851 North Dexter Rd (Rt 23) in North Dexter, Maine.

Keep watching our page for more family fun events!

07/02/2024

Our yearly event, featuring local folk who have a heck of a time entertaining you during our Annual Variety Show.
Lots of Laughs on July 20th!!!

06/29/2024

We are performing a concert at Wayside Grange Theatre TONIGHT at 7pm! We'll be performing a set of our original music, and there will be a dinner served before the show at 5:30pm. Come join us for a lovely summer evening! ✨

06/10/2024

Mark your calendars for June 29th!

Fun night of Music by Sagittarius Rising and food on Saturday, June 29th!!!
Light Crock Pot Dinner before the concert at 5:30 pm, Concert at 7 pm and light refreshments at break... Bring the family for a full night of fun and feast :)

Check out Sagittarius Rising & listen to their music on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ViZZs5MzPyQooWbpX3Mqg or on their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/sagittariusrisingmusic/

06/10/2024

Fun night of Music by Sagittarius Rising and food on Saturday, June 29th!!!
Light Crock Pot Dinner before the concert at 5:30 pm, Concert at 7 pm and light refreshments at break... Bring the family for a full night of fun and feast :)

Check out Sagittarius Rising & listen to their music on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ViZZs5MzPyQooWbpX3Mqg or on their Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/sagittariusrisingmusic/

05/18/2024

Wayside Grange & Theatre starts out the Concert Season with the Katahdin Valley

DEXTER - Wayside Grange & Theatre is pleased to open their 1st Concert of the 2024 Season with the Bluegrass sensation The Katahdin Valley Boys at Wayside Theatre in North Dexter on June 1st.

The Katahdin Valley Boys, one of Maine's most popular and respected Bluegrass bands, has been entertaining appreciative audiences throughout New England since 1998. The Maine Academy of Country Music, and The Maine Country Music Association have both recognized The Katahdin Valley Boys with their respective “Bluegrass Band of the Year” awards on numerous occasions! The Katahdin Valley Boys take pride in presenting a top quality show featuring traditional, and contemporary Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel music.

Each band member brings with them many years of experience and a mastery of their instruments. Their repertoire features vocal versatility in tight harmonies, smooth solos as well as flashy, fiery instrumentals.

Jeff Folger, a native of Sidney, Maine is the towering high lead and tenor harmony vocalist, plays the 5-string banjo in a traditional, hard driving style. He began performing in1993, and since 1998 has been a KVB founding member.

Dan Simons makes his home in Vienna, Maine. A talented, “Super Picker”, Dan sings lead and harmony as well as playing Mandolin, Guitar, and Fiddle! Dan draws from a deep well of experience and join KVB in 2016.

Ken Brooks calls Athens, Maine home and has performing for over 50 years and was honored by being inducted into The Maine Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012! His lead, rhythm guitar and vocals are a hallmark of The Katahdin Valley Boys sound.

Steve Bixby of Round Pond, Maine, keeps the beat and does much of the MC work plus adds his vocals and enjoys telling a good tale or two during the show. An accomplished Bluegrass Bass Player and recording artist, Steve has played with several well know acts at numerous Bluegrass Festivals in the Northeast.

From now through October 2024, Wayside Grange & Theatre will be entertaining the Penquis area with a wide variety of music. Many of the musical groups stemming from the area and others traveling a great distance. McKusick Petroleum, again is fostering great music in the Penquis Region with their generous donation to help continue the Wayside Grange & Theatre music mission.

The 2024 lineup is as follows:
June 1 - Katahdin Valley Boys
June 29 - Sagittarius Rising
July 20 - Variety Show w/Timberdoodle
August 24 - Bear Tracks
September 21 - Denny Breau
October 26 - Half Moon Jug Band

The Wayside Grange & Theater in Dexter, Maine presents programs of theater and music in an historic and acoustically perfect setting. The building has served the Dexter community for decades and continue in 2024.

The concert doors open at Wayside Grange, 851 North Dexter Rd (Rt 23), at 6:30 pm, The Katahdin Valley Boys take stage at 7 pm and there is no need for reservations. Desserts and “pretty good” coffee will be available in our downstairs dining area at intermission.

If you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer, call Tim Breen at 355-5507 and please check out our page at www.Facebook.com/waysidestage.

The Grange Volunteers have improved the comfort level at the Grange Hall with AIR CONDITONING!!! We also have access at ground level entrance and a chair lift.

Keep watching our page for more family fun events!

05/14/2024

Save these dates! Lots of great performances coming this year!

05/06/2024

Excitment is mounting so mark your calendars for June 1st!!!
Wayside Grange & Theatre is starting their 2024 Concert Series with a Bluegrass Bang featuring The Katahdin Valley Boys Bluegrass Band .....

05/03/2024

We have a website! It’s still a work in progress, but all future info will be posting at Waysidegrange.org
Please take a minute to check it out.

Music and Fellowship in Dexter Maine

10/02/2023

Last Big Concert featuring Castlebay on the Wayside Grange & Theatre Stage in 2023!!

DEXTER – Castlebay is gracing the Grange stage with toe tapping tunes at Wayside Grange & Theatre on Saturday, October 14th.

Since 1986 Castlebay has been weaving together Maine's nautical and British Isles legacies transporting their audience through time and across the Atlantic. Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee have loved and researched traditional music for most of their lives and blend history, legend and experience into their personable performances.

Finely crafted ballads with evocative imagery and beautiful melodies depict Maine characters, history, and life close to the elemental beauty of the sea and shore. Their renditions of traditional and original songs are supported with Celtic harp, 12-string guitar, fiddle & woodwinds

Julia & Fred have toured the Eastern US and Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Kosovo performing at festivals, museums, schools and folk clubs. They have released over three dozen recordings which receive international airplay. Notable festival experience includes five International Festivals of the Sea in the UK, the Mystic Festival, the New Bedford Working Waterfront Festival, the Golden Link Festival, and the Somerset Folk Harp Festival.

Since 2003 they have annually toured the east coast in the late winter from their home in coastal Maine to Florida, performing in libraries, concert series, folk clubs, retirement communities, and house concerts and we are very pleased they are joining us to end our 2023 Concert Series.

The Wayside Theater in Dexter, Maine presents programs of theater and music in an historic and acoustically perfect setting. The building has served the Dexter community for decades and will continue in 2024. More information can be found at Wayside Grange and Theatre .

Wayside has received a generous donation from McKusick Petroleum again this year to help bring in these great bands from all over!

Please join us on Saturday October 14th when the doors open at Wayside Grange, 851 North Dexter Rd (Rt 23), North Dexter at 6:30 pm and Castlebay takes to the stage at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. Light refreshments and drinks will be available in our downstairs dining area.

If you know of a band, theater group, debate club or social group that are looking for a venue to practice or perform to an audience of ninety or less, or just use the hall for music jams or sound checks please contact Tim Breen at 355-5507 and we can try to work something out for them, although the Grange building will be put to bed for the winter soon.

If YOU would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer call Tim at 355-5507 or Dave at 924-5035 or and please check out our page at Wayside Grange and Theatre

09/29/2023

Last big concert of 2023 at Wayside and it is a really GREAT one!

08/27/2023

Mark your calendars for Sept. 23rd!!!!
This is going to be a GREAT concert.....

08/27/2023

A Night of Music to Remember on the Wayside Stage September 23rd!

DEXTER - What do you get when you combine harmonies, guitars, fiddle and mandolin on a fall evening in Central Maine? You get excitement at Wayside Grange & Theatre as they host the dynamic folk trio of Bennett & Perkins creating a night of music to remember!

In the intimate environment of The Wayside Theater comes the unique blend of harmonies and guitars of singer/songwriters Kathy Bennett and Thom Perkins accompanied by Taylor Whiteside on mandolin and fiddle. Their music is a regular feature on New Hampshire Public Radio Folk Show and Maine’s folk radio standard WERU. Bennett and Perkins have performed on the stages of the Flying Monkey Theater, Medallion Opera House, Acoustic Artisans, The Cold River Radio Show, Ossipee Valley Music Festival, Cambridge’s famed Club Passim, Stone Mountain Arts Center and many others.

Whiteside has been a favorite of New England audiences for many years. He was a member of the popular Northeast Winds and The Brandywine Singers before developing a reputation as a solo artist and a fine songwriter in his own right. He is a talented musician with an impressive command of many instruments.

The Wayside Theater in Dexter, Maine presents programs of theater and music in an historic and acoustically perfect setting. The building has served the Dexter community for decades. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/waysidestage

Bennett & Perkins can be found on the web at www.bennettandperkins.com and on Facebook and YouTube. Their music can be streamed on Pandora – Bennett and Perkins channel, Spotify and Amazon Prime.

Wayside has received a generous donation from McKusick Petroleum again this year to help bring in these great bands from all over!

Please join us on Saturday September 23rd when the doors open at Wayside Grange, 851 North Dexter Rd (Rt 23), North Dexter at 6:30 pm and Bennett & Perkins take the stage at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. Light refreshments and drinks will be available in our downstairs dining area.

The next upcoming Concert will be on October 14th featuring Castlebay.

If you know of a band, theater group, debate club or social group that are looking for a venue to practice or perform to an audience of ninety or less, or just use the hall for music jams or sound checks please contact Tim Breen at 355-5507 and we can try to work something out for them.

Also, if you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer call Tim at 355-5507 or Dave at 924-5035 or and please check out our page at www.Facebook.com/waysidestage.

Keep watching our page ( www.Facebook.com/waysidestage ) for family fun events!

08/20/2023

08/16/2023

“Bluegrass” BearTracks Band & friends are storming the Wayside stage August 26th!

DEXTER - Wayside Grange & Theatre is excited to host Beartracks, featuring siblings Tommy and Julie & friends, bringing you a great night of Bluegrass Standards, Originals & Songs with a Twist.

They began as a trio in 2004 with Legendary Dobro player Junior Barber who convinced his cousins, Tom and Julie, to make the switch from playing traditional country music in clubs to playing bluegrass oriented material at festivals around the Northeast.

The main focus of the group was the sibling vocal harmony of Tom and Julie and Junior’s unique stylist approach to playing resonator guitar. Although not a traditionally structured bluegrass group, the trio gained acceptance and a solid fan base at festivals throughout the Eastern US and in Canada from Calgary to PEI.

When illness forced Junior to retire in June of 2013, Beartracks added a banjo and fiddle to give a more traditional sound. Beartracks has been fortunate to have some very skilled musicians working with them over the years and have found, that as long as Julie and Tom are together, the backbone of Beartracks remains the same.

Since our inception in 2004, Beartracks has recorded six albums, available on CD Baby, I-Tunes, Rhapsody and Spotify which includes traditional bluegrass songs, classic country with a bluegrass twistand originals.

Tom Foote, from KAOS-FM, Olympia, WA commented, “Smooth vocals from Tom and his sister Julie in the old-time duet tradition...

Wayside received a generous donation from McKusick Petroleum again this year to help bring in these great bands from all over!

Please join us when the Doors open at Wayside Grange, 851 North Dexter Rd (Rt 23), North Dexter at 6:30 pm and the Concerts begin at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 or by donation and are available at the door.

Light refreshments and drinks will be available in our downstairs dining area.

Upcoming Schedule at a glance:
- September 23 - Bennett and Perkins w/Taylor Whiteside
- October 14 – Castlebay

If you know of a band, theater group, debate club or social group that are looking for a venue to practice or perform to an audience of ninety or less, or just use the hall for music jams or sound checks
please contact Tim Breen at 355-5507 and we can try to work something out for them.

Also, if you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer call Tim at 355-5507 or Dave at 924-5035 or and please check out our page at www.Facebook.com/waysidestage.
Keep watching our page (www.Facebook.com/waysidestage) for family fun events!

08/14/2023

THIS SUNDAY! August 20th 11am-1 pm
Come enjoy Good food, Great Friends, and Live Music.

08/14/2023

Mark your calendar for August 26th and enjoy a family night of GREAT Bluegrass music, good laughs and wholesome fun!!!

08/14/2023

Wayside Grange & Theatre cooking up Sunday Brunch & Open Mike on Sunday, August 20th

DEXTER - Wayside Grange & Theatre is excited to invite you, your family and friends, and new friends with their 3rd Sunday Brunch of the 2023 Season on August 20th, 11 am to 1 pm. Last months Brunch & Open Mike went over so well, why not host another?

Corey & Jennifer & other Grange Members will be serving up Ham, Homemade Mac & Cheese, Bread & assorted Fresh Fruit, Juices and lots more goodies. There will also be some “pretty good coffee” too being served in the recently renovated but old fashion Grange Kitchen.

In addition to filling your tummy with the “All You Can Eat” Brunch for only $10, you can fill your body with live music during Open Mike. Grange Master Dave will once again set up mike equipment for anyone young or old to strum their Guitar, Fiddle, Ukulele, Harmonica, etc and/or sing up a storm. Are your friends musical or family closet singers??? Now's the time to feel comfortable and share your talents among family & friends!

The Doors open for the Bunch & Open Mike at Wayside Grange in North Dexter Sunday, August 20th at 11 am and serving until 1 pm, with plenty of free parking and is handicap accessible. The Wayside Grange & Theatre is at 851 North Dexter Road (Route 23), in North Dexter Maine.

In other Wayside Grange news, Beartracks Band will be shaking the ole' Grange Hall with Bluegrass Standards and popular songs with a twist on Saturday, August 26th! Check them out on their page at www.facebook.com/beartracksband, it will be a GREAT night of music and entertainment!

From now through October, the 2023 Season at Wayside Theatre will be entertaining the Penquis area with a wide variety of music with many of the musical groups stemming from the area and others traveling a great distance.

Schedule at a glance:
August 20th: Sunday Brunch
August 26: Bear Tracks
September 23: Bennett and Perkins w/Taylor Whiteside
October 14: Castlebay

If you know of a band, theater group, debate club or social group that are looking for a venue to practice or perform to an audience of ninety or less, or just use the hall for music jams or sound checks please contact Grange Master Dave Pearson at 924-5035 and we can try to work something out for them.

The Grange Volunteers have improved access recently by putting in a ground level handicap entrance and a chair lift, plus refurbished the grand old eight burner grange stove.

Wayside Grange & Theatre is pleased to welcome new members recently and if you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer call Tim Breen at 355-5507 or Dave Pearson at 924-5035 please check out our page at www.Facebook.com/waysidestage .

Keep watching our page for family fun events this summer!

Great summer last-Saturday-of-the-month concerts with Maine bands, and Real comfy theater seating.

07/17/2023

Mark your calendars~~~
Bear Tracks Band is coming August 26th to Wayside Grange and Theatre!!.. more info coming soon...
check out their page to hear some great Bluegrass Music :)
https://www.facebook.com/beartracksband

Musician/band

07/16/2023

What an incredible evening at Wayside Grange and Theatre last night and the actors and musicians entertained to a FULL PACK HOUSE!!!
Thank you everyone who attended, what a lovely night!
Here are a just a few pictures to capture some of the moments... (sorry about the quality, I was in the back row LOL)

07/01/2023

Wayside Grange & Theatre excited to bring back popular local Variety Show July 15th

DEXTER – Looking for something to do Saturday, July 15th ? How about a few hours of local, old fashion fun and lots of laughs and even some snacks too?

Join Wayside Grange & Theatre members and friends at 7 pm when they present local music couple Hunt & Allyson Smith, a comedy skit “Shirley Holmes”, the Penquis Ukulele Players, an original skit with a bunch of Geezers, cellist Ruth Fogg and maybe even surprise guests.

Husband and wife team Hunt and Allyson Smith open the Variety Show at 7pm with a duet of wonderful music.

The comedy skit “Shirley Holmes”, who is the daughter of the famous Sherlock Holmes, is solving a murder with actors you might recognize and is written and played by Wayside members!

Next in the exciting line up come the Penquis Ukulele Players who have been wowing crowds through out Central Maine.

Local celebrity Cellist Ruth Fogg will awaken your appreciation of the cello.

Enjoy intermission in the downstairs Grange Kitchen where there will be snacks, cold drinks & coffee.

The 2nd part of the show is an original skit performed by an panel of Ole Geezers who are being interviewed about their Knowledge of Maine!!!
Be ready to laugh out loud folks, it should be a hoot.

From now through October, the 2023 Season at Wayside Theatre will be entertaining the Penquis area with a wide variety of music with many of the musical groups stemming from the area and others traveling a great distance.

Schedule at a glance:
-July 15: Wayside Variety Show
-August 26: Bear Tracks
-September 23: Bennett and Perkins w/Taylor -Whiteside
-October 14: Castlebay

Wayside received a generous donation from McKusick Petroleum again this year to help in this endeavor. The Doors open at Wayside Grange in North Dexter at 6:30 pm and the Concerts begin at 7 pm.

Variety Show tickets are $10 and are available at the door. Light refreshments and drinks will be available in our downstairs dining area.

If you know of a band, theater group, debate club or social group that are looking for a venue to practice or perform to an audience of ninety or less, or just use the hall for music jams or sound checks please contact Grange Master Dave Pearson at 924-5035 and we can try to work something out for them.

Also, if you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer call Dave at 924-5035 or Tim Breen at 355-5507 and please check out our page at Wayside Grange and Theatre.

The Grange Volunteers have improved access by recently putting in a ground level entrance, finishing soon a chair lift from the basement to the 1st floor of the Grange and refurbished the wonderful old 8-burner grange stove.

Keep watching our page (Wayside Grange and Theatre ) for family fun events!

06/07/2023

Back by PoPuLar Demand!!!!
Brunch & Entertainment....

05/30/2023

Fiddle Players & Lovers BEWARE!!! Premier Fiddler is taking stage at Wayside Grange & Theatre June 10th

DEXTER - Wayside Grange & Theatre is excited to host Greg Boardman, Maine's Premier Fiddler and Founder of the famous Maine Fiddle Camp, among other numerous accolades. Joining Greg on stage Saturday, June 10th, will be his talented singer-songwriter son, Aidan Boardman.

In Gregs words, “I traded my electric guitar for a fiddle upon hearing Dave Swarbrick play with Fairport Convention at the King’s Rook, in Ipswich, Massachusetts, back in 1970.

Roving out later from my home in central Maine, I soon discovered a cadre of peer fiddling expeditionaries (including many MFC staffers) and a couple of older generations boasting of some very fine country and traditional musicians. Among these, Cherry Frechette, Otto Soper, Fred Pike, Leo Murphy, Simon St. Pierre, Ben Guillemette and Lucien Matthieu, to mention a few, made a great impact upon my life and music.

Dudley Laufman of Canterbury, New Hampshire, whose itinerant musician’s license still brings him frequently to Maine, has also been a seminal musical influence, not to mention the very welcome new wave of younger musicians who are infusing our scene with great energy, creativity and feeling.

Meantime, I continue to teach bowed strings to elementary school children, produce music events, assist in music for worship, and perform around the state from my family base in Lewiston.
And looking forward to the neighborhood of my days with Fred Pike, Sam Tidwell and the Northern Valley Boys!”

Adding words from Aiden, “There is a polarity in my music with lyrics, sometimes humorously cryptic and often focused inward, read like stream-of-consciousness musings from the busy mind of someone perpetually looking out the window of a Greyhound bus. The music, however, isn’t so insular. Within my arrangements, echoes of community run deep. Raised in Maine by a family of musicians & artists, there is a communal spirit that flows through anguid's music.

Unassuming guitars lead the way to lush layers of violin, brass, percussion, organ and harmony vocals provided by a selection of talented collaborators. There is a ‘living-room’ quality to the music that is unmistakable - as if you can hear the songs meandering in from the next room. But the windows are open: the world is creeping in.”

To learn more about Maine Fiddle Camp, visit their website at www.MaineFiddleCamp.org .

From now through October, the 2023 Season at Wayside Theatre will be entertaining the Penquis area with a wide variety of music with many of the musical groups stemming from the area and others traveling a great distance. Schedule at a glance: July 15 - Variety Show, August 26 - Bear Tracks, September 23 - Bennett and Perkins w/Taylor Whiteside and October 14 – Castlebay.

Wayside received a generous donation from McKusick Petroleum again this year to help in this endeavor. The Doors open at Wayside Grange in North Dexter at 6:30 pm and the Concerts begin at 7 pm.
Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. Light refreshments and drinks will be available in our downstairs dining area.

If you know of a band, theater group, debate club or social group that are looking for a venue to practice or perform to an audience of ninety or less, or just use the hall for music jams or sound checks please contact Grange Master Dave Pearson at 924-5035 and we can try to work something out for them.

Also, if you would like to join Wayside Grange & Theatre and/or volunteer call Dave at 924-5035 or Tim Breen at 355-5507 and please check out our page at www.Facebook.com/waysidestage.

The Grange Volunteers have improved access by recently putting in a ground level entrance and a chair lift and refurbished the grand old eight burner grange stove.

Keep watching our page for family fun events!