Labor Day weekend, which is the traditional signal for the end of the vacation season. Thankfully it is not the end of summer.
But let's be honest here. School is starting up, most people have to get back to their jobs, and if you had vacation time you've likely used it up on the rare nice day, a quick get-away vacation, or yet another friend's wedding.
So if this is it, why not enjoy it, why not make an adventure of this weekend?
Get out the grill, stockpile the summer beers (I saw Gritty's Halloween Ale already...) get a pile of meat and just find a way to get outside.
Over the summer I've raised the question of what makes a good summer time bar? Well, summer's almost officially over, so whatever criteria you use, you'd be smart to follow it this weekend.
So far the only good indicators I've gotten from people are decks, drink specials and live music. In that spirit, this weekend may be a good one to hit the "Deck Circuit" around Portland and Southern Maine.
FRIDAY
Deck Circuit Courses in today's deck circuit include, The Porthole (with The Awesome playing at 9 p.m.) The Portland Lobster Company (Jerks of Grass, 7 p.m.), Brian Boru (Marion Grace, 9 p.m.)
Labor of Love I deserve a gimme on overused cliches every once in a while, right? It's fitting in this case if only because a.) it's Labor Day Weekend and b.) local label Labor Day Records is celebrating its third anniversary with a show at the Big Easy with Labor Day acts like Lost on Liftoff and Cosades
Pure unadulterated horror rock Do you ever feel the need for rock music that fills you with the type of rage that results in something unspeakable happening? Say it with me - "Horrorama." Tonight upstairs at The Asylum The Quasi Men, Covered in Bees and Meantone aim to maim. Death by metal. Show starts at 9 p.m, tickets are $5.
SATURDAY
Deck Circuit Today in the deck circuit, The White Heart (Ben Hammond, 9 p.m.) Amigo's (Giraffe Attack) and the rest of the bars bordering the Alley of Shame. (Thats sort of like a big patio, right?) Obviously the biggest race on the map is The Pier in Old Orchard Beach. One word: Bikefest. Proceed with caution.
It's Italian, so it has to be good, right? Tonight at Space is Jennifer Gentle, a band that describes itself as "psychedelic avant-pop." I am not nearly cool enough to know what that means, but the sound feels a little like '60s surf rock, which is a good thing I think. Tonight's show also includes The Dodos, and local boys Phantom Buffalo. Doors are at 9 p.m., tickets are $8.
Two night residency I've read in more than a few places comparisons between Seepeoples and Radiohead. I like Radiohead, but know precious little about Seepeoples. Still, from what I do know, I'd say their sound - if one had to stick with the Radiohead comparison - is more Kid A or Amnesiac. That may be something you're interested in seeing. Two chances to catch Seepeoples this weekend at the Big Easy. On Saturday night you can catch them with reggage group Roots of Creation and with a reunited, re-energized, Boombazi. Both shows begin at 9 p.m. and tickets are $7 in advance, $9 at the door.
I could not resist. Seriously. I could not. This was listed in GO for Saturday:
"Pine Tree Cat Show
After being absent from the Portland area for the last four years, the Pine Tree State Cat Club Cat Show is back. More than 200 cats from all over the world are expected, in addition to vendors of cat products and local shelters. One of the cats who'll be showing himself off is Black Persian Male Grand Champion 'Kuorii Enjoy the Silence of Exton.' He is the only cat ever invited to the New York Stock Exchange to participate in the Closing Bell Ceremony -- for which the cat rang the bell."
SUNDAY
High Stakes Tonight. Geno's. BINGO! with the degenerate magicians known as Country Rhodes and The Fuge. 9 p.m. Bring a tarp.
And here's your video love of the week, courtesy of Mr. Kenny Loggins.
Yacht Rock really touched my heart last week. This on the other hand, makes my heart laugh until it vomits.
In lieu of the Halloween Ale, try the Pumpkinhead on tap. Better yet, there's always the old standby PBR.
Posted by August 31, 2007 04:16 PM
Portland is truly behind the times. Check out this http://www.startribune.com/456/story/1392515.html http://www.and this pedalpub.com. Talk about a summer pasttime!
Posted by Nick August 31, 2007 05:50 PM
I should of written my guest spot about how press herald dot com needs to let us format links....
Justin is a former newspaper intern and has the scar tissue to prove
it. Justin has been a staff writer for the Portland Press Herald/Maine
Sunday Telegram since 2003, and in 2004 began writing a weekly column in the
Monday Magazine.
If he had to pick a label, the column would fall under "youth culture,"
covering everything from high school dance etiquette, dealing with college
debt, the resurgence of Roller Derby and Portland's one-of-a-kind music
scene. This of course has not stopped him from answering letters to Santa
Claus or writing about his experience riding shotgun in a drift car.
Justin is an export from the Midwest. He is a graduate of the University of
Missouri and is originally from Minnesota. He enjoys bacon, cheap beer,
redheads, Burt Reynolds jokes and wondering what the soundtrack to his life
would sound like.
When he grows up he wants to be an international art thief. Or Captain
America.
Until then he'll be bringing you dispatches about "the young people" and
what they do.
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