I spotted the first sign of spring in Portland the other day. No, it was not a robin perched outside my window at Press Herald Plaza. No, it was not the city sidewalk cleaning carts. No, it was not college students defying the weather by wearing flip-flops.
Saw the first shirtless dude of the year walking down Federal Street yesterday.
Remember we're almost a week away from the First NXT Blogaversary Party down at Dock Fore on April 19. Mark your calendars and maybe consult your family doctor.
FRIDAY
Tonight down at Empire Hiss & Chambers and Cambiata are lighting things up. Hiss & Chambers will be debuting their new guitarist, Jason Hjort, perhaps you've heard of him in his other capacity. Show starts at 9 and it's a a $5 cover.
Something about spring seems to inspire fashion, or at least hope to wear something other than layers of drab, heavy clothing. TheWMPG Fashion Show takes place tonight down at SPACE Gallery with designs and talent all from local folks you may or may not know. This is the fourth year for the fashion show, with helps raise money for programming at WMPG. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. and show starts at 9 p.m. It's $5 for students, $10 for the rest of us.
Sidecar Radio is blowing out the stops in advance of its newest album, "Wave Principle," which is due out on Tuesday. Tonight they've got a double booking at the Big Easy with an early all-ages show beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door. The second show - for the over 21 crowd - begins at 9 p.m. and is $7. BONUS: The band will be giving away free copies of the album at the door. As in FREE.
SATURDAY
Do you smell the blood and make-up in the air? The Maine Roller Derby is set to kick-off it's spring season at the Portland Expo tonight. The derby's been growing by leaps and bounds and now has two squads, the All-Star Squad, or Port Authorities, will be taking on the Rhode Island Riverters. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the bout begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door and $5 for kids. The night's entertainment comes from Lovewhip, so make sure to get there early.
Show your love for music and helping a good cause tonight down at Amigos. Dominic and the Lucid,Giraffe Attack,Strange Pleasure and Adam and the Waxmen are on the line-up tonight for a special show. In the tradition of friends helping friends, the musicians have come together to help a local waitress whose 10-year-old daughter is undergoing treatment for cerebral palsy. It's a $5 entry (or suggested donation), and there will be raffles and other opportunities to give. Show starts at 8 p.m.
Let's amend that earlier statement: Spring time makes for fashion and CD releases. I guess letting lose winter's death grip is quite inspiring. Over at The Asylum tonight Roy Davis and the Dregs are throwing their own CD release shindig. They've got a lot of help on the evening, including Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, Girls, Guns and Glory, and All The Real Girls. I've only recently been introduced to Roy and the Dregs, but it's a sound that I think anyone who likes Wilco or My Morning Jacket will get into. Part rock, part alt-country, it all works together nicely. Head over to their page to get a few listens. Show starts at 9 p.m. and is a $5 cover.
SUNDAY
Call Mom, say thanks for making me...you know, born. Eat bacon. And cake. Maybe together.
Finally, the weekend video comes to you courtesy of the Action 12 News Team Drive Time Traffic and Weather Report. I have no words for this. Well, no words other than, "you wonder why people mock TV news?" Three words: Dance Party Friday.
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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