Gardiner, ME: Maine artist and musician Shana Barry brings her multimedia family music show to Gardiner according a recent press release. The performance includes story-songs on guitar and ukulele, projected animations and visits from the multi-colored furry Fofers who live on the special secret island of Fof. Shana will perform at Johnson Hall in Gardiner on August 15 at 1PM.
On her recently released family album, "A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree," Shana sings about the Fofers and their enchanted island. The Fofers row their boats on the bay, ride their bikes down Rollercoaster Road and climb magical trees, up into the clouds, where they discover the Cloud Fofers. They explore the forest, meadow and shore, befriending the wondrous plants and animals who share their world.
The earliest incarnations of the Fofers were three-foot tall soft and furry dolls. While creating the Fofers dolls, Shana began to imagine the world they inhabited, which led to writing the songs for A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree. Shana self-recorded the album at home in Eastport and taught herself animation so she could create videos to accompany the songs.
"Fof is definitely influenced by growing up on Peaks Island," Shana said, "I spent most of my time outside, in the woods or on the beach, exploring and experiencing the natural world. Fof was inspired by that childhood island but is really about the island of my dreams."
Barry’s upbeat and intelligent lyrics and her cool "indie-folk" sound has been receiving praise from reviewers. “We often take our world’s splendor for granted," wrote the Portland Phoenix. "Barry doesn’t. She makes children’s music that’s not childish." And according to the Bollard, "The wide-eyed wonder and positivism enveloped in each song evoke feelings of adventure and humanity.” "TheOpinionatedParent.com called Barry’s songs, "beautiful, weaving tales that are chock full of wild imagery and ideas."
Shana is currently performing shows for her Special Secret Island tour of Maine, including shows from Eastport to Dover-Foxcroft and Kennebunk. Visit Fofers.com for more show dates, animations and art projects.
See Shana’s show at Johnson Hall, Gardiner, Maine. August 15 at 1 pm. $7(adults), $5(kids), under age 3 free.
