By George L. Tibbetts Jr.
“School Of Rock” Concert is Saturday, March 27, 6 to 9 pm, at the Winthrop Performing Arts Center.
It is always the arts and humanities that get their heads placed on the chopping block whenever money gets tight within school systems. And, for the most part over several decades, people have accepted this kind of budgetary alignment as the norm. Fortunately, for all of us engaged in promoting and advancing cultural initiatives are no longer taking the back seat. Winthrop’s music program is one example of where many people have decided to take matters into their own hands. And, there are strong allies out there who, in cooperation with one and the other are working day and night promoting Maine Musicians.
PHOTO: the band Afterblack logo
The Valley Voice is not alone. The Portland Phoenix, The Maine Music Scene, and a host of other on-line and print publications have as their primary goal promoting the amazing talent that Maine has to offer. As one to the other we are not competitors in the true sense of the word. Rather, we all combine to present a united front that supports Maine artists. My only negative on the subject is that daily newspapers could do so much more to advance our cause but, in the end, only provide tertiary coverage of the talent that surrounds them.
The Band Fyve
Good news is that the voices and music of musicians are being heard through our writings, and between venues and public programs we all stand united in an effort to not let any Maine talent slip through the cracks. Hats off to Rob Kennedy from WTOS radio who has been raising money for Maine schools by having top name bands host local shows. His radio station, 105.1 WTOS radio, has been promoting a series of “School Of Rock” concerts throughout the state of Maine. These “all ages” shows are professionally produced.
The band Headstart
The Bands that will rock the town of Winthrop to help raise cash are Planeside from New York, teen band FYVE from Winthrop, Afterblack from Waterville, and Portland Maine’s popular band Headstart.
Locally the band Fyve, is a Winthrop teen rock band comprised of mostly 14 year old that are packed with power and stage presence. Fyve has been receiving national attention as they have performed new material at the historic Webster Hall in NYC and will be doing the same at the Hard Rock Café in Boston the week before this School of Rock. Planeside, a 1990s alternative rock band trio from NYC, has opened for many notable acts including the Steve Miller Band. Afterblack, another Rock band trio, will be featuring drummer Matt Bown from the hit television show “Extreme Trains”. Portland Maine’s HeadStart has seen several Portland Phoenix Best Music Poll awards since coming onto the scene in 2004 including Best Song and Best Live Act. In the past 5 years they have managed to put out a whopping 5 releases and have logged countless spins on local radio.
Tickets are $7 (too cheap). Anyone who purchases a ticket online at FyveRock.com will automatically be entered in to a cash drawing.
The Winthrop Performance Center is located at the High School
