introducing The Buoy in Kittery Foreside

Two upcoming events will unveil the freshly renovated room formerly known as The Space, at 2 Government St. in Kittery, Maine. The Buoy in Kittery Foreside, as it is now called, will host a two-act concert on Thursday, Nov. 20, and an endurance dancing competition on Saturday, Nov. 22.

The show on Thursday will pair Austin, Texas-based band Peter and the Wolf with local double bassist and singer-songwriter Nat Baldwin’s band, along with some surprise guests. Led by singer Red Hunter, Peter and the Wolf recently released its second full-length album, “Mellow Owl,” on indie label Whiskey and Apples. The album’s title accurately captures its sound, full of soft folk melodies with a peaceful and sorrowful tinge. Hunter’s gentle vocals glaze over the quiet guitar chords with minimal percussive intrusion. Visit www.myspace.com/whiskeyandapples.

Nat Baldwin seems to expand on his innovative musical textures with each new venture, overlapping his hauntingly elegant vocals with hardwood bass melodies and other instrumental ornaments. A local favorite who has performed around the nation, his imaginative style has captivated audiences at live shows. Visit www.myspace.com/natbaldwin.

The show begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday; donations of $8 will be collected at the door.

Billed as “The Great Depression Marathon Dancing Revival,” the competition on Saturday begins at 8 p.m. and will last until only one dancer is left standing. The $10 entrance fee will be thrown into a pool, with the winner taking home all the cash. A number of DJs will take shifts throughout the night, rotating through records in no particular order.    

Co-owners Jeremy Leclair and Al Mead plan to start showing art at Buoy in January and will continue presenting music until then, adding biweekly musical collaborations after the New Year. 

Funky Divas bring CD release to South Church; Rock My Soul performs to help the homeless

The weekend will be filled with rousing gospel music at South Church in Portsmouth, starting with a CD release show from the Funky Divas of Gospel on Friday, Nov. 21, and continuing with the Rock My Soul benefit concert for homeless families on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Now entering its 18th year, the Funky Divas will perform songs from its new double-disc CD, “Gospel Is Not a Spectator Sport,” beginning at 8 p.m. at 292 State St.

The Funky Divas’ fourth album features 22 songs that span the gospel genre, with splashes of rock, a capella, R&B, Zydeco and African music. Six of the songs were recorded live, while the remaining 16 were recorded at Tune Town studio in Wells, Maine, under the direction of recording engineer and mixer Giorgi Baino.

The band consists of about two dozen vocal soloists, including veteran members Jim White, Herman “Chubby” Boothe, BeBe Sanford-Epps and Buzz Davenport, along with multi-instrumentalist bandleader Barbara Whitney. Choir director Michelle Franey also contributes vocals. For more information about the band, visit www.funkydivasofgospel.com.

Prior to this year, the Funky Divas mostly sang in unison, but executive producer White changed that, giving individual singers a chance to spend time in the spotlight. Co-produced by White and Franey, “Gospel Is Not a Spectator Sport” promises to introduce new elements to the band’s old-time gospel sound with original songs and harmonies.

Tickets to the show at South Church are $10, or $20 with a copy of the CD. Call 603-944-6389.

The 25-member Rock My Soul choir, renowned for its soulful and uplifting harmonies, will take the stage on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network, a volunteer-driven program that aids homeless families, and the Gospel Music Project’s charitable outreach-through-music program. Rock My Soul is part of the Gospel Music Project, a non-profit organization that performs free concerts at hospices, homeless shelters, nursing homes, rehab programs and other facilities.

Under the guidance of choir director Dawn Boyer, assistant director and arranger Eric Donnelly and band leader Brett Hartenbach, Rock My Soul performs spirited shows aimed at reviving old-style gospel traditions. According to Boyer, gospel music has always been dedicated to giving people a sense of hope and unity. Rock My Soul, she said, attempts to embody those principals by benefiting community organizations that help those in need.

“It made perfect sense to work with the Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network, who make such a difference to families who need help getting back on their feet,” Boyer said in a press release.

Featured soloists at the concert will include Boyer, Hartenbach, Carolyn Morse-Finn, Mark Weaver and Tina Weinberger. The choir’s backing band includes Donnelley on keyboards, Hartenbach on guitar, Victor Love on bass and Joe Rogers on drums. The choir represents an interfaith, nondenominational group that strives to get people on their feet with joyful music.

“Knowing that we’re performing it to help listeners feel connected to something positive and joyful, to teach them a bit about the origins and meaning behind gospel music, and to celebrate the strength of the human spirit gives us all a sense that we’re helping to make things better, one song at a time,” Boyer said.

Advance tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for seniors age 65 and over, or free for children 12 and under. All tickets sold at the door are $12. Advance tickets can be purchased by calling the Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network at 603-658-8448 or the Gospel Music Project at 207-450-8016, or by visiting www.gospelmusicproject.org.