Heather, piano and vocals; Shawn Nadeau, bass; and Craig Bryan, drums) shares their interpretation of Vince Guaraldi’s iconic soundtrack of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, additional Guaraldi compositions, and other holiday favorites.

The musical score for “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, composed by the late Vince Guaraldi and first broadcast in December of 1965, is just as poignant and touching as the story and includes the hugely popular hit “Linus and Lucy”. His gentle jazz riffs established musical trademarks that, to this day, still prompt smiles of recognition. The Heather Pierson Trio performs the entirety of the Charlie Brown Christmas album as recorded by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, as well as other Guaraldi compositions.

Veteran New England musicians Ray Ryan, Nick Nataluk, and the Smokehouse Boys will be bringing a diverse set of music that will get you to dance in the aisles or just tap your feet and smile!

Dharma Down, a critically acclaimed jazz ensemble blending Modern Jazz and Middle Eastern influences: 

Dharma Down Audio

Dharma Down Video

Our 2024 debut album, Owl Dreams, featuring Mike Effenberger (piano), Duncan Hardy (alto saxophone and qanun), Scott Kiefner (upright bass), and John Mettam (drums) has been celebrated as:

“A breathtaking blend of East and West.. a seamless and immersive journey.” (Jazz Sensibilities)

“An essential listen for anyone interested in the intersection of jazz and world music” (The Jazz Word)    

“A unique sound that stands apart in today’s world and jazz landscapes” (Five Finger Review)

Since its release, Owl Dreams has enjoyed over 3 months on the RMR Top 25 Jazz and Modern Jazz Album radio charts, with seven tracks reaching the Modern Jazz Single/Song Top 5.

Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light are a Boston-based string band making music that blends folk tradition with feminist storytelling, poetic detail, and just enough grit. At the center is Sumner’s songwriting—rooted in history, myth, and personal reckoning—carried by close harmonies, upright bass, acoustic guitar, and fiddle. The duo features Kat Wallace on fiddle and vocals and Rachel Sumner whose playing brings both tension and tenderness to the sound.

The Radio Outlaws grew up in the Mount Washington Valley. They are a rock/country band playing old school rock and roll from the future.  Sorta slow-core country from real beanheads. Imagine Mötley Crüe in a universe where The Beach Boys is the only music that exists. The Radio Outlaws create a positive experience+++

Scintillating Shorts! Join DAC for a Readers Theater style performance of hilarious comedy scenes and short plays featuring the works of emerging new playwrights and critically acclaimed dramatists. From a bee in search of a Queen to an absurd encounter with a puppet, it’s an evening guaranteed to keep you laughing! Directed by Stan Burgoyne and starring Robert Libbey and Lynne McGhee.

SOLD OUT-Barry Manilow was the biggest hit-maker of the 70s and 80s and he is still touring at age 82. We are happy to present his younger prodigy (not really) for this area premiere. John Waldie thrilled audiences last year with his Billy Joel tribute, now he presents 'Barry Me a Little', his take on the man who "wrote the songs that make the young girls cry" (though he didn't write that song - Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys did.) Don't miss the local 'King of the Keys' as he modulates his way through the Manilow repertoire.

Originally from Erie, PA, Davy Sturtevant is a veteran touring artist, producer, engineer, songwriter, and performer who now makes his home in the wetern foothills of Maine. Blessed with a gorgeous tenor voice and skilled on a range of instruments that come to life in his capable hands, Davy is at once a witty, thoughtful, and has an engaging stage presence. 

This program explores multiple outlooks on life and chamber music. Described as a “fervent, celebratory investigation into joy itself,” Paul Wiancko’s Lift explodes with adventurous textures that span the full sonic range of the string quartet. The program continues with two short contemplative pieces by Olafur Arnalds, and concludes with Schubert’s epic “Death and the Maiden,” a passionate dance with death that was only published after Schubert’s own death in 1828.

Paul Wianko, Lift (25')
Olafur Arnolds, Momentary + Saman (6')
Franz Schubert, Death and the Maiden (41')

THE JAZZ PEAKS. A relatively new band emerging from the MWV music scene with focus on cool cats & hep grooves.

Justin Ramos piano/vocals, Fabio Gutierrez bass, Dave Trooper sax/vocals, Chris Dzengelewski drums

The Shadow Riders are a 6 piece band from the New England area, performing the music of the original Marshall Tucker Band. Fronted by singer, guitarist Bruce Marshall, who has assembled an all star lineup of musicians to faithfully create this timeless music.

Carlos Angeles Olmeda Friday August 22 at 7pm Carlos’ music transports listeners to a wide spectrum of emotional and cultural destinations, and his heartfelt delivery is aimed at changing gears and realigning perspectives. On any given night, fans can hear at least four different songwriting styles in at least two languages performed with passion as well as a sense of humor. In a social and Artistic Climate where great songwriting, and, heartfelt performance is fast becoming a forgotten art form, and, where machines and computer apps create and deliver too much of the music we hear, Carlos Angeles brings us home musically to that place where great music belongs, the human heart. Come and revel in matters of the heart! (Photo credit: Susan Asato)

Orkney (Scotland) born fiddler Louise Bichan and Indiana (USA) mandolinist Ethan Setiawan present a collaboration and meeting of their musical worlds. A path steeped in the fiddle traditions of their respective sides of the Atlantic, the journey taken wends through Scottish, oldtime, and Swedish inspired music intertwined with contemporary compositions. Bichan’s fiddle is a melodic foil to Setiawan’s counterpoint and harmonic depth, and the two weave in and out seamlessly.

This program explores multiple outlooks on life and chamber music. Described as a “fervent, celebratory investigation into joy itself,” Paul Wiancko’s Lift explodes with adventurous textures that span the full sonic range of the string quartet. The program continues with two short contemplative pieces by Olafur Arnalds, and concludes with Schubert’s epic “Death and the Maiden,” a passionate dance with death that was only published after Schubert’s own death in 1828.

Paul Wianko, Lift (25')
Olafur Arnolds, Momentary + Saman (6')
Franz Schubert, Death and the Maiden (41')

Al Hospers Birthday Band is a 6-piece group playing in the New England area. They play an eclectic mix of cover tunes, unique arrangements of instantly recognizable favorites as well as original songs that audiences have come to enjoy.

Stretta Trio: “Airs and Dances"
Michael Albert, Meagan McIntyre, Nicole Rabata

Creative collaborators for nearly thirty years, Stretta present an offering of compelling and sonorous original compositions inspired by the Maine coast and the aural soundscape of the natural world. Stretta’s music is at once both soulful and energetic, featuring rousing Celtic dance music and beautiful slow air

Black Cat Road is back, doing what they do best … rocking the house down. Who loves you BCR … Denmark Arts Center! If you believe in black cats, walk under ladders, or stronger, Voodoo, then you’re good at Black Cat Road. Swamp rock & blues, rootsy, funk, and soul coming your way.

Half Moon Jug Band Friday, July 4 7pm The Half Moon Jug Band is a 21st century jug band rooted in the Downeast humor and dry wit traditions of their home State O’ Maine.

DJ XO Let’s Go will get you pumped up with the rhythm of a hyped Afternoon Dance Party. Get dressed up or dress down put plan on moving your bootie to lights and a down beat that just won’t let go!

Dragon Wagon yum yum food truck available and Denmark Arts Center has beer, wine and Grandy Organic nuts!

Eclectic, immersive, and mesmerizing, guitarist and composer Hiroya Tsukamoto embodies the notion that music has no language. Beautifully raw and cathartically emotional, guitarist Tsukamoto is a world-renowned, self-made musician. Hiroya is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan.

The High Street Jazz Band is a multiple piece band performing jazz standards from the Great American Songbook.

DJ XO Let’s Go will get you pumped up with the rhythm of a hyped Afternoon Dance Party. Get dressed up or dress down put plan on moving your bootie to lights and a down beat that just won’t let go!

Dragon Wagon yum yum food truck available and Denmark Arts Center has beer, wine and Grandy Organic nuts!

Headlining the evening will be the STEVE BJORK with his observations from everyday life. He’s come a long way from the nights of frying up mozzarella sticks in the back room of an obscure comedy club in the Boston suburbs. He was a college student, using that part-time job to study the craft of stand-up comedy by catching glimpses of the performers on stage.

Mr. Will Rhys returns with his one-man adaptation of Dickens’s magical tale “A Christmas Carol”.  Will creates this unique production in which he weaves together the joy of story-telling with his skills as an actor to bring each character vividly to life.

The High Street Jazz Band is a multiple piece band performing jazz standards from the Great American Songbook.

‘Luke is one of my three main hero’s along with Van Morrison’ Ed  Sheeran.

Brad, Bonnie, and Bob reconnected in Maine and the Killah B’s were born. The harmony driven vocals of Killah B’s is comprised of Brad Taylor, sax, guitar, flute & harmonica, Bonnie Biller, guitar and mandolin and Bob Seavey, bass.

The Songs From Here initiative was founded in the fall of 2021 and emerged from a desire to engage the wider Maine community with the creation and performance of art song. We aim to create safe and welcoming collaborative environments and increase the visibility of Maine-made music through high-quality performances and hands-on educational programs.

Free Range was founded in the fall of 2023 by five local musicians from the Bridgton and surrounding areas: Peter Kimball, on rhythm acoustic guitar and lead vocals, was born and raised on the coast of Maine, and has played and sang since he was 12 years old…he now resides in Standish, ME. Jeanine Loubier, on harmony vocals, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and guitar, is a multitalented instrumentalist…she hails from the great state of Oklahoma and now resides in Waterford, ME.

Teresa Dyer and The Desperados will present a show featuring hit songs of traditional female country artists such as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Kitty Wells and more.