Concerts add to the Greenville summer experience
By Shelagh Talbot
GREENVILLE — One of the nicest traditions in Greenville during the summer months are the concerts, whether they be at the Gazebo or the Thoreauly Entertaining! series at the Artisan Village. There’s something magical about being beside one of the largest lakes east of the Mississippi on a summer evening listening to some great music.
Grace Bardsley works for the Moosehead Lake Destination Marketing Organization – it used to be the Greenville Chamber of Commerce. We met at the Visitors Center on Route 15. “It’s been a busy day at the center,” she said. “We are excited to announce that we now have the schedule for summer concerts both at the Gazebo and the Artisan Village.”
The concerts, which are free to the public, will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gazebo on Thursday evenings, while the Artisan Village concerts, known as “Thoreauly Entertaining!” occur on Friday evenings in the same time slot.
“Everyone is encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair and maybe even a picnic supper to enjoy the music from a wide variety of Maine musicians,” said Bardsley. “We all owe a debt of gratitude to the local businesses and individuals who are underwriting these events. Our businesses do so much to add to the culture and well-being of our communities. Let’s all pay them our thanks with our words and our wallets by choosing to do our shopping with them whenever possible!”
The Gazebo concert series has been a fixture of Greenville summer activities for some time while the Artisan Village series has been added in the last few years. “These events are intended to add an air of festivity to the downtown experience,” said Bardslay. “All are welcome to stop and listen for a bit while they enjoy visiting the artists in the cottages of the Artisan Village as well as discovering all the great shopping and dining Greenville offers,” she added.
The Gazebo Concert schedule on Thursday evenings features fiddler Gus LeCasse on July 4, Jane and Ken Brooks on July 11, Averill Lovely on July 18, Hillie Bills on July 25, New Shades of Blue on August 1, Double Entendre on August 15, the Doughty Hill Band, on August 22 and Merry Go Round Up on August 29.
The schedule for “Thoreauly Entertaining!” is as follows: Scott Cleveland, keyboard and vocal artist on July 5, Shelagh Talbot guitar and vocals on July 12, Half Way Home trio on July 19, Hillie Bills on July 26, Isleen Halvorsen, harpist, on August 9, fiddler Gus LeCasse on August 16, Jenny Lou Drew on August 23 and Rich Daigle and Friends on August 30.
“And it all happens right here on the shores of beautiful Moosehead Lake!!” exclaimed Bardsley. “We are fortunate, indeed, to have so many talented artists sharing their music with us. Please come out to hear them and give them a genuine Moosehead Lake welcome.”
For further information and to learn more about the various artists who will be performing, stop in at the Visitors Center at 480 Moosehead Lake Road in Greenville, or visit them online at https://destinationmooseheadlake.com/. You may also email info@mooseheadlake.org or call 207-695-2702.