PUTNEY-The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Maine-based multicultural collaboration Bondeko, on Saturday, July 6, at 6 p.m., at Cooper Field, 41 Sand Hill Rd.
Bondeko is the unlikely collaboration of neighbors in Portland, Maine's migrant community: Ylli Brekofca, an Albanian crooner; Namory Keita, a Guinean drummer; Orson Horchler, a French singer-songwriter; and Ray Saperstein, a Latin musician from Texas.
The result is a mix of Roma melodies, Cumbia rhythms, Malenke singalongs, and Balkan tempos, peppered with waltzes and maybe even a lullaby in Portunhol - a mix of Portugese and Spanish - if the vibe is right.
Bondeko members say they are "proudly from Portland, Maine, proudly international, and proudly multigenerational."
The band creates "a sound unlike any heard before. They're able to dip into their unique musical traditions to create something unique," says Keith Marks, executive director of Next Stage Arts, in a news release. "This project shows the power of what immigration brings to our country - diverse, unique perspectives. This one is a model for how we are stronger together."
The Bandwagon Summer Series is a family-friendly outdoor cultural performance series running from early May through mid-October at ballfields, farms, and parks throughout Windham County.
Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. Kids under 12 always get in for free, and a dedicated play area will be available at all shows. Refreshments are sold onsite. Bring a picnic and a blanket or folding chair to enjoy the concerts. Advance tickets are available online at nextstagearts.org. For more information, call 802-387-0102.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.