On Saturday, upwards of 200 people who love to sing will gather at a church in Saco to perform Chappell Roan’s pop hit “Pink Pony Club.” The session will be professionally filmed and shared soon after on YouTube.
You can be part of this too.
The event is a gathering of the Maine Music Collective, the southern Maine 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that fosters a collaborative singing community. Its mission is to “cultivate accessible, playful opportunities for collective music-making – spaces where people can seek expression, freedom, growth and release through singing.”
When you register for “Pink Pony Club,” you’ll be sent practice tracks to follow along with and PDFs of the music so you can learn your part in advance. The $30 registration fee covers the cost of the copy of the music and the practice tracks that are sent via email.
The three-hour time slot includes several practices, led by Maine Music Collective director Dr. Christian Giddings. A hired pianist provides accompaniment.
“My job is to take these strangers and try to get them to sound good and together as quickly as possible,” he said.
Giddings, who lives in Sanford, said the first group sing event was less than a year ago.
The most recent gathering of the Maine Music Collective One Day Chorus was April 4. The song was a mash-up of “Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine and Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” The performance was a benefit for the local racial justice and immigrant advocacy group Project Relief Maine, and raised more than $2,000.
On Feb. 7, the song was Radiohead’s “Creep.” The footage of more than 160 participants is stunning.
“Pink Pony Club” will surely provide a festive vibe. The song traces a woman leaving Tennessee for the dance clubs of West Hollywood, California. With a bouncy beat and refrain that has become an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, the song is joyful, fun and a blast to sing.
Giddings wanted to perform the song in May so the video could be released to coincide with Pride month in June.
Singers who want to don fun apparel and accessories are encouraged to let their “Pink Pony Club” flag fly.
“Come as you are is kind of our vibe. If that happens to be glitter and pomp and circumstance, that’s awesome,” said Giddings.
Giddings also said the experience of group singing is a way to build community. “The concept that we can come together and make something beautiful and safe and awesome, in a really small amount of time, is really healing.”
IF YOU GO
One Day Mixed Chorus: “Pink Pony Club” 2-5 p.m. Saturday in Saco, $30. (Location upon registration). mainemusiccollective.com.
Jacob Augustine’s new album
Lincoln-born singer-songwriter Jacob Augustine released “I Love You Forever” (Team Love Records) on May 22. It’s his first album in a decade. The album release show is Saturday at Space.
Augustine, who lives in Maine, released the song and accompanying video for the single “Salvation” in 2015. With mesmerizing, haunting falsetto vocals, the song’s intensity is breathtaking, especially when Augustine sings a quivering version of the words “blue” and “you.”
Augustine’s new music and a live performance gives us eight new tracks to savor, starting with “Medulla Burning Down.”
The heartbeat hunted the forest fire
And now her heart knows what it’s like
To hold on for dear life
Most of “I Love You Forever” was written while Augustine’s late mother was ill. A photo of her graces the cover.
With “Halfway to Harlem,” Augustine captures the pull of the road with succinct eloquence.
Climb into the back of the truck
We’re only halfway to Harlem
And I just gotta hear the car alarms singing to the city
And I’m running low on luck
The musicians on the album are Hamilton Belk (pedal steel, lap steel, banjo, synth), Peter McLaughlin (drums, percussion), Asher Platts (upright and electric bass), Jerusha Neely (cello), Peter Broderick (violin) and Lisa/Liza (backing vocals).
Augustine started a spring tour in Boston on April 3. He’s played more than 30 shows in places like Ohio, New York, North Carolina and Wisconsin.
It’s fortunate that his show in Portland is at an intimate venue like Space. The performance will likely elicit pin-drop quiet and focused attention from the audience, which “I Love You Forever” deserves.
IF YOU GO
Jacob Augustine album release with Pearla and Little Oso, 8 p.m. Saturday. Space, 538 Congress St., Portland, $15 in advance, $18 at the door. space538.org.
Editor’s note: This story was updated May 28 to correct the state where Jacob Augustine lives. It is Maine.
We invite you to add your comments. We encourage a thoughtful exchange of ideas and information on this website. By joining the conversation, you are agreeing to our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is found on our FAQs. You can update your screen name on the member's center.
Comments are managed by our staff during regular business hours Monday through Friday as well as limited hours on Saturday and Sunday. Comments held for moderation outside of those hours may take longer to approve.
Join the Conversation
Please sign into your Press Herald account to participate in conversations below. If you do not have an account, you can subscribe here. Questions? Please see our FAQs.