The assembly of local luminaries collectively known as The Natives Are Restless will take the Chocolate Church Arts Center stage at 7:30 p.m. today. The musical collaboration of songwriters and musicians gather and present their favorite tunes for performance, featuring many original songs.

“We began with everyone playing and singing on each others work, a kind of community barn raising,” said musician Earl Bigelow, who created the event. “Many of the first players are still with the event this year.”

The format is a modern day hootenanny as local musicians come together to lend complete instrumentation and backing harmonies to each other’s songs.

Max Ater will perform, and Jimi Jo and the Jumbl’ayus are also new additions, combining the French Acadia culture along with the spicy Cajun sound of Louisiana from the bayous of Phippsburg.

Chris and Liz Lannon, known as “Married with Chitlins,” return to the show, collaborating with Red Beans and Rice, another mainstay. Hal Ahlers will bring his “Jazz Alchemy” to expand the flavor of the night. And Bigelow’s “Band Cilantro” with drummer Carl Schlick and front singer Margot Frost round out the musical line up.

According to Bigelow, “The success of The Natives Are Restless is based on the encompassing desire of the performers to play the Chocolate Church. Among these musicians there is a spirit that celebrates the quirky, repurposed church.”

This concert has grown beyond the original intent of translating studio music to live performances — now it has become a much anticipated winter, cabin fever reliever at the Chocolate Church.

Tickets $12 advance, $15 at door are available online www.chocolatechurcharts.co m or 442-8455. All proceeds benefit the Chocolate Church, located at 804 Washington St., Bath.