Maine plays host to a lot of live shows. Whether you’re in Bangor or in the Greater Portland Area, chances are you might be able to see a live show. While I’ve never been big on live shows, I decided to broaden my horizons. I chose to go see a comedy show, followed by some live music. With my mission in mind, I decided to head to The Clambake in Scarborough to see Bob Marley.
If you’re confused by that statement, I don’t blame you. I’m a fan of Bob Marley, the reggae singer, but I never heard of a comedian also named Bob Marley. When I was planning which shows I was going to see, Bob Marley’s name kept popping up. Marley happens to be from Maine himself, and cinema fans might recognize him from the cult classic film The Boondock Saints. He has a long-standing relationship with The Clambake, which I’ve written about before, so he has a number of performances there. Marley also does shows around Maine and the US, so make sure to check his tour dates, to see if he is performing near you. The Clambake also has an event room for such an occasion. There are tables at the back of the room for those who want to eat while watching the show, along with three rows of seats surrounding the stage.
Bob Marley is quite popular here in Maine and his tickets tend to sell out quickly, so make sure to buy your tickets early. Furthermore, doors open at six pm for a seven pm show, enabling guests to get there early and pick out their seats. If you want your pick of seats, make sure to get to the venue early so that you can get the seats you want. There was an opening act, who was very funny, and he was able to warm up the crowd for Bob Marley. After the opener finished at 7:30, Marley took the stage, and his material is hysterical. His show is quite dynamic, as Marley moves about the stage and interacts with audience members.
I was on a roll with my research, so the next day I went to Blue, a live music venue in Portland. Blue is a small venue, so if you want a seat make sure to get there early. Sometimes there is a cover charge, while other times the performance is donation based. The doors open at seven pm, while the show starts at eight. If you enjoy watching the band set up, go through their sound check, and prep for their show, definitely show up at seven. There are tables facing the stage as well as seats at the bar.
Blue is a twenty-one and over establishment, so there are wines, cocktails, shots, spirits, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks. Blue also offers combo drinks like the Howdy Neighbor. The Howdy Neighbor is a can of Narragansett and a shot of bourbon. Their menu is small, offering hummus and naan, flat bread, and a variety of grilled cheese. I had an OG Grilled Cheese, along with a Margarita and a double chocolate cupcake. I saw a musician Javier Rosario perform, who plays jazz music. The band was focused on the music, so there was little talking from the band between songs, which I definitely appreciated.
I’m glad that I got to experience these two shows. I had so much fun that I’ll definitely see Bob Marley again, and I can see myself going to Blue a second time. If you want to learn more about Bob Marley, you can click here. If you want to see what Blue has to offer, you can click here. As always, I pose the question; where should I go next? I already have my next post planned out so make sure to stay tuned.
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