Common Fence Music takes its shows on the road

We’re treating it as an opportunity to be in places we’ve never been in before.”

Erin Young, artistic director of Common Fence Music

PORTSMOUTH — Common Fence Music (CFM) is asking its music-loving patrons to step out of their comfort zones this season to enjoy the annual concert series away from its home base for the past 25 years.

The Common Fence Point Community Hall, where the music series was born, is undergoing extensive renovations to transform the building into an arts center for the wider community. That means the music series had to find a few alternate venues this season.

“Basically, it looks like the construction is expected to be happening through May of next year,” said Erin Young, CFM’s artistic director.

Rather than be discouraged, volunteers are rising to the challenge and excited about the new season, which kicks off Friday, Sept. 21.

“We’re scrambling this year, but it’s worked out. We’re actually looking forward to this and we’re treating it as an opportunity to be in places we’ve never been in before,” Ms. Young said.

Staging concerts at satellite music spaces is nothing new for the series, as it’s used Channing Memorial Church in Newport in the past, and last year began welcoming artists and patrons to Hope & Main in Warren. The latter will be the site of four shows this fall, including this Friday’s kickoff with Cowboy & Lady and Só Sol.

The new venues include St. John's Lodge No. 1 on Sprague Street in Portsmouth, and the Casino Theatre and Fenner Hall in Newport. 

In addition, Portsmouth High School — it was used for “one or two” concerts years ago, Ms. Young said — will be the site of a Christmas show in December. (A percentage of the proceeds from that show will benefit the Kate Grana Music & Art Association, which is raising money to transform the auditorium into a modern center for music and performing arts.)

“We’re hoping some of our Portsmouth people will make the drive to Newport and elsewhere, but at the same time we’re trying to attract new people who have never been to the outer edge of Portsmouth,” she said.

As to how the new venues will be received, Ms. Young said volunteers will have to wait and see.

“We know a lot of people love our Portsmouth venue. CFP is very homey and they know what to expect and it’s a fun and relaxed environment,” she said of the community hall, where patrons are allowed to bring their own picnic dinners and beer and wine. (Volunteers also sell baked goods, soft drinks and other treats.)

The BYOB policy won’t work at the Casino Theatre or Portsmouth High School due to the lack of tables. However, the group plans on securing a liquor license to bring in an outside vendor to the Newport theater.

“The only place that can’t have any alcohol is Portsmouth High School,” Ms. Young said, adding that volunteers will still have baked goods and snacks available at the theater as well as PHS.

First show is Friday

Ms. Young said she’s excited about this year’s fall lineup of artists. (She’s working on booking more talent for the second half of the season, from January through May.)

“I definitely tried to match the lineups to the venues that we’re using,” she said, pointing out that Warren’s Hope & Main is for “rising artists — artists that may not be as well known but who are talented and deserving of an audience.”

That includes Cowboy & Lady and Só Sol, which kick things off at 8 p.m. on Friday Sept. 21, at Hope & Main, 691 Main St., Warren. 

Cowboy & Lady is a Rhode Island-based duo features guitarist/vocalist Tyler-James Kelly of the blues band The Silks and his partner, singer Jess Powers. Inspired by a mutual love of Country & Western music, Cowboy & Lady have built a New England following, winning acclaim for their lively sets, beautiful vocal arrangements and harmonies.

The folk group Só Sol plays with a vintage sound that has roots in both Tropicalia and Americana. Formed eight years ago by the husband-and-wife duo of Jessica DaSilva (vocals, percussion, banjo) and John Garrett (vocal, guitar), the group performs original songs, transitioning between lyrics in English and Brazilian Portuguese. Zach Bridges on the acoustic bass and J. Bruce Scott on the lap steel complete the band.

Handicapped parking only is available in the rear of the building. All other parking is available in the municipal lot on Franklin Street. There’s a handicapped entrance through the rear of the building. 

CFM is doing something a little different for Friday’s kickoff, assuming the weather cooperates.

“Hopefully we’ll be doing this outside Hope & Main in the schoolyard. I think that’s the first time we’ve done that, so that will be fun,” she said, adding that the show will be moved inside in the event of rain.

For more information, check out Common Fence Music’s new website at www.commonfencemusic.org.