A bunch of years ago, when I lived in Portland, I took part in an incredible musical experience called the 48-hour Music Festival. A couple dozen musicians gathered up on a Thursday afternoon, and were assigned bands by lottery, after drawing names out of a hat. Then these new groups were to hunker down in a practice room somewhere, and create 20 minutes of new material in 48 hours, to be performed at the end of said time frame.

In the true spirit of the event, we chose names regardless of instrumentation, so as luck would have it, I ended up in a band with two other drummers. You can imagine the initial fear, and then the challenge of trying how to figure out new music for three drummers and two guitar players in two days. It was no easy feat, but it was an absolute blast, and one of the most amazing musical experiences I've ever been a part of.

So I was extremely excited, and impressed to see that the Ten Bucks Theater Company, along with Launchpad and The Bangor Arts Exchange, was holding a 24-Hour New Play Festival. It's set up in much the same way. Folks will be assigned groups to work with, and in 24 hours, must write, rehearse, and perform their new, original plays. That's no easy feat! I can barely remember my own phone number, so I'm not sure how I could remember a bunch of lines, or write them for that matter. You're already watching me max out my writing skills on a daily basis!

The final performances will be held at the Bangor Arts Exchange on September 22nd, at 7:00p.m. and tickets will be $10 at the door. First come, first serve seating. And if you would like to participate in the event as a writer, actor, or director go to this website and get yourself hooked up!

So get out and enjoy some of Bangor's most ambitious artists. You will be thrilled that you did!

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