Posts Tagged slate’s

Mmmm, mmmm, tasty food and tasty tunes Monday night at Slates in Hallowell. (Sun Journal photo)

Well, we sure did have fun last night at the 33-something annual Schooner Fare/Devonsquare Concert in Portland. It turns out it was one year to the day since Dave and I played our first gig together. We didn’t even have a name at the time. To celebrate, we got to play a quartette of songs for the huge crowd and I got to see Devonsquare, Schooner Fare and the Don Campbell Band for free. Speaking for myself, and many of the misty-eyed patrons sitting in my section, a real highlight in the night of highlights was hearing Dave play his dad’s bass and sing “Portland Town” with Schooner Fare. The few hairs I have left on my head stood up, hearing that sound.

Monday night, March 14, we return to Slates in Hallowell, Maine. It’s a first-class listening room and the food is second to none. We played a show there late last spring and we’re pleased to be back. The show is at 8 p.m. and the doors open for dinner at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. For reservations call 622-9575.

- TROY.

From the website: Slates Restaurant & Bakery are located in downtown Hallowell, Maine across from the Kennebec River. Down East magazine quotes, “Water Street, Hallowell’s main thoroughfare, is lined with antique shops and bookstores. For the last twenty-five years it has also been anchored by the pleasantly off-beat restaurant known as Slates.”

Slates success is due to the owner’s passion for excellent food that is consistent and creative as well as providing outstanding service. All of the restaurant’s breads, pastas, desserts and ice creams are homemade at Slates Bakery next door. The recently expanded bakery has been applauded by regulars and is now a place that customers can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, baked goods, lunch and amazing take home dinners.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Friday serving lunch and dinner, Saturday for brunch and dinner and Sundays for brunch. Brunch is served on both Saturday and Sunday mornings with roughly hundreds of options including the most amazing benedicts and Bloody Mary’s!

Slates purchases their produce from local organic farmers whenever possible and base their entrees on what is fresh and available for the time of year. The bar has an impressive selection of liquor, beer, wine and creative drink specials. Slates is a great place to eat out for any occasion; an appetizer in the bar with friends, dinner in the welcoming art filled dining room or a large gathering in our private function room. If you haven’t been to Slates Restaurant or Bakery please make the visit, you won’t regret it! We hope to see you soon.

Slate's in Hallowell (photo by Fred Field)

HALLOWELL — On the evening of Monday, May 17, Celtic and Maritime music will be in the air at Slates Restaurant as The Squid Jiggers duo makes its debut concert appearance.

The duo — musician/entertainers,Dave Rowe and Troy R. Bennett — took its name from the A.R. Scammell song “Squid Jigging Ground,” a depiction of fishing for squid in the waters off Newfoundland.

Rowe grew up on the Maine music scene, learning the trade literally at the feet of his late father, Tom, while the elder Rowe was traveling the country playing bass guitar with Schooner Fare. Starting out as a young roadie and coffee gofer for his dad, Rowe began playing professionally as a bassist at age 15. In 1993, the Rowe men formed a duo, which eventually became known as Turkey Hollow when Denny Breau joined.

With Tom’s passing in 2004, Dave formed the Dave Rowe Trio, with which he continues to tour as lead vocalist and guitarist. With the formation of The Squid Jiggers, Dave comes full circle, picking up his father’s trademark bass guitar and playing many of the songs he heard Schooner Fare perform so many years ago.

“It’s a lot of fun getting into these old songs that are so much a part of who I am as a musician,” said Rowe.

Bennett started out playing and touring with the Irish band Rakish Paddy from the Portland area. After leaving Rakish Paddy, he tried out the gypsy life, traveling Europe with a guitar and busking on street corners for some extra cash. On his return to the States, he started a Celtic duo called Bailey’s Mistake as well as the Half Moon Jug Band, a high-octane folk group specializing in new uses for kazoos and banjos. The Half Moon Jug Band continues to tour extensively across New England.

The show, part of the Slates Monday Night Concert Series, will begin at 8:15 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door and by calling 622-9575.