LEWISTON — “Jiggers and Jerks” is the catchy title given to the summer’s first Bates Mill concert slated for Saturday, June 23.

It’s music by two bands — The Squid Jiggers and Jerks of Grass — and it kicks off the 2012 season with three shows presented by DaVinci’s Eatery and Baxter Brewing Co. at the Bates Mill Fountain Courtyard.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the $10 admission ticket, limited to ages 21 and older, includes a tour of the brewery located a short distance down Mill Street.

“We are excited to bring music by outstanding Maine bands to downtown Lewiston,” said Luke Livingston, president and founder of Baxter Brewing. He said this second season of shows is structured somewhat differently from last year’s event. That was a $30 sit-down dinner, he said, and it offered an opportunity for the new brewing company to introduce their business to the community.

“We wanted to make this year’s program more affordable and accessible,” Livingston said, adding the courtyard location adjacent to DaVinci’s gives the public a chance to try the restaurant’s brick oven pizza and a can of the brewery’s new beer.

The brewery is staying open a bit later in the afternoon Saturday so concertgoers can take a tour before the show. The tour can also be taken at another time, Livingston said.

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The Squid Jiggers is a Maine-based folk duo, aka musician-entertainers Dave Rowe and Troy R. Bennett. They took their name from the A.R. Scammell song, “Squid Jigging Ground,” a musical depiction of fishing for squid in the waters off Newfoundland. The two vocalists also combine their talents on guitar, bass, bodhran and tin whistles.

Jerks of Grass is a high-energy bluegrass quartet from Portland whose debut album, “Come On Home,” is set to be released on Aug. 1. When on-stage, band members gather around one microphone in the traditional style.

Founding members are Jason Phelps, guitar, mandolin and vocals; and acoustic music veteran Carter Logan, banjo, dobro and guitar. Rounding out the group are newest members Kris Day, upright and electric bass, who has toured the United States with artists like Link Wray and Ronnie Dawson; and fiery fiddler Melissa Bragdon.

Livingston said each of the three shows in the 2012 Bates Mill Summer Concert Series will present different music genres. On July 20, the concert will be more rock-oriented with AMF and Paranoid Social Club. On Aug. 19, which is Great Falls Balloon Festival weekend, the music will be indie-pop with the Pete Kilpatrick Band.

Tickets may be purchased at www.baxterbrewing.com/jiggers-jerks or in person at the Baxter Brewing Co. tasting room/gift shop on Thursday or Friday. For more information, call 333-6769 or email info@baxterbrewing.com.


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