GARDINER — Slaid Cleaves will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12, at Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center, 280 Water St. Doors open at 7 p.m..

The characters in Slaid Cleaves’ songs live in unglamorous reality. They work dead-end jobs, they run out of money, they grow old, they hold on to each other (or not) and they die. He tells their stories, bringing a bit of empathy to their uncaring world.

Tickets are $28 for all seats and are available at Johnson Hall’s box office Tuesday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m.; at 207-582-7144; or by visiting their website at www.johnsonhall.org.

Slaid Cleaves