Maine percussionist W.F. Quinn Smith’s creativity and use of found objects as instruments has helped him build a long career as a recording and touring musician, for everyone from Disney to Daft Punk.
Ray Routhier
Staff Writer
Ray Routhier has written about pop culture, movies, TV, music and lifestyle trends for the Portland Press Herald since 1993. He is continually fascinated with stories that show the unique character of Maine’s people and places. He’s written about why so many businesses use the made-up word “Mainely” in their names, how you can trace Portland’s history through its various smells and why Mainers lament the loss of Portland-made B&M baked beans. He’s interviewed a wide variety of filmmakers, actors, musicians and authors, including Patrick Dempsey, Tony Shalhoub, Richard Russo, Tess Gerritsen, Tony Bennett, Anna Kendrick, and Stephen King. His passions, besides writing, include baseball history, old movies and “Jeopardy!” A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, he graduated with a degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire. He lives in South Portland with his wife and two children.
Posted inThings to Do
Lobster Festival’s back – at the same time as Wild Blueberry Weekend
Maine Lobster Festival returns for its 75th anniversary and the first time since 2019, coinciding with the 2nd Wild Blueberry Weekend.
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Posted inArts & Entertainment
Portland DJ spreads his love of K-pop wherever he can
Jon Hawkins is playing the bouncy, feel-good music at parties, weddings and on two Portland-area radio shows.
Posted inThings to Do
Why wait for fall? Summer has its share of Maine fairs
At least 11 fairs are scheduled across the state through the end of August, including the Ossipee Valley Fair in Hiram this week.
Posted inMaine
Maine Public to add 7 radio signals in rural areas
The public network is planning to broadcast from towers in Bethel, Calais, Fort Kent, Greenville, Mars Hill and Millinocket and surrounding areas within three years.
Posted inMaine, Things to Do
After 3 years, Fourth of July celebrations are mostly back to normal
As pandemic restrictions ease, there are more Independence Day events happening around Maine.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
Portland’s July 4 fireworks will boom, but without musical accompaniment
A city staffing shortage led to the decision to keep the celebration scaled back, meaning the Portland Symphony Orchestra will not perform.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, News
Got a yen for acting? Mainers wanted to be extras in true crime series
Scenes for ‘Wild Crime’ will be shot around Greater Portland from June 20-29.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
Crime story contest has a happy ending for Bangor teen who beat out professional writers
Muhammad Drammeh, 17, won the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance’s annual CrimeFlash Fiction contest, competing against more experienced writers and published authors.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Long before Bean Boots, Mainers were on the forefront of fashion
Maine Historical Society has three exhibits that merge history and fashion, including ‘Northern Threads,’ which features Maine clothes from the society’s collection spanning 200 years.