Every year, during what might be considered the “off-season,” the Boothbay Harbor Opera House hosts “Open Mic,” an opportunity for the less famous but no less talented individuals of the surrounding communities to share a song or two with neighbors and friends.

The event is held in the upstairs bar area of the Opera House, a room once utilized by the Knights of Pythias as a meeting place. Much of the lighting and symbols of the Pythian era still adorn the ceiling and walls. It’s quite an interesting space referring back to a time when the Opera House was home to a multitude of events and activities. Cozy and perfect for smaller venues and more intimate gatherings. Friends of the Opera House provided some yummy foods and adult beverages could be purchased to help support the overall costs of operation.

The evening is “MC’d” by the gifted and talented Eric Lowe (also a performing songster) along with creative Kevin Kiley, Cathy Sherrill (executive director), and wonderful volunteers who tirelessly offer their services throughout the year. Tables and chairs populate the room with ample opportunity to visit and enjoy performers who vary widely from local plumbers and carpenters to a Newagen small group, an accordion-wielding duo and aspiring pianists, one of whom is the beneficiary of an Opera House grant for music-related studies. It’s quite a wide-ranging assortment of wonderful music offered at a time of year when “we don’t get out much!”

As Eric Lowe set out upon the evening to introduce some of the performers, he mentioned a name that took me totally by surprise. Joe Gelarden, weekly contributor to our local Boothbay Register newspaper (now merged with what once was the stand-alone Wiscasset Newspaper) was introduced to the warmly filled audience space. “What?” “Joe?” ... “What’s up with that?” “Who’d a thunk?” I had no idea!

Joe had contacted me years ago when he took a position, at the request of the then Portland Press ownership of The Coastal Journal. He was looking for an occasional addition to the paper  – a photograph with some lighthearted copy, supplementing news linked to the local splendor of our area. It was not my cup of tea but Joe insisted, suggesting that the paper could use a little “local flavor” and he felt something of mine might help. I was not convinced but managed to dig up an aerial photo of Popham Beach for my first attempt. When Joe left the Coastal Journal and took up with the Register, he asked me to continue submitting, which I have.

Joe entered the Open Mic “stage,” such as it was, guitar in hand. We were sitting in the far off corner of the room which was not an ideal viewing location, but the sounds, by Joe, found us. A warmly felt rendition of folksy “Frankie and Johnny” filled the room. It was a song that hearkened back to Joe’s mid 1960s introductory first visit to Maine (he grew up in Indiana and went to college in Ohio) as a player at the Rendezvous Hotel on Southport, the eventual location of what was once the Lawnmeer Inn owned and operated by the Reed family of Boothbay Harbor. For Joe, it was a summer gig with a couple musical friends who were hired to entertain guests and summer residents.

A good evening time was had by all. Generous thanks to participants and to the Opera House for open arms. Such a pleasant opportunity full of surprises!