Dancing and live music. Who doesn’t dig it? OK, maybe there are some guys out there who shy away from the whole dancing in public thing, but really when it comes to rock, blues, country rock … just get out there and do your thing.

Back in the day … (yeah, here she goes again) through the ’70s including the early days of punk, a group of us would head out on a Friday or Saturday night for some dancing. Inevitably, right after we stopped at the bar, a band would start playing and someone in our group would exclaim “OH! I love that song!” Off we’d go, oft with drinks in hand, back then, for me that meant Black Russians,  and the night would begin. Sure, after awhile some garments might get tossed off – a shirt (guys get hot dancing), shawls, scarves … shoes …

For me, the shoes were going to get tossed off at some point – and always in dramatic fashion. It was inevitable. There was one band in Connecticut called Fountainhead and they always drew a huge crowd. A crazy seven-piece band with two sax players, keyboardist, drums and guitars … these guys were hot! Whenever I was dancing where they were, and the urge to kick off my shoes hit, Kenny, the keyboard player, would launch into “Barefootin’” and before you knew it there were many other women out there dancin’ with me – all barefoot and lovin’ it. Fountainhead did some great rock ’n roll and blues. Packed every venue they played. The band played hard – and partied hard. But, it was all in good fun … isn’t it always? And, I should add, as any Fountainhead fan would, the band also did a lot of original tunes. They. Were. Awesome.

Fountainhead was the ultimate party band, and one that played with a lot, a lot of big names back in the 70’s and 80’s like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, Pure Prairie League, Dickey Betts and many others. If you mention Fountainhead to any Baby Boomer from CT, a slow smile will appear on their faces as the memories begin to flood their minds. Like what’s happening to me right now!

Around Boothbay Harbor there are some places booking bands this early in the season for our listening and dancing pleasure. Sure, it’s early days yet, but over the next few weekends – here are your dancing options …

Over Southport way, Robinson’s Wharf has the Horseshoe Crabs this Friday, April 20 and The Murky Waters Band on April 27. Friday night music is on from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Mine Oyster’s 2018 music season heats up  on Friday, April 27 with the Don Brewer Blues Project (9 p.m.) followed by Tickle on Saturday, April 28, at 9:30 p.m. Serious dancing to be had there. Believe it.

While we’re on Pier 1, McSeagull’s is offering Karaoke nights on Friday with Dave Gagne and on Sunday, April 22 at high noon it’s the Bob Colwell Duo.

Whale’s Tale is also into its musical groove with Barry Young on acoustic guitar Saturday, April 21 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Yes, the music season is just starting out in the region, but when our gorgeous region is in season … live music is never hard to find! And remember guys … like Don Henley explained in ’85 -  “All she wants to do is dance ... and make romance” – well, there’s always a bit of that in the mix, no?