2007 Jul 31

Campobello concert helps LNG fight

By BARB RAYNER

CAMPOBELLO — A multi-media concert titled The Grand Design will be presented Thursday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Anglican church hall in Welshpool as a fund raiser for the Save Passamaquoddy Bay 3-Nation Alliance (SPB).

SPB is a group of citizens from the U.S., Canada, and the Passamaquoddy tribe who oppose the siting of LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminals in Passamaquoddy Bay. The group advocates creative economy, tradition-based and tourism-based economic development for the international Passamaquoddy Bay area.

Presented in "reader's theatre" format, The Grand Design is a tale of pioneers, a ship wreck, scoundrels, and survivors set in 1741. A group of Scots-Irish Presbyterians have set sail for the new world and new lives in Philadelphia, but a huge storm wrecks their vessel on the shores of present day Grand Manan. Abandoned by their captain, the survivors are forced to survive the harsh winter with little shelter, less food, and no worldly resources. The story of their survival is one of desperate days, lonely weeks and months, and life-threatening challenges.

They are rescued in the spring by Passamaquoddy fishermen who have come to the outer Fundy islands for the summer sea harvest season. The tribal warriors are stunned to find survivors and they carry them to colonial St.George and later to Pemaquid, Maine.

The story and its production as a staged event has been gathered from an actual diary of one of the female survivors. The words and music will blend actual historical documents, music, and original songs played on traditional instruments such as woodwinds, viola, violin, and percussion, with musical vocals.

Written, produced, and performed by well-known Maine musicians Julie Lane and Fred Gosbee of the group Castlebay, this is a unique musical documentary of the early Ulster Scots emigration to New England.

Advance tickets can be purchased from the Lupine Lodge on Campobello for $10, and tickets will be available at the door for $15, as available.

Seating is limited to 50, and proceeds from the event will go to benefit the work of SPB.