BY ABIGAIL CURTIS
FOR THE MIDCOAST BEACON

ROCKLAND — School has started, the days are getting shorter and the coastal Maine summer whirlwind of concerts and festivals is beginning to wind down.

But Rockland-area music fans have a bright spot to look forward to in the fall and winter — Rock City Books and Coffee’s free Friday night music series, the Velvet Lounge.

“We started in November of last year and we started to have such a good following, we just couldn’t stop doing it,” said Erica Sanchez, cafe manager for Rock City Books and Coffee. “It really is just a venue for local artists.”

The Velvet Lounge began last fall as a way to bring more people in to the bookstore and cafe during a time when many local businesses were struggling. At first, Sanchez tried to entice more customers with community activities such as board games, but she found that residents wanted just one thing.

Music.

“I would like to say that it is unique. I don’t know anyone else who’s doing what we’re doing,” Sanchez said.

The bustling coffee shop and bookstore by day transforms into a hip, intimate, no-smoking and no-alcohol lounge on Friday nights. The event attracts a variety of people to hear the Celtic, Latin and other genres of music, including families with children, said Sanchez.

Musician Mike Whitehead of Union plays trumpet with a number of local bands, including Dory in the Desert and Sage for Someone. He had three or four gigs at the Velvet Lounge over the summer.

“Having music there regularly has been a great thing,” Whitehead said. “I’ve played with teenagers there — and 70-year-olds. You get a good mix of styles and ages, and it has a friendly kind of atmosphere.”

That friendly atmosphere is important, according to Sanchez. Because the coffee shop charges no cover, management encourages those listening to give a little money to the musicians, and so far, the arrangement seems to be working well.

“I do have some people who come now, every single Friday, regardless of what’s playing. They just know we’re having music,” Sanchez said. “I would say we do have a good following now.”

One band was able to start a recording project after a gig at the Velvet Lounge, she said.

Whitehead said that the intimate space often fills with eager music fans.
“It has a really nice feel to it,” he said. “You get to try out stuff. It’s a good place for young people.”

Maine musician David Bullard is up next at the lounge, and he will play his classically influenced and Latin-style guitar tunes 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.
For more information about the Velvet Lounge at Rock City Books and Coffee, call 594-4123 or visit the Rock City Coffee fan page on Facebook.