Gather ‘Round Concert Series: The Burnurwurbskek Singers

The songs have been passed down from generation to generation.

On Saturday, October 9th the Burnurwurbskek Singers will be performing at the Museum & Theatre on the Gather Lawn. This musical performance is the first performance of our Gather ‘Round Concert series, highlighting diverse musicians from Maine. Each concert in the series will be performed on the Museum & Theatre’s public lawn in front of our new building, and the general public is encouraged to come enjoy the music. The outdoor performance is free of charge, but please note that parking is metered. The outdoor performance will be covid-safe and socially distanced. 

The Burnurwurbskek Singers will play two sets, one during the Saturday morning play session at 11:30 am and the other just prior to the Saturday afternoon play session at 12:30 pm. Visitors attending a play session are welcome to attend the live performance and will have plenty of time to explore the Museum & Theatre before or after the performance. The general public visiting Thompson’s Point also is encouraged to enjoy the live performance on the front lawn. 

Comprised of men representing many of Maine’s Wabanaki people (including the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Mic Mac tribes), the members of the Burnurwurbskek Singers have been drumming together for almost 25 years. They perform traditional northeast woodland songs that date back to time immemorial, as well as more contemporary, intertribal songs. These songs have been passed down in their rich oral tradition from generation to generation - from fathers, grandfathers and uncles to brothers, cousins and sons. Core members of the group are Ron Bear, his two sons Nick Bear and Cree Neptune Bear, and Nyle Sockbeson. The group is also often accompanied by traditional dances, performed by Ron's daughter Selena Neptune Bear and others.

The Museum & Theatre is grateful to have received generous funding from the Onion Foundation in support of the Gather ‘Round Concert Series. We are excited to utilize our front lawn space in our new building and offer this concert series free of charge to the general public, as well as to Museum & Theatre visitors. This is the first of four Gather ‘Round concerts happening in Fall 2021, and Spring 2022. Music, especially live music, provides a multisensory and physical experience for children and families. All visitors will be able to enjoy the music, and maybe even experience a musical genre they might not have heard before.

Join us on October 9th, at 250 Thompson’s Point Road, Portland. Learn more about the Burnurwurbskek Singers at  burnurwurbskeksingers.com/ 

The Burnurwurbskek Singers are comprised of men representing many of Maine’s Wabanaki people