Unity College Band Aims to Grow Support for Maine Farmers' Markets

A Unity College band will be touring farmers' markets across Maine from May through October to support local food and local farmers.

The band, composed of Unity College faculty, staff and alumni, will perform for shoppers and vendors. Called Dog Wants Out, the band consists of Rob Constantine, Vice President for College Advancement on keyboard; Anna McGalliard, Director of Health Services on banjo; Sara Trunzo ’08, Unity College Farm Manager on mandolin and vocals; and John Zavodny, Professor of Philosophy and Humanities on vocals and guitar.

“As local musicians who value local food we saw this as an opportunity to combine our musical interest with our community values,” said Zavodny. “We hope that performing fun, accessible, family friendly music at local famers' markets will help draw first time and repeat shoppers to the vendors.”

Zavodny sees the Farmers' Market Tour 2009 as part of a larger community music project uniting local musicians in support of local charitable causes.

“We hope this is the beginning of a larger trend in Maine to rally amateur musicians to support their communities in various ways,” he added.

With characteristic humor, Zavodny notes that the music will be good, but will hardly place them among wealthy touring artists.

“We say that we will play for cheese because compensation normally comes in the form of gas money, and produce is collected when the organizers pass the hat among the vendors at the Farmers' Market,” said Zavodny.

The schedule performances is on Facebook under the search Dog Wants Out. The site also includes samples of the band’s music.

Current performance dates are below. Additional dates will be added.

Unity Market Day

Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 12:00pm

Unity Community Center, corner of School and Main Street

Lakes Region Farmers' Market

Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 9:00am

Manchester School

709 Roosevelt Trail

Windham, ME

Freeport Farmers' Market

Friday, July 10, 2009 at 2:00pm

Freeport Farmers' Market

Corner of West and Main Street

Freeport, Maine

KNEADING Conference

Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 12:00pm

Tewksbury Hall, Skowhegan, ME (behind the Federated Church, 13 Island Avenue)

Damariscotta Farmers' Market

Friday, August 14, 2009 at 9:00am

Damariscotta River Association

109 Belvedere Road

Damariscotta, ME

Camden Farmers' Market

Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 10:00am

Camden Farmers' Market

Behind Knox Mill, entrances on Knowlton Street and Washington Street (Route. 105)

Skowhegan Farmers' Market

Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 10:00am

Grange Hall Parking Lot

Madison Avenue

Skowhegan, ME

Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.