Hallowell-based musicians brought their Maine version of The Band’s Last Waltz to the Opera House Feb. 16, and as Bob Colwell (keyboards and accordion) told the audience, “This is fun for you, but even more fun for us!”

Just under 300 tickets were sold for the show presented much as the Martin Scorsese film entitled “The Last Waltz” - the farewell concert of The Band - Levon Helm, Robbie Robertson, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson - to their fans.

Ninety-nine percent of the audience had seen the film. Hey, the musicians asked if there was anyone present who hadn’t seen the film, and two to four hands went up.

The multi-talented musicians that night: Bob Colwell (keyboards and accordion), Steve Vellani, Josh Robbins, Pat Colwell, Robbie Coffin, Katie Daggett, Dick Hollis and Tim Sullivan had the audience groovin’ - whether seated, standing or dancing - to “Up On Cripple Creek,” “Ophelia,” “Stage Fright,” “I Shall Be Released,” “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” … In short - they killed it.

Daggett performed Joni’s “Coyote,” Josh Robbins did  Neil Diamond’s “Dry Your Eyes” …  and blew the audience away.

Anyone walking by the Opera House could hear the enthusiastic, sometimes deafening applause (that jazzes you even more!) and whoops an’ hollers coming from inside. 

Even the Opera House’s resident spirits were dancing - it was ... “Such A Night."

For more on The Band, visit http://theband.hiof.no