The scene: a frigid wasteland. Desolate miles of snow and ice. Wind biting and snapping like a dog left chained outside. Numb extremities. Trudging through the elements, where even your Thinsulate-lined boots don’t keep you warm. Sound familiar?

Ah, but for the intrepid wanderer, relief awaits. Just follow Joel Raymond. He’ll lead you to Shangri-La.

Raymond held a press conference a few weeks ago to announce the May opening of Shangri-La, a new music and arts venue on Main Street in downtown Ellsworth, above the Maine Grind coffeehouse. Think of it as an earthly music and arts paradise, right in the middle of snowy, messy rural Maine.

“The need for a small performance space has been evident for a long time, especially from the point of view of emerging artists and smaller theatrical presentations that can’t possibly try to fill a 500-seat theater,” said Raymond. “And why not offer movies and other arts in an intimate venue with a light fare food menu, to hopefully reach a higher satisfaction level?”

Shangri-La, which will seat approximately 150 to 200 people, is a dream that has long been in the making for Raymond, along with his son, Josh. Until recently, Raymonds senior and junior both worked for The Grand in Ellsworth, leaving those positions early this year to focus on Shangri-La, a grand opening for which is set for May 9, with a concert by British rocker Graham Parker.

“My first concert was October ’68, making this 40 years in the business, and I guess this is just a natural outgrowth in trying to bring more things to more people,” said Raymond the elder. “If we can keep the geographic scope of this to eastern Maine, it all makes sense that more music, and more choices, make for more business for everyone. A rising tide floats all boats.”

Shangri-La will also become the catch-all name for Raymond’s other two big ventures, one of which is his booking and promotions agency, responsible for the Marcia Ball concert at the Camden Opera House on Feb. 12 and the Sonny Landreth show at the Bangor Opera House on April 8.

The other is even more new and exciting: the Shangri-La Music and Arts Festival, slated for Aug. 1-3 this year at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds. Full details are TBA, but suffice to say, it’s big. Real big. We’re talking Folk Festival levels of bigness, if the dynamic Raymond duo pull it off (and I suspect they will). The first acts are expected to be announced in the coming days, so check back with Rockin’ Out next week for more news.

“It’ll be a multigenre festival. We want everything – folk, bluegrass, rock, blues, new stuff, old stuff. Music is music is music,” said Raymond. “The carnival atmosphere will prevail, with multiple stages possible and all sorts of activities going on at once.”

Short on ambition the Raymonds are not.

“I’m most excited about the mix of artists of diverse genres that will be existing side by side,” said Raymond. “Also the idea of spreading out just a little bit got my attention, with Shangri-La the space, and the hub it revolves around, whether it be just picking up your tickets or picking up on a vibe.”

So whether it’s Shangri-La, Eden, Bali Ha’i, El Dorado or Main Street Ellsworth, there’s a new place to come to for musical relief on your arduous journey through the wilds of eastern Maine. I know I’m pretty darn excited about it.

For more information on all things Shangri-La-related, visit www.shangri-la-space.com. Emily Burnham may be reached at eburnham@bangordaily

news.net.