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Denmark’s homegrown music fest turns 4 this year, with a celebration worthy of a princess. Produced by the Denmark Arts Center (DAC), DAM JAM 2015 on Saturday, Aug. 1, features the most diverse musical lineup to date, supported by fantastic food, drink and art, for a festival that promises to finally tattoo Denmark onto the Maine summertime map, organizers say.

The festivities kick off at 3 p.m., with an hour-long performance by Arabiqa Ensemble, a Boston-based duo specializing in bringing to life the unique music and culture of the Arab world, through instruments and dance.

Following Arabiqa will be the neo-psychedelic tones of Portland’s own Jeff Beam & Friends. Longtime friends of Denmark, Beam & Co. were last seen locally with their unique DAC-Northeast Historic Film collaboration, “Stories from the Past,” placing new scores to old Maine films.

Hot on Jeff Beam’s tail will be the mesmerizing Ruby Rose Fox, whose soulful, gospel-tinged rock sounds have made her one of Boston’s breakout talents. Anchored by their eponymous front-woman’s low, sultry, voice, this 9-piece band channels the spirits of Elvis, Amy Winehouse, and Land Del Rey with a big, bold sound that promises to set Denmark ablaze.

The first of two headliners, Saintseneca, follows. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, this five-piece folk rock band has carved an enviable path across the alternative music landscape over the past 18 months, earning critical raves and collecting a rabid fan base who knowingly proclaim them as a neo-Wilco, citing their musical virtuosity, lyrical ingenuity, and transcendent live performances.

Maine’s own O’Death take the second headliner slot. Beloved statewide and beyond for their manic, boisterous live show no less than their utterly original re-imagining of American Roots and Appalachian music, O’Death are a past staple of such festivals as KahBang and the Free Range Music Festival.

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Closing out the bill will be the electro-rock soundscapes of Portland’s Leveret. Praised with the best-produced Maine record of the year so far (the quantum-leap of “Action at a Distance”), Leveret are a young band who has come into their own in a big way.

Supporting all this musical goodness will be a full-fledged Artists’ Midway, featuring interactive games and artistic experiences for all ages: Three artists will join longtime DamJam collaborator, the ArtVan, to create an energetic, wide-ranging spectrum of events, for kids of all ages. Artists Kimberly Bentley and Denise Rhodin, on staff at Bates and Colby colleges, respectively, will contribute a “Community Clay Diorama,” allowing guests to collaborate on a vast and temporary clay sculpture.

Lastly, a wide-ranging Food Court, featuring home-grown barbecue, hand-rolled burritos, and all manner of cafe fare, and our signature Beergarden (21+ with valid ID), offering a refreshing pause in the festivities.

It all gets under way at 2:30 p.m., and runs right through to 11 p.m. The whole thing is a benefit for the Denmark Arts Center.

The band Ruby Rose will be part of the show at the DAM JAM 2015 to benefit the Denmark Arts Center.Courtesy photo

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