A.P. Nuri and Will Sawyer have turned their love for music and performance into a local entertainment company and hosting an inaugural festival that’s making its Saco debut next month.

The WandAland music and art festival – W for Will and A for A.P. – is slated for the weekend of Sept. 8-10 at Aquaboggan on Route 1 in Saco.

It’s a fitting venue for the city-based company: Will was born and raised in Saco and the family, which includes a 2-year-old daughter, now lives there after relocating from Arizona.

We learned more about the new venture during a recent phone interview with A.P.

Saco Bay News: When was WandAland formed and by whom?

A.P.: Will and I started in February (2023), so it’s fairly new, not even a full year yet. We created WandAland to remind Mainers that fun doesn’t have an age limit. And with our longterm partnership, events like this can be accessible, exciting and still spotlight what local Maine is all about.

SBN: What were the challenges you faced from a business standpoint when creating a company of this type in Maine and in Saco in particular?

A.P.: Helping people understand the concept of what other cities have done for years. Coming from a much bigger city it was difficult to get people to open up to new experiences. In bigger cities people are more receptive.

SBN: How was the permitting and planning process in Saco?

A.P.: The process was fairly easy.

SBN: Tell us more about your background

A.P.: I’ve been dancing and performing in Arizona and went to school for theater. I loved everything about art and entertainment.

SBN: And Will?

A.P.: Will is trained in classical piano and has been playing since he was 3. He has two bachelor’s degrees from UMaine in music teaching and music performance. He moved back to Maine with me. We moved here because it’s a better place to raise our daughter.

SBN: What was the catalyst for starting this new company?

A.P.: Will has been working in entertainment since he was 3, and we worked separately for the last six years. We put it under one business. We streamlined it to fit Saco and Maine’s (entertainment) needs.

SBN: Why Aquaboggan and why September?

A.P.: Aquaboggan can hold 2,000 people on a weekend. There’s not a ton of thing to do after the summer.

SBN: Who are some of the local bands that will be playing at Aquaboggan?

A.P.: Portland-based Deadgowns, which plays mostly pop, but indie and folk music as well. Frenzie will perform classic pop and rock. Two DJs that will be there: Raechma with electronic music to appeal to the younger crowd and DJ M33ch, who plays techno music.

 

SBN: What else can we look forward to at WandAland music and art festival?

A.P.: There will also be 20 art vendors and several food trucks, including Cheese Louise, Pink Waffle and Greeks of Peaks. With over 30 special guests, 20 emerging musicians, 15 local artisans and vendors and immersive art experiences from reputable creative artists across the state — it’s a powerhouse event, changing the face of arts and culture in Maine post-pandemic.

SBN: Who’s your target audience?

A.P.: WandA Entertainment is a fit for everybody … with a lot of fun events for when tourists aren’t here.

SBN: We noticed on your website (www.wandaentertainment.com) that you held a summer camp this year and a Queer Art Camping Weekend is being offered Sept. 22-24. Those are two very different events.

A.P.: The (summer) camp was really successful. It was a quick-fire version of theater camp. We taught the basics – just to see what it takes to put on a show. The queer camp is very much in line with how art elevates an event by creating without saying ‘you’ve got to do it this way.’ Art can be immersive, educational and fun and it doesn’t matter which you are.

SBN: What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start a new business?

My biggest advice is, do something you want to do that you love to do that no one else is doing.

Story by Ann C. Fisher