Pinch us because we must be dreaming! 78 degrees in mid-April? This weekend is just ASKING for us to skip out on work early and enjoy everything it has to offer.
This weekend, hop on the magic ride at the Portland House of Music & Events, find hidden gems at Thompson’s Point, avoid board-em with Woodfords Club and have the night of your dreams at Free Street.
Here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, April 14th – Sunday April 16th, 2023
Friday the 14th
FriendCon | Woodfords Club | 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Repeats Saturday)
FriendCon is a 2-day community event dedicated to playing board games and tabletop games! There will be plenty of different games to play, and there will be volunteers able to teach games as well. They will also have Role-Playing games and possible tournaments for Dominion and Wingspan. Admission is free with a $10 suggested donation per day to help the Woodfords Club support more of these events. You can also donate a game instead of paying admission. Games will be shared with the community. This event is all ages, but those younger than 16 should have an adult with them. The typical crowd is 21+. Register online.
Saint James, AMIRIGHT, Uncle Spudd and Frankie Moon | Urban Farm Fermentory | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Support local musicians this weekend at Urban Farm Fermentory! The headline act, Saint James, an indie rock band from New Haven with alt-country influences, while the other three acts performing are local musicians, Amiright, Uncle Spudd, and Frankie Moon. The show aims to support local musicians, and attendees can expect a diverse range of musical styles from the performers. Tickets.
“One Minute, Please!” Bondeko Album Release Celebration | Mayo Street Arts | 7:30 PM
Intercultural band Bondeko will be sharing the recording of their first album “One Minute Please!” with live music, film, art, and discussion. Bondeko is the unlikely musical collaboration of an Albanian crooner and folklorist, a traditional Guinean drummer, and a French singer-songwriter. With only a few words of common language, their sound cannot exactly be described as world music. Their live shows are celebrations of the joy of sharing space with people from very different cultures. Bondeko is proudly from Portland, Maine, proudly international, and proudly multigenerational! Tickets.
Magic Bus | Portland House of Music | 7:30 PM
The Who, one of rock’s most iconic bands, made the charts in 1964 with their hit song, “Can’t Explain.” That was the beginning of their amazing journey. Still performing more than 50 years later, The Who can be heard in commercials, television theme songs and on the radio. Magic Bus, a tribute band based in Portland captures the sound and feel of The Who. They will take you on a tour of the rock band’s discography, covering songs from “My Generation” to “Who Are You.” They also perform select songs from the rock operas “Tommy” and “Quadrophenia.” Tickets.
Looky Here Release Party | Goodfire Brewing Co. | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Goodfire Brewing is teaming up with If When How for a collaborative fundraiser to benefit SAFE Maine. They will be releasing their Pink Boots ME brew Looky Here, hosting a raffle, providing food by On A Roll food truck with live music by Nikola. They will be donating a portion of all draft proceeds from 12P M -9 PM to SAFE Maine.
Saturday the 15th
GRUFF! An Epic Fairytale Eco-Musical | Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine | 11:00 AM + 3:00 PM (Multiple Dates)
In a not-so-distant future on a place once known as Earth, the goats are about to run out of food in the toxic wasteland they call home. There are trash heaps and junk piles as far as the eye can see, and no traces of plant life anywhere. Gruff, a young goat, along with her siblings Griff and Clancy, set out on a mission to find a flower that they’ve never seen before. Gruff discovers the hidden and magical Troll Valley, the only place left on Earth where natural plant growth is treasured and protected. But when the Goat Elders find out that plants (and trolls!) still exist, they set out to take the resources for themselves. Can Trolls and Goats overcome their differences to work together and save the planet before it’s too late? Part of the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine’s Earth Week celebrations, programs and activities dedicated to the scientific exploration of Maine’s ecosystems, migratory species, and the mutual relationships with all life. Tickets.
Slow Fashion Soiree | Aprés | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
WCKD COLLECTIVE’s SLOW FASHION SOIRÉE IS BACK! Come shop and hang with 5+ vintage and up-cycled vendors and check out the coolest pop-up shop in Maine. They will have all new inventory and new 1/1 pieces to bring.
The Nat King Cole Songbook | Merrill Auditorium | 7:30 PM
Portland Symphony Orchestra and celebrated vocalist Denzal Sinclaire pay tribute to the icon with the incandescent voice, Nat King Cole. Revisit his greatest hits in this unforgettable musical event! Includes hits like L-O-V-E, Day In, Day Out, Mona Lisa, Always on My Mind, I’ve Got the World on a String, and more! Tickets.
Start Making Sense & The Ocean Avenue Stompers | State Theatre | 8:00 PM
Start Making Sense is proud to present the music of Talking Heads, David Byrne and more – once again with a full Horn section! This special evening will feature David Byrne solo material, Talking Heads songs and more surprises with the Ocean Avenue Stompers Horns. Don’t miss out on this very special tour! Tickets.
Neon Dreams: A Burlesque & Paint Party | Free Street | 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Join THEM Burlesque for their FIRST EVER full cast production. They are throwing a rave! Start the night with a neon themed burlesque show full of fabulous group routines and solo performances. DJ Disco Dungeon will be taking over the party after the show, while THEM delights you with GoGo dancing, flow performances and neon paint! Make sure you wear white and get ready to get messy! Vendors will be providing on-theme items for sale starting at 7PM. Don’t forget tips for the performers! Featuring: Rosie Havoc, Kinky Slippers, El Ixir, Minx Money, Georgi Petals, Aubergine Dream, and more. Tickets.
Sunday the 16th
Special Olympics Maine Game at the Maine Mariners | Cross Insurance Arena | 3:00 PM
Be a fan in the stands! This weekend join Special Olympics Maine at the Maine Mariners for their last game of the regular season as they take on the Norfolk Admirals. Special Olympics Maine and the Maine Mariners will proudly be recognizing their athletes and sponsors in attendance. Tickets.
Tarot Series: Intuition, Ritual & Tarot Preparation | Alchemy Healing Arts | 4:00 PM
In this class you will learn techniques to strenghten your intuition, rituals to implement before during and after giving a tarot reading and other tools to aid you during this process. You will discuss meditation and relaxation techniques to allow your intuition to shine through and give an accurate and flowing reading. Ethics and payment structure will also be discussed for those who feel confident enough to start their professional tarot journey. On-going mentorship and support will be available to you. Tickets.
38th Annual Mineral, Gem, and Jewelry Show | Thompson’s Point | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Also Saturday)
The Largest Mineral, Gem and Jewelry Show in Southern Maine! Explore exhibits from more than 50 dealers across 180 tables full of mineral specimens, fossils, gems, beads, jewelry, crafting supplies, healing crystals, and much more. View dazzling fluorescent minerals under ultraviolet light in a walk-in enclosure. Collectors, crafters, students, rock hounds – there’s something special for everyone.
Glass Mushroom Terrarium Workshop | Terrarium | 1:00 PM
Create your own terrarium mini-ecosystem in a clear glass mushroom with this workshop at Terrarium. This is a fun one to build with an opening large enough to reach in and work with your hands, plus ample space for design.Tickets.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.
