Hallelujah the weekend is finally here! With another busy weekend on the books for Portland, the highlight of events include a special live music performance out on Casco Bay’s most recognizable landmark (any guesses?), a celebration of 10 years of finely crafted beers, a festival bound to make you laugh, and an opportunity to find your inner pop diva! A wild card weekend ahead, check it all out!
Here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, August 26th – Sunday, August 28th 2022!
Weekend Spotlight
Friends of Fort Gorges Presents: Crescent | Fort Gorges | Sunday, August 28th 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Join Friends of Fort Gorges for the Maine premier performance of Crescent – a new voice/percussion/electronics duo featuring Kamala Sankaram and Brian Shankar Adler. The concert will present the world premiere of “Crescent,” a sonic exploration of global temperature data, microplastics, and the other impacts of climate change. The program is rounded out with music inspired by philosophical explorations of the human condition, as well as music from Kamala and Brian’s eclectic surf-noir band Bombay Rickey. This event will feature two 20-25 minute sets. Tickets include transportation, food, beverages, and world-class entertainment. Tickets here.
Friday the 26th
Walking Tours: Homes of Portland’s Golden Age | Greater Portland Landmarks | 10:00 AM
This tour explores the architecture and history of the Spring Street/State Street neighborhood, a vibrant district adjacent to the Congress Street Arts District. Once considered “the most beautiful neighborhood in Portland,” this area was home to many of the city’s wealthy and powerful in the 19th century. The tour includes stories about stately homes and their inhabitants, including Victoria Mansion, Safford House and the present-day Cumberland Club. The tour will also discuss how the neighborhood changed with the times, adding duplexes and row houses to meet the needs of an emerging middle and working class, and how it was impacted by urban renewal. Tickets here.
Dakota Smart | Thirsty Pig | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Singer/Songwriter Dakota Smart is known for his melodic piano riffs and dreamy vocals. An accomplished musician, Dakota’s main instrument is piano, he also plays guitar, ukulele and drums. He is an ASCAP Writer/Publisher and has written over 100 songs. He performs original music and covers all over New England, as both a solo-artist, and with a backing band.
Maine Black Professionals Network | Fork Food Lab | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Spend some time with friends over at In the Pocket podcast and Jonesin’. Coming to life every Fourth Friday, In the Pocket takes conversations with BIPOC Mainers offline and brings community together in-person. This month, In the Pocket will be joined by DJ Graphic Melee who will be supplying the beats as they meet and greet old and new friends. You won’t want to miss this community inclusive, BIPOC centric happy hour to ease you into the weekend. Register here.
In the P.O.C.ket is a 30 min talk show where Mainers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color share their narratives.
Portland, Maine Comedy Festival | Stroudwater Distillery | 7:00 PM – 9: 00 PM (Repeats Sunday 4:00 PM)
Join Stroudwater Distillery for a special comedy shows as part of the Portland Maine Comedy Festival! Presented by Ian Stuart, Friday’s lineup features Josh Dweh, Brian Consoles, Cecily Alexandria, Kirsten Kaufmann, Dylan Scott, Liz Greenwood, Marlin Wells, Aaron Smith, Tristan Hoffler, David Decareaux, Sukhjit Singh, & Casey McNeal. Tickets here.
12/OC | The Porthole | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
With roots in Nashville and Portland, this band of three brothers puts their spin on a variety of country, bluegrass & rock…family-style! 12/OC goes live on The Porthole stage at 7 PM.
Saturday the 27th
Portland Fine Craft Show | 120 Free Street | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Portland Fine Craft Show remains one of the only Maine craft shows open to artists not living in Maine, and has a reputation for being well-organized and high quality, with high attendance. Featuring approximately 100 juried exhibitors from Maine and the Northeast exhibiting fine craft in the following media categories: baskets, ceramics, fiber-decorative, fiber-wearables, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, printmaking, stone and wood, as well as outreach booths featuring New England and Portland arts organizations, international artists new to Maine, guilds and schools by special invitation, and several sponsor booths. Admission is free and open to the public!
Allagash Wild Card Showcase | Highroller Lobster Co. | 11:00 AM – Sellout or Close 11:00 PM
It’s that time of year again! Highroller Lobster Co.’s annual raiding of Allagash Brewing ‘s cellars and secret stashes returns again with a total tap takeover and a massive bottle list of funky, tart, barrel-aged and blended offering’s from the country’s preeminent Belgian-inspired brewery. The fun starts right from open at 11am.
10 Years of Beers Bash | Bunker Brewing Co. | 12:00 PM
Bunker Brewing Co. celebrates 10 years of beers! They will celebrating all day in the taproom with Live Tunes provided by The Maine Marimba Ensemble. Lucky Lou Eats will be here with the Greek street eats and Portland Twist popping up from 3-Close with the sweet treats! They will also be pulling some Fun Kegs out of the archives for special drafts.
Lobster Stomp | Geno’s Rock Club | 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM
35th annual LOBSTER STOMP! Featuring Burlesque performances by the LOBSTERETTES and live music from one of the coolest rock n’ roll quartet bands on the East Coast, Televisionaries. They will be sharing the stage with Zombie Beach, who delivers a quirky cool surf vibe wherever they go, and Curse of Kona, Maine’s classic surf band from Sebago.
Endless Summer w/ Jay-C & Tony B | Citrus | 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
The Summer is never over when these two DJ’s are on the set! DJ Jay-C has been a pillar in the Portland Nightlife Scene for quite some time – holding residency at every major venue in Portland and several headline appearances outside of the State. His passion for the genre was evident since day one. Tony B’s signature sound has pulsated throughout the streets of Portland’s Old Port for over a decade. Tony’s mix of rhythmic Tech House is sure to make the entire dancefloor move and his talent has been recognized by some of the best DJs on the Las Vegas strip. Combined together they are nothing but fire! This is a one time event not to be missed.
Sunday the 28th
Pet Rock in The Park | Deering Oaks Park | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The premier pet event of the summer! Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care present the 11th Annual Pet Rock in the Park – a day to celebrate pets and the people who love them, all while supporting the life-saving science! This dog-friendly event will feature live music and food trucks, as well as a diverse list of vendors including pet products, pet daycares, kennels, and animal rescues and shelters with pets looking for their forever homes! Money raised will benefit the Animal Cancer Foundation.
Poetry on the Prom | Eastern Promenade | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Portland Poets Society’s monthly summer reading series, ‘Poetry on the Prom’! Open mic and on a first come, first served basis. List opens at 2:45 or you can just come listen to some of Portland’s best poets as you overlook beautiful Casco Bay.
Karaoke | East Ender | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Warm up those vocals because East Ender is letting you have your Mariah Carey moment! Karaoke runs every night after 8 PM until late. Come get friendly in their MiniBar on the first floor with their inclusive, supportive and positive karaoke culture that pairs nicely with a cheeseburger or salad (kitchen closes at 9 PM). Come see what the hubbub is about!
Fete Market | Après | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Good to the last drop! Après is taking out August with a bang with Fete Market, a pop-up experience that cultivates community + empowers entrepreneurs. Featuring hyper talented makers and artisans for their largest local market yet: there will be live music, snacks, Meet On The Street food trailer, and a special opportunity to meet and shop from some of the most niche crafts folk in Portland!
Joan Kennedy | Portland Lobster Co. | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Photo: Joan Kennedy Facebook
Encompassing a career that has spanned more than 3 decades, award winning singer and musician Joan Kennedy is a Canadian born and raised, Portland, Maine based crossover country, pop, and blues star known to millions. Come to Portland Lobster Co. to hear this one of a kind performer!
For more events, head to our full Events Calendar here.
