Our ‘Best of 2022’ Awards might be over (thank you to all that voted!), but it looks like August is putting up a good fight and taking the lead against July for the title of ‘Best of Summer’ and ‘Best of Events Line-up’. Sorry, July!
This weekend we welcome in a new month with some of the best of summer events yet! Round-up this week includes the classiest brunch you’ll ever attend (you’ll need to iron out your all whites too!), a tournament that will determine who has what it takes to catch the biggest tuna, a trivia night that will test how much you really know about those pesky Hawkins Demogorgons, and so much more!
Here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, August 5th – Sunday, August 7th 2022!
Friday the 5th
20th Anniversary Party | Rivalries | 4:00 PM -11:00 PM
Celebrating 20 years of business, Rivalries will be throwing a 20th Anniversary in Portland. Known as an airy, bi-level sports bar with slightly upscale pub standards and plenty of TVs, the evening’s celebration will include good specials, good times, and good people! $2 off Lone Pine & Sam Adams Drafts! Cheers, Rivalries!
Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza Tuna Tournament | Casco Bay| All Weekend
The annual tournament returns! As a first-class tuna tournament, the Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza combines highly-skilled anglers from all over the northeast in a contest of competition, comradery, and fun. Giving back to the community, the Casco Bay Bluefin Bonanza Tuna Tournament will also help raise funds in support of educational scholarships to deserving individuals and giving charitable donations to those in need. In addition to the tournament, weekend events will include a Dinner & Auction with lots of great items available for auctions and raffles, Bluefin Bonanza apparel for sale and a Downeast lobster bake; as well as a ‘Youth Day’ where you can bring the kids down to learn about Bluefin tuna and other sea creatures from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute team, learn fishing techniques from the Bass Pro Shops pros and enter the green crab tournament. Waitlist registration is here.
First Friday Art Walk | Multiple Locations Across Portland | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Portland’s First Friday Art Walk is a free self-guided tour of art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. Opening the doors of Portland’s arts community by joining together and introducing a wider audience to the unique vitality of the artists and venues of Portland, First Friday Art Walk promotes interest with non-exclusivity and easy-access, thereby strengthening the arts and community through diversity and celebration.
Khruangbin | Thompson’s Point | 6:00 PM Doors – 7: 00 PM Show
Khruangbin is a three-piece band from Houston, Texas, formed in 2009 with Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar and Donald Johnson on drums. Taking influence from 1960’s Thai funk – their name literally translates to “Engine Fly” in Thai – Khruangbin is steeped in the bass heavy, psychedelic sound of their inspiration, Tarantino soundtracks and surf-rock cool. Khruangbin worked with Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Leon Bridges for two groundbreaking collaborative EPs, Texas Sun & Texas Moon. Further extending the lone star state’s sonic possibilities, the sister EPs pensively examines Texas’ musical perception, while paying homage to the marriage of country and R&B that’s become synonymous with the region. Tickets here.
Dancehall vs. Afrobeats with DJ Onax | Citrus | 9:00 PM -1:00 AM
Join for a night of tropical vibes that will make your body shiver and blow your mind. A night of two different genres emerge in a way that will leave you speechless. “DANCEHALL” an uptempo style of dance music originating in Jamaica and derived from reggae, in which a DJ improvises lyrics over a recorded instrumental backing track or to the accompaniment of live musicians VS. “AFROBEATS” has more melody to it than regular dancehall, it’s something that people can dance to, with party-friendly lyrics like radio.
Vivid Motion Dance Presents: Lyrical | St. Lawrence Arts | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Repeats Saturday + Sunday)
Vivid Motion is a company for long-time dancers who are looking for an opportunity to bring dance back into their lives and a place for anyone who always wanted to try dancing, but never had the chance. Directed with love, Vivid Motion’s summer showcase, ‘Lyrical’, will feature dances based on words. Vivid Motion’s emerging and established choreographers will use their unique styles to interpret single words or entire poems through dance. Tickets here.
Saturday the 6th
Festival of Chariots (Rath Yatra) | Edward Payson Park | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Festival of Chariots is one of the jolliest cultural festivals of India, now being celebrated internationally. Every year, in the mystical land of Jagannath Puri in India, at the beginning of the monsoon season, Jagannath comes out along with His brother Baladev and sister Subhadra, and They are put on 3 magnificent chariots. Almost a million people throng to the city and pull these 3 chariots with love and devotion, accompanied by joyful spiritual music and graceful dancing. The same Rath Yatra festival that is celebrated in Jagannath Puri, will be celebrated in Portland to spread vibes of goodness and happiness. Everyone in and around Portland is most welcome, and will get a chance to participate and immerse in blissful festivities like: pulling the chariot of Jagannath, singing and dancing, mantra meditation, making spiritual friendships, savoring a delicious vegetarian feast (free!), interacting with traveling monks in Q&A booths, exploring some mind-blowing dioramas and exhibits.
The Fear and Loathing in Portland | Free Street | 8:00 PM – 1:00 AM
The Fear and Loathing in Portland returns for its 5th year w/ a full ahead bat country sensory experience. Fearsome sounds from: OG beats ‘n vibes master Dereloid, heavy hitter hits by Meech, bendy womps and thumps from Les Rhoda & Dew Drops, kamikaze ninja scrolls by Pensivv and provocative bumps from Dave Bregoli. Reinforced sound system. Immersive screens and lights. Anything worth doing is doing right. Buy the ticket, take the ride.
Wild Blueberry Weekend | Fork Food Lab | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
A retail event designed to spark your creativity about what you can do with wild Maine blueberries! Fork Food Lab’s participating members will be using wild Maine blueberries generously donated by Wyman’s to stretch their creativity and create a variety of sweet and savory offerings. From salad dressings to dessert, they want to celebrate the wild Maine blueberry! Limited quantities of samples will be available, and many of these special limited edition creations will *only* be available for purchase at this event. Tiramisu, scones, hot sauces, vinaigrettes and more.
Chrisy Webby | Aura | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Originally from Connecticut, Chris Webby is an American rapper best known for his versatile flow, creative punchlines, pop culture references, and free thinking. Tickets here.
Queer Fashion Show and Art Market | The Public Works | 3:00 PM Market + 6:00 PM Fashion Show (Market Repeats Sunday 11 Am – 4:00 PM)
Queering the Spotlight proudly presents their second annual queer fashion show and art market! This year their theme is REBELLION. Get ready for an evening of great art, boundary pushing fashion, and a variety of performances. Complete with a full mocktail bar and food trucks! All attendees are encouraged to dress up! Outdoor Art Market starts at 3pm and the Indoor Fashion Show starts at 6pm. This event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10 per person. Please be aware that the fashion runway section of the event, starting at 6pm, does include artistic nudity and may not be appropriate for all ages. Proof of vaccination is required to enter the event.
Sunday the 7th
Sundays on The Half-Shell | Helm Oyster Bar & Bistro | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sunday on the Half-Shell with guest Kelly Punch of Mere Point Oyster Company is a celebration of Maine oysters, the people who grow them, and the people who love to eat them. Oysters from Maine are (arguably) the best in the world, and Helm Oyster Bar & Bistro sources the best of the best directly from the farmers. Salty and sweet, with crisp, dense meat and a bright, earthy finish, Mere Point Oysters are nurtured in the rolling waters of Mere Point, Maquoit and Middle Bays. Sunday evening, Helm’s chefs will be shucking oysters from Mere Point to order, and Kelly is excited to tell you all about them. You can ask her about: How best to appreciate great oysters, how to identify oysters, how to talk about oysters (lemon, mignonette, cocktail sauce or naked?), and more! Evening’s events will also include: $7 Cocktails (Ice cold Martinis! Spritz!), $7 Wine by the glass (Muscadet!), $5 Beer (the kind that goes great with Maine oysters!), Full raw bar and full bar/wine list available. Walk-ins only – no reservations. If it rains, we’ll celebrate oysters in the dining room.
Stranger Things Trivia | Arcadia | 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
6 rounds about all 4 seasons for cool prizes! Come join for two hours and sixty questions all about Hawkins, Demogorgons, Telekenesis, and Kate Bush. It’s totally free to play and there will be prizes for the winning teams. Sign up here on a first come, first serve basis. It’s FREE and it’s the only way to guarantee a spot. You’ll need to provide a contact person, team name, and approximate number of players (max team size is 6 people).
Princess and Pirate Day | Hadlock Field | 1:00 PM
Arrrghhh you ready for a fun tea party with princess and pirates? Join the Portland Sea Dogs for tea and cookies plus a meet and greet with princesses and pirates in Right Field! Kids are encouraged to come to the game dressed as their favorite princess or pirate and to participate in a pre-game parade directly after the tea party. They will have Tower Princess, Madrigal Miracle Princess and Captain Jack Sparrow. Tickets here.
Tiki Party w/ Toubab Krewe | Maine Craft Distilling | Doors at 12:00 PM, Music at 3:00 PM
Join Maine Craft Distilling for the second Tiki Party. This time, they will be joined by the musical talents of Toubab Krewe! Rain or shine!
The Day After Brunch | Après | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Join for Portland’s first ever upscale brunch party at Après. Show out in your best all white attire and make sure to save some room for both breakfast and lunch as both will be available for the early and the late risers. Whether you want to munch on brunch, dance or lounge around, you can find tickets here.
For more events, head to our full Events Calendar here.