Well, it’s official. We’ve reached the end of July. Refusing to moan and groan and drag our feet over of a month of summer come and gone, we instead will send the month off on a high note with another weekend of fun filled events. Round-up of events this week includes an outdoor film festival happening across the city, a block party that’s rollin’ into the East Bayside area, a comedy show that will be the talk of the town and more!
Here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, July 29th – Sunday, July 31st, 2022!
Friday the 29th
Maine Outdoor Film Festival | Eastern Promenade, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Après| Various Times (July 28th – August 14th)
Each summer, thousands of pass holders, filmmakers, panelists, athletes, brands, and onlookers converge for a multi-day film festival in Maine’s most vibrant city. Outdoor screenings. Panel discussions. Networking events. Outdoor activities. MOFF in Portland is great summer fun. This year’s category entries include Feature (40 minutes or more), Short Feature (12 minutes to 40 minutes) and Short (up to 12 minutes), and as per the requirements, all entries must be an outdoor film, which can qualify as, “any project that centers on outdoor adventure, recreation, or conservation.” Learn more about the return of MOFF here. Tickets here.
Summer Sunsets | Thompson’s Point | 4:00 PM Doors – 8:30 PM (Or Sunset)
Summer Sunsets is Thompson’s Point’s free, community-focused series. Evenings events will feature live bands, your favorite Portland food trucks, cornhole, local craft cocktails from Three of Strong, beer, wine, ciders and more! Showcasing local and regional talent, Summer Sunsets at The Depot Pavilion will be the premier destination for your friends, family, and fur babies. Did we mention that it’s free?
The Brother Brothers | One Longfellow Square | 7:00 PM Doors – 8: 00 PM Show
The Brother Brothers are the indie folk duo of Adam and David Moss. The identical twins were born and raised in Peoria, Illinois and originally based in Brooklyn, but have been ultimately and profoundly shaped by indiscriminate rambling. They are the kind of people who have a story about everything, and more so, one you might genuinely like to hear. Tickets here.
Talk of the Town Comedy Show | Free Street | 7:00 PM -10:00 PM
Talk of The Town is a comedy showcase and a “Bumping Mics” style discussion of topics brought by the performers to share with the city of Portland. Show will feature the best comedians in the nation alongside some local favorites, including Josh Marquis (Strictly Cheese at Cheese Louise), Rachel Gendron (Portland Comedy Co-Op), Timmy Booth (Canadian Broadcasting Company), Zenobia Del Mar (Album “Reckless With The Truth”), Handren Seavey (Hollywood Improv) and hosted by Marcus Cardona. Tickets here.
SOJOY | Porty City Blue | 8:00 PM
Sojoy is a chord-less little big band modern jazz septet built around composer, arranger and drummer Jonny Peiffer. The current lineup of the band includes Eric Klaxton and Barry Saunders on reeds, Josh Gagnon on trombone, and Scott Kiefner on bass – all frequent performers at Blue in various other configurations.
Saturday the 30th
Chess In the Park | Congress Square Park | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Find your inner Queen’s Gambit because chess is happening in Congress Square Park this Saturday! Chess boards and pieces provided, but please feel free to bring your own. All levels welcome.
Steamy Summer Print Jam | Running With Scissors Art Studios | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Running With Scissors Steamy Summer Print Jam steamroller printing block party is back! Running With Scissors Studios will have print oversized blocks (4×4′ – 4×8′) by eight local artists and groups with–you guessed it–a three-ton asphalt roller. There will be music, family-friendly activities, food and beverage, and art for sale. This event is free and open to the public. Neighboring businesses (including Goodfire Brewing, Belleflower Brewing, Blue Lobster Urban Winery and more!) will be offering different events throughout the day. Take a stroll around the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland and support the local community. Rain date is Sunday, July 31st.
Disco Dance Party | Arcadia | 8:00 PM
Get ready in your disco best for a sparkling party with live performances from local burlesque dancers, Kinky Slippers and company! Body paint available by Arcadia’s resident artist Timmy. Event begins at 8pm and goes all night long. Tickets $5 at Door.
Festival of Nations | Deering Oaks Park | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
An immersive, day-long global experience, the Festival of Nations welcomes the community to sample ethnic food, dance, and listen to music at Deering Oaks Park. The festival features family-oriented cultural activities to celebrate Maine’s ethnic diversity and traditions. Countries represented at festivals previously have included: Ireland, Cambodia, India, Sudan, Germany, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Cameroon, Peru, Sweden, Benin, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the United States, as well as Native American cultures.
Jerry’s Birthday Celebration: Melvin Seals & JGB | Maine Craft Distilling | 6:00 PM (Repeats Sunday)
Maine Craft Distilling is excited to welcome back Melvin Seals & JGB (an American Rock band that continues the legacy of the Jerry Garcia Band) for another celebration surrounding Jerry Garcia’s birthday! Led by Melvin Seals, who plays electric organ and who was a longtime member. MCD will be offering multiple tiers of tickets for this very special two night run here at Maine Craft Distilling. All tickets are non-refundable and both nights are rain or shine! Tickets here.
Sunday the 31st
Now is Now | Portland Lobster Co. | 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Now is Now is an energetic power trio formed in 2001 by singer/songwriter Mitch Alden. The band maintains an ambitious schedule of over 200 dates annually and delivers a steady repertoire of high-energy alternative rock covers and originals.
Summer Craft Cocktail Class | Stroudwater Distillery | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Summer Craft Cocktail Class: Brunch Edition! Stop by and learn how to do boozy brunch the best way! Mimosas, cocktails for the girlies and ultimate hangover drinks. Stroudwater Distillery’s Bar Manager will be leading the class, demonstrating essential cocktail making techniques and teaching a variety of cocktail recipes. Purchase of ticket includes your bar kit & two cocktails to be made as a class. Brunch will be available before, during and after. Grab your brunch gang! 21+ event. Tickets here.
Post Pardon: An Opera-In-Progress Reading | Mayo Street Arts | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Please join Indigo Arts Alliance at Mayo Street Arts as the welcome their current Artist-In-Residence, poet and writer, Arisa White for a work-in-progress libretto reading of Post Pardon: The Opera. Adapted from Arisa White’s eponymous poetry chapbook, published by Mouthfeel Press in 2011, Post Pardon: The Opera employs Caribbean mythologies and West African cosmologies to explore the concept of inherited sorrow. Reading will feature local artists and actors, who will focus on the libretto as a poetic literary form and the inherent musicality of language to amplify the ritualistic, performative, and evocative nature of the lyric. A moderated discussion and Q&A will follow. This program is free, open to all ages (16+).
Happy Hour: Dessert Bar & Restaurant | Gross Confection Bar | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Who doesn’t love happy hour on the weekend? Especially when it revolves around dessert! Gross Confection Bar, a dessert bar and restaurant located in the Old Port, runs Happy Hour 5pm-7pm Thursday – Sunday. All “Taste” desserts plates, Prosecco and wines by the glass will be $8. The “Tasting board” will also be offered for $40 during happy hour as well. View menu here.
For more events, head to our full Events Calendar here.
