There’s always something to celebrate in Portland, and this weekend is no exception! While there is plenty of live music, wine and food delights, booze cruises, and more happening, this weekend marks two holidays + celebrations of social and cultural significance; Pride (Pride Month is all June) and Juneteenth (June 19th).
June is about celebrating what makes us unique, honors our individual identities, and shouts that love is love. What makes June even more incredible is that it not only honors our LGBTQIA+ community, but it acknowledges the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The Portland that Portland Old Port believes in, is a city proud to love who we love, accept and learn from those of different backgrounds, and come together in celebration at events created, curated, and hosted by those who live their truth everyday.
We’d like to take a moment to direct your attention to some amazing organizations, non-profits, mutual funds, resources, volunteer programs, etc., who work year round highlighting ways to get out, get involved, and make change. The work is still not done. Partaking in Pride and Juneteenth events is a small step toward building greater understanding and compassion, and to strengthening our community.
You can find our full list of Pride resources here. In it you will find events, LGBTQIA+ owned and focused businesses, organizations, and community groups.
For all Juneteenth resources, we highlight the map of events + resources that the Juneteenth Portland team has worked hard on curating for months.
Now, here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, June 17th – Sunday, June 19th, 2022!
Friday the 17th
Sancerre, Caviar + Maine Oysters | Maine Oyster Co. | 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Saturday from 1PM-6PM)
Join Maine Oyster Co. as they partake in Portland Wine Week with this wine, caviar and oyster special! Includes a bottle of the mineral-driven, classic, crisp, and dry 2019 Pierre Prieur & Fils, Sancerre Blanc (100% Sauvignon Blanc) + a dozen of the freshest Maine oysters (three different varieties) + a 20g tin of the beautifully rich and delicate Oscietra caviar from the Black River, Uruguay. Dollop the caviar on top of your oysters or delve into separately. Make a reservation here; walk-ins will also be welcomed.
Tommy Stinson | Sun Tiki Studios | 7:00 PM Doors – 8:00 PM Show
Singer, songwriter, sideman, and frontman, Tommy Stinson has assumed many different roles in his remarkable 40-year musical odyssey. He came to prominence in the 1980s as the bass guitarist for The Replacements, one of the definitive American alternative rock groups. Tickets here.
Slygo Road | The Porthole | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Slygo Road is a Southern Maine-based blues, rock, soul, and R&B band, cranking out an eclectic mix of originals and classic covers!
Melissa Ferrick | One Longfellow Square | 8:00 PM – 11:45 PM
Regarded in the industry and by their peers as one of the most prolific and hardworking artists in the business, Ferrick still tours regularly playing throughout North America. They have shared the stage with Morrissey, Joan Armatrading, Weezer, Tegan and Sara, Mark Cohen, Paul Westerberg, Bob Dylan, John Hiatt, Ani DiFranco, k.d.Lang, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, and many others. Tickets here.
Saturday the 18th
Curbside Queens Pride Kickoff Brunch | The Frying Dutchman (Public Market House) | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Portland Pride! Parade festivities begin with a Pride Kickoff Drag Brunch at The Frying Dutchman in Public Market House! Chef Leon (or Leyonce) will be in drag working the bar while the fabulous host The GiGi Gabor will be taking on the parade main stage immediately after! 10% of brunch sales donated to Curbside Queens.
Portland Pride! Parade | Monument Square (Start) | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
The Pride Parade returns! Brought to us by Pride Portland! an organization that brings people in Greater Portland together for an annual parade and festival to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ movement, to raise awareness of the community’s ongoing struggles, and to foster an environment of inclusivity, accessibility, and solidarity.
The parade will in Monument Square at 1pm. It will then proceed along Congress Street to Congress Square Park, down High Street to Park Avenue, where it enters Deering Oaks Park by Mellen Street. Will be followed by the Pride Portland! Festival from 1pm-5pm in Deering Oaks Park — Vendors, Solidarity Orgs, Main Stage Performances, Beer Garden, Chem-Free Lounge, etc.!
FÊTE Release Party | Eighteen Twenty Wines | 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
This offering is part of Portland Wine Week! Maine winery, Eighteen Twenty Wines celebrates the release of their 2022 Fête, Maine Rhubarb Wine, made specifically for Portland Wine Week. Join in on the fun, Saturday, at their Anderson Street Urban Winery to enjoy wine flights, special wine spritzers and cocktails, tasty treats, and extra fun for their summer release celebration.
Drum & Bass: A Pride Party | Free Street | 8:00 PM
Free Street celebrates PRIDE in Portland with a night dedicated to Drum & Bass and the culture surrounding it! Featured DJs include: Miss Haze, Daze Inn,G-Force, Glowworm and Mr. Eyeslee. Reinforced sound at Portland’s hottest new venue, The Cavern at Free Street! $10 cover, 21+ event, flow toy friendly.
Portland Pride Day Dance Party with Chartreuse | Citrus | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
The high energy diva that is Chartreuse will be bringing out the diva in YOU this Pride! Taking stage and having fun at Citrus! This event featuring drag performances, and music by Disco Dungeon! Followed by House of Decadence with DJ MXDECEDANCE at 9PM – specializes in an uplifting funky vocal house with a strong disco flavor!
Pride Party | Arcadia | 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Arcadia National Bar is opening up at noon for your pre and post parade drinks, Jell-O shots and bathroom breaks from the parade. The pinball tourney starts at 2pm to raise funds for Maine Trans Net and at 9pm they really get the party started with Disco Dungeon spinning tunes, Tarot readings from Gwen Walsh, and face painting by Dear Jenna Photography, and performances every half hour by Kinky Slippers Landis Darling Port City Peep Show The Gem Fatality Raya Sunshine Phoebe Flows, Alexis Powers
Entry is FREE but they will have a donation box at the door where half the money will go to performers and the other half to Maine Tans Net.
Cherry Lemonade Presents Pride 2022 | Aura | 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
The Pride party continues! An evening of music, dance, and drag! Willam joins for Southern Maine Pride, with performances by Finn Gerring, Arabella The Goddess, Clamz! Kasino, Chartreuse, and The GiGi Gabor, with music by DJ Jen + Skooch and special guest Robot Sunrise! Proudly sponsored by Blackstones. Tickets here.
Sunday the 19th
Manamana | Peaks Island’s Lions Club | 12:00 PM – 7:00 pM
Calling all honorary Muppets, fun lovers, music and art lovers, FAMILIES; dads, moms, kids, and those without; all supporters of the Peaks Island community; and Portland workers at large. This is YOUR day to celebrate all things Maine. The Thirsty Pig, Bissell Brothers and Orono Brewing present Manamana: a music and arts festival at the Lions Club on Peaks Island in Casco Bay. This is a summer kick-off to benefit Peaks Island organizations, they encourage you to enjoy a full day on the island. Bring your suit for the beach and explore the various activities that the island has to offer. Wear your wristband, you can enter and leave as you wish. This is a rain or shine event.
Juneteenth Celebration | Urban Farm Fermentory | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Join WJZP 107.9 for their Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 12 from 11am to 9pm. There will be food, music & more!
WJZP 107.9 is the only minority-owned radio station serving the Portland, Maine area. 107.9 WJZP plays tribute to artists of color. More than just a radio station, they are a cultural outlet, celebrating and sharing heritage through their music and programming.
Juneteenth Celebration | Congress Square Park | 1:00 PM -4:00 PM
Sunday is the third annual Juneteenth Celebration. Continuing the tradition of art making, there will be printmaking, storytelling, live music performances and original spoken word and oration by local HS youths and much more.
Rebelution – Good Vibes Summer Tour| Thompson’s Point | 4:30 PM Doors – 5:30 PM Show
Founded in Isla Vista, CA, Rebelution topped the Billboard Reggae Chart for the first of what would be five consecutive #1 records in 2009; and in 2017, they garnered a GRAMMY nomination for Best Reggae Album. Rebelution’s transcendent live performances, meanwhile, have earned the group sell-out headline shows everywhere from Red Rocks to The Greek Theatre, along with festival slots at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, ACL, Glastonbury, and more. Their latest album, In The Moment, is deliberate and wide-ranging, infusing the quartet’s soulful, exhilarating brand of modern reggae with addictive pop hooks, alt-rock grit, and hip-hop grooves. Tickets here.
23% Funnier: A Women Led Comedy Show | Maine Craft Distilling | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Everyone loves a good comedy show, but we bet it’s been a while since you’ve seen one like this. Featuring local comics Cindi Brown, Rachel Gendron, Cheech, Dawn Hartill, Sara Poulin, and Leah Douglass, and hosted by Audrey Farber, join 23% Funnier at Maine Craft Distilling for the inaugural show. Free event.
Pride Tea Dance | The Inn on Peaks | 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Join The Inn on Peaks as they celebrate Pride! Tea Dance will be held from 11:30am – 4:30pm with music provided by DJ Keith James. Food and Beverage available for purchase. This is a 21+ Event – Admission $5.
For more events, head to our full Events Calendar here.