A new month is set in motion with the good times continuing to roll on through! This weekend in Portland venture out to enjoy a feel good funky festival, a 10-year anniversary bound to be a riot, the donut-tiest celebration around, a musical adventure suited for all ages and kick-offs to Pride Month.
Here’s The Weekend Guide for Friday, June 2nd – Sunday, June 4th, 2023
Friday the 2nd
Liquid Riot 10 Year Anniversary Celebration | Liquid Riot | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Raise a glass to a decade of rebellion, innovation, and unforgettable flavors! Portland’s original hybrid distillery/brewery, Liquid Riot, is celebrating their 10-year anniversary with an anniversary celebration unlike any other. There will be music from DJ Mosart, food and drink specials, raffles, prizes, and SoPo Seafood will be on-site shucking raw oysters on the waterfront back patio. Gonna be a riot!
Learn more about Liquid Riot’s journey and anniversary celebrations.
Creme Dela Phlegm’s Fourth Annual Show Us Your Donuts! | Empire Live | 6:00 PM
Show Us Your Donuts is a very sticky celebration of National Donut Day! Donut themed everything, from karaoke, drinks, games, drag, burlesque, dancing, and of course, live fresh donuts! Empire Live opens at 6 PM for savory snacks from their kitchenette and donut inspired cocktails. Delve into some donut themed karaoke at 7 PM. At 8 PM the team kicks-off an interactive show sprinkled with donut games. Then get your donut to the dance floor and close out the night with the DJ. The gleam of the glaze, the peaks of frosting, the crunch of the sprinkles, however you get your epicurean kicks, this event is for you. Donut attire preferred. Sweet treats courtesy of Eighty8 Donuts! Tickets.
Celebrating National Donut Day? Be sure to check out our guide to where to grab donuts in Portland, Maine!
Choose Your Own Musical Adventure | Portland Museum of Art | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Embark on a musical adventure with the PMA and the Portland Bach Experience! Join for an interactive and immersive experience where you become part of the music. Will you be the conductor, the drummer, a singer, or a music critic? The choice is yours! Navigate through a musical labyrinth filled with surprises. Watch out for pop-up partitas, unexpected suites, and enchanting singing sirens. It’s a journey where you determine the direction and the melodies you encounter. This event is free and welcomes all ages and adventurers.
Circus in the Square | Congress Square Park | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Circus in the Square! This thrilling monthly series from June to September features mind-blowing juggling, insane acrobatics, and impossible feats and trick. Local performers will dazzle you with their incredible talents, creating unforgettable memories. There will be a short concert by The Lavender Choir immediately following the performance. Join Friends of Congress Square Park and be captivated by the spectacle!
Wild, Wild West Bayside Pride Rodeo Party | Banded Brewing Co.| 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saddle up, cowfolx! Join Banded Brewing Co. for a yeehaw Pride shindig in Portland with the fabulous Letta Dicken! Put on your biggest hats, funkiest fringe, and shiniest spurs and mosey on down to West Bayside between 6 PM and 10 PM. Don’t miss the chance to grab a pint of Here, Banded Brewing Co.’s annual Pride Pale Ale brewed for Equality Maine, available from 7 PM to 9 PM in our taproom. Get ready to boot scoot boogie and have a rootin’ tootin’ good time! Yeehaw!
PortFringe Festival 2023 | East Bayside – Multiple Locations | June 2nd – 9th
It isn’t theatre, it’s fringe! PortFringe Festival is back with a bang, showcasing new, edgy, and experimental performances that celebrate the imaginative and the weird. This inclusive, intersectional, and fearless festival features 22 shows from local, national, and international artists. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of creativity including theatre, music, comedy and more! Tickets.
Saturday the 3rd
Feel Good Funk Fest | Après + Portland Zoo | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Get ready to groove at the Feel Good Funk Fest, presented by Feel Good Portland! Après tasting room and The Portland Zoo opens to the public at noon, while the outdoor art market on Anderson Street runs from 2 PM-7 PM. Indulge in delectable treats from the special food court provided by members of Fork Food Lab. The festivities kick off with DJ HiDuke spinning funky tunes from 12 PM – 3 PM. Stick around for a full moon dance party from 10 PM -12 AM with DJs Fatty Shay and Cecil G. Not only will you have an amazing time, but a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Fork Food Lab to support the grand opening of their new location in South Portland. Everything except the live music is free and open to the public. Tickets for live music are sold out. Full schedule and tickets.
Keller Williams | Maine Craft Distilling | 6:00 PM
An unforgettable evening with Keller Williams! Hailing from Virginia, Keller Williams has been making waves since his debut album, “FREEK,” in 1994. With a sound that defies categorization, Keller seamlessly blends rock, jazz, funk, and bluegrass, keeping audiences on their feet and engaged. His shows are a fusion of his original compositions, carefully selected cover songs, and his remarkable ability to loop and layer instruments using live phrase sampling. Join at Maine Craft Distilling for an evening that promises to be an extraordinary fusion of talent and creativity. This event is open to all ages, rain or shine. Tickets.
An Evening with Alex McMurray | Sun Tiki Studios | 7:00 PM
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Alex McMurray’s music in an intimate setting. One of New Orleans’ premier singer-songwriters and guitarists, this promises to be a special experience with a talented musician deeply rooted in the vibrant music scene of his city. Alex McMurray’s accolades speak for themselves. He has been honored with two Offbeat Magazine Album of the Year awards and has been a fixture at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for over three decades. With a career spanning since 1989, Alex McMurray is regarded as one of New Orleans’ finest songwriters. Join for an evening filled with captivating songs and soulful performances that celebrate the rich musical heritage of New Orleans. Tickets.
Badflower | Aura | 8:00 PM
Taking the stage at Aura, this Los Angeles-bred, Nashville-based quartet comprising Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, and Anthony Sonetti pushes boundaries with their GOLD-certified music. Fearlessly embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth and change, Badflower’s alternative anthems explore themes of stress, sleeplessness, sex, sadness, mania, pain, and truth. Katz’s emotive vocals and climactic distortion create a powerful and addictive experience that leaves you craving more. Badflower is unafraid to challenge and captivate with their revelatory sound. Tickets.
Sunset Train Ride | Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum | 6:00 PM + 7: 00 PM
Unwind and catch the sunset on the Maine Narrow Gauge rails Saturdays this summer. On their special Saturday evening trains, all passengers get a free beverage with the purchase of their ticket! Adults 21+ can select from a variety of local beers, wines, and hard seltzers. Family-friendly options include sodas, fruit juices, non-alcoholic seltzers, and water. Tickets.
Sunday the 4th
Liquid Pride Release Party | Liquid Riot | 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Come and celebrate Liquid Riot’s release of Liquid Pride, a special beer brewed in collaboration with Queers and Beers! Jade will be playing sets throughout the day, setting the perfect vibe, while the talented Cherry Lemonade will captivate you with her performance! Don’t miss this opportunity to have a fantastic time, enjoy great music, witness a stunning drag performance, and support the Trans Youth Equality Foundation.
In the spirit of solidarity and support, for the entire month of June, Liquid Riot will donate $1 from every Liquid Pride beer sale to the Trans Youth Equality Foundation, represented by Maine Trans Net. By enjoying a delicious pint of Liquid Pride, you’ll be contributing to a worthy cause and making a difference.
Umphrey’s McGee UMXXV – 25th Anniversary Tour | State Theatre | 7:00 PM
Umphrey’s McGee, the eclectic improv-rock band, has been delighting audiences for over twenty-five years. Their music seamlessly blends genres, moods, and tempos, creating a captivating journey within their albums and concerts. With their new album, Asking For A Friend, the band showcases a newfound wisdom and maturity, both personally and musically. While the album represents growth and evolution, fans will be pleased to discover that the essence of Umphrey’s McGee remains intact—just more refined and focused. Prepared to be captivated with their signature sound. Tickets.
Baba Commandant and The Mandingo Band | SPACE | 8:00 PM
A non-stop Afro-beat hit parade as Burkina Faso’s Baba Commandant and The Mandingo Band embark on their first-ever U.S. tour. Baba Commandant, accompanied by The Mandingo Band, is making his highly anticipated debut on American soil, fueled by the success of his latest record, “Sonbonbela.” This third LP, recorded in 2022 in Burkina Faso, showcases their unique fusion of traditional Mandingue music and contemporary afro-beat styles. With Sublime Frequencies backing them, the band has crafted a mesmerizing sound that captures the essence of West African culture. Their music blends elements of traditional Mandingue music, dynamic Captain Beefheart/Magic Band dynamics, and grooves reminiscent of the legendary Fela Kuti. Get ready to be swept away by their powerful music and dynamic performances. Tickets.
Kardemimmit | Kantele Concert | Mayo Street Arts | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Kardemimmit is a band of four awesome women playing the Finnish national instrument, kantele! The silvery tones of kantele flow together with the mesmerizing singing harmonies. Kardemimmit is in charge of their own music – they compose, arrange, song write, and produce. Band members, Maija Pokela, Jutta Rahmel, Anna Wegelius and Leeni Wegelius take a modern approach to original pieces with a strong foundation in Finnish, Eastern European, and Scandinavian traditions. The Finnish reki-singing style, 19th-century dancing music and Perhonjokilaakso kantele playing style, Eastern Finnish archaic improvisation, and ancient runo singing are all present in Kardemimmit’s music. Tickets.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.