Are you sitting down? No? Well you’re going to want to be when you hear about all the thrilling events that will be happening this weekend in Portland, Maine. It will blow you away. Get ready.
This weekend, Portland Museum of Art says hello to spring with the return of an annual event, PortFringe is putting their own spin on a classic, and Maine Day Ventures is giving taste buds a tour. Check it all out.
Here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, March 31st – Sunday, April 2nd, 2023
Friday the 31st
Art In Bloom | Portland Museum of Art | March 29th – April 2nd
Get ready to say goodbye to winter blues! Art in Bloom returns to add some color and warmth as we near the end of the snowy season! Featuring floral work by designers, artists, farmers, and florists from across southern Maine, the museum comes alive with fragrant blooms, extravagant displays, and incredible floral installations of all types—each inspired by an artwork from the museum’s collection.
Wine Tasting, Bites & Boards | The Maker’s Galley | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Join The Maker’s Galley as they taste four of their favorite wines with Portland’s favorite wine guy – Art Gonyea. Wines will be poured and paired with their boards and bites menu. Grab your friends or colleagues and join anytime between 4-6 pm. Your reservation include 2 glasses of wine and lots of nibbles. Plus 10% off in their maker’s market. Tickets here.
Bow Ties & Bean Boots | Après | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
[SOLD OUT] Teens to Trails signature fundraiser is mud season’s most talked about cabin fever reliever! Each ticket includes two craft beverages, and apps and food from Cheese Louise. The raffle includes a chance to win outdoor gear, spring sking tickets, and bike park passes! The live auction is packed with amazing overnights for outdoor lovers — from an LL Bean guided paddle of Muscongus Bay to packrafting in Katahdin Woods & Waters, and so many more cool adventures. This event is designed for adults, but you’ll get to know some of the teens as they spin tunes, tell stories and help with the raffle and live auction. Please note: Hours have changed to 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM despite what image says. Tickets here.
Bug-lesque | Empire Live | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
A night of insatiable insects! Burlesque, drag, dancing ant an all around fly time… are you feeling butterflies? Creeping crawling performances by the talented pests: Clamz! Kasino, Ivana Bendova, Slimerella, Lou Zér, Rosie Havoc, Georgi Petals, Vivienne Obsidian and more! Raffle proceeds for the evening will go to Heifer International, an organization that gifts beehives to third world countries to help local farmers pollinate their crops. Tickets here.
Mamaliga | Mayo Street Arts | 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Boisterous and driving, lilting and elegiac, Mamaliga melds the klezmer melodies of old country Yiddishland with new-era sensibilities, crafting intricate arrangements of original and traditional tunes to make you dance, laugh and cry – perhaps all at once! Mamaliga is a critically acclaimed four-piece Klezmer and Eastern European folk band based in Boston MA, and Brooklyn NY. Tickets here.
Saturday the 1st
Grand Reopening Party with live music by Lazzlo Family Band | Jones Landing | 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
It is OFFICIAL, Jones Landing is reopening for the season! It’s been a long winter of renovations and they can’t wait to show you all of their hard work. Come join the team to kick off this season right with drinks, dancing and live music from the Lazzlo Family Band, an alternative country band who plays with an Americana style infused with psychedelic gospel.
Port Fringe Pop-Up 2023: The Great Gatsby | Maine Studio Works | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The 8th Annual PortFringe POP-UP event, a sparkling and spirited soiree featuring performance art derived from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. A night of performances by some of your favorite local artists, live Jazz Era music by The Gatz Catz ensemble, dancing, photo opps, and other Roaring Twenties amusements. A cash bar featuring signature cocktails and mocktails, as well as select beers and wines, will also be on site. The silent auction will feature an eclectic and exciting array of products, services, and one-of-a-kind works of art–with all proceeds supporting the upcoming 11th PortFringe Festival in June 2023. Gatsby-inspired attire is encouraged! Masks will be required for all patrons. Tickets here.
Art Rave w/ JiV, sillysounds, G-Force, Danny Sparkles | Free Street | 8:00 PM
It’s time for yet another Art Rave! Come enjoy a night of unforgettable fun, art, dancing and music. This month’s artist is JiV, who will be supported by sillysounds, G-Force, and Danny Sparkles. The theme this month is a onsie and squishmallow costume theme in honor of the epic onsie and squish mallow parade at Winter Wake Up. Get ready to Rave. Tickets here.
Old Port Culinary Walking Tour | Free Street | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Repeats Daily)
A leisurely-paced walking tour with Maine Day Ventures that carves a path through the streets of the charming Old Port educating you on local food, drinks and history! Friendly and engaging tour guides take you to several Old Port and neighboring artisanal shops, restaurants and pubs where you’ll sample a delectable mix of classic Maine, Maine-inspired, up-and-coming, cultural, fancy foods and beverages, Meet and greet culinary artisans along the way, learn what inspires them and how they got their start with a lively narration from your guide. Tickets here.
Sunday the 2nd
Art in Bloom Jazz Brunch | Portland Museum of Art | 10:o0 AM – 12:00 PM
Join Portland Museum of Art for a special brunch with jazz and blooms. Drop in for Jazz Brunch in the PMA Café by the Black Tie Company featuring signature drinks and yummy breakfast treats. This is apart of Art in Bloom. No registration required; seating is first-come, first-served.
The 2023 Trail Running Film Festival Global Tour |Urban Farm Fermentory | 5:00 PM
Trail Running Film Festival is a two-hour celebration on film of this wild, wonderful trail running community! The Portland, Maine screening of the 2023 Trail Running Film Festival is co-hosted and sponsored by the Runaways Run Club and Urban Farm Fermentory. The mission of the Trail Running Film Fest is to celebrate running as a universal practice, to explore the collective and individual potential, and to pursue wildest dreams. The film festival creators accomplish this by documenting the culture of trail running, supporting filmmakers and creatives, and hosting events that bring the community together. They are committed to promoting inclusivity, adventure, wilderness, art, and diversity across the trail and ultra community. Tickets here.
Portland Ukulele Social Club Monthly Gathering | Trinity Episcopal Church | 4:00 PM
The Portland Ukulele Social Club will be gathering at Trinity Episcopal Church on Forest Ave for a couple of hours of music and laughs. Dozens of fun-loving ukulele enthusiasts will be making some joyful noise. All levels of uke players are welcome and encouraged.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.
