Entering a new month with a bang! And this weekend there’s a lot to taco-bout (you know we love a festive pun) with both Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby happening in one already event-filled weekend.
This weekend, Dock Fore is off to the races, Bayside Bowl is throwing a fiesta, Citrus is going international and Maine Craft Distilling is biking to the finish line. Check it out!
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo? Be sure to check out our Cinco de Mayo Guide to Portland, Maine – a list of Mexican and Latin-inspired bars and restaurants in Portland, special events, menus and deals!
Here’s the Weekend Guide for Friday, May 5th – May 7th, 2023
Friday the 5th
Hard Deck Opening | The Porthole | All Weekend
It’s not quite deck season until the biggest deck in Portland has had a chance to kick it all off with their Hard Deck Opening Extravaganza! Epic times continue to roll into The Porthole as they host a monster bash featuring a FULL lineup of live music all weekend long featuring 12/OC, Doubting Gravity, The Few and more. On saturday night, B. Aull will be performing the song of the summer, The Porthole’s very own anthem Big Deck Energy, an exclusive parody of Latto’s Big Energy… It’s a BOP. And as if that wasn’t enough, The Porthole will ALSO be debuting frozen drinks, a bigger and badder dance floor, a new outdoor sound system, and huuuge TVs. It’s going to be a beautiful weekend.
Salsa Night with Danza Latina | Urban Farm Fermentory | 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Get ready to put on your dancing shoes and join Danza Latina for a night of Latin rhythms and moves! This monthly series is the perfect opportunity to learn some new moves and let loose on the dance floor. Led by the talented Anna Golendukhina, the one-hour beginners lesson will have you feeling confident and ready to Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, and Kizomba your way into the Latin Dance Party. So, come out and join the fun – whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total newbie, there’s something for everyone! Tickets.
Crystal Canyon with As Real & This World Has Bees | Sun Tiki Studios | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
An evening of live music at Sun Tiki Studios will feature two bands: Crystal Canyon and AS REAL. Crystal Canyon is an American shoegaze band from Portland, Maine, featuring Lynda Mandolyn and Todd Hutchisen on vocals, Jeremy Smith on guitars and bass, and Nate Manning on drums. AS REAL is a three-piece rock band from Portland, known for their heavy sound and colorful melodies. The band features Michael Reid on vocals and guitar, Richard Verrill on drums, and Erik Tasker on bass guitar and vocals. Both bands promise to deliver an exciting and unforgettable night of live music. Tickets.
Gina & The Red Eye Flight Crew (Cinco de Mayo Throw Down) | Bayside Bowl | 8:30 PM
Get over to Bayside Bowl and spend Cinco de Mayo with some of the best musicians Portland has to offer (and some of the best tacos too!) Gina & The Red-Eye Flight Crew is a collection of former Boston-based vocalist Gina Alibrio, and veterans from well-known Portland bands such as Rustic Overtones, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, Jaw Gems and more, and they are all ready to party with you in their Cinco de Mayo Throw Down. Tickets.
Bikes for Birgit: Pan-Mass Challenge Kickoff Fundraiser | Maine Craft Distilling | 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Get ready to pedal your way into a fun-filled evening for a great cause! Maine Craft Distilling is throwing a party called “Bikes for Birgit” to help their friend Isa raise funds for the PanMass Challenge, which supports breast cancer research. With live music, local raffle prizes, and cold drinks, this event has everything you need to have a great time while supporting an amazing cause. So come on down and help Isa reach her goal of raising $100,000 for breast cancer research!
Saturday the 6th
Kentucky Derby Party | Dock Fore | 12:00 PM
Celebrate the fastest two minutes in sports with some cold beers, Mint Juleps and friendly competition at Dock Fore. From 3-7PM, enjoy pints of Rolling Rock, Miller High Life, Bud and Bud Light for only $1.95, and participate in fun contests for a chance to win some awesome prizes. And don’t forget about the Best Hat competition, where you can show off your most stylish and creative headwear. The party starts at noon and goes until midnight, so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the festivities. Plus, if you stop by the day before, you can check out over 30 years worth of Kentucky Derby posters by various artists as a part of Portland’s First Friday Art Walk.
International Saturdays | Citrus | 9:00 PM
On the first Saturday of every month at Citrus, DJ Onax will be offering music and beats which will set a beautiful vibe. Let your body shiver and your mind be blown, for a night of international world music that will leave you speechless!
Doggie Social Hour | Congress Square Park| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Doggie Social Hours are back at Congress Square Park! Every Saturday morning at 10, swing by the park with your leashed, well-behaved pup for a professional networking opportunity with other doggos of high esteem. Event courtesy of Friends of Congress Square Park.
Austin Street Brewery 9 Year Anniversary | Austin Street Brewery | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Get ready to party because Austin Street Brewery is celebrating their 9 year anniversary and you’re invited! It’s all going down where it all began – 1 Industrial Way. Expect discounted draft pours, including their brand new anniversary double IPA, plus games, food, and music to keep the good vibes flowing all day long.
Super Sesh Skate Jam with Oxbow and Sal’s Skate | 511 Riverside Industrial Pkwy | 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Kick-flip into spring with a bang! The Maine Skateboarding Association, Sal’s Skate & Apparel, and Oxbow Blending & Bottling are throwing a springtime skate jam that’s not to be missed. This event has everything a skater could want – live bands to rock out to while shredding, delicious food trucks to refuel with, and even cold beer to crack open after a hard day’s work on the ramp. And, the best part? All of the proceeds go towards supporting local independent businesses and the Maine Skateboarding Association. Tickets.
Smith Collaboration | Portland Lobster Co. | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Feast your ears and your taste buds! Portland Lobster Co. is thrilled to present The Smith Collaboration, a phenomenal four-piece band from Central Maine, bringing their unique blend of rock, blues, and R&B/soul classics to the stage. These guys have been making waves since their formation in 2018, with Larissa Smith leading the charge with her stunning vocals and keyboard skills. Chuck Smith on lead guitar will make you wonder why you ever listened to anyone else. Troy House keeps things rock solid on drums, while Michael Krapovicky on bass brings the funk. And what better place to enjoy their music than the iconic Portland Lobster Co.? With fresh seafood, ice-cold drinks, and the sounds of The Smith Collaboration, this is the perfect recipe for a night you won’t forget.
SCRATCH! Hand-Made Comedy | Empire Live! | 7:30 PM
Welcome to the hilarious world of Scratch! Comedy, a group of talented comedians based in New England who are ready to make you laugh until your sides hurt! With years of experience in improv, stand up, music, and sketch comedy across the US and the UK, these guys know how to bring the funny. At a Scratch! Comedy show, you never know what you’re going to get – except for a whole lot of laughs! Their shows are unique and feature a variety of comedy styles, including improv scenes that are created in the moment based on audience suggestions. It’s like watching “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” live! Tickets.
Drag Bingo | Cong tu Bot | 9:00 PM
Drag Bingo like never before! Join Cong tu Bot for a night of fun and frivolity hosted by Maine’s most fabulous 60s drag queen, Ophelia Johnson! With plenty of laughs and exciting prizes up for grabs, you won’t want to miss out on this wild evening. And, of course the CTB crew will be serving up delicious drink specials to quench your thirst as you play. So come on out and make Ophelia feel welcome at CTB for her first time!
Sunday the 7th
Doubting Gravity | The Porthole | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Are you ready to rock?! Well, get ready to have your mind blown because Doubting Gravity is coming to The Porthole! This Pop/Rock group from Portland, ME has been melting faces since ’07 and they’re ready to do it again! Get ready to tap your feet, bob your head, and let loose as they take the stage and bring the house down with their electrifying sound. So, come on down to The Porthole and join the party, because with Doubting Gravity, you know you’re in for a night you won’t forget!
BAND TOGETHER: A Celebration of Maine’s Lobstering Heritage | Elks Lodge | 2:00 PM
A rock n’ roll + lobster rolls FUNdraiser for Save Maine Lobstermen, a Maine Lobstermen’s Association campaign that is aimed at addressing the concerns within the Maine lobster industry. Afternoon’s fundraising event will include live music performances from local musicians, John Hughes Radio, Holy Smoke, One Hundred Thorns and Mike Maurice. Tickling your funny bone for the evening, Connor McGrath (2X Maine’s Funniest Comedian), and Adam Groppman (who has performed in many top shows and clubs, and national festivals) will be taking the stage. Additional delights include local bevvies, lobster rolls and a LOUD auction. Tickets.
Lights! Camera! Pops! | Merrill Auditorium | 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Lights, camera, action! Get ready to experience the magic of the silver screen like never before with your Portland Symphony Orchestra. Joining them on stage is the acclaimed guest conductor Bob Bernhardt, who will lead you through an incredible program of beloved blockbusters. You’ll hear some of the most iconic scores from films like “King Kong,” “Jurassic Park,” “Titanic,” and “Beauty and the Beast.” The orchestra will also perform classic tunes like “Moon River” and “Peter Gunn,” as well as TV themes like “Mission Impossible” and “Star Trek.” Grab some popcorn, sit back, and let the Portland Symphony Orchestra take you on a musical journey through some of the most memorable moments in cinematic history! Tickets.
For more events head to our Events Calendar here.