This weekend’s events are nothing if not eclectic. Throw your usual plans out the window and get ready to enjoy the complexities of Portland.
1. Learn about the makings of elegant web design with Ethan Marcotte at the Space Gallery
Where: Space Gallery, 538 Congress St
When: Friday, doors at 6:00 pm Starts at 6:30 | 5:30 cocktail time for AGIA and SPACE Members
Cost: $25 online or in person, $15 for members
Ethan Marcotte mixes art and science and he’s about to take you to school. This independent designer and developer makes Steve Jobs proud with his ability to make web design and code elegant– not an easy task. Speaking on his concept of Responsive Web Design, this talk is all about understanding the experience of your audience and the ways in which that shapes your digital content. This is a rare glimpse into the mind of someone who’s actively changing our web experiences.
2. Absorb some fabulousness with the Royal Majesty Drag Show & Competition
Where: Holiday Inn by the Bay, 88 Spring Street
When: Friday, 7:30 pm Doors at 7:00 pm
Cost: $5 for students with ID $10 for the public
If talks about blending design and computer coding are a bit heavy for your Friday night, this drag show is the perfect antithesis. Lose yourself in the sequined moment and watch fierce competitors duke it out to put the ‘queen’ in drag queen. This annual event is the largest campus and community drag show in Northern New England. Hosted by celebrity guest, Johnny Blazes, this is a fundraiser for the Center for Sexualities and Gender Diversity at USM. Support a good cause and have a great time doing it.
3. Satisfy your inner voyeur with the Portland Holiday Home Tour
Where: 5 homes on the Western Prom, begin at Mercy’s Fore River Hospital Campus, 195 Fore River Parkway
When: Friday from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday, from 12 to 6pm
Cost: $25 online
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of peaking into the lives of others. Scratch that itch by visiting five architecturally stunning West End homes on Friday or Saturday for this walking tour. While there’s less scandal and more tasteful decorations, it’s still fun to see the way fellow Portlanders live their lives. Get inspired to decorate your own abode for the holidays all while enriching your appreciation of Portland’s history. Protective booties are provided in each location, so you don’t even have to worry about disrupting the integrity of (probably very expensive) flooring. A portion of ticket sales will go to Gary’s House, to stay in line with charitable spirit of the holidays. Tickets and more information available here.
4. Prepare for Thanksgiving with a holiday wine tasting at Whole Foods (21 +)
Where: Whole Foods Market, 2 Somerset Street
When: Saturday, 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Cost: Free
Thanksgiving’s just under a week away and you haven’t a clue what bottle of wine to bring as a hostess gift, you say? Then look no further, Whole Foods will help you pick out something you can be proud of this year. Enjoy free cheese and other nibbles as you sip your way through their selections. Remember to bring ID and an open mind– it’s not just about the labels, after all!