“5 Year Supper” Anniversary Party & Community Meal

Friends of Congress Square Park is marking our 5th anniversary this season! We’re celebrating the thousands of people who helped create this one-of-a-kind place by throwing a casual picnic party. Delicious local food, outstanding local artists – including live music…  All free and all fun. Join us!

Bring your own food and picnic with us, or get a tasty BBQ dinner from Moe’s Original BBQ (pay what you can donation).

Live music featuring Kafari (6-7 pm) and Sylvain’s Acadian Aces (7-8 pm).

‘Kafari’ is the alias of Portland, ME based ambient loop master, pianist, and rhythm bonesman Ahmad Hassan Muhammad. Kafari seamlessly weaves together jazz, electronic music, ambient music, and hip hop in his experimental manipulations of loops taken from old jazz recordings. His most recent release ‘Knockturnes’ is a dreamy, hypnotic tribute to the legendary Bill Evans trio. Using his keyboard controller, Kafari manipulates the pitch and tempo of old jazz samples, altering them nearly beyond recognition and transforming them into etheral backdrops for keyboard and saxophone improvisations.

Sylvain’s Acadian Aces keeps the ‘cajun flame alive in old Acadie with an energetic brand of raw, rootsy ‘cajun music derived directly from the source. The vocal power of guitarist Robert Sylvain and charismatic fiddler Hawk Kallweit supplies a one-two punch that’s instantly compelling and distinctive. With Maine’s own true accordian ace Junior Stevens on button-box, and the unstoppable combination of Tom Jacques on upright bass and Kris Day on drums, Sylvain’s Acadian Aces deliver heart-wrenching lovesongs and electrifying dance numbers that can bring even the most stoic New Englanders to their feet. Rooted in classic cajun two-steps and waltzes, the repertoire also folds in elements of creole and zydeco traditions along with original Americana and rock ‘n roll sensibilities.