Friends of Congress Square Park

Waking Windows Portland & Artist Market
2015-10-10 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
We’re thrilled to be a venue for Waking Windows : Portland, ME – a music, arts, comedy, and literature festival that will take place Saturday, October 10, 2015 in downtown Portland, ME and will feature over 60 performers in 8 venues.
The 5 performances in Congress Square Park are FREE. There will also be an artist market from 12-5pm.
Join us for a day of music and art in the Square!
Micromasse 12:00pm-12:40pm
Rick from Pile 1:00pm-1:40pm
Forget Forget 2:00pm-2:40pm
Yazan 3:00pm-3:40pm
Sunset Hearts 4:00pm-4:45pm

Music in the Square : Choro Louco
2015-10-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Brazilian Choro has been around for over a hundred years. Its beautiful melodies, complex harmonies, and syncopated rhythms combine elements of European folk and classical, ragtime, jazz, Latin, and African music creating a style that is uniquely Brazilian and enormously appealing.
The members of Choro Louco started meeting informally in 2013 to play through some choro tunes – and have evolved into a classic sounding choro ensemble. They are driven by a love of the music and a desire to share it with others. None have ever been to Brazil, but they’re crazy enough to give it a try…hence the name, Choro Louco…
Carl Dimow, flute and guitar, has played jazz, classical, and klezmer music here and abroad with the Casco Bay Tummlers, and numerous other ensembles. Nicole Rabata, Carl’s former student and now a teacher herself, is best known in celtic music circles, but also plays classical flute with the Colby College orchestra and the Bangor symphony. Joel Eckhaus comes from an old time/jazz/pop/vaudeville background and has applied his knowledge of the ukulele to the cavaquinho, Brazil’s version of the uke. David Newsam. 7-string guitar and mandolin, brings decades of experience as a jazz and classical guitarist to his choro playing. Eric La Perna, fabulous percussionist with Okbari and Alhan, brings his great hand percussion skills to the pandeiro, the Brazilian tambourine.

FamilyAffair: An evening with God.Damn.Chan. and friends
2015-10-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Come dance in Congress square park in celebration of the lives of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet.
Trvp Nite resident dj and producer God.Damn.Chan. will curate your booty shaking soundtrack with bass-soaked party jams.
Bring dancing shoes. Don’t drink the wine.

GHOSTBUSTERS! Interactive Screening of a Classic
2015-09-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us for a screening of one of the best films from one of the best years in American Cinema, 1984’s Ghostbusters. That’s saying a lot since Gremlins, The Karate Kid, Beverly Hills Cop, Temple of Doom, Terminator, Purple Rain, Spinal Tap, Repo Man, Romancing The Stone, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Sixteen Candles and a ton more all came out in 1984.
What the heck do we mean by an “interactive screening?” – Each visitor or group will get their own noisemaker (like a kazoo for example) attached to a notecard with instructions for when to use said noisemaker (every time a character says “gatekeeper” for example). If you’ve seen it 100 times come flex your Ghostbusters viewing muscles by being right on cue, if you’ve never seen Ghostbusters – first of all what’s wrong with you? jk – we can’t think of a better first time to see it than this, and if you’re like most people and have seen it but it’s been awhile come watch it with fresh eyes…and a buzzer.
INSTRUCTIONS AND PARTICIPATORY MATERIALS AT 6:00, FILM BEGINS AT DUSK.

Downeast Soul Coalition
2015-09-25 06:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Five musicians who met in Maine’s musical melting pot, Downeast Soul Coalition has been serving up a tasty and original blend of soul, funk, blues, and R&B since 2012. Each member of the Coalition brings a wealth of musical talents and influences to the band’s high energy performances.
DSC’s tight sound is anchored by funky bassist frontman Scott Morrison and driven by the relentless grooves of drummer Nancy Durham. It features the scorching sounds of guitarist Nelson Nadeau, punchy horn lines and soulful saxophone solos by Kate Campbell Strauss, and the jump blues rhythms and beastly Hammond solos of Mike Vaughan. DSC has produced and released two albums, which have received airplay on WMPG, WBLM, and WHUS. The band continues to attract a loyal following and moves audiences at clubs, festivals, and parties throughout Maine.

Pelleas et Melisande Open Air Screening
2015-09-24 19:30 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Come join us for an evening film screening of the Claude Debussy’s opera Pelléas et Mélisande, directed and designed by brilliant postmodernist Richard Wilson, at the Salzburg Festival in 1997. Wilson reinterprets this turn of the century love triangle with his signature minimalist set design and movement while staying true to the opera’s classical sense, and his production is rich and dreamlike in shifting blues.
Bring a picnic and a blanket indulge in this stark, strange, and deeply beautiful story of thwarted love.

Dance Party for Everyone!
2015-09-23 06:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Dance Your Heart Out and Your Socks Off with the Friends of Congress Square Park and Reggie Osbourne at our fall dance party in Congress Square Park!
Popular Dances from the Past 75 Years – Stroll, Twist, Bunny Hop, Rhumba, Polka and More!
Something for Everybody, Family Friendly
No Experience Necessary. Some basic instruction will be offered.

Bonsai Visions Art and Nature in Harmony
2015-09-19 10:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
For centuries artists in the Far East have been sculpting bonsai as an expression of their passion for the drama and beauty of nature. Unknown to most, the Art of Bonsai has gained a firm foothold here in Maine!

PM Salsa featuring Primo Cubano
2015-09-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
ALL Level dancers wanted! DANCE FLOOR PROVIDED!
5:00-5:30 FREE 1/2 hr Beginner Salsa lesson w/Wendy of PM SALSA
5:30-7:00 Live Music w/ Primo Cubano

Silence in the Square
2015-09-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Art in the Square presents Silence in the Square: Live Soundtracks and Silent Film.
Inspired by American composer and artist John Cage’s writings, join us for a selection of silent films and live music installation. Bring a picnic, and watch original screenings come to life with the infusion of sound.
In collaboration with curators Ashleigh Burskey and Denis Nye and the following visiting artists: Local electronics enthusiast Galen Richmond will perform a score for the 1902 Georges Méliès film, “A Trip to the Moon”. Patrick Corrigan, known for street-based art performances and videos, will screen “The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb” by The Bolex Brothers with music and sound effects in collaboration with RJ Miller and Dave Noyes of the RJ Miller Quartet. Following guest artists, composer Denis Nye has created an intricate, improvisational composition to accompany Buster Keaton’s film “The Balloonatic”.

Films in the Square: Peter Pan
2015-09-13 19:15 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Discover Neverland at an outdoor screening of Peter Pan! Bring some chairs and popcorn, and enjoy this wonderful Disney classic co-presented with Portland Summer Films! Always free, always fun.

The Bayside Trio
2015-09-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Widely recognized for their dynamic and imaginative approach, the Bayside Trio is a bold new voice in contemporary chamber music today. Dedicated to pioneering new works, creatively arranging for their instrumentation and presenting compelling repertoire that is seldom heard, the Trio is passionate about inspiring their audiences with inventive interpretations of progressive new works. The program will include Bach, Haydn, Martinu, and Piazzolla.
There will be an opening Tango dance performance from 6-6:30pm.
Anastasia Antonacos has given notable performances around the world as a solo recitalist and chamber musician. She has played at venues such as the Salle Cortot, Casa Orfeo, Holland’s Alkmaar Conservatory, and Alice Tully Hall. She has also played in Greece, Russia, France, and Belgium, as well as various places in the U.S., including Washington D.C.Dr. Antonacos has made solo appearances with the Northshore Philharmonic Orchestra, the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. A former member of the full-time piano faculty at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she holds a master’s and doctorate in piano performance from Indiana University in Bloomington, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine School of Music. She lives with her husband and daughter in Portland, where she was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of Portland by the Phoenix.
Flutist Nicole Rabata has performed throughout Europe, Asia and the United States as a soloist and chamber musician. Recent performance highlights include appearances at Interharmony International Music Festival in Bavaria, the International Flute Festival of Lund, Sweden and the Magic Flute Festival in Stockholm. She was selected as guest performer and presenter at the National Flute Conventions in both New York City and San Diego. She has appeared at the White Mountain Bach Festival, Portland Chamber Music Festival and has been featured on NPR National Radio, BBC Glasgow and French National Television. She has adjudicated and coached chamber music at the Bay Chamber Concerts’ Next Generation program, and recently travelled twice to India to teach and perform, co-directing and coaching a chamber music program at the Gandhi Ashram School in the Himalayas and presenting concerts in Northeast Bengal.

Portland Swing Project featuring The Hadacol Bouncers
2015-09-11 18:00 - 20:00 | ME
The Hadacol Bouncers plays the music of Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, Louis Armstrong and more: a fun hybrid of New Orleans Jazz, Chicago Style Jazz, novelty songs and other classics from the great American songbook, with a traditional lineup of banjo/tenor guitar, piano, tuba, drums, trombone, soprano sax/clarinet and trumpet/cornet.
The Portland Swing Project brings the music and dances of the 1920s-40s to our modern-day city through weekly classes, live music, dances and performances.

Kitten Therapy!
2015-09-09 11:00 - 14:00 | ME
Midday stress got you down? Lighten up your day with a dose of kitten therapy in Congress Square Park.
The Animal Refuge League and Dextrous Creative will be hosting kitten therapy on Wednesday, September 9th inviting park goers to take a break from their busy day to relax and play in a box of bouncing kittens.

Out of Your Hands: is more than a manicure
2015-09-05 12:00 - 15:00 | ME
What do painted nails say and not say about us? When we choose a color, a design, a length what are we consciously or subconsciously saying about ourselves? Participants will be invited to have their nails painted as a divider separates them from the artists, the process, and the final product. What will your nails say about you when they are out of your hands?

Watch This! Film Festival - movies by whoever
2015-09-04 06:00 - 20:00 | ME
The Art Department (Creative Trails) and Bomb Diggity Arts (Momentum) are proud to present Watch This! Film Festival – Movies by whoever.
A superhero and animation themed short film night at Congress Square Park. Check out some great work by local filmmakers.

Films in the Square: Annie Hall
2015-08-30 19:15 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Films in the Square: Annie Hall co-presented with Portland Summer Films

Cuddle Magic
2015-08-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Cuddle Magic co-presented with SPACE

The Whole World Waiting
2015-08-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The Whole World Waiting co-presented with the Telling Room
A twilight screening of THE WHOLE WORLD WAITING, a Telling Room film that tackles the myths of America from the perspective of immigrant and refugee youth.
Teaching artist Sonya Tomlinson and filmmaker David Meiklejohn created The Whole World Waiting to showcase all fifteen students from The Telling Room’s Young Writers & Leaders program (2011-2012) in three-minute segments. Each story tackles the myths of America told from the perspective of immigrant and refugee youth.
In 2012 the film debuted at SPACE Gallery to a sold-out crowd. Three years later we’re bringing the film, filmmakers, and several of the students back for a free screening and Q&A to follow. The trailer can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1gnQNZVJn4

Young Writers & Leaders (YWL) is a free, afterschool literary arts program for teenage refugee and immigrant English Language Learners. The program runs for nine months each year, engaging each student in weekly after school sessions that provide unparalleled opportunities to work directly with some of Maine’s best writers and artists, creative writing and arts programming and job skills and leadership training.
YWL is offered in partnership with Portland, Deering, and Casco Bay High Schools, and has served teens from Haiti, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, Sudan and Kenya, improving their writing skills, academic performance, social and emotional wellbeing, and their chances of future success.

Films in the Square: Peter Pan
2015-08-23 19:15 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Films in the Square: Peter Pan co-presented with Portland Summer Films

3rd Annual Maine Hip Hop Summit
2015-08-22 12:00 - 17:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

PM Salsa featuring Primo Cubano
2015-08-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
ALL Level dancers wanted! 6:00-6:30 1/2 hr Beginner Salsa lesson w/Wendy of PM SALSA
6:30-8:00 Live Music w/ Primo Cubano

Picnic in the Square with Amarantos Quartet
2015-08-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Arts In The Square is proud to present Picnic In The Square- a collaboration of the ‘picnic’ and classical music. Building on the rich history of classical music and the elaborate picnic, Picnic in the Square strives to create that romantic experience in Congress Square Park.
The Amarantos String Quartet was formed in Portland, Maine with the mission to reinvent the role of the quartet in the modern cultural landscape. Through presentation of new music, unique collaborations and original arrangements, violinists Lauren and Meagan McIntyre, violist/arranger Bryan Brash, and cellist Hannah are attracting new, diverse audiences to the chamber music genre. Classically trained, each member of the quartet has performed extensively with musicians from a wide variety of styles such as rock, pop, folk, world, and more. These collective experiences are the basis for what makes the Amarantos Quartet and their diverse repertoire a truly unique experience.

Films in the Square: Rear Window
2015-08-16 19:45 - 21:45 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Portland Swing Project featuring CC & The Swing Set!
2015-08-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The Portland Swing Project brings the music and dances of the 1920s-40s to our modern-day city through weekly classes, live music, dances and performances.

C.C. & The Swing Set plays songs from the prohibition era on, songs from around the world, and originals fit to swing. From Fats Waller to Whitney Houston, Porgy & Bess to The Jungle Book, Van Morrison to Yves Montand, Pink Martini to The Mamas and The Papas, they’ve got it covered. The group includes Caroline Cotteron ukulele, guitar and vocals, Tyler Lienhardt on fiddle and vocals, and Jed Bresette on standup bass and vocals. They’ll make you want to dance! … or at least tap your foot and smile. www.facebook.com/CCandTheSwingSet

Art Department Noon Dance Party
2015-08-14 12:00 - 14:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Congress Square Beach party! Brought to you by The Art Department. Swing by to get a hand silk screened paper fan, play some games, and dance to our summer playlist in the park! It’s gonna be so rad. www.theartdepartment.me

Burd & Moss presents HEARTBEAT
2015-08-12 18:00 - 20:00 | ME

Films in the Square: A Street Car Named Desire
2015-08-09 19:45 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Films in the Square: A Street Car Named Desire co-presented with Portland Summer Films

Story in the Park with Portland Public Library
2015-08-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Children’s Librarians from Portland Public Library will read stories or do storytelling at Congress Square. Ages 0-5.

Raging Brass Reggae
2015-08-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
RBR is a 7-piece brass band dedicated 1960s Jamaican instrumentals. “Out of many one sound.” Raging Brass Reggae was formed in 2014 by trumpeter Marc Chillemi. This 7-piece brass band pays tribute to 1960s Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady and Roots Reggae instrumentals. Created in South Portland, Maine, RBR includes trumpet, trombone, alto & tenor saxophones, guitar, tuba and drums. Featuring an all-star collection of musicians from Portland based bands Primo Cubano, Rustic Overtones, The Fogcutters Big Band, Sly Chi, and the Portland Rumba Project.
