Drumming Circle
2022-04-30 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-05-14 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-05-28 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Non-instructional, free, open to all levels and a safe space for all.
BYO drums, although some will be available to share.

Season Kickoff!
2022-05-01 12:00 - 14:00
Celebrate the start of the 2022 season with us!

The Ideal Maine Social Aid & Sanctuary Band will make an appearance, plus we’ll have food by Fred’s Fried Dough, Plot Twist Pretzels, and La Fritanga!

Come by, meet your neighbors, grab a bite to eat, and get excited.

Plus, from 11am – noon we’ll have a volunteer open house, so show up early to learn about how you can get involved this summer!

T'ai Chi
2022-05-03 09:15 - 10:15, 2022-05-04 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-05-10 09:15 - 10:15, 2022-05-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-05-17 09:15 - 10:15, 2022-05-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-05-24 09:15 - 10:15, 2022-05-25 10:00 - 11:00
Free Tai Chi Chih/Qigong classes will be taught in Congress Square Park May through September. All classes will occur twice weekly — on Tuesays from 9:15 until 10:15 am and Wednesdays from 10 until 11 am, led by Sara Leonard.

Old pros and those who have just started practice, as well as curious bystanders of all ages welcome!
Always FREE to the public.

*What’s Tai Chi?*
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that, today, is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and accompanied by deep breathing.
A noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise and stretching, each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion.

Tai Chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. In fact, because Tai Chi is a low-impact exercise, it may be especially suitable if you’re an older adult who otherwise may not exercise.

Movie Night: Citizen Jane: Battle for the City
2022-05-06 20:00 - 21:30
Join us for a special screening of Citizen Jane: Battle for the City. Writer and urban activist Jane Jacobs fights to save historic New York City during the ruthless redevelopment era of urban planner Robert Moses in the 1960s.
This event is sponsored by Portland Downtown as a kickoff for Jane’s Walk, happening statewide on May 7th.
Watch the trailer here.

Chess in the Park!
2022-05-07 11:00 - 13:00, 2022-05-14 11:00 - 13:00, 2022-05-21 11:00 - 13:00, 2022-05-28 11:00 - 13:00
Come play! Chess boards and pieces provided, but please feel free to bring your own. All levels welcome.
Chess in the Park happens every Saturday starting at 11am till about 1pm.

Congress Square Market
2022-05-08 11:00 - 15:00
Congress Square Market is back — Mother’s Day Edition! This open-air shopping experience features local makers and artists as well as plenty of food options.

Makers:
The Milk Bottle
Roots and Co.
Nava Embroidery
Merry Meeting Kitchen
The Cultivated Thread
Portraits As You Pass
Lin Snow
Tenderly Bound Books
Scrambled Egg Shop
Myles’ World of Art
SICK Magazine
Wild Plum Ceramics

For munching:
Niyat Catering
Ghee
Fred’s Fried Dough
Plot Twist Pretzels
Lady Shuckers
The Challah Shoppe

Doggie Social Hour
2022-05-10 12:00 - 13:00
Networking for the pups! Bring your friendly, leashed canine to Congress Square Park the second Tuesday of every month from 12 to 1 to meet other four-legged locals.

Wagamuffin, a local maker of organic and plant-based dog treats, will be on-site selling snacks and goodies for your hairy best friend!

Thank you for practicing good social etiquette and for cleaning up after your pet!

Blurb Club
2022-05-12 12:00 - 13:00, 2022-05-26 12:00 - 13:00
A book-recommendation sharing-circle! Bring a book you’ve recently read (or are currently reading) to share (or not!), and listen to some folks do the same. Co-presented with Portland Public Library and Mechanics’ Hall.
In inclement weather we will meet in Mechanics’ Hall, just down Congress Street.

KidsPeace Maine 1st Annual Blue Ribbon Festival
2022-05-12 17:00 - 19:00
Join us for an evening of fun as we celebrate National Foster Care Month!
With music from Portland supergroup The Bambinos, a talk from comedian Micaela Tepler, and more.

Portland Bike Party
2022-05-13 18:00 - 20:30
Portland Bike Party is a monthly group slow ride complete with music, lights, candy, good cheer, and good folks that meets the 2nd Friday of every month in various locations around Portland, ME.
https://www.portlandbikeparty.com/

Longfellow Books Presents: Chris Van Dusen's "Big Truck Little Island"
2022-05-14 10:00 - 11:00
Join us at 10:00am in Congress Square Park as we celebrate the release of Chris Van Dusen’s Big Truck Little Island! The Play Me A Story crew from Portland Stage will be performing the book, and Van Dusen will be signing copies of Big Truck Little Island (as well as other titles).

Inspired by a real event that happened in Maine, Big Truck Little Island is the story of a community coming together when the only road on the island is blocked by a truck that is, maybe, just a little too big. Told in Van Dusen’s utterly delightful signature rhymes, this is sure to delight kids and parents alike as they follow along to see how the truck gets unstuck!

Longfellow Books would like to thank Portland Stage and the Friends of Congress Square Park for their collaboration on this event.

Queer Makers Market
2022-05-15 11:00 - 15:00
A full lineup of amazing artists and makers! This event is organized by R Nicole Studios. More info coming soon.

Bike to Work Day
2022-05-20 08:00 - 10:00
It’s Bike to Work Day!
Come by the park for some mingling, bike-related vendors and tablers, free coffee and baked goods, and more.
More details forthcoming!

Congress Square Market
2022-05-22 11:00 - 15:00
Congress Square Market is back! This open-air shopping experience features local makers and artists as well as plenty of food options.

Makers:
Cece And The Seams
Beth Zebal Pottery
Rat Hands Press
R Nicole Studio
timblebee
Sundew Sewing Co
Grungy Tree
Daughter of Demeter
Craft Candle Company
Dr. Flo’s Tooth Polish
Fireball Bookbindery
Portraits As You Pass

For munching:
Niyat Catering
The Pink Waffle
Plot Twist Pretzels
Fred’s Fried Dough
Dila’s Kitchen
Lady Shuckers

Jazz in the Park
2022-05-25 18:00 - 20:00
The Old New Standards jazz band comes to Congress Square Park!

Featuring Jordan Vicki, Mark Dumond, Jaquan Andrews, and Robben Harris. A fresh take on some old jazz standards as well as some new, original jazz tunes all performed by local jazz musicians.

Free and open to the public!

Drawing Circle
2022-05-26 16:00 - 18:00
A non-instructional drawing group with a live model. Free to all, though donations to the model are greatly appreciated.
All skill levels welcome. BYO easel and supplies, though some drawing pads and charcoal pencils are available.

Silent (Movie) Sunday: Modern Times
2022-05-29 20:00 - 21:30
The last Sunday of every month, Kinonik will be showing a silent movie in Congress Square Park on 16mm film!
Join us for the classic Modern Times, starring Charlie Chaplin.
Modern Times is a 1936 American silent comedy film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin in which his iconic Little Tramp character struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world.
