Friends of Congress Square Park

Films in the Square: SUPER 8
2017-07-09 20:30 (America/Detroit) | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us every Sunday evening at dusk for Films in the Square co-presented by Portland Summer Films. Bring a lawn chair, sit back and enjoy classic films in an outdoor venue. June 4th through August 27th.
Co-Presented By:

Sponsored by:

The Way We Move
2017-07-08 15:00 - 16:00, 2017-06-17 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit)
The Way We Move activity is an interactive flow arts/circus program for children and adults with disabilities, and anyone else who wants to participate. There will be multiple types of props and movement activities for people to try out and play with and trained instructors to help people learn the activities and address any needs they may have. The end of the session involves participants and the instructors showcasing their skills. Come join the fun!

Street Dance with Sister Steel
2017-07-07 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Sister Steel is an eight piece, professional steel drum band based in Portland. They’ll be playing a diverse blend of traditional Calypso, Trinidadian music, and contemporary pop.
Sister Steel was formed in 2015 with the intention of creating cultural awareness and sharing a love of Trinidadian music and steel pan with communities all over southern Maine and beyond. This inclusive instrument is as much fun to play as it is to listen to!
“Where we come from, Street Dances are a very popular event, where the community comes together, and no matter what age, dances together. We look forward to building and strengthening this light-hearted, community-building spirit here in Portland and throughout Southern Maine.” Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/SisterSteelPan/

Chase the Chill Knitting in Public
2017-07-06 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Detroit)
Calling all knitters and crocheters! Lend your needles and hooks to creating a scarf, hat, mittens or socks!

Theater Ensemble of Color: Lived Experiences
2017-07-05 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Theater Ensemble of Color or TEoC (pronounced TEE-ock) strives to strengthen our communities through education, inclusion, and social activism focusing on arts, performance, culture.
The show is a fully originally devised ensemble piece. The story follows a day in the lives of several characters who consider themselves “Other”. An immersive show giving light to Maine’s multi cultured communities and their stories of strength, survival and triumph.

Games & Fun
2017-07-05 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Play classic and new board games, word games, and cards. Escape your screens for IRL!

Crafternoon
2017-07-03 13:15 - 15:15 (America/Detroit)
This is an informal time to get together and be creative – draw, paint, do needlework, or calligraphy. For all ages and abilities – relax, have fun, meet new people and create!

Films in the Square: SELMA
2017-07-02 20:45 (America/Detroit)

Brick Collective Art Interaction
2017-07-01 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit)
Artists Kari Marboe and Erik Scollon will be artists in residence at the Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle this summer, developing new work for The Brick Collective, a ceramics and performance group that creates socially engaged ceramic work.
The Brick Factory members will guide you and your friends through three pieces that combine wet clay with research and performance. This event is a chance to get your hands dirty and play with clay without an end goal of object making. Kari and Erik are visiting from San Francisco where they teach at California College of the Arts, and are making a rare Portland appearance.
Learn more about the artists! @ www.karimarboe.com and www.erikscollon.com

Wicked Sing-Along
2017-06-28 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
It’s time to try defying gravity!
Cast Aside Productions presents a Wicked Sing-Along!
Break out your Ozdust Ballroom best, grab your friends and family, and come sing your heart out!
Performers wishing to get on stage: Sign-ups begin at 5:30pm

Films in the Square: ARTHUR
2017-06-25 20:45 (America/Detroit)

Robin's Zodiac Yoga Summer Series with Live Music
2017-06-22 17:30 - 18:45 (America/Detroit)
Flow for the Solstice. Salute the return of summer as Congress Square Arts rolls out the dance floor for astrology based yoga in the park 4 times this season.
June 22nd Solstice & New Moon Yoga with music by Happy Folk
July 27th Robin’s Zodiac Yoga for Leo season with music by Helena Nash
August 24th Robin’s Zodiac Yoga for Virgo season with Sacred Sound & Living Todd Glacy
September 21st New Moon and Autmnal Equinox Yoga with musical guest tba
All classes are on Thursdays at 5:30 pm and free for all!
Keep Portland beautiful & vibrant & enjoy our downtown parks!

Contra Dance featuring Maivish with Dugan Murphy
2017-06-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
We’re thrilled to announce we’ve added a monthly contra dance night to our summer line-up in partnership with Portland Intown Contra Dance. Kick off summer right with a summer solstice contra dance with live music featuring Maivish with Dugan Murphy!

Portland Intown Contra Dance is up to growing a lively community through weekly zesty, joyful, intergenerational contra dancing to live music. They insist no partner and no experience is needed to have a delightful and connected dance. Dugan Murphy will teach each of this evening’s dances; he’s known for emanating joy and for teaching with the artful precision of clockwork. He’s joined by Maivish, playing tunes from British Isles, Ireland and America with a mix of original compositions. With Jaige Trudel on fiddle, Adam Broome on guitar and Matthew Olwell on flutes, bodhrán, and percussive dance, their performances are infused with lush vocal harmonies, inspired interplay, and captivating spirit.

Films in the Square: DIAL M FOR MURDER
2017-06-18 20:45 (America/Detroit)

Tiger Bomb (all-girl all-original glam inspired band)
2017-06-16 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
TIGER BOMB are an all-girl all-original glam inspired group fronted by Lynda Mandolyn (formerly of San Francisco all-girl band, Fabulous Disaster), and Chris Horne (formerly of Portland, ME all-girl band, The Brood). They’ve combined forces for their latest rock & pop explosion – Tiger Bomb! Backed by the dynamic duo of Andrea Ellis on bass & Cindy Allison on drums, this ‘feline frenzy’ is catching on quick here in Portland. Tiger Bomb fuses catchy all-original songs with tight harmonies, ferocious guitars, and a cool high-energy attitude…

Their full-length debut album will be out this summer on Dionysus Records… mastered by Joe Foster (My Bloody Valentine), with cover art by the renowned Lisa Petrucci

Tiger Bomb are veteran musicians, with very danceable “family friendly” songs… perfect for a Friday night at the park… The group has played regular shows at Bayside Bowl; The Space Gallery, H.O.M.E. and other local venues, as well as many out-of-state venues…

Summer Swing Dance with King Day’s New Imperials
2017-06-14 18:00 (America/Detroit)
Playing Jump Blues, West Side Soul and Early Rock n’ Roll. King Day & his New Imperials will have you on your feet.
Portland Swing Project is a local organization with a passion for swing music and dances of the 1920s to today. We teach, dance, perform and provide live and DJ’d swing music spanning a century to local venues. We’re also some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet – we have a bunch of fun so come join us! For information on weekly classes and dances, private lessons and special events, check out www.portlandswingproject.com.

Films in the Square: THE OUTSIDERS
2017-06-11 20:45 (America/Detroit)

Circus Maine at Square Hop
2017-06-09 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
4 Parks. 4 Shows. 1 Amazing Night.
Friends of Congress Square Park is proud to partner with Portland Downtown for the first annual Square Hop + Window Walk!
Portland will be hopping Friday night with outdoor music and special performances in four — yes, four! — of our iconic downtown parks. From 6-8pm, you can stroll — or dance, should the mood strike — from square to square to experience some of our best & most unique local entertainment. Whether it’s a high-flying circus act, a larger-than-life ukulele ensemble, or an interactive theater show — there’s fun for the whole family at each stop.
Adding to the fun: the Square Hop kicks off the first night of Portland Downtown’s Summer Window Walk! The windows of our shops & restaurants will be decked out for summer fun: a spectacle for all to enjoy on this fun & festive night in beautiful Downtown Portland.
Locations & Performers:
Circus Maine at Congress Square Park: Prepared to be “wowed” by the gravity-defying aerial stunts & balance acts of Circus Maine. Look up and be amazed!
PortFringe at Longfellow Square: Get a “sneak peek” at the upcoming PortFringe Festival — complete with eclectic song & dance numbers and fun skits. Expect lots of laughs and audience engagement from this edgy group of performance artists.
Maine Marimba Ensemble at Monument Square: Enjoy traditional and contemporary Zimbabwean music on handcrafted marimbas. The percussive rhythms never fail to get crowds moving — so get ready for dancing in Monument Square!
Peaks Island Ukes at Post Office Park: For toe-tapping fun, look no further than the Peaks Island Ukes. This group has personality, flair, and talent — and we guarantee you’ll smile!

Cocek! Brass Band
2017-06-07 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Like a spiraling galaxy, wandering notes from Balkan scales fill the corners of any room Cocek! Brass Band performs—trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, tuba, all pouring out notes in varying speeds and directions. Pockets of writhing hipsters, grandmas, Balkan dancers and stragglers begin to swell as the Tappan drum (traditional Eastern-European drum) pounds out rhythms that seem to juggle the wandering arpeggiations and catchy melodies of the horn section.

A collection of original compositions influenced by Eastern-European and New Orleans dance music, Afrobeat, Klezmer and elements of reggae and Western Classical music is the best way to describe CBB. The songs are inspired by acts like Fanfare Ciocarlia, Fela Kuti, Miles Davis, Rebirth Brass Band, traditional Balkan songs and chamber brass repertoire. Dance music for those seeking something new and unique, contemplative Old World melodies that hark to a lost era and catchy riffs that will have you singing along and tapping your foot all night long.

**photo credit Meghan Ireland

Films in the Square: NEW YORK STORIES
2017-06-04 20:30 (America/Detroit)

Hamilton Sing-Along!
2017-06-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Last year over 400 strangers came together in Congress Square Park to sing along with a Broadway Cast Recording…Time to do it again!
Join Cast Aside Productions and other HAMILTON fans on Friday June 2 (First Friday) in Congress Square Park for a revolutionary sing-along.
Dress in your finest Hamilton-inspired outfit, grab your friends, and don’t throw away your shot at singing along to the 11 time Tony Award-winning musical.
Performers wishing to get on stage: Sign-ups begin at 5:30pm.

Salsa in the Square with PM Salsa and Primo Cubano!
2017-05-26 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Don’t miss our sizzlin’ Salsa in the Square evenings with PM Salsa featuring Primo Cubano! ALL Level dancers wanted! From 6:00-6:30 enjoy a free 1/2 hour beginner Salsa lesson with Wendy of PM SALSA, followed by live music and dancing with Primo Cubano. Come dance the night away on the 4th Friday of the month.
PM Salsa seeks to spread the joy, creativity, athleticism and passion that is brought about through salsa dancing and to grow a stronger community through dance. Wendy Edwards of PM Salsa believes the best part of salsa dancing is in seeing people come together in a positive, healthy environment while celebrating people’s individuality. Her goal is to provide people with the foundation and tools for them to build on their own individual style. Her classes are fun and welcoming for all.
Primo Cubano plays traditional Cuban dance music dating back to the turn of the 20th Century. Son is the most popular style to come out of Cuba and is the primary contributor to the blend of Latin styles today known as Salsa. It was first a music of the country people and eventually migrated to Havana, where it was urbanized and began to draw a wider audience.
Guitarist Paul D’Alessio, a simple-living country man himself, came into contact with this music on a trip to Cuba in 2004 with the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association, a cooperative between Brunswick, ME and the city of Trinidad, Cuba. He began learning to play Son music on a guitar-like instrument native to Cuba called the tres and subsequently formed Primo Cubano, “Cuban Cousin”.
Trumpeter Marc Chillemi has also spent time in Cuba and has played in various other Latin groups. He also plays percussion and sings on the choruses, or coros, to which the lead singer, or sonero responds with an improvised lyric.
Lenny Hatch has loved the congas since he first heard Mongo Santamaría play Watermelon, and he has been playing them in addition to the bongó and other percussion instruments for over 20 years now.
Eric Winter has been singing all his life and began studying Spanish at the age of 12. He has become particularly interested in Cuban music in the last few years. Eric also plays maracas and is the newest addition to Primo Cubano.
Keeping it all together is Duane Edwards on the bass fiddle. He is a graduate of the University of Maine at Augusta and plays in various groups in the area. As a jazz student, he took very quickly to the tumbao bass pattern that makes this music so danceable.

Summer Swing Dance with CC & The Swing Set
2017-05-24 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Help us kick off our 4th season of summer swing dances in the square with our incredible partner Portland Swing Project!
This talented musical powerhouse plays songs from the prohibition era on, songs from around the world, and originals fit to swing. The group’s core includes Caroline Cotter on 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 tap your foot and smile. www.ccandtheswingset.com
Portland Swing Project is a local organization with a passion for swing music and dances of the 1920s to today. We teach, dance, perform and provide live and DJ’d swing music spanning a century to local venues. We’re also some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet – we have a bunch of fun so come join us! For information on weekly classes and dances, private lessons and special events, check out www.portlandswingproject.com.

Community Event: Steel Drum Street Dance
2017-05-06 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Join Sister Steel Pan Band (Portland) and Planet Pan Band (Blue Hill) for an outdoor dance party in the heart of Portland! We’ll be kicking off the 27th Annual New EnglandSteel Pan Festival held the following day at Thompson’s Point. Come and dance side by side with steel pan players from over twenty different bands around New England as they join together to let loose as audience members for a night! The mix of traditional calypso and familiar pop will be sure to have you dancing and smiling, no matter what age.

Community Event: Air Story from LumenARRT!
2017-05-05 20:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit)
“Air Story,” the latest video projection from LumenARRT!, will be in Congress Square on First Friday. LumenARRT!, the video crew from The Artists’ Rapid Response Team (ARRT!), is using this projection to remind people that climate change is an undisputed fact among scientists and that there are many toxic substances in our air. The brief video projections will be repeated from approximately 7:45 to 9 PM. An interactive component will allow viewers to find out the air quality in their zip code.
#WhatsYourBreathableNumber

Royal Hammer (Roots Reggae)
2017-05-05 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Join us for live music during the May First Friday Art Walk featuring Royal Hammer!
Royal Hammer is a seven-piece roots reggae collective from Portland, Maine. Comprised of some of Portland’s most talented and seasoned musicians, Royal Hammer has for many years paid thoughtful and respectful homage to the great traditions of Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Roots Radics and many others. Fresh off the release of its debut album, My Bubble, Royal Hammer has begun spreading their message of love, hope, and justice to a broader audience. Fronted by lead singer, guitar player, and arranger, Michael Taylor (Rustic Overtones, the Awesome), Royal Hammer is, Gary Gemitti (Rustic Overtones) on drums, Tyler Quist (Jaw Gems, the Awesome) on keyboards, Stu Mahan (London Souls, Nat Osborne) on the low end, and horn section Ryan Zoidis (Lettuce, Soulive, Rustic Overtones), Dave Noyes (Plains, Rustic Overtones) and Lucas Desmond (Model Airplane, Kenya Hall Band). Among their long list of accomplishments, Royal Hammer has shared the stage with such legendary artists as Lee “Scratch” Perry, Barrington Levy, and Midnite as well as backing up international reggae artists Marty Dread and Glen DaCosta of the Wailers.

Tai Chi Chih/Qigong class
2017-05-03 10:00 - 23:00 (America/Detroit)
Take an hour out of your busy week to enjoy a free Tai Chi Chih/Qigong class with Raymond Reid.
Tai Chi Chih (pronounced tie chee cha) is a non martial form of Tai Chi that increases the life force or vital energy that flows through us and all things in the universe.
Tai Chi Chih consists of 19 movements and one posture. Tai Chi Chih creates an awareness of and influences dimensions of our being that are not part of traditional exercise programs.

May Day Celebration!
2017-04-30 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit)
Join us for the official opening of our 2017 season with our 3rd annual May Day Celebration! Don’t miss this wonderful family friendly community event in celebration of Spring and public spaces!
There will be May Pole festivities and New England folk dancing with live music and instruction by Caller Maggie Robinson. Fun, easy social dances for all ages – families, singles, and couples welcome. Bring friends, bring the kids!
Plus, there will face painting and tissue and crepe paper May crowns made by the wonderful seniors from 10 Congress Square Plaza and 100 State Street!

Park Clean-up Day!
2017-04-09 09:00 - 23:00 (America/Detroit)
Help us get the park cleaned up and ready for spring and the return of our colorful amenities! Please bring gloves. Rakes and brooms will be provided
P.S. Our colorful amenities return the week of April 17th!
