Friends of Congress Square Park

Hamilton Sing-Along!
2017-06-02 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

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…

The Way We Move
2017-06-17 15:00 - 16:00, 2017-07-08 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!

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

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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.

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!

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/

Films in the Square: SUPER 8
2017-07-09 20:30 (America/Detroit)

Summer Swing Dance with the Soggy Po' Boys
2017-07-12 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Summer Swing Dance with the Soggy Po’ Boys and Portland Swing Project!
Born on a snowy Fat Tuesday night of 2012, the Soggy Po’ Boys have been honing their craft of New Orleans’ music as part of their Tuesday residency in their home town of Dover, New Hampshire. In between local gigs they’ve fit in more than a hundred shows every year, from festivals and concerts to politics-infused burlesque collaborations and street parades, spanning Maine to Georgia. The band is equally at home everywhere it goes, though, and part of the beauty of New Orleans music is that it’s celebrated and appreciated wherever it goes, from the street to the theater. The Soggy Po’ Boys serve their jazz messy, mixing brass-fueled mayhem with spirituals, Meters-style old-school funk, and the Caribbean side of the New Orleans tradition. NHPR describes the band in this way: “If you’ve been to Sonny’s Tavern in Dover, New Hampshire on a Tuesday night, you could be forgiven for feeling like you’ve stepped into a New Orleans jazz club.” www.soggypoboys.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.

La Noche Romántica
2017-07-14 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Join us for Salsa dancing with Danza Latina and DJ Onax in Congress Square Park.
At 6 pm we’ll start with a Bachata Lesson, so everyone can participate!
At 6.25 pm enjoy Cuban Salsa, Bachata and Belly dance performances
Starting at 6.40 pm, we all start dancing! The format: 2 Bachatas + Salsa + Merengue/Kizomba
Danza Latina dance studio is a dance company established in Portland in 2015. They offer adults a variety of Latin dance classes, including Salsa, Bachata & Kizomba. DJ Onax is also based in Portland.

Dance Party for Everyone: Dance Yourself Happy!
2017-07-15 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Come join Ed King, Rosanne Graef and all your friends from Congress Square Park for a whole lotta shakin’ to 50 years of hits, misses and dance crazes. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a song in your heart. Lace up your blue suede shoes and high-heeled sneakers and let’s do a little dance!

Films in the Square: STRANGERS ON A TRAIN
2017-07-16 20:30 (America/Detroit)

Contra Dance featuring Greg Boardman & Friends, with Caller Maggie Robinson
2017-07-19 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Portland Intown Contra Dance featuring Greg Boardman & Friends, with Caller Maggie Robinson! 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. Maggie Robinson will teach each of this evening’s dances in her casual and warm style. ‘s joined by a trio comprised of Greg Boardman on fiddle, Neil Pearlman on piano and mandolin, and Hadith Bani-Adam on Somali Oud. Surprising influences result in a delightful musical mix of culture, tradition, and innovation.

Choro Louco
2017-07-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Choro Louco is back by popular demand!
Brazilian Choro has been around for over a hundred years, but in this country itʼs virtually unknown. David Grisman, Mike Marshall and a handful of others have helped introduce the music and the musicians to a larger audience, but itʼs still largely under the radar of most music listeners…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.
Members of Choro Louco come from diverse backgrounds and can be seen in various ensembles locally.
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 and 8-string guitars and mandolin, brings decades of experience as a jazz and classical guitarist to his choro playing. David is an Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music.
Eric La Perna, fabulous percussionist with Okbari and Zapion, brings his great hand percussion skills to the pandeiro, the Brazilian tambourine.

Pickwick & Friends Print Fair
2017-07-22 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Detroit)
Join us for the 2nd annual Print Fair co-presented with Portland’s Pickwick Independent Press!
40 Maine Printmakers will be exhibiting, demoing, and selling their work in Congress Square Park. To learn more about this year’s exhibitors visit: https://www.pickwickindependentpress.com/print-fair-2017/.

Films in the Square: THE GOODBYE GIRL
2017-07-23 20:30 (America/Detroit)
