Friends of Congress Square Park

Flea Bites Food Truck Brunch
2018-09-16 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit) | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Come to the park to enjoy an afternoon of live music and street food! This month, four trucks will be featured, and musicians TBA will perform.
Sponsored by Portland Flea-for-All.

Flea Bites is a series! Join us in Congress Square Park for the Food Truck Brunch on third Sundays June through October from 11am – 3pm every time.

Portland Intown Contra Dance featuring Shari Shakti with Emily, Glen & Julie
2018-09-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
In traditional New England social dancing, everyone is welcome and no experience is needed. Every dance is taught and beginners or experienced dancers alike can jump right in during any dance. Come alone or bring a friend!
Tonight, Shari Shakti will be teaching dances, and Emily, Glen & Julie will be playing music. Shakti’s teaching is joyful and caring. Emily Troll, Glen Loper and Julie Vallimont, all nationally acclaimed folk performers, collaborate this evening to get you dancing!
Portland Intown Contra Dance enriches lives and cultivates a vibrant community through dance. They gather every Thursday night for zesty, joyful dancing on the peninsula in Portland, Maine. To find out more, visit portlandintowncontradance.com.

Portland Intown Contra Dance will host evenings of dance every third Wednesday from June through September from 6 until 8pm in Congress Square Park.

Raging Brass
2018-09-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Raging Brass is a 7-piece band collectively creating Afro-Caribbean music. They are a brass-roots dance band following the musical migration from West Africa to Cuba, Jamaica, and Brazil with the spirit of New Orleans.
This eclectic group was established in 2014 by trumpeter and bandleader Marc Chillemi in Southern Maine. Raging Brass explores roots music fueled by the rhythmic and melodic intuition of each player in the styles of Afro-Beat, Ska, Soukous, Highlife, Rocksteady, Roots Reggae, Samba, Cumbia, and Salsa.
Raging Brass features saxophonists Mike Ayotte and Kyle Hardy, trombonist Dave Noyes, tubist Rafael Kielt-Fryre, guitarist and vocalist Matt Wasowski, drummer Gary Gemmiti, and Marc Chillemi, arranger/composer and trumpet player.

Pete's Posse
2018-09-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Vermont’s own trad roots power trio! Composed of acclaimed musician Pete Sutherland, his talented protégé Oliver Scanlon and the uber-dynamic Tristan Henderson, Pete’s Posse never fails to surprise and excite! Twin fiddles in tight, wild harmony over high-powered guitar and pounding foot percussion with mandolin, clawhammer banjo, jaw harp, rocking keyboards, and soaring vocal harmonies adding color to the Posse’s sonic landscape.
With a steady flow of powerful uplifting energy across the age gap, they tap into many traditions north to south and east to west, to distill a distinct sound that is completely their own. The Boston Irish Reporter recently proclaimed the Posse puts forth “…(a) kaleidoscope of sounds and styles with equal parts amiability and energy.”
Since 2014 the Posse has racked up over 100,000 miles of touring, released 5 albums, and played festivals including Shetland Folk Festival, Festival Memoire et Racine, New Bedford Folk Festival, and more!
The Posse’s signature is variety: a wide array of instruments playing a dynamic repertoire of folk roots genres; songs and tunes, traditional and original. For over four years they’ve been bringing their brand of “multi-generational roots music” to festival stages, dance halls and concert series across the US, Canada and Europe.

Waking Windows Festival
2018-09-22 17:00 - 21:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
We are pleased to announce that Waking Windows is coming back to Portland – and Congress Square Park! – for a fourth year!
In Congress Square Park, join us from 5-9pm for a free concert with a line up that will take us on a journey through genres:
5 – 5:40 PM – Maine Marimba Ensemble
5:45 – 6:15 PM – Kristen Stake & id m theftable
6:20 – 6:55 – Lunch Cult
7:15 – 7:55 PM – Clay Camero & the County Line Bandits
8:15 – 9 PM – Sabouyouma
A full schedule with information for all venues is available in this week’s edition of the Phoenix. Check out Facebook, too, for updates!
The 2017 festival featured 100+ bands, authors, artists, comedians, thinkers, and a diverse mix of special programs in 17 venues across Bayside and Congress St. We’re deep in the throes of planning a 2018 festival that will be just as grand, intense, and beautiful.
FMI: www.facebook.com/WakingWindows
Tickets available at all Bull Moose locations and online: www.wakingwindows.com

Community Event: Concert Across America to End Gun Violence
2018-09-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
On September 23, 2018, Concert Across America will remember the victims of America’s gun violence epidemic with a series of more than 180 live concert events from coast to coast.
Join us in Congress Square Park for an afternoon with musicians and speakers from Maine’s community. Performers TBA.
If you are interested in performing at the event, contact Sea Change Chorale for more information. The event is co- sponsored by the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, Sea Change Chorale and the Friends of Congress Square Park.
For more information about the national event, visit concertacrossamerica.org ; also visit the Portland event page at www.facebook.com/CAAportlandme/.

CANCELLED: Spin Fitness Class with Be Well Portland
2018-09-25 17:30 - 18:30 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
*This event has been cancelled due to inclement weather.*

Join Be Well Portland for a summer yoga/bootcamp/spin pop up series every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month in Congress Square Park – sponsored by Maine Cryospa and Therapy! Unwind after work and get in your summer fitness with some fresh air and amazing company! These classes will be powerful, upbeat and ALL LEVELS!
The class is free/donation. There is a recommended donation of $10-$15 so pay what you can!
Keep an eye on Facebook @CongressSquareArts for updates on teachers/classes/weather/etc.
August 14th – Yoga Flow with Kat Cynewski
August 28th – Bootcamp with Marina Urbano
September 11th – Cancelled due to rain
September 25th – Spin with JIBE (spaces limited to 15 – reserve your spot!)
*Don’t forget your mat and a water bottle! (You can also rent a mat for $3)
*Stick around after the event to mingle, shop our swag, and maybe head down the street for some Taco Tuesday fun!

This is a series. Join us every 2nd and 4th Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:30 PM until the end of September!

About Be Well Portland:
Be Well Portland is a Maine wellness event company dedicated to bringing together people’s love of fitness and social gatherings around local cuisine and beverages. They believe that a healthy lifestyle is all about balance, i.e. a yoga class leading into a delicious brunch and topped off with a mimosa. They support local businesses, breweries and restaurants by collaborating to bring you a fun, unique event you can feel good about both physically and mentally – your body will thank you!
About our sponsor:
Maine Cryospa and Therapy is Maines ONLY cryospa offering Whole Body Cryotherapy, Cryofacials, and Cryotherapy spot treatment this boutique Therapy center is bringing an improved wellness experience to Maine!

Salsa Night with Primo Cubano & PM Salsa
2018-09-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Come to Congress Square Park from 6-8pm for an evening of hopping music and salsa dance (lessons included!).
PM Salsa teacher Wendy Edwards has been teaching for over 15 years. Come at 6pm to learn basic moves and enjoy an evening of social dance with music by Primo Cubano!
Primo Cubano will play traditional Cuban dance music called “SON,” which dates 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.
Primo Cubano consists of Paul D’Alessio on Tres Cubano and vocals, Marc Chillemi on Trumpet, percussion and vocals, Lenny Hatch on Congas, Bongo and Bell, Duane Edwards on Upright Bass, and Eric Winter on Timbales, percussion and vocals.
Primo Cubano interprets the classic Son Cubano with affinity, appreciation and inspiration bringing this vibrant music to life for audiences in Maine and beyond.

Salsa night is a series! Join PM Salsa for dance lessons and Primo Cubano for live music every fourth Friday June through September from 6-8pm.

Viva & the Reinforcements
2018-10-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Each VIVA & The Reinforcements show is a vibrant multicultural journey through music history, engaging to audiences of all ages and creatively dazzling, featuring the finest jazz musicians in the Northeast. #seeViva #followthesensation

Pumpkins in the Square
2018-10-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us for the 4th annual Pumpkins in the Square! Friends of Congress Square Park is welcoming Fall and celebrating a successful 2018 season with:
Live folk music with Liz & Dan Faiella!
Pumpkin carving and decoration/painting – with a contest! BYO pumpkin or pay what you can for one at the event (suggested donation $10 per pumpkin). Prizes will be awarded for the most creative pumpkins. Judges will be artists from Bomb Diggity Arts.
Donuts and cider!
Face painting and mask making with ArtVan!
Engineering Pumpkin Boats Challenge with The Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine! Test out different pumpkins and gourdes to make boats. Stay and explore! Open to all ages.
Fun for the whole family. Made possible with support from Spinnaker Trust.

CANCELLED: Flea Bites Food Truck Brunch
2018-10-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
*Cancelled due to cold weather and high winds. See you next season!*
Come to the park to enjoy an afternoon of live music and street food! This month, four trucks will be featured, and musicians TBA will perform.
Sponsored by Portland Flea-for-All.

Flea Bites is a series! Join us in Congress Square Park for the Food Truck Brunch on third Sundays June through October from 11am – 3pm every time.

CANCELLED: Play Kiosk Open Hours!
2018-10-21 11:00 - 15:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
*Cancelled due to cold weather and high winds. See you next season!*
Open During Flea Bites Food Truck Brunch!
Calling all game lovers! Friends of Congress Square Park’s new “Play Kiosk” is open! An opportunity for folks of all ages to enjoy technology-free fun together in a greened space, we have everything from board games to recreational items for your free use through an easy check out process.
This project is made possible through a partnership with Ben and Emily Davis, Portland Container Company founders, and OpBox creators. Supplies in the Play Kiosk are offered with support from the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel, a key sponsor and partner for FoCSP.

Play Kiosk Regular Hours
Friday noon – 3PM
Saturday 9AM – noon
& during some events!

Games Available (New game are added all the time!)
GAMES FOR GROUPS
Playing Cards
Cornhole
Game of Things
Taboo
Clue
Trouble
Dominos
Yahtzee
Quirkle
Boggle
Bananagrams
Jenga
Sorry!
UNO
Apples to Apples
Scrabble
Red7
Love Letter
FLUXX
Sushi Go!
GAMES FOR PAIRS
Playing Cards
Reversi (Othello)
Checkers
Cribbage
Mancala
Connect 4
Battleship
GAMES FOR KIDS
Jumprope
Sidewalk Chalk
Bubbles
Etch-A-Sketch

Thriller Throwdown
2018-10-25 17:30 - 18:30 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us for the 6th annual Thriller Throwdown! What started as a flash mob of 30 dancers in 2012 now has grown into an annual event with more than 70 local dancers and hundreds of spectators. The Throwdown has moved to Congress Square Park and it’s now an all-out dance party! View a recent Thriller Throwdown on YouTube.

Gather in the square and watch our zombies re-create Michael Jackson’s iconic video, then stay for a Halloween-themed dance party!

If you want to participate in the Thriller performance:

The dance party is free and open to the public. If you’d like to be trained to be a part of the Thriller Throwdown version of Michael Jackson’s classic music video, you can sign up for classes at Avant Dance and Event Center. For more information, visit Avant’s website.

Clean Up Day! Come Volunteer.
2018-10-27 08:00 - 10:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Be a part of preparing Congress Square Park for colder weather! We’ll meet the morning of Saturday, October 27th from 9am – noon to:

Plant bulbs and replant plants for winter
Clean and tidy the park and furniture
Remove and store the furniture and umbrellas

Dress in layers in clothing you wouldn’t mind getting dirty. We’ll have all the supplies needed, though you may wish to bring your own work gloves.
RSVP to Dela Murphy, Executive Director at dela@congresssquarepark.org or simply show up!

Tai Chi Chih & Qigong
2018-10-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Take an hour out of your busy week to enjoy a free Tai Chi Chih/Qigong class.
Tai Chi Chih (pronounced tie chee cha) is like moving meditation. It 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. It’s 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. Various studies from Harvard Medical School and UCLA cite the many benefits of regular practice.
Classes will be taught by Raymond Reid or Sara Leonard.

Tai Chi Chih/Qigong classes will be taught in Congress Square Park in May through October, excepting July. All classes will occur weekly on Wednesdays from 10 until 11 am.

#PollFest
2018-11-01 13:00 - 17:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
November 1st is the last day for early, in person voting in Maine. What better way to be heard than to rally together and march in solidarity to lift up our voices collectively? This event is nonpartisan and free to the public.
Join VI VA, the Maine Women’s Policy Center, Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, League of Women Voters of Maine, ACLU of Maine, Maine Equal Justice, and YMCA of Southern Maine to bring power to the polls in Portland!
The event will begin at 1pm in Congress Square Park in Portland and feature the music of Micromassé, fun activities, organization tabling, and (nonpartisan) voting information in English, Somali & Arabic!
At 5pm, we will march to Monument Square, where refreshments will be served and activities will continue. From there, Portland voters will be walked over in groups to City Hall to VOTE!
Even if you are not a Portland resident/voter, please join us as we elevate the voices of young people, women of color, and marginalized folks in this crucial midterm election. We look forward to seeing you on November 1st!
FMI, contact Whitney Parrish at wparrish@mainewomen.org
*Cover image credit: Jade Watring

World AIDS Day Candle Lit Vigil
2018-12-01 17:00 - 17:30 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join Frannie Peabody Center as we remember those we’ve lost and show support for those living with HIV/AIDS. Battery operated candles will be available when you arrive at Congress Square Park.
For a full list of events, visit www.peabodycenter.org/worldAIDSday

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day - Free Kick-off Class!
2019-04-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Come Kick Off This Season’s Free T’ai Chi Chih Moving Meditation Classes at Congress Square Park with a preview practice taking place on World Wide T’ai Chi/Qigong Day, Saturday, April 27 at 10 am, in the Square.
Classes will then start on Wednesday, May 1, meeting weekly on Wednesdays at 10 am. Always FREE to the public.
Old pros and those who have just started practice, as well as curious bystanders of all ages wellcome!

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.

Spring Volunteer Day!
2019-05-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Be a part of preparing Congress Square Park for Spring! We’ll meet the morning of Wednesday, May 1st from 9am – noon to:

Hang lovely patio lighting
Bring out the cafe tables, chairs and umbrellas
Clean and tidy the park and furniture
Paint the wooden benches

Dress in layers in clothing you wouldn’t mind getting dirty. We’ll have all the supplies needed, though you may wish to bring your own work gloves.
All ages, all people welcome!
RSVP to Dela Murphy, Executive Director at <dela@congresssquarepark.org> or simply show up!

Tai Chi Chih & Qigong Moving Meditation Classes
2019-05-01 09:30 - 10:30 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Take an hour out of your busy week to enjoy a free, rejuvenating Tai Chi Chih/Qigong class!
Tai Chi Chih (pronounced tie chee cha) is like moving meditation. It 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. It’s 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. Various studies from Harvard Medical School and UCLA cite the many benefits of regular practice.
This class meets weekly on Wednesdays at 10 am. Always FREE to the public.
Old pros and those who have just started practice, as well as curious bystanders of all ages welcome!

Free Tai Chi Chih/Qigong classes will be taught in Congress Square Park May through September. All classes will occur weekly on Wednesdays from 10 until 11 am, led by Sara Leonard.

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.

POSTPONED: Community Dialogue with MECA
2019-05-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
***This event has been postponed due to weather. A new date will be announced soon. Stay tuned!***

MECA, partnering with Cultivating Community & Learning Works, will create a space for community members to have conversations that speak to our shared community identity and the diverse identities we have individually.
Facilitated conversations will be hosted on issues such as immigration, food equity & justice, homelessness, diversity in the Portland community and more. Participants can join or leave conversations as they wish. A creative space for communicating through art will also be offered. Cultivating Community will provide snacks (donations for food welcome). Free to the public. All ages and all welcome!

POSTPONED: Are We Great Yet? with Circus Olé
2019-05-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Portland, ME, 04101, United States
***This event has been postponed due to weather. A new date will be announced soon. Stay tuned!***

ARE WE GREAT YET? is a FREE circus performance with Circus Olé And Feast of Fools Friday, May 3 from 6-8pm in Congress Square Park.
Circus Ole presents the 2019 Extravaganza featuring an in depth look at Politics + Circus! The greatest show! Epic contrasts! Giant puppets, tiny people, live music, dance, and so much more! ARE WE GREAT YET?
*Immigration Follies
*Contemporary Climate Change
*#InstaTigers
*Color my Border
*Everything Extravaganza
Live music provided by Eddy Dyer, songsmith based out of Lowell, MA. Dyer continues to secure his reputation as an edgy unpredictable, and rewarding artist!
Jon Mathieu brings his accordion and heartfelt busking talents from Westbrook via the streets of Lubliajna, Brooklyn, and beyond!
Dubbed as “The Human Variety Show,” Showtime Steve is a one-of-a-kind variety performer, harnessing his signature off-the-cuff comedy and show-stopping stunts to create a high-energy show unlike any other!
We can’t wait to show you how GREAT we are!

Check Mates! Chess
2019-05-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The Check Mates! is a casual community chess club for everyone. All ages and experience levels welcome. Come for just a game or stay for as long as you like.

Use one of 10 new Weighted Tournament Style chess sets to play a game with a friend or a neighbor you don’t yet know.

*This event is weather permitting. If it gets too cold, Check Mates! will meet at the nearby Coffee by Design on Congress Street.*

Check Mates! Chess meets weekly in Congress Square Park every Saturday morning from 9 am until noon from May through October.

For more information, check out the Check Mates! Meetup Group.

Thanks to SPACE Gallery, The Friends of Congress Square Park and YES Books for making this series possible.

Hope Day with Yellow Tulip Project
2019-05-05 12:30 - 14:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The 3rd Annual Yellow Hope Day Celebration is an event focused on community building and stigma reduction of mental illness. Hosted on Sunday, May 5th in Congress Square Park from noon – 2pm, the event will feature music, speeches, poetry, wellness tables, crafts, and hopeful activities. Hope Day will conclude with a community walk to Longfellow Square to view the Community Hope Garden that was planted there in October.
The Yellow Tulip Project focuses on smashing the stigma that surrounds mental illness and building a community where people realize there is help and hope out there. The YTP is meant to let people know that “Hope Happens”. We know that the stigma often prevents people who experience mental health challenges and their families from getting the support they need and deserve. We are fiercely dedicated to helping people know that there are ways to get help, people there for them and that circumstances can and will change. We hope that someday soon talking about mental illness will be as comfortable and normalized as talking about any physical illness and that more people will know that there is help and hope out there. Our message is simple and clear: come together- plant hope gardens-build community, talk about mental health and smash the stigma- and we are proud of the way that The Yellow Tulip Project is spreading to communities across the US.
For more information or to get involved please contact us at: http://www.theyellowtulipproject.org

POSTPONED: Maine Academy of Modern Music Showcase
2019-05-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
***This event has been postponed until May 30, 2019 due to weather. Join us then instead!***
The Maine Academy of Modern Music will host a MAMMOTH Brass Band, Rock Chorus, and Strings Pop-Up performance at Congress Square Park on Friday, May 10th from 6-8pm. FREE and open to the public!
ABOUT MAMMMOTH: Where MAMM is already well known for its fun, electric guitar-driven rock programming such as its popular summer camp series, its annual Girls Rock! concert, and the MAMM SLAM battle of the bands competition, the Academy’s new MAMMOTH programs allow the school to broaden its reach across genres and instrument families.
With a name as immense as its musical scope, MAMMOTH consists of THREE major components:
The MAMMOTH Brass Band is a New Orleans style brass ensemble for students ages 10 to 18. This funky, energetic group gives students a chance to perform in a professional setting alongside some of the best musicians in the Southern Maine area.
The MAMMOTH Rock Chorus program brings local children and teens together to rehearse and perform popular songs in an inspiring and supportive setting. In both small and large groups the Rock Chorus will celebrate contemporary and classic rock, R&B, and pop music.
The MAMMOTH Strings offers students a unique chamber music experience. In duos, trios, or quartets young string players will have an opportunity to play in the equivalent of a classical music “rock band”. Under the guidance of local professional musicians and educators, students will have a chance to collaborate with other like-minded young musicians, allowing for opportunities to build on individual skills while fostering a sense of responsibility to their peers. From traditional to folk, pop to rock, students will be actively involved in setting the musical direction of their individual groups.
For more information visit www.maineacademyofmodernmusic.org.

CANCELED: Clowning Workshop with Tennessee Shakespeare Company
2019-05-17 16:00 - 18:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
***This event has been canceled due to weather. Sadly, it’s a rainy day — and we’re concerned for the safety of our clowns jumping, dancing and cavorting on too wet surfaces!***
Interested in learning how to clown?! Come play!
Carmen Maria, Education Manager at Tennessee Shakespeare Company will lead a workshop open to the public and passers-by on clowning/physical theater for everyone. All ages, all welcome!
Carmen Maria, Education Manager at Tennessee Shakespeare Company, has also worked with Portland Stage and Theater at Monmouth, Orlando Shakespeare (FL), Advice to the Players (NH), We Players (SF), Co-Founder: Bare Portland, Founder: Bare Theatre (NC) and Nickel Shakespeare Girls (National). She is a Shakespeare and Co veteran and theater innovator who has attracted national attention for her work with veterans.

POSTPONED: Interactive Bunraku Puppetry with Figures of Speech Theatre
2019-05-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
***This event has been postponed until Saturday, June 8th from 10am-12pm. Sadly, it’s too rainy and chilly for the puppets!***

Try your hand at bunraku puppetry in a free playshop with Figures of Speech Theatre! Participants will work in groups of 2-3 puppeteers to animate a single puppet and create short, non-verbal performances, which we’ll share with each other. Along with noh and kabuki, bunraku is one of the “high forms” of theater in Japan. We’ll make it easy & accessible for people of all ages and abilities!
Figures of Speech Theatre creates and tours visionary works of performance forged at the intersection of poetry, music, sculpture and dance.
Our vision for our educational programing—which takes place in all 16 Maine counties and beyond—is to engage imaginations, impart skill-based training, awaken consciousness regarding world cultures, and expand students’ sense of life’s possibilities. We offer a range of programming and touring productions in service of that vision.
Founded in 1982, Figures of Speech Theatre is a four-time recipient of the UNIMA Citation of Excellence in Puppet Theater, as well as grants from organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Maine Humanities Council, and the New England Foundation for the Arts. Honors include a six-month fellowship from the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, the New England Theater Conference’s award for Outstanding Achievement, and a Maine Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship for artistic director John Farrell.

Volunteer Gardening Day!
2019-05-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
It’s time to plant!
Be a part of beautifying Congress Square Park! We’ll meet the morning of day, May 18 from 9am – noon to:
* Plant flowers and greenery in all of the beds
* Replant and pot the moveable planters
Dress in layers in clothing you wouldn’t mind getting dirty. We’ll have all the supplies needed, though you may wish to bring your own work gloves.
All ages, all people welcome!
RSVP to Dela Murphy, Executive Director at <dela@congresssquarepark.org> or simply show up!

The Spring Share with MaineShare
2019-05-22 11:30 - 14:30 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
It’s Spring! Let’s Get Together for Maine!

You Love Life here! So do we. Healthy Living, The Outdoors, Good People and Great Causes. We are proud to call Maine home and want to do our part to help our communities thrive. We can all make a difference by celebrating Maine’s most valued giving day.

Every May, The SpringShare (@thespringshare) celebrates nonprofit organizations in Maine. Our goal is to grow awareness and raise $50,000 to support all they do – for all of us.

We all know how essential community is to nonprofit organizations. That’s why we are beginning a single giving day tradition in Maine – a day dedicated to helping these organizations.

We need your help.

Connect with the causes you care about. Come celebrate your community, and the contributions that make us proud to be in Maine. Let’s all get together and give giving back to the non-profits that enrich our lives every day.

Mark your calendars for May 22nd – TheSpringShare day of giving. Do your part for the environment, economic development, education, diversity, the arts, and social justice – on a local level.

We care about this important work and recognize that they need our help, dollar by dollar, to do it well.

Inspire everyone you know to do the same and Celebrate the causes you care about.

The SpringShare is Wednesday, May 22nd! Let’s get together for Maine.

Follow @thespringshare to learn about and join events and fundraisers throughout the state.

thespringshare.org supports 501(c)3 organizations in Maine.

The FLUKES Ukulele Band
2019-05-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The FLUKES – or the Falmouth Library Ukulele Society – boast a membership of over 35 ukulele musicians. They play everything from Bach to the Beatles and beyond!
During weekly Wednesday night rehearsals, led by their fearless leader, Nina Allen Miller, they’ve built a repertoire from many different musical genres, practicing, playing and most of all having a lot of fun. So far they have triumphantly performed throughout New England, including performances with the Portland Symphony Orchestra at “Magic of Christmas”, the Yarmouth Clam Festival, Denmark Center for the Arts, CascoBay UkeFest, Maine Marathon, Ocean Park “Wednesdays at Jordan” series, First Friday Portland, on the stage of Merrill Auditorium and with Slugger at Portland Sea Dogs games.
