First Friday feat. Monday of the Minds & Friends
2025-06-06 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join our pals Monday of the Minds for some hip hop on First Friday, along with some special guests including Rosie Borden and a cultural African dance performance from local youth!

Swing Dancing feat. The Ragtime Destroyers
2025-06-11 18:00 - 19:30
Come swing dance to jazz tunes of the 20s, 30s, and 40s!

OLS Presents: Primo Cubano
2025-07-10 17:30 - 20:00
Part of our Square to Square concert series with our friends at One Longfellow Square! Rain location: OLS
Music starts at 6; dome early for a salsa lesson by PM Salsa!
Primo Cubano, which translates into Cuban Cousins, has been practicing and performing traditional Cuban music for the past 16 years in Maine. In June of 2023, they were invited to perform at the 2024 Havana Jazz Festival. A friend of the band, Greg Martens, a local producer and promotor, extended the invitation and was a prime component for bringing Primo Cubano to Cuba for the first time.
Trumpet player Marc Chillemi, quickly began organizing the trip with Greg, to bring 7 musicians from the group. In addition, Greg invited another local artist, Darby Sabin from Farmington. An all-star band was put together for Darby by Greg, which included such artists as George Porter Jr, one of the founders of the New Orleans funk band The Meters, and drummer and percussionist Wally Ingram, from Sheryl Crow’s band of the 90s.
By October of 2023, Primo Cubano singer Eric Winter joined Marc to help organize the trip. Eric has been to Cuba several times to study with some of Havana’s greatest musicians. Eric scheduled a week of lessons and rehearsal sessions with percussionist Rolando Salgado Palacio, from the Afro-Cuban Allstars. Primo Cubano rented a rehearsal studio in the artist district called, Verdado.
The band was scheduled at two venues, and by the third day Primo Cubano was asked to perform at some of the local restaurants and bars throughout the city. The most memorable experience was when many of the local musicians and festival organizers commented; “Primo Cubano is the first group from the United States to perform their music” – Son Cubano, the national music of Cuba. Not only was this an unimaginable experience, it was the long-life dream of conga player, Lenny Hatch.
Primo Cubano was invited to return to Cuba to perform at the 40th Annual Havana Jazz Festival in January of 2025. This experience has inspired the group to keep learning and practicing this music they love and have shared with salsa dancers and music lovers throughout New England for over a decade.

Trust Your Bliss as Much as Your Anger: a Mutual Aid Dance Party
2025-07-25 17:00 - 19:00
A queer and BIPOC centered mutual aid dance party for everyone
Ré is a gifted performance artist and somatic practitioner currently in transition toward manifesting her vision of a healing sanctuary for survivors of trafficking and sexual violence. As she prepares to move to the land where this sanctuary will flourish, she needs community support to secure the first house – a crucial step in bringing this vital work to life.

Swing Dancing w/ AARP ME
2025-08-20 17:00 - 19:00
Event Highlights:

Swing Dance Lessons: Get ready to swing the day away with fun and energetic dance lessons suitable for all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, our instructors will have you moving and grooving in no time!
Sweet Treats: Cool off with a complimentary ice cream cone at our Portland event or bite into some birthday cake at our Brewer event.
Music: Dance to the tunes of a fantastic DJ playing all your favorite swing hits.
Community Celebration: Connect with friends, family, and neighbors as we celebrate this significant milestone.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate, dance, and enjoy some sweet treats. Let’s swing into Social Security together!

Learn to Line Dance
2026-05-08 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-06-12 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-07-10 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-14 18:00 - 20:00
Join Robyn Towle and your neighbors for some silly line dancing! All humans and abilities welcome — learn something new, have fun, and enjoy a no-pressure evening in the Square.
This is a new monthly series happening the evening of every second Friday!
Free and open to all!

Swing Dancing feat. The Ragtime Destroyers
2026-05-20 18:00 - 19:30
Swing dance to the sweet sounds of traditional and New Orleans-style jazz from the 1920s and 30s! Free and open to all.
Rain date: May 27th

Kizomba Sunset Sessions
2026-05-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-06-26 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-24 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-08-28 18:00 - 19:30
Come experience Kizomba! Kizomba is a beautiful partner dance from Angola, focused on connection, musicality, and smooth, flowing steps that make you feel the music with every movement.

Start with a quick intro class, then stay for social dancing—no partner or experience needed.

Come catch the sunset, meet new people, and enjoy the vibe. Free and open to all! Fourth Fridays of every month.

Salsa in the Square Feat. Primo Cubano
2026-06-11 17:30 - 20:00
Salsa dancing is back! Enjoy a free salsa dancing lesson provided by PM Salsa at 5:30, with Primo Cubano taking the stage at 6. Free and open to all!
