Pianos in the Squares Kickoff!
2018-06-29 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Congress Square Park, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
A few of Portland’s well-traveled squares are about to get more colorful and musical with the addition of Pianos in the Squares.
Pianos in the Squares is a project of City of Portland Parks, Recreation & Facilities, Portland Downtown, and Friends of Congress Square Park. Colorful, painted pianos will be available for all to play and enjoy in Monument Square, Congress Square, Longfellow Square and Bramhall Square throughout the month of July.
Join us for the big reveal of Pianos in the Squares on Friday, June 29th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Schedule of Ribbon Cuttings and Performances:
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM Monument Square – Maine Academy of Modern Music (Rock)
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Congress Square – Joshua Hatfield (Pop Covers)
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM Longfellow Square – Kafari (Jazz)
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Bramhall Square – Ophelia Hu Kinney (Chinese classical)

Pianos will be placed in the squares starting on Friday, June 29th. Each piano will be painted by local artists and supported by a local business. Local Business Sponsors include: OneSixGreen, Portland Flea For All, One Longfellow Square and PelotonLabs. Participating Arts Organizations include: Maine Access Immigrant Network, Bomb Diggity Arts, The Art Department and Still Life Studio. A special thank you to Sherwin Young of Starbird Music and Piano Gallery for sourcing and tuning the pianos.
Sally DeLuca, Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities says “This project adds to Portland’s artistic vibrancy. You never know who will sit down and play and you probably didn’t know just how talented people are. Pianos in the Squares doesn’t know any boundaries; someone might sit down and play chopsticks and someone else might wow passerbys with Beethoven. The possibilities are endless.”

Pianos in the Squares will be hosted throughout the month of July. Stop by Congress Square Park, Monument Square, Bramhall Square, and Longfellow Square and give one a try!

Air National Guard Band of the Northeast
2018-06-29 18:00 - 20:00
The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast will present an exciting concert of wind band favorites in Congress Square Park on Friday, June 29! Free and open to the public.
The premiere military band from within the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, they have played throughout the United States and abroad, and features a variety of classical, jazz, popular music, marches, patriotic favorites, and show tunes arranged for the concert band.
A traditional Air National Guard squadron, the band consists of 40 members, all traditional National Guard members with civilian careers who meet one weekend a month to rehearse and perform. Its ranks are filled with professional musicians, educators, students, administrators, salesmen, builders and other professionals. The band has received many awards, including the Air Force Outstanding Unit award and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Unit Citation. Its annual concert tours have taken it to Germany, Holland, France, the Azores, Antigua-West Indies, Norway, England, Denmark, and throughout the United States.

Downeast Soul Coalition
2018-07-04 18:00 - 20:00
Before you hit the fireworks display, swing by Congress Square Park for a free concert with Downeast Soul Coalition!
Downeast Soul Coalition has been serving up a tasty and original blend of funk, soul, blues, and R&B since 2012. At the core of DSC’s sound are relentless and danceable grooves, strong vocals, creative solos, and a powerful horn section. The songlist includes originals and deep cuts that feature tight rhythms and tasteful improvisation. With high-energy performances and local radio airplay, DSC moves audiences at clubs, festivals, and private events throughout Maine and beyond.

Kesho Wazo
2018-07-05 18:00 - 20:00
Kesho Wazo, “Tomorrow’s Ideas” in Swahili, is an Portland-based youth art collective. The group was created as an outlet for young people to express themselves through art, music, fashion, and social advocacy. The group has been taking their message to the music scene, from open mics to their own WazoFest to traveling for shows out of state.
For this special Congress Square Park showcase, Kesho Wazo will present some of Portland’s finest young DJs, producers, emcees, and voices. Expect a chill evening of beats and rhymes, both experimental and uplifting. Features include local artists Wazo Zaya Universe, Wazo Daveed, Drppy, and Jack, as well as a pop-up shop featuring pieces from Kesho Wazo’s clothing line and original fashion designs.

Boston Opera Outreach Troupe
2018-07-11 18:00 - 20:00
Come experience opera in the middle of the city with Boston Opera Outreach Troupe! Expect fun and unexpected interactive singing and performance. Great for kids and folks of all ages who wish to be surprised by opera.
Boston Opera Outreach Troupe strives to present opera to a wide and diverse audience by creative staging; audience participation, engagement, and interaction; and in doing so, educating and exposing new audiences of all ages to breakdown previously conceived ideas of opera and enjoy this art form that encompasses singing, acting, and movement.
B.O.O.T. is a collaboration of New England based opera singers that places great importance on representing singers from a diverse cultural background and on representing these heritages through music in the operatic repertoire.

Portland Intown Contra Dance featuring Dugan Murphy with The Riff Raff
2018-07-18 18:00 - 20:00
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, Dugan Murphy will be teaching dances, and The Riff Raff will be playing music. Hailing from here in Portland, Maine, Murphy is a nationally acclaimed contra dance caller, teaching with clarity and joy. The Riff Raff comes mostly from Western Massachusetts, and is comprised of Jesse Ball, Everest Witman, Matt Kenney, and Clara Stickney.
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.

Portland Swing Project featuring Tom Whitehead's Rites of Swing
2018-07-20 18:00 - 20:00
Join Portland Swing Project for live music and swing dancing in the Square! This month, Tom Whitehead’s Rites of Swing will perform.
Portland Swing Project spreads the appreciation of swing music and dance through weekly classes and events for all levels of experience. We teach, dance, perform and provide live and DJ’d music to venues throughout Maine. Absolute beginners welcome, no partner needed.
“Rites of Swing is lead by vocalist, guitarist and pianist, Tom Whitehead. The ensemble also features Michael Arciero on guitar, Kris Day on upright bass and Don Whitney on drums, with special guest Ellen Carlson on violin. The sound evokes the smooth, acoustic feeling of Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz style, but with a distinctly American flavor of vocal standards from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s.
Whitehead sings in a very mature, improvisatory style that is greatly complimented by Arciero’s dynamic and virtuosic lead guitar playing. Day and Whitney provide a seamless and effortless rhythmic foundation that swings hard, but is never overbearing. Carlson’s fiddle playing evokes the sophisticated swing of the great Stephan Grappelli along with the earthy grittiness of Vassar Clemens and Johnny Gimble. This group sails along like a Clipper Ship of a bygone era – smooth, elegant, powerful and a real joy to listen and dance to.“

Portland Swing Project hosts swing dances in Congress Square Park every third Friday from May through August.

SaveSave

Salsa Night with Primo Cubano & PM Salsa
2018-07-27 18:00 - 20:00, 2018-08-24 18:00 - 20:00, 2018-09-28 18:00 - 20:00
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.

Sister Steel
2018-07-29 17:00 - 19:00
Sister Steel is a professional steel band based in Portland, Maine. Sister Steel was formed in 2015 with the intention of creating cultural awareness and sharing our love of Trinidadian music and steel pan with communities all over Southern Maine. This inclusive instrument is as much fun to play as it is to listen to! From traditional calypso to contemporary pop, this is all-ages music that will sure to have you smiling and dancing!

The Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble
2018-08-10 18:00 - 20:00
The Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble presents music from the richly varied contemporary and historic cultural traditions of the Middle East including Ottoman Turkish Classical compositions, rural Turkish folk and devotional songs, Arabic classical and folk music, and dance music from the Armenian and Turkish immigrant diasporas.
The Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble appears as a duo, trio and a quartet, and has performed at venues throughout New England, the East Coast and the Midwest, including prestigious institutions such as the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Alwan for the Arts in NYC, and enjoyed the honor of being invited to perform at the 2009 Chicago Arabesque Festival. The Ensemble also performs with world renowned Armenian-American clarinet virtuoso Mal Barsamian and has shared the stage in Istanbul, Turkey with the Kemani Serkan Ensemble and the Rumeli Meyhane Fasil Ensemble.
The core of The Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble is Amos Libby (oud, vocals) and Eric LaPerna (riqq, daff, tabla and nay).

Portland Intown Contra Dance featuring Dugan Murphy with Maivish
2018-08-15 18:00 - 20:00
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, Dugan Murphy will be teaching dances, and Maivish will be playing music. Hailing from here in Portland, Maine, Murphy is a nationally acclaimed contra dance caller, teaching with clarity and joy. Maivish explores the landscape of time-honored melodies and songs, and comes home along new pathways, making music with vibrant energy and delight. Gathering traditions from the British Isles, Ireland and America with a mix of original compositions, their performance is infused with lush vocal harmonies, inspired interplay, and captivating spirit. At its core, the group is a collaboration between American fiddler Jaige Trudel and British born guitarist Adam Broome who have been performing together as a duo for over a decade. Maivish frequently includes Matthew Olwell on flutes, bodhrán, and percussive dance.
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.

Portland Swing Project featuring The Bailsmen
2018-08-17 18:00 - 20:00
Join Portland Swing Project for live music and swing dancing in the Square! This month, The Bailsmen will perform.
Portland Swing Project spreads the appreciation of swing music and dance through weekly classes and events for all levels of experience. We teach, dance, perform and provide live and DJ’d music to venues throughout Maine. Absolute beginners welcome, no partner needed.
“Brooklyn’s The Bailsmen play Jazz and Vintage Swing. With over 200 events and concerts a year, The Bailsmen are New York’s busiest jazz band. Mixing French bistro, New Orleans dance party, and New York sophistication, the Bailsmen have been inspired by Django Reinhardt, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Sidney Bechet since 2011.
In the last 7 years, the Bailsmen have expanded their repertoire to include original compositions and modern adaptations of classic French and American jazz and swing tunes, as well as innovative takes on Django Reinhardt’s gypsy-inspired jazz. But no matter what they’re playing, it’s hot.”

Portland Swing Project hosts swing dances in Congress Square Park every third Friday from May through August.

Rolling Tapes Youth Film & Art Festival
2018-08-23 20:00 - 22:00
Rolling Tapes Short Film and Art Festival focuses on young filmmakers in Maine who are creating unconventional, non-traditional or experimental work. The purpose of the festival is to give a platform to the young filmmaker whose work isn’t normally recognized. Our goal is to inspire young artists in Portland and throughout Maine to pursue their passion and talent, and to cultivate community, excitement and support for young local filmmakers.
This evening, will be a short film screening as well as live music and poetry performed by local artists beforehand.
Schedule
8:00pm – The event will begin with live music, spoken word and food provided by local food trucks
8:30pm – The short film screenings will begin
9:30pm – Q&A and artists talkback with filmmakers
Who is behind Rolling Tapes?
Daniel Kayamba is a Portland, Maine-based filmmaker and photographer currently living in Chicago, Illinois and studying film at Columbia College. He has been creating films and taking pictures since his Junior year of high school and has continued to pursue his passion ever since. He was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and his family moved to America when h was 9 years-old hoping to seek a better life and more opportunities. He often takes inspiration from his own life experiences and a lot of his work revolves around his community and stories of the black condition through his eyes. As an artist, he aims to tackle social issues with films and tell stories with universal themes and messages. He considers himself an experimental filmmaker and strives to distinguish his work from traditional and mainstream styles.
Henry Spritz is a 17 year-old filmmaker from Portland, Maine, where he currently attends Waynflete School. He began filmmaking in eighth grade and since, has become involved in the Maine film scene, collaborating with other artists, teaching workshops and screening his work locally. He not only directs, writes and shoots his own films, but also collaborates with local musicians to create the soundtracks in order to create a cohesive vision every time. His work often focuses on his home, Portland, Maine, its conflicts, its residents, and their stories. With his films, his goal is to create an emotional connection with the viewer and express a specific feeling rather than a traditional narrative. His film, “Oldtown”, has been screened in Portland, New York and Miami.
Claude Kirongozi is a Portland-based filmmaker and photographer. He was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has lived in the US for about 12 years. He says that Maine has played a huge role in his upbringing. Always interested in the process of creation, he’s expressed his interest through everything from drawing to making small films with his friends. Film has helped him express his world views and communicate his ideas to others. His work focuses on the idea of being young and free. He also designs clothes with his brother, through the clothing brand “Lacuna” (which means an “empty space” or “void”).

Sylvain's Acadian Aces
2018-08-29 18:00 - 20:00
Sylvain’s Acadian Aces keeps the ‘cajun flame alive in old Acadie with an energetic brand of raw, rootsy ‘cajun music derived directly from the source. The vocal power of guitarist Robert Sylvain and charismatic fiddler Hawk Kallweit supplies a one-two punch that’s instantly compelling and distinctive. With Maine’s own true accordian ace Junior Stevens on button-box, and the unstoppable combination of Tom Jacques on upright bass and Kris Day on drums, Sylvain’s Acadian Aces deliver heart-wrenching lovesongs and electrifying dance numbers that can bring even the most stoic New Englanders to their feet. Rooted in classic cajun two-steps and waltzes, the repertoire also folds in elements of creole and zydeco traditions along with original Americana and rock ‘n roll sensibilities.

Choro Louco
2018-09-05 18:00 - 20:00
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.

Somali Mainer's Youth Network's Community Arts Showcase
2018-09-06 18:00 - 20:00
Join Somali Mainer’s Youth Network for an evening of community arts – from music and fashion to poetry and acting!
Somali Mainer’s Youth Network’s mission is to bring unity and awareness through the Somali community by empowering youth, getting both parents and youth involved in and aware of what goes on around their community. Through workshops, community service, and local events, they aspire to unite Somali Youth and give them opportunities to break the language barrier, gain educational opportunities, and engage as citizens of Portland. Finally, they give youth space where they can talk about issues around youth living in between two different cultures. They hope to educate the Somali youth in Southern Maine about the importance of having an education and how the choices they make a difference back home in Somalia.

Ostkust (folk)
2018-09-07 18:00 - 20:00
Drop by Congress Square Park during the September First Friday Art Walk to enjoy the soft, sublime melodies of Ostkust.
Ostkust is Teresa Sosa and Danny Kelly. They play folk and old-time music, stripped-down to fundamentals. Teresa plays autoharp and bass guitar, and Danny plays guitar. Both members sing; this is the most important part of their tribute to simple and earnest songwriting. Ostkust’s repertoire is an even split between originals, traditional’s, and covers.
The name is Swedish for “East Coast,” and both Teresa and Danny have an affinity for coastal Maine, although Teresa is, at heart, a southerner and shows such with her honeyed voice.

Big World! (Eclectic Electric)
2018-09-12 18:00 - 20:00
Eclectic Electric, BIG WORLD is a band that focuses on taking compositions from Jazz and other musical genres to explore the musical form through improvisation. Performing Original Compositions along with Sonny Sharrock’s songs from “Ask the Ages”, “Funky President” by James Brown and “Dance of Maya” by Mahavishnu Orchestra gives BIG WORLD a springboard for creating wavelengths of tactile sound firmly rooted in the essence of each song while paying homage to the original.
John Clark (Electric Bass)
John McCain (Guitar)
Andrew Roseman (Drums)

John Cushing Big Band feat. VIVA
2018-09-13 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for an evening like no other in #congresssquarepark as Boston’s John Cushing Big Band collaborates with Portland’s own VI VA for an evening of magical modernized standards.
Thursday, September 13 from 6-8pm. Free, as always!
About John Cushing & his Big Band:
John Cushing is a trombonist, singer, composer, and curator of projects, including the John Cushing Big Band. The Big Band is an inspiring collection of more than fifteen musicians playing tunes that integrate the best of the big band tradition with a modern, improvisational and exploratory jazz aesthetic.
About Viva:
VI VA & her back up band, the Reinforcements deliver spicy cosmopolitan grooves in a show that balances the zest of burlesque with classic standards elegantly renewed. Backed by an ever-changing fleet of the jazz elite, she’ll slide her way into your fondest memories with just a flick of her hips. Always thrilling, never the same show twice. The group has played hundreds of sparkling events, each different than the last in song choice, instrumentation, and costume design in dozens of cities across the continents.

Pihcintu International Girls Chorus
2018-09-14 18:00 - 19:00
Join us for an evening of song in Congress Square Park as Pihcintu International Girls Chorus presents a free public concert from 6-7pm on Friday, September 14!

Welcoming immigrant children from around the globe, The Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus helps restart young lives. War-torn villages, bloodshed, refugee camps, famine, and political turmoil were devastating realities for many of these young singers before being embraced by the warmth, companionship and harmony that Pihcintu provides.

The power of survival eases but never erases the memory of unthinkable atrocities, physical danger and personal tragedy. Portland, Maine, an ever-expanding international resettlement community, was fertile ground to bring together children from diverse backgrounds to sing as one. Con Fullam, award-winning producer, musician, and songwriter, combined his passion for music with a deep concern for the effect of world issues on children – creating The Chorus with the help of countless supporting souls from all walks of life. This unique chorus of young women from Cambodia, China, Congo, El Salvador, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Viet Nam, British West Indies, and Zambia, along with children whose families have been here for generations, have formed a powerful and permanent bond. Through the healing power of music, these vulnerable, yet brave, young women have learned to trust, hope and laugh again. The children and their music are transformative. Being in their presence is a life-enhancing experience and they touch the hearts of all who hear them!

Portland Intown Contra Dance featuring Shari Shakti with Emily, Glen & Julie
2018-09-19 18:00 - 20:00
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
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
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
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
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/.

Viva & the Reinforcements
2018-10-05 18:00 - 20:00
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
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.

POSTPONED: Maine Academy of Modern Music Showcase
2019-05-10 18:00 - 20:00
***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.
