THURSDAY, 23
EASILY AMUSED | Janoah Bailin’s not a clown, but he’s got the skill set of one. Dip into the library for a surefire way to make your afternoon a little less dull, as Janoah will be putting on a 40 minute performance jam-packed with juggling, unicycle tricks, and puppetry. Libraries aren’t just places for knowledge; they’re also cultural centers and sometimes double as markets for absurdity and laughter, which is much appreciated in these dark times. Bring any little humans you know and show them that boredom is entirely self-inflicted.
| FREE | 3:00 pm | Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Sq., Portland | https://www.portlandlibrary.com/ |
EXTREME DISSONANCE | If you’re looking to get caught up in a maelstrom of raw, furious energy, then catch RUIN as they make their no-holds-barred SPACE debut. They’ll be headlining an evening of heavy black death metal alongside Atlanta’s Withered, Chicago’s Immortal Bird, and Portland’s Shabti. Let’s get weird.
| $10 | 8:00 pm | SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland | http://www.space538.org |
FRIDAY, 24
FREEDOM AND CULTURE | Let’s look at the debate over preserving traditional collective culture in the face of increasing demands over individual freedom through a radically different lens. Let’s explore how those themes play out through inter-tribal warfare between the peoples of the South Pacific. Yeah, you can find identity politics playing out even in the most remotest of locations. And over there, it truly matters. The 2017 Oscar nominee for best foreign language film, Tanna, will unpack these issues through an emotionally stirring, and partially true story. Screenings for this picturesque (and thought-provoking) film are running all weekend at the PMA.
| $8 | 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm | All Weekend | Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq., Portland | https://www.portlandmuseum.org/ |
GEOGRAPHY | For musicians, making sense of where you’ve been and what you’ve experienced is half of the creative process. No matter the genre, songs transport listeners somewhere, and if written smartly, can teach them culture and historical/political context. Ponder this while Drifter, a band rooted in the sounds of upstate New York (folk old-time, country, and rock), croons into the night. Portland’s very own Max Garcia Conover will open; a hardworking, talented singer/songwriter who pumps out a new poignant song every week on his website. His latest one, “Endless Skyway,” features a staggeringly powerful quote from a Syrian poet, and has helped benefit the International Rescue Committee. Neat.
| $15 | 8:00 pm | One Longfellow Square, 181 State St.,
Portland | https://onelongfellowsquare.com/ |
WHAT’S FUNNY ANYMORE | Stop by this popular brewery to let off some steam among other Bayside Brew Ha Ha guests. When you laugh at something (or for that matter, get upset at something) it’s often because there’s a core truth lurking at the heart of the matter. Test that logic against the material of these comics: Boston's Zenobia Del Mar, and locals Casey Crawford, Aharon Willows-Hebert, and Connor McGrath. Alright, who’s going to get political?
| $10 | 8:00 pm | Rising Tide Brewery, 103 Fox St., Portland | http://www.risingtidebrewing.com/ |
LEGEND SHADOWS | For those that aren’t quite sick of Pink Floyd yet, a hugely successful cover (and original) band, The Machine, will channel some of their power with as much musical authenticity and necessary improvisation they can muster. They’ll be just fine filling that role; they’ve been keeping the legacy of Pink Floyd alive for over 25 years.
| $23 | 8:00 pm | State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland | http://www.statetheatreportland.com/ |
SATURDAY, 25
BIGGER THAN JESUS | How will conductor Jeffrey Reed and a full orchestra recreate the sounds of one the Beatles most adored albums, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band? Well they’ve also got the help of 6 virtuoso vocalists, and an entire rock band. That’s right an orchestra, and a rock band; that’s how you plan a nostalgic trip back in time that keeps things fresh and interesting (apparently there was a time when pop music didn’t suck).
| $30-80 | 7:30 pm | Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland | http://www.portlandsymphony.org/ |
TRAP BEATS | Excitement’s building for TroyBoi’s Mantra Tour to arrive in Portland, as it’s arguably the biggest party going down this weekend. TroyBoi comes from East London, and he’s prepared to take us on a pulse-pounding, psychedelically lit, EDM ride — if, that is, you’re into that sort of thing. Why not get wild like you used to?
| $18 | 8:00 pm | Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland | http://www.portcitymusichall.com/ |
FESTIVAL READY | The Ghosts of Paul Revere, the foot-stomping, three-part-harmonizing bluegrass band from around here, hardly need an introduction. Upon their return to Maine, they needed to book TWO shows to accommodate their hungry fans. Are you one of them? Get re-acquainted with this mood-boosting holler folk quartet. See them live; it’s the best way to experience their music.
| $20 | 9:00 pm | The Portland House of Music and Events, 25 Temple St., Portland | http://www.portlandhouseofmusic.com/ |
SUNDAY, 26
SWEET MOVE | Sometimes political action means eating cookies and cupcakes. This gathering offers a variety of locally sourced baked goods and Oxbow beer for your mouth’s pleasure and it helps benefit Planned Parenthood. Count me in.
| $10 | 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm | Oxbow Blending and Bottling, 49 Washington Ave., Portland | http://oxbowbeer.com/ |
EDIBLE EDUCATION | Imagine dropping a Ben Franklin on a butcher workshop that teaches you the history, culture and, practice of meat eating, processing, and serving. Some people just really want to know where their meat is coming from. If the price isn’t a deterrent, perhaps you could attend, awaken the curious butcher within you, and address the disconnect we have with our food and the animal that gave its life for us to have it. The fabulous lady butcher Lily Joslin will take you nose to tail.
| up to $100 | 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | Fork Food Lab, 72 Parris St., Portland | http://www.forkfoodlab.com/ |
CRAZY = GENIUS | Get the cathartic satisfaction your former emo/punk self never got by attending the big Panic! At The Disco concert. Remember them? Wouldn’t your high school self be squealing right now? Kidding. Like us, the band’s thankfully matured and now swims in more standard rock waters. They’ll be performing their new album Death of a Bachelor, which has been met with favorable reviews and a Grammy nomination! They’re still kicking! Who said getting married puts an end to your musical dreams? Just write an album about it!
| $90 | 7:00 pm | Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Sq., Portland | http://www.crossarenaportland.com/ |
MONDAY, 27
VERSES VS. VERSES | In a very interesting display of the impact of words and their subtle meanings during interactions, the indie pop band Chris Robley & the Fear of Heights hosts a happy hour series around the theme of war. Once various poets, artists, musicians and writers start expressing the theme through a variety of written mediums, who knows what interesting kinks will arise once approached from several angles. Any lover of words and their effects should converge on Blue this night.
| FREE | 5:30 pm | Blue, 650 Congress St., Portland | http://portcityblue.com/ |
TUESDAY, 28
MARDI GRAS FILL UP | Fat Tuesday’s here again, and the local radio heroes at WMPG invite the community to dine on some soul nourishing food at USM. Several respected restaurants will cook up the best Cajun and Creole dishes, and serve it up like they do every year as live music from the Hello Josephines echoes around the campus center. This will be a multicultural party filled with good vibes, spicy food, friendly peeps, and New Orleans style musical shenanigans.
| $3 | 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | USM, Woodbury Campus Center, 96 Falmouth St., Portland | http://www.wmpg.org/ |
BEHIND THE BADGE | In light of last week’s police shooting of a 22-year-old Portland man who was armed with a pellet gun, this event comes at us with a sense of urgency and gravitas. It’s an event that asks “Who is a criminal?” How does society determine who’s a criminal and how does race factor into that? A panel of legal experts, sociologists, attorneys and informed citizens will unpack this highly relevant issue.
| FREE | 6:30 pm | SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland | http://www.space538.org/ |
WEDNESDAY, 1
WAKE UP | Need a concrete way to join the progressive movement? Consider learning about the Maine People’s Alliance. They’re always looking for more members and volunteers to help with their causes (of which there are many). Today, the members are holding an open-to-the-public chapter meeting at one of the most spacious coffee shops in town, where they’ll discuss our local, state and national political future, as well as the role of oppression and privilege in our daily lives.
| FREE | 6:00 pm | Arabica Coffee, 9 Commercial St., Portland | https://www.mainepeoplesalliance.org/ |
GO NUTS | Perhaps the squirrels are onto something; acorns are actually nutritious and delicious. Don’t believe me? Head to the Urban Farm Fermentory. Folks there are so confident that you’ll consider eating acorns, that they’re hosting an event where you’ll sip cider, process the little oaky nuts into a flour and try them in a muffin form. Don’t they already seem much more palatable? Gather with the curious and check out this nutty affair.
| $15 | 5:00 pm | Urban Farm Fermentory, 200 Anderson St., Portland | https://www.fermentory.com/#home |
MORPHLINGS | Touring with no less than six impressive musicians, Mike Doughty knows how to put on a show. Experience this unique act live remix his elegant new album The Heart Watches While The Brain Burns (clever title huh?) as it swerves from lonesome country to aggressive trap beats. The controversial, but still lovable band Wheatus will open.
| $25 | 8:00 pm | Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland | http://www.portcitymusichall.com/ |
THURSDAY, 2
JUST GETTING STARTED | You’re in for a treat, social butterflies, knowledge fiends, and performance addicts. If you thought this weekend was jam-packed with notable cultural offerings wait until we drop details on these special night outs: MAMM’S Girl Rock show, Snaex’s album release party, the medium John Edward’s mystical contact with “the other side,” a storytelling concert with Tim Mercer, country star Brooke Eden’s show, a spirit of the ocean lecture, Jeff Beam’s brewery performance, and high-grade bass music at Empire. See you in 8 days.