What's happening in Portland, Maine:

Sea Dogs Home Game

Portland Symphony Orchestra KinderKonzerts: The Story of Abbie Burgess

Portland Symphony Orchestra presents KinderKonzerts: The Story of Abbie Burgess 

The Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will partner with seven Maine libraries this summer to take their popular KinderKonzert performance The Story of Abbie Burgess on the road. PSO’s KinderKonzerts are fun and interactive concerts for young children and are designed to educate and entertain, working to develop a love of music at a young age. The summer concerts, which are free of charge to the public, will be funded in part by a grant from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Story of Abbie Burgess tells the true tale of a courageous young girl who tended Maine’s Matinicus Rock lighthouse on her own, braving the treacherous month-long Nor’easters throughout the winter of 1856. Her strength and determination attracted much attention and she became a renowned local heroine. Today, her story is featured in several popular children’s books.

“This program will serve to energize the PSO’s youngest audiences – and Maine’s youngest readers – around music and literacy, and will hopefully help instill in them a lifelong love of music and reading,” said Heather Summer, education and community engagement manager for the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

Children are encouraged to sing, dance and wiggle while they listen and watch the orchestra members tell the inspiring story of Abbie Burgess. The concert has a 40-minute running time and is meant for children aged 4-8. The PSO has made teaching materials pertaining to Abbie’s story available for download online to help prepare library staff and parents for their child’s concert experience.

Sea Dogs Home Game

Weekday Performance Series

Weekday Performance Series - Tuesdays from Noon to 1pm
Show will be in Post Office Park on July, 10, 17, 24, 31
and in Congress Square on August 7, 14
See a fun lunchtime performance from local jugglers, magicians, and other entertainers!

July 10 Rosa Noreen (Belly Dance)

July  17 Vandini the Children’s Magician (Magic Show)

July 24 Matiss Duhon (Juggling and Humor)

July 31 Dark Follies (Vaudeville)

Aug 7 Jesse “Jet” Villarreal (Ninja)

Aug 14 Meghan Yates (Mystic Music)

Flatbread Pizza Company to host benefit night for The Gym Dandies

Flatbread Pizza Company will host a Benefit Night in support of The Gym Dandies on July 17th from 5 to 9 p.m. at their 72 Commercial Street location. Flatbread will donate a portion of all pizza sales to The Gym Dandies; an organization that has been has been helping children develop motor skills, confidence, and self-esteem in a noncompetitive atmosphere since 1981. Participants use their skills to wow audiences throughout the United States.
All proceeds will directly support The Gym Dandies. Money raised will be used to purchase needed equipment to bring this great program to the next generation of Gym Dandie Members.
To learn more about The Gym Dandies, please visit www.gymdandies.org.

Gym Dandies Benefit at Flatbread Co.

Flatbread Company will host a fundraiser night for the Gym Dandies of Scarborough on July 17th from 5pm to 10pm. A portion of each pizza purchased will be donated to the group. The Gym Dandies, grades 3-12, will be at the event showing off their juggling skills, riding unicycles, spinning plates and stilt walking.

Sea Dogs Home Game

Contradance at Mayo Street Arts

FOURTH SATURDAY Contradance with music by Soupbone and Guest Callers, 8-11pm.

All dances taught. No experience or partner necessary! Bring clean shoes for dancing. $7/$5 kids/free under 5

Portland Farmers Market

The Portland Farmers' Market is a year-round market featuring fresh, delicious, locally grown foods including vegetables, fruits, herbs, beef, pork, chicken, duck, goat, lamb, milk, cider, cheese, yogurt, eggs, kefir, honey, grains, jams, and fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and tempeh. You'll also find beautiful plants, flowers, and fiber, and so much more! We offer farm products exclusively and you can trust that EVERYTHING at our market was grown and produced in the great state of Maine! Our market has been in existence since 1768 and we are proud to continue to offer the Portland Community a place to come together and enjoy the bounty of Maine's harvest!

 You can enjoy the market and support local farmers year-round at the Portland Farmers' Market!

Kids Activity Day

Wednesdays are Kids Activity Day sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Maine.

Come to Lobsterman’s Park (corner of Temple and Middle Streets) on Wednesdays, July 11 - August 1 from 10:30-11:30am and enjoy educational and fun activities.  Our theme this summer is “Where Science Meets Art.”

July 11 = What’s in a Fingerprint?

Arch, loop, or whorl? Discover what kind of fingerprint you have and make some truly unique fingerprint animal art.

July 18 = Pattern Play

There are patterns everywhere – you just have to know where to look! We’ll have some amazing artifacts to explore and the chance to make your own piece of pattern art.

July 25 = Trees and Leaves

Who doesn’t like the shade of a tree on a hot summer day? We’ll read The Giving Tree, learn some cool facts about trees, and use real leaves to make some nature-inspired art.

August 1 = Optricks

Learn the simple technology of how movies work by making your own thaumatrope.  This optical tool was quite popular in Victorian times and is sure to be hit today!

The Boxcar Children

Orphaned in the midst of the Great Depression, the Alden children are determined to stick together. Afraid that adults will split them up, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny set off to make their own way in the world. They create a home in an abandoned boxcar, but how long can they get by on grit and loyalty alone? Get to know the Alden children in a series of vignettes based on the first book in The Boxcar Children series. $8/person for members, $9/person for visitors. See the play and stay to play for $15. Ask about our flex passes! Reservations recommended.

WEDNESDAY GAME NIGHT

Our Wednesday Game Night rolls onto into the summer. On those hot Wednesday summer afternoons, why not stop in the library between 3:15-4:30pm and cool down with some XBox 360. We’ve got quite a few games for you to enjoy.
WHERE: Portland Public Library, Teen Lounge
WHEN: Every Wednesday from 3:15pm-4:30pm

Darien Brahms – Sunset Folk Series

SUNSET FOLK SERIES AT THE WESTERN PROMENADE PARK

Sponsored by the Families of the Western Prom Neighborhood

Concerts last approximately 40 minutes (If there is inclement weather, the concert will be canceled).

Wednesday, July 11 - 8:00 PM Truth About Daisies

Wednesday, July 18 - 7:45 PM Darien Brahms

Wednesday, July 25 - 7:45 PM Brad Strause

Wednesday, August 1 - 7:30 PM Robby Simpson

Wednesday, August 8  -  7:30 PM Will Gattis

Sweet Treats with Kids Gone Raw

Maggie & Elizabeth of Kids Gone Raw inspire kids to live their most healthy and vibrant lives through what they eat. Join them for a hands-on demonstration where kids create their own tasty vegan sweet treat.

Noonday Concert Series at First Parish Church

Noonday Concert at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church

Crusher’s Kids Concerts in the Park

Concerts last approximately 40 minutes      Concerts held at the Bandstand, Deering Oaks Park

(Inclement weather… concert relocated to Reiche Community Center, 166 Brackett Street)

Thurs., July 12    12:30pm      Sparks Ark  (Wild Animals)

Thurs., July 19    12:30pm      Sammie Haynes  (Singer Songstress)

Thurs., July 26    12:30pm      USM Chemistry Club  (Big Bang Theory)

Thurs., Aug. 2     12:30pm      Scot Grassette  (Magic)

Thurs., Aug. 9     12:30pm      Jon Call  (Camp Songs)

Sponsored by Quirk Chevrolet and the Maine Red Claws

The Boxcar Children

Orphaned in the midst of the Great Depression, the Alden children are determined to stick together. Afraid that adults will split them up, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny set off to make their own way in the world. They create a home in an abandoned boxcar, but how long can they get by on grit and loyalty alone? Get to know the Alden children in a series of vignettes based on the first book in The Boxcar Children series. $8/person for members, $9/person for visitors. See the play and stay to play for $15. Ask about our flex passes! Reservations recommended.

Friends of Eastern Promenade Concert Series

Thursday, August 30 – 7:00 PM Royal Hammer (Roots Reggae) sponsored by Portland Maine Rentals

Award winning Author, Philip Hoose

Join us in welcoming National Book Award-winning author, Philip Hoose, for a reading, slideshow presentation and discussion to celebrate the release of Moonbird. As always, Longfellow Books events are free and open to the public.

“Meticulously researched and told with inspiring prose and stirring images, this is a gripping, triumphant story of science and survival.” -Kirkus Reviews

Weekday Music Series – 7/27 CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN

Weekday Music Series - Fridays, Noon -1pm
Post Office Park, July 13, 20, 27
Congress Square, August 3, 10, 17
Take a break from your busy work day to hear music from up-and-coming local bands!

July 13 Brian Patricks

July 20 Stan Davis

July 27 David Good - CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN

August 3 Heather Pearson

August 10 Rick Colella

August 17 Pitch Black Ribbons

Jazz Brunch with Sean Mencher

EVERY SUNDAY, enjoy Local Sprouts delicious brunch menu with some jazz on the side.

The Boxcar Children

Orphaned in the midst of the Great Depression, the Alden children are determined to stick together. Afraid that adults will split them up, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny set off to make their own way in the world. They create a home in an abandoned boxcar, but how long can they get by on grit and loyalty alone? Get to know the Alden children in a series of vignettes based on the first book in The Boxcar Children series. $8/person for members, $9/person for visitors. See the play and stay to play for $15. Ask about our flex passes! Reservations recommended.

Macbeth in Deering Oaks Park

Fenix Theatre presents Shakespeare's Macbeth

Friday and Saturday Nights at Deering Oaks     

July 20th-August 11th at 6:30

Look for us between the bandstand and the bridge

Spirits Alive: Cemetery Tour

Saturdays: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Sundays: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
$7 per person, seniors and students $4, children under 12 free

It's summer, and that means guided tours through the cemetery! Learn about the types of stones, some of the stories of those who are interred, and some fun facts about burial grounds and funerary customs. The terrain is uneven, the sun can be warm, and the wind can be cool, so wear layers and appropriate footwear. You can pre-register by emailing sa@spiritsalive.org but it's not required. Check the Twitter feed on our website for cancellations due to weather.

The Boxcar Children

Orphaned in the midst of the Great Depression, the Alden children are determined to stick together. Afraid that adults will split them up, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny set off to make their own way in the world. They create a home in an abandoned boxcar, but how long can they get by on grit and loyalty alone? Get to know the Alden children in a series of vignettes based on the first book in The Boxcar Children series. $8/person for members, $9/person for visitors. See the play and stay to play for $15. Ask about our flex passes! Reservations recommended.

The Boxcar Children

Orphaned in the midst of the Great Depression, the Alden children are determined to stick together. Afraid that adults will split them up, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny set off to make their own way in the world. They create a home in an abandoned boxcar, but how long can they get by on grit and loyalty alone? Get to know the Alden children in a series of vignettes based on the first book in The Boxcar Children series. $8/person for members, $9/person for visitors. See the play and stay to play for $15. Ask about our flex passes! Reservations recommended.

Spirits Alive: Cemetery Tour

Saturdays: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Sundays: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
$7 per person, seniors and students $4, children under 12 free

It's summer, and that means guided tours through the cemetery! Learn about the types of stones, some of the stories of those who are interred, and some fun facts about burial grounds and funerary customs. The terrain is uneven, the sun can be warm, and the wind can be cool, so wear layers and appropriate footwear. You can pre-register by emailing sa@spiritsalive.org but it's not required. Check the Twitter feed on our website for cancellations due to weather.

The Boxcar Children

Orphaned in the midst of the Great Depression, the Alden children are determined to stick together. Afraid that adults will split them up, Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny set off to make their own way in the world. They create a home in an abandoned boxcar, but how long can they get by on grit and loyalty alone? Get to know the Alden children in a series of vignettes based on the first book in The Boxcar Children series. $8/person for members, $9/person for visitors. See the play and stay to play for $15. Ask about our flex passes! Reservations recommended.

Sea Dogs Home Game