Community Calendar

The event begins on the Library's lawn with the Presentation of the Colors by the Color Guard of Massabesic High School with military music performed by members of the award-winning Biddeford High School Band. This will be followed by a talk given by Capt Don Chretien, a native of Biddeford who flew 560 combat missions as a pilot of a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. Q&A will follow.

The Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center invites you to an art opening on Friday, May 2, from 4 PM to 6 PM to celebrate Leaps of Imagination’s student artists from Rockland and Rockport schools, and student artists from Riley School. Also come view Sara J. Cary's works on the interplay of art and science.
Leaps of Imagination, will showcase work they have done with students at South School. The fourth grade exhibit, “Connecting to the Land,” features collaborative landscape paintings inspired by Wheeler Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The fifth grade exhibit, “Spreading our Wings: Stepping into our Collective Power,” These young artists realized the commonalities between an eleven year girl who led the largest women’s walkout in New York garment factories for fair working conditions (1909) and birds flocking together for self-preservation.
Riley School in Rockport is exhibiting, “The Art of Observation.” Students explored the diverse ecosystems across midcoast Maine during Ecology Week. This exhibit shows you these ecosystems through the eyes of young naturalists and artists, blending scientific discovery with creative expression.
Sara J. Cary’s exhibit, “Images of Science and Nature,” explores the beauty of nature through detailed photography and illustration. Each piece captures the quiet wonders of the natural world - patterns on an insect’s wing, the ecology of a forest floor, and the flowing forms of kelp, revealing the intricate rhythms that surround us.
The visitor center is located at 9 Water Street in Rockland. For more information, visit the website, mainecoastislands.org/events or email info@mainecoastislands.org.

Portland’s First Friday Art Walk is a free self-guided tour of art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. Its mission is to open the doors of Portland’s visual arts community by joining together and introducing a wider audience to the unique vitality of the artists and venues of Portland, promoting interest with non-exclusivity and easy-access, thereby strengthening the arts and community through diversity and celebration.

The Union of Maine Visual Artists (UMVA) presents “Washed Away,” an exhibition of work by 60 artists that addresses change from environmental and personal perspectives as accelerated changes impact the world as we know it, or used to know it. The show at the Portland Public Library runs from May 2 to June 28, 2025. An artists’ reception will be held First Friday, May 2nd from 5 to 7 pm. Noted art curator, critic, and author Carl Little, recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award in art writing by the Rabkin Foundation, has juried the show and will give a gallery talk on Friday, June 6 at 5:30 pm. The Gulf of Maine Research Institute will present “Coastal Flooding: Understanding Local Impacts through Science and Art” on Thursday, June 12th at 5:30 pm in the Library Auditorium. All events are free and open to the public. The show is sponsored by Green Clean Maine.

Over 100 artists responded to the request for work in a variety of media, including painting, photography, mixed media, video, digital and 3-D works. Of the artists chosen, notable names include Kimberly Callas, Kenny Cole, Rebecca Goodale, Nina Jerome, Lin Lisberger, Lesia Sochor, Barbara Sullivan, Anita Clearfield and Nora Tryon. Judith Greene-Janse is the chairperson for the exhibition.

I am finding that the use of my voice in a playful way does wonders to support my inner Spirit...
You might feel this way, too?!

You are invited to an Improvisational Song/Sound Circle!

Every other Monday:
April 21
May 5
May 19
June 2

5:30 - 6:30ish (pm)
Bandstand on the Eastern Prom in Portland, Maine.

We'll be a weaving of folks playing Sound Games!

Come play, connect, and find common ground. In a time when tensions can run high, Girl Scout Troop 1274 is creating a space where everyone in our community can come together — no strings attached, just good old-fashioned fun.

Join us for a free Bingo Night designed to bring people of all ages and backgrounds to the same table. Whether you're a neighbor, classmate, parent, grandparent, or newcomer, you'll leave with a few laughs, a full candy bowl, and maybe even a new friend.

✨ What to expect:
🎲 Free rounds of classic Bingo
🍬 "Candy Salad" at each table — bring your favorite childhood candy to toss in and share
💬 Opportunities to chat, connect, and build community
🏆 Prizes & sweet treats

This event is free to attend, but space is limited — please reserve your spot in advance. Bring your favorite candy from your childhood to share and your best Bingo game face. We can't wait to see you there!

Join us for an entertaining evening at the Second Annual Westbrook Discovered Gala! This event will take place on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The gala promises to be a night filled with elegance, entertainment, and a celebration of our vibrant downtown community.

Attendees will have the opportunity to indulge in Westbrook cuisine, enjoy live music presented by Plush, and participate in a local business raffle!

Tickets for this exclusive event are priced at $75.00 per person, with all proceeds benefiting Discover Downtown Westbrook initiatives. Your support will help us continue our mission to promote, enhance, and showcase the unique charm and offerings of our downtown district.

Don’t miss this opportunity to mingle with fellow community members, business owners, and supporters while contributing to a worthy cause. Dress to impress and prepare for an unforgettable night in the heart of Westbrook.

Tickets for this exclusive event are on sale NOW!

The 110 voice Portland Community Chorus (PCC) will perform its spring concert "Life is Beautiful" on Friday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 3, at 2:00 p.m. at South Portland High School Auditorium, 637 Highland Avenue, South Portland. This concert program, directed by Camille Saucier, will feature Dan Forrest's "Requiem for the Living", a powerful work for choir and chamber orchestra.

Other pieces on the program include Bridge Over Troubled Water, Strawberry Kisses, and compositions by Leonard Bernstein and Randall Stroope.
PCC's Outreach Choir will also perform.

Suggested donation for these concerts is $15.00. Payment is accepted at the door or in advance by Venmo or PayPal at https://www.portlandcommunitychorus.org/donate.

Camille Saucier has been the Artistic Director of PCC since 2020.

MORE:
The 110 auditioned voice Portland Community Chorus (PCC) will present a concert that embraces the full spectrum of life's journey with repertoire that explores joy, sorrow, humor, and wonder. Anchoring the program is Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’, a powerful work for choir and chamber orchestra.

Dan Forrest (b 1978) is an award-winning, prolific composer of works for choral and instrumental groups. His Requiem for the Living premiered in Carnegie Hall in 2016 and continues to be performed and revered by singers and audiences throughout the world. It is admired for its contemplative perspective on life, memory, and hope, while incorporating some of the texts used in more traditional requiems.

Complementing this profound centerpiece is a the lighthearted "Life is Happiness Indeed," a selection from Leonard Bernstein’s Candide.
Another featured piece is "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Paul Simon.

The combined works speak to the rich tapestry of human experience. Come and celebrate with us the beauty of life in all its forms.

2025 Walk to End Bladder Cancer
No One Walks Alone

The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) is pleased to announce our 2025 Walk to End Bladder Cancer registration will open Oct 1, 2024!
In-person walk events will take place in select cities throughout April and May.
REGISTER for FREE at www.bcanwalk.org

1. Build your team and start fundraising today.

2. Everyone who registers and raises $100 or more will receive the 2025 commemorative Walk T-shirt.

3. Raise $250 or more and win incentive-based prizes. The more you raise, the more valuable prize options you can select from.

4. Download the Walk with BCAN app. Take your fundraising experience on the go! Do everything from your phone that you can do in your Participant Center, plus text, post to social, and email from your phone's address book – all from the palm of your hand.

Your participation in the Walk to End Bladder Cancer accomplishes several things: Critical funds raised help BCAN raise awareness about bladder cancer, one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S., provides resources for people living with this disease, and supports much-needed bladder cancer research.

Questions? Contact BCAN at walk@bcan.org or 301-215-9099.
Learn more about the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network by visiting bcan.org.

We are hosting our 6th annual Run to Belong 5k - Run/Walk/Kids Fun Run. There are in person and virtual options available.

We are raising money to host our week of camp for siblings that are separated by foster care, adoption or other out-of-home placements throughout the state of Maine. We strive to provide Maine youth separated by foster and/or adoptive care with shared experiences and memories; and to empower them to advocate for themselves and their siblings."