Community Calendar

One of Yankee Magazine's top five cemetery tours in New England! Walk Portland's Old Burying Ground with a trained guide. Hallowed? Not officially. Historic? Absolutely. Haunted? You decide. Visit the cemetery's unique field of underground tombs, the oldest gravemarker from 1717, the final resting place of the famed Captains of the 1813 battle between the Boxer and the Enterprise, and the interesting carvings of Portland's first stone-cutter, Bartlett Adams. Tours include early gravestone art, important local historic figures, Portland's historic events, and the landscape of this National Historic Landmark, including segregated sections for Black people, Catholics, Quakers, and strangers. Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the ground is uneven once we leave the main pathway. Tours are held unless the weather is stormy.

Join us at our weekly Local Goods Market! Celebrate local food and community while supporting small businesses! Held every Thursday from 4–7pm, the Local Goods Market features hot food, beverages, baked goods, and specialty products from Fork Food Lab members and other Maine makers. The weekly event offers the community a chance to support local businesses, discover new favorites, and connect directly with the entrepreneurs shaping the future of Maine’s food economy. The market features free & easy parking and a great community. Shop small and be part of something big!

Fork Food Lab is a nonprofit food business incubator and shared commercial kitchen in South Portland, Maine that’s home to over 80 small businesses. Our mission is to support a just, diverse, and sustainable food economy by empowering food entrepreneurs with the space, resources, and community they need to thrive. Learn more at www.forkfoodlab.com

Mechanics’ Hall is proud to announce it has been awarded a 2025–2026 NEA Big Read grant — one of only 65 grants awarded nationwide by the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with Arts Midwest.

The series will launch on October 3rd, 2025, with a public book giveaway during First Friday at Congress Square Park.

Stop by the park from 5:00 to 7:00 PM for a free copy of the book. First-come, first-served.

NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

6×6 Exhibition & Open Studios Weekend

Presented by Running With Scissors Art Studios & Belleflower Brewing

Friday, October 3, 2025 | 5–7 PM
Belleflower Brewing | 66 Cove St, Portland
Kick off the weekend with the opening of the annual 6×6 Exhibition, featuring more than 30 small-format works (6″×6″×6″) created by Running With Scissors artists. Meet the makers, enjoy Belleflower craft beers and food trucks, and take home affordable, collectible art. The exhibit remains on view through November.

An exposition of photography concentrating on the instinctual, unpremeditated, reactive and spontaneous chance encounters and random incidents while creating visual narratives. This thought provoking exhibition features the work of eight distinguished photographers. Each artist brings a unique perspective to the timeless subject of human connection and self reflection.

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.

Our monthly evening paint ‘n’ sip workshops bring instructor Erika Elizabeth to the Gilley for a fun evening of learning and art. Students are guided step by step through the process of painting, with plenty of explanation and instruction along the way.

Each month has a different theme and inspiration-painting. For October it will be wildflowers with a dragonfly.

Sip on wine, tea or seltzer as part of this adults-only class, which is suitable for artists of all levels who are at least 21 years old. All materials and beverages provided.

Join us for (one hour) Trivia in the brewhouse with our friend Megh. The questions will commence every Friday starting promptly at 6 pm. We recommend arriving early to get settled as missed questions are not repeated. Tickets are free but reservations are strongly recommended as we've been packed recently! Walk-ins are not guaranteed a seat, but we'll absolutely do our best to squeeze you in, if we can. If you are making a reservation for your team, please account for all the members of your team. Groups can be up to six players. Bite Into Maine will be here for all of your tasty dinner or snacking needs. As always we’ll have delicious beer, wine, cider, and n/a bevs flowing. We can’t wait to see you and your fantastic team names!

FYI, as our brewhouse is a food production space, sadly dogs must stay on our covered patio.

The prizes are:
First - $75 gift card
Second - Fun merch pack
Third - Rotating "prize pack"

Belfast Flying Shoes presents the First Friday Community Dance and Contra Dance Series. 6:00 warm-up session for the All Comers Band, led by Willy Clemetson & Benjamin Foss and open to all musicians, instruments, and skill levels. Tune list available on the website. 6:30 Community Dance (Chrissy Fowler & Lisa Newcomb calling with music by the All Comers Band.) 8:00 Contra Dance with a guest caller & musicians (see calendar for details).

At the Fellowship Hall of the First Church in Belfast, UCC, 8 Court St, Belfast ME. Community Dance admission is $1 kids & $2 adults; Contra Dance admission is $15-20 (and includes admission to the Community Dance.) Volunteers who commit in advance get free admission. Masks available for those who wish to wear them.

For the BFS community care policy, First Friday FAQ, and more info on the contra schedule and other programs, volunteering, or other questions, visit: www.belfastflyingshoes.org or belfastflyingshoes@gmail.com.

Open Mic hosted every Friday evening with Paul Connor. Great musicians, great music. You will see a wide variety of musicians each week. Paul is a very organized and talented musician. He always draws lots of new and seasoned talents. You will enjoy the family of musicians. Cherished Pub has great food & beverages available. Come enjoy all of the great music, have fun and relax. Come early to sign-up to perform. See you there!