Upcoming Events

Describing Black folks’ hair, writer and philosopher bell hooks once said, “our hair feels like flower petals.” She was discussing language and its power to liberate — its power to generate narratives around Black identity that communicate beauty within a society where minstrel images and racial stereotypes run rampant. When Steph Davis heard her say “our hair feels like flower petals,”  they reached up to touch their own hair. Running their fingers through their 4C coils, they smiled when they agreed with her; our hair feels like flower petals. Internalizing this powerful description helped to shift how they view themself.

like flower petals… aims to shift how some people view the marimba. Though the marimba has a rich history rooted on the African continent, much of the marimba repertoire in the West emphasizes white Euro-American contributions while simultaneously ignoring the music of African-descended people and cultures. Combining arrangements of 1) traditional and contemporary West African gyil music, 2) African American spirituals and the Hush Arbor tradition, and 3) contemporary classical works by Black composers, this program engages Africanity as a lens through which to conceptualize and listen to the marimba.

Photo by Lauren Miller

Portraits of Spirituals is a free workshop/performance led by Steph Davis that explores the music/culture of African American spirituals as arranged for marimba. Centered around principles of dignity, connectivity, and liberation, participants will have the opportunity to engage with traditional music, the Hush Arbor tradition, and African American quilt making.

Participants will learn, listen, and participate in a hands-on quilt decorating session. Recommended for ages 7+. This workshop was developed in collaboration with Castle of our Skins.

Photo by Robert Torres (Celebrity Series of Boston)

Sharks and Jellies and Penguins, oh my! 

Join Heidi and Sam of Barefoot Puppet Theatre for some “old-school” shadow puppetry. Participants will work with simple materials and colorful gels to create and manipulate shadow puppets. Participants will be able to take home the puppets and a handful of tips and tricks to continue making theatre at home. 

Best for ages 8 and up, including adults! Younger children are welcome but may need adult assistance.

Who is George? He’s a tortoise, a giant Galapagos tortoise! Watch George grow up among lizards, sea turtles, and sea lions, along with hungry goats and dancing birds with blue feet. This show tells the true story of the last tortoise to be found on Pinta Island in the Galapagos archipelago.

Touring from Virginia, Barefoot Puppet Theatre brings us an “uplifting eco-fable,” as described by The Smithsonian, that shares an important lesson about humans’ impact on the environment. This adorable show was awarded the UNIMA Citation of Excellence in 2005, the highest American honor in puppetry arts.

If you love animals, tortoises, the environment, and adorable puppets, Galapagos George is the show for you! You’ll fall in love with these islands…and this not-so-little tortoise.

Save the date for A Taste of Nations Food Festival at Mayo Street Arts, in collaboration with Fork Food Labs!

During this afternoon of flavors, participants are invited to ‘taste’ succulent and sizzling bites from a custom menu featuring local vendors from both national and international backgrounds. Each taste is only $5! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options will be available.

In addition to sampling delectable foods, entrants can enjoy curated libations and an art installation by the residents and staff of the Portland Housing Authority. There will be live DJ sets by multiple artists, including Sergio Cahueque of WMPG’s Our Latin Thing.

Save the date for A Taste of Nations Food Festival at Mayo Street Arts, in collaboration with Fork Food Labs!

During this afternoon of flavors, participants are invited to ‘taste’ succulent and sizzling bites from a custom menu featuring local vendors from both national and international backgrounds. Each taste is only $5! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options will be available.

In addition to sampling delectable foods, entrants can enjoy curated libations and an art installation by the residents and staff of the Portland Housing Authority. There will be live DJ sets by multiple artists, including Sergio Cahueque of WMPG’s Our Latin Thing.

Save the date for A Taste of Nations Food Festival at Mayo Street Arts, in collaboration with Fork Food Labs!

During this afternoon of flavors, participants are invited to ‘taste’ succulent and sizzling bites from a custom menu featuring local vendors from both national and international backgrounds. Each taste is only $5! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options will be available.

In addition to sampling delectable foods, entrants can enjoy curated libations and an art installation by the residents and staff of the Portland Housing Authority. There will be live DJ sets by multiple artists, including Sergio Cahueque of WMPG’s Our Latin Thing.

Save the date for A Taste of Nations Food Festival at Mayo Street Arts, in collaboration with Fork Food Labs!

During this afternoon of flavors, participants are invited to ‘taste’ succulent and sizzling bites from a custom menu featuring local vendors from both national and international backgrounds. Each taste is only $5! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options will be available.

In addition to sampling delectable foods, entrants can enjoy curated libations and an art installation by the residents and staff of the Portland Housing Authority. There will be live DJ sets by multiple artists, including Sergio Cahueque of WMPG’s Our Latin Thing.

Save the date for A Taste of Nations Food Festival at Mayo Street Arts, in collaboration with Fork Food Labs!

During this afternoon of flavors, participants are invited to ‘taste’ succulent and sizzling bites from a custom menu featuring local vendors from both national and international backgrounds. Each taste is only $5! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options will be available.

In addition to sampling delectable foods, entrants can enjoy curated libations and an art installation by the residents and staff of the Portland Housing Authority. There will be live DJ sets by multiple artists, including Sergio Cahueque of WMPG’s Our Latin Thing.

Save the date for A Taste of Nations Food Festival at Mayo Street Arts, in collaboration with Fork Food Labs!

During this afternoon of flavors, participants are invited to ‘taste’ succulent and sizzling bites from a custom menu featuring local vendors from both national and international backgrounds. Each taste is only $5! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options will be available.

In addition to sampling delectable foods, entrants can enjoy curated libations and an art installation by the residents and staff of the Portland Housing Authority. There will be live DJ sets by multiple artists, including Sergio Cahueque of WMPG’s Our Latin Thing.

Ahoy! Sea witches from the Midcoast join Portland’s premier pirate band fer a nautical-themed party like none ye’ve ever seen afore.

The Mermaids are a captivating trio hailing from Midcoast Maine. Their music takes listeners on a dreamy, theatrical, and fun adventure at sea, blending rich three-part vocal harmony with a modern folk sensibility to deliver fresh takes on sea shanties, covers, and original songs.

The Shank Painters are a pirate-themed folk music trio based in Portland, Maine. The band’s repertoire consists of Shanties – a variety of mostly nautical classic folk songs with catchy sing-along refrains, beloved by children and rowdy drunks alike. These works are treasures of history, preserving the travails and spirit from centuries of seafaring culture.

Come one come all fer this festive evenin’ o’ chantey, dance, ‘n drink!

Avner weaves a spell of poetic simplicity. He will entrance, amaze, and amuse you in a show of hilarious predicaments.

Hailed as one of the greatest clowns of all time, Avner Eisenberg is often a featured performer in comedy, magic, clown, and theatre festivals. He also teaches clowning and Eccentric Performing. Avner is a certified Ericksonian hypnotist and the curator of this night of oddities.

At this specific spectacle, Avner is joined by miniature theater legend and opera singer, David Worobec of Tophat Productions and magician Peter Boie!  

Do not miss these three artists showcasing their unconventional talent.

Cat and Mouse is the adventurous sonic dialogue between trumpet player/composer Nicole Rampersaud and percussionist/composer Brian Shankar Adler.

Before the performance, Nicole and Brian will lead the audience in a guided listening walk through the Kennedy Park neighborhood followed by a reflective sharing about what was heard. Within the performance, Cat and Mouse will create a short piece of music (in real-time) based on the sounds of the neighborhood. 

Combining brass, electronics, and a hybrid drum set that includes North Indian tabla, Argentine bombo legüero, and various found objects, the two create new connections between raga, experimental music, and more.

Katherine Fahey is a multidisciplinary artist who employs various crafts, combining intricate papercutting, ethereal shadow puppetry, music, and engaging storytelling. 

Known as the Jane Appleseed or matron saint of crankies* Katherine has toured performing and teaching her craft nationwide. Her pieces are based on tunes and tales as far-reaching as the southern swamps of Louisiana and the northern reaches of Inuit Quebec.  The crankies are performed as tabletop performance.

Joining Katherine will be her performance partner puppeteer and foley artist Dan Van Allen.

*Crankies are a form of visual performance, involving a cranked scroll of artwork usually presented inside a box.