Events at this location

Join little house dance for their 6th Creation Lab at Mechanics’ Hall. Each Lab brings a different energy and a unique cohort of movers and artists together. Through daily class, improvisation labs, repertoire, and movement prompts they spend the week engaging in different components of the little house creative process and arrive somewhere new. Over the course of the week build a movement score together followed by an open studio sharing on the final day that is open to the public.

This Creation Lab is designed for pre professional and professional dancers and movement artists. Participants must be 17+ to attend.

LEARN MORE & SIGN UP HERE

Ease into Mondays with Quiet Nights: A Book Club at Mechanics’ Hall.

Quiet Nights aims for the sheer pleasure of reading without the weight of obligatory discussions or deadlines. It’s about cultivating community and granting oneself the time and space to read in the serenity of Portland’s most enchanting Library.

An introvert’s haven, we’ll initially gather to greet and welcome each other, pouring tea and reconnecting with old and new friends. Then, a peaceful hush will prevail as we read silently for an hour. As the evening draws closer, we’ll indulge in some social time. Registration is required.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

A monthly gathering in our library to discuss books and big ideas. This January, we’re reading “One Goal” by Amy Bass

The Mechanics’ Hall Book Discussion group meets to chat about books by exceptional thinkers and artists.

Everyone is welcome, and ongoing attendance is not required. The group is free for Mechanics’ Hall Members.

Curious about the group but not a Mechanics’ Hall member? You’re invited to stop by! If you like what you hear, consider becoming a member.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Yeehaw! Community icon Robyn Nicole (yep, of Queer Makers’ Market fame) is taking over the Hall with three drop-in line-dancing sessions. You’re absolutely invited for zero pressure, maximum silliness, and a sweet little reset with new friends.

This line dance class is geared toward absolute beginners in line dance, people who haven’t danced since they were six, and people who are nervous to dance now that they are adults. Participants need no prior dance education or special attire, just an open mind and a willingness to be gentle with themselves while they learn something new. This class is open to all ages and abilities (listener discretion may be advised based on some music choices).

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

$7 member, $10 general admission

No one turned away for lack of funds at the door

Drop-in casual office hours from 11-12 on the first Thursday of every month! Come talk about writing goals, ideas, craft questions, or anything literary related and beyond! No sign-up necessary.

Mira Ptacin is Mechanics Hall’s Inaugural Writer in Residence. Think of the office hours as a writer’s drop-in clinic, where anyone curious about writing can find a bit of guidance, a listening ear, or just a reason to show up and talk about the art of storytelling.

No registration required. Free and open to the public.

Ease into Mondays with Quiet Nights: A Book Club at Mechanics’ Hall.

Quiet Nights aims for the sheer pleasure of reading without the weight of obligatory discussions or deadlines. It’s about cultivating community and granting oneself the time and space to read in the serenity of Portland’s most enchanting Library.

An introvert’s haven, we’ll initially gather to greet and welcome each other, pouring tea and reconnecting with old and new friends. Then, a peaceful hush will prevail as we read silently for an hour. As the evening draws closer, we’ll indulge in some social time. Registration is required.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

A cozy library concert with the Maine-based acoustic string trio, blending traditional folk styles with eclectic interpretations.

Yard Sauce is an acoustic string trio featuring Chris Moore (mandolins and vocals), Jeff Christmas (guitar and vocals), and Callie Brennan (fiddle and vocals). Their dynamic live performances draw from the group’s eclectic musical tastes, diverse regional traditional music influences, and a deep catalog of original songs. Old-time, bluegrass, country, and folk traditions (including traditional Shaker music) are all part of the mix in every live set. The trio trades off on lead vocal and harmony duties, delivering arrangements of traditional and original tunes with their distinctive, down-to-earth authenticity combined with virtuosic instrumental skills.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

ABOUT THE SERIES

Inspired by a certain well-known desk-based concert series, the Mechanics’ Hall Tiny Circulation Desk brings the same stripped-down, close-up energy, with more library cards and fewer office supplies.

Equal parts cozy hangout and low-key listening room, this weeknight series transforms the Mechanics’ Hall Library into one of Portland’s most intimate and unexpected music venues.

Filmed by the Portland Media Center, each concert feels like a live demo, a secret show, and a community gathering all at once. Tea and libations provided.

Ease into Mondays with Quiet Nights: A Book Club at Mechanics’ Hall.

Quiet Nights aims for the sheer pleasure of reading without the weight of obligatory discussions or deadlines. It’s about cultivating community and granting oneself the time and space to read in the serenity of Portland’s most enchanting Library.

An introvert’s haven, we’ll initially gather to greet and welcome each other, pouring tea and reconnecting with old and new friends. Then, a peaceful hush will prevail as we read silently for an hour. As the evening draws closer, we’ll indulge in some social time. Registration is required.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

It’s cold outside! Warm up at Mechanics’ Hall and participate in our first of three contra dances this winter.

For those who may not know… Contra is a social dance built around simple, repeating patterns, live music, and a lot of partner changes. Dancers form long lines, move together, and meet many people over the course of the night.

This dance will take place in our historic ballroom, with amazing live music by Stomp Rocket and calling by Dugan Murphy.

All ages and dance levels are welcome (the beginner’s lesson starts at 7 PM). Come alone or with friends!

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

Tickets are $15 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $20 for General Admission; no one turned away for lack of funds at the door

The 1st of two Community Plate potlucks in Portland in 2026! Join us to share food & stories, plus a fun Conversation & Connection hour!

Community Plate and Mechanics’ Hall invite you to join us for our second annual Stews & Stories Potluck Supper, an engaging evening of connection through shared food and storytelling.

Winter in Maine is a time when we all crave comfort and warmth, and nothing says that like a hearty stew and a heartfelt story. Our story prompts and storytellers for the evening will explore ideas of comfort and warmth, and we’ll sit down to a meal that will echo these themes. When you’re considering what to bring, stews, soups, and warm bread may top your list, but feel free to bring any dish that warms you, nourishing your body, your spirit — or both!

Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $20.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Start your day with a morning figure drawing session in the sunlit grand ballroom of Mechanics’ Hall.

Enjoy live music while savoring [free] tea, snacks, and Tandem coffee. Bring your materials, or borrow from our supplies.

Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, embrace the joy of drawing a live model in a vibrant community. All are welcome.

Tickets are on a sliding scale; please pay what you can afford. No one turned away for lack of funds.

The drawing session begins at 11:00 AM, and doors open at 10:45 AM.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

Ease into Mondays with Quiet Nights: A Book Club at Mechanics’ Hall.

Quiet Nights aims for the sheer pleasure of reading without the weight of obligatory discussions or deadlines. It’s about cultivating community and granting oneself the time and space to read in the serenity of Portland’s most enchanting Library.

An introvert’s haven, we’ll initially gather to greet and welcome each other, pouring tea and reconnecting with old and new friends. Then, a peaceful hush will prevail as we read silently for an hour. As the evening draws closer, we’ll indulge in some social time. Registration is required.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

A monthly gathering in our library to discuss books and big ideas. This February, we’re reading “James” by Percival Everett

The Mechanics’ Hall Book Discussion group meets to chat about books by exceptional thinkers and artists.

Everyone is welcome, and ongoing attendance is not required. The group is free for Mechanics’ Hall Members.

Curious about the group but not a Mechanics’ Hall member? You’re invited to stop by! If you like what you hear, consider becoming a member.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Yeehaw! Community icon Robyn Nicole (yep, of Queer Makers’ Market fame) is taking over the Hall with three drop-in line-dancing sessions. You’re absolutely invited for zero pressure, maximum silliness, and a sweet little reset with new friends.

This line dance class is geared toward absolute beginners in line dance, people who haven’t danced since they were six, and people who are nervous to dance now that they are adults. Participants need no prior dance education or special attire, just an open mind and a willingness to be gentle with themselves while they learn something new. This class is open to all ages and abilities (listener discretion may be advised based on some music choices).

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

$7 member, $10 general admission

No one turned away for lack of funds at the door

Mechanics’ Hall & Back Cove Books present the launch of Emily Nemens’  new book CLUTCH, and a conversation with the author and Nick Fuller Googins.

Emily Nemens spent over a decade editing literary quarterlies, including leading The Paris Review and serving as co-editor and prose editor of The Southern Review. Nick Fuller Googins is the author of the novels, The Frequency of Living Things and The Great Transition. His short fiction and essays have appeared in The Paris Review, Men’s Health, The Sun, The Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere.

Clutch follows a group of five women, friends for twenty years, as they navigate the biggest challenges of their lives, asking: When you’re hanging on by your fingernails, how can you extend a hand to the ones you love?

As undergrads, Reba, Hillary, Carson, Gregg, and Bella formed the kind of rare bond that college brochures promise—friendship that lasts a lifetime. Two decades later, the women are spread across the country but remain firmly tethered through their ever-unfurling group chat. They’ve made it through COVID and childbirth and midcareer challenges, but no one can anticipate what’s coming down the pike.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

Drop-in casual office hours from 11-12 on the first Thursday of every month! Come talk about writing goals, ideas, craft questions, or anything literary related and beyond! No sign-up necessary.

Mira Ptacin is Mechanics Hall’s Inaugural Writer in Residence. Think of the office hours as a writer’s drop-in clinic, where anyone curious about writing can find a bit of guidance, a listening ear, or just a reason to show up and talk about the art of storytelling.

No registration required. Free and open to the public.

Ease into Mondays with Quiet Nights: A Book Club at Mechanics’ Hall.

Quiet Nights aims for the sheer pleasure of reading without the weight of obligatory discussions or deadlines. It’s about cultivating community and granting oneself the time and space to read in the serenity of Portland’s most enchanting Library.

An introvert’s haven, we’ll initially gather to greet and welcome each other, pouring tea and reconnecting with old and new friends. Then, a peaceful hush will prevail as we read silently for an hour. As the evening draws closer, we’ll indulge in some social time. Registration is required.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Too often, queer relationships are relegated to “close friendships,” “roommates,” even “gal pals.” This Valentine’s Day, in support of the Close Friend Collective’s archival initiative, we’re reclaiming queer connection and love, bringing our close friends, partners, spouses, loved ones, roommates, besties, and fellow community members together to revel in a history left untold.

Join us to hear historical queer love letters from the Close Friends archive, read by some of your favorite Maine authors. Then, take a moment to add to the rich history of queer writing by crafting your own letter to someone you love.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

$7 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $10 for General Admission. Saturday, February 14, at 6:00 PM (doors 5:30 PM), approximately 60 minutes.

The Rhinestone Cowboy Corral (Line Dancing Party) will immediately follow the readings, starting at 7:00 PM in the Ballroom, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages provided by Cocktail Mary!

Yeehaw! It’s a Valentine’s Day Line Dance PARTY!

Western wear and costumes are highly encouraged. Robyn is leading the dancing– expect specific line dances, waltzes, and breaks for mingling/regular dancing.

Cocktail Mary is slinging non-alcoholic and alcoholic libations.

There will be matchmaking, a Ferdinand pop-up, and live chainstitching by Amanda Conda.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

$12 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $15 for General Admission. There is a $3 surcharge at the door.

Don’t miss To Sleep on the Same Pillow (A Queer Love Letter Reading Event) in our library at 6:00 PM, right before the party!

POETS, MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, CRAFTERS, JAMMERS, DANCERS, MAKERS, INNOVATORS OF ALL AGES & CREATIVE VARIATIONS . . .

Join us for an evening of experimenting & on-the-spot creation. Share what you’re working on or about your creative process and be in sweet community with inspiring local creatives.

Hosted By Marco Soulo + Signature MiMi

3rd Wednesdays of the month, 6:00 – 9:00 PM. No registration required,

Learn more and sign up for an open mic slot here.

Ease into Mondays with Quiet Nights: A Book Club at Mechanics’ Hall.

Quiet Nights aims for the sheer pleasure of reading without the weight of obligatory discussions or deadlines. It’s about cultivating community and granting oneself the time and space to read in the serenity of Portland’s most enchanting Library.

An introvert’s haven, we’ll initially gather to greet and welcome each other, pouring tea and reconnecting with old and new friends. Then, a peaceful hush will prevail as we read silently for an hour. As the evening draws closer, we’ll indulge in some social time. Registration is required.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

It’s cold outside! Warm up at Mechanics’ Hall and participate in our second of three contra dances this winter.

For those who may not know… Contra is a social dance built around simple, repeating patterns, live music, and a lot of partner changes. Dancers form long lines, move together, and meet many people over the course of the night.

This dance will take place in our historic ballroom, with amazing live music by Springtide and calling by Hannah Chamberlain.

All ages and dance levels are welcome (the beginner’s lesson starts at 7 PM). Come alone or with friends!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Tickets are $15 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $20 for General Admission; no one turned away for lack of funds at the door

The 2nd of two Community Plate potlucks in Portland in 2026! Join us to share food & stories, plus a fun Conversation & Connection hour!

Community Plate and Mechanics’ Hall invite you to join us for our second annual Stews & Stories Potluck Supper, an engaging evening of connection through shared food and storytelling.

Winter in Maine is a time when we all crave comfort and warmth, and nothing says that like a hearty stew and a heartfelt story. Our story prompts and storytellers for the evening will explore ideas of comfort and warmth, and we’ll sit down to a meal that will echo these themes. When you’re considering what to bring, stews, soups, and warm bread may top your list, but feel free to bring any dish that warms you, nourishing your body, your spirit — or both!

Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $20.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Sound Meadow is a soothing balm in a burning world. It’s an aura that the public can enter and sit or lay, or stand for minutes or hours.

Musicians Bee Daniel, Mindy Stock (Virusse), Christy Armstrong (@the.sluagh), Void, Hana Zoe (Rooted), and Iris M (Greef) will share 30-minute pieces of minimal music written with the concept of *healing* in mind. Each musician will play their set twice over the five hour period.

In addition to reverberating music, plant installations will beautify the Ballroom. There is space for reclined listening [floor cushions, pillows, and mats] and soothing herbal tea provided.

The public is invited to come and spend time quietly in the installation for as long as they would like.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

A monthly gathering in our library to discuss books and big ideas. This March, we’re reading “The CIA Book Club” by Charlie English

The Mechanics’ Hall Book Discussion group meets to chat about books by exceptional thinkers and artists.

Everyone is welcome, and ongoing attendance is not required. The group is free for Mechanics’ Hall Members.

Curious about the group but not a Mechanics’ Hall member? You’re invited to stop by! If you like what you hear, consider becoming a member.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Drop-in casual office hours from 11-12 on the first Thursday of every month! Come talk about writing goals, ideas, craft questions, or anything literary related and beyond! No sign-up necessary.

Mira Ptacin is Mechanics Hall’s Inaugural Writer in Residence. Think of the office hours as a writer’s drop-in clinic, where anyone curious about writing can find a bit of guidance, a listening ear, or just a reason to show up and talk about the art of storytelling.

No registration required. Free and open to the public.

Contemporary dance is for everyone. There’s no wrong way to watch.

Set to gorgeous original music composed by Marc Bartissol and Courtney Swain, i am an impossible thing oscillates between tension, release, and breath. Where words end, movement and sensation begin. Come curious.

“i am an impossible thing seeks to make the marks that are left behind by addiction and recovery visible. The work traverses states of physical discomfort and duration and is deliberate in its expression of addiction and mental illness as an ongoing, unrelenting process.”

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

Friday, March 13 & Saturday, March 14 at 8:00 PM. $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for general admission, and $35 for reserved seating. There is a $3 surcharge at the door.

Contemporary dance is for everyone. There’s no wrong way to watch.

Set to gorgeous original music composed by Marc Bartissol and Courtney Swain, i am an impossible thing oscillates between tension, release, and breath. Where words end, movement and sensation begin. Come curious.

“i am an impossible thing seeks to make the marks that are left behind by addiction and recovery visible. The work traverses states of physical discomfort and duration and is deliberate in its expression of addiction and mental illness as an ongoing, unrelenting process.”

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS HERE

Friday, March 13 & Saturday, March 14 at 8:00 PM. $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for general admission, and $35 for reserved seating. There is a $3 surcharge at the door.

POETS, MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, CRAFTERS, JAMMERS, DANCERS, MAKERS, INNOVATORS OF ALL AGES & CREATIVE VARIATIONS . . .

Join us for an evening of experimenting & on-the-spot creation. Share what you’re working on or about your creative process and be in sweet community with inspiring local creatives.

Hosted By Marco Soulo + Signature MiMi

3rd Wednesdays of the month, 6:00 – 9:00 PM. No registration required,

Learn more and sign up for an open mic slot here.

Mechanics’ Hall presents internationally renowned soloists Lily Neill (harp) and Clive Carroll (acoustic guitar) for an eclectic concert program, with rapport and spontaneity.

Mining an array of styles and traditions, all the way from 16th-century European court music through to Irish and Nordic melodies, their repertoire of original music, fiery dances, and bluesy airs proves genre-bending, thrilling listening.

Between them, harpist Lily Neill and guitarist Clive Carroll have performed around the world, from North America to the Far East and everywhere in between. Primarily known as soloists, their musical union extends from their love of music composition and a vast array of musical styles— from eat-your-heart-out blues, to fiery dances from Eastern Europe, beguiling Irish airs, jaunty Ragtime numbers, and Elizabethan lute classics.

To their duo, they bring all the intensity of their solo performances and more, conjuring a genre-bending orchestra from two modest plucked-string instruments.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKET HERE

Drop-in casual office hours from 11-12 on the first Thursday of every month! Come talk about writing goals, ideas, craft questions, or anything literary related and beyond! No sign-up necessary.

Mira Ptacin is Mechanics Hall’s Inaugural Writer in Residence. Think of the office hours as a writer’s drop-in clinic, where anyone curious about writing can find a bit of guidance, a listening ear, or just a reason to show up and talk about the art of storytelling.

No registration required. Free and open to the public.

POETS, MUSICIANS, ARTISTS, CRAFTERS, JAMMERS, DANCERS, MAKERS, INNOVATORS OF ALL AGES & CREATIVE VARIATIONS . . .

Join us for an evening of experimenting & on-the-spot creation. Share what you’re working on or about your creative process and be in sweet community with inspiring local creatives.

Hosted By Marco Soulo + Signature MiMi

3rd Wednesdays of the month, 6:00 – 9:00 PM. No registration required,

Learn more and sign up for an open mic slot here.

A monthly gathering in our library to discuss books and big ideas. This May, we’re reading “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett.

The Mechanics’ Hall Book Discussion group meets to chat about books by exceptional thinkers and artists.

Everyone is welcome, and ongoing attendance is not required. The group is free for Mechanics’ Hall Members.

Curious about the group but not a Mechanics’ Hall member? You’re invited to stop by! If you like what you hear, consider becoming a member.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE

Drop-in casual office hours from 11-12 on the first Thursday of every month! Come talk about writing goals, ideas, craft questions, or anything literary related and beyond! No sign-up necessary.

Mira Ptacin is Mechanics Hall’s Inaugural Writer in Residence. Think of the office hours as a writer’s drop-in clinic, where anyone curious about writing can find a bit of guidance, a listening ear, or just a reason to show up and talk about the art of storytelling.

No registration required. Free and open to the public.

All Roads Portland is a two-day festival & showcase of national and Maine music talent across multiple independent venues in and around Portland’s Arts District. All Roads’ mission is to provide local artists the opportunity to connect with first-class touring talent on their home turf, while celebrating the independent stages of Portland, Maine.

LEARN MORE HERE

All Roads Portland is a two-day festival & showcase of national and Maine music talent across multiple independent venues in and around Portland’s Arts District. All Roads’ mission is to provide local artists the opportunity to connect with first-class touring talent on their home turf, while celebrating the independent stages of Portland, Maine.

LEARN MORE HERE