Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
Events at this location
october
01oct7:30 pmCaroline Cotter 'The Answer' Album Release7:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join us in the Mechanics' Hall library for a very special concert. Caroline Cotter will share songs and stories from her newest album The Answer. The Answer is collection of songs
Event Details
Join us in the Mechanics’ Hall library for a very special concert. Caroline Cotter will share songs and stories from her newest album The Answer.
The Answer is collection of songs written during Caroline’s “End of War Peace Tour;” a year of performances across the US, Germany, Japan, and Italy in 2025, accompanied by her Banner Gibson guitar, which was made by women during World War II. The tour honored the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, and continued carrying out the guitar’s mission of bringing beauty to a troubled world.
Ben Cosgrove on piano and accordion, Caleb Sweet on upright bass, and Dan Boyden on drums.
LEARN MORE AND GET TICKETS HERE
$20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for General Admission, $200 to Reserve the Couch. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Thursday) 7:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
06oct6:00 pm8:00 pmLearn to Line Dance6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Beginner-friendly, drop-in line dancing with Robyn! Zero pressure, all fun. First Tuesdays in the Mechanics’ Hall ballroom Yeehaw! Join Robyn for monthly line dancing at
Event Details
Beginner-friendly, drop-in line dancing with Robyn! Zero pressure, all fun. First Tuesdays in the Mechanics’ Hall ballroom
Yeehaw! Join Robyn for monthly line dancing at the Hall. 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 about dancing 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 AND GET TICKETS HERE
$7 for Mechanics’ Hall members, $10 for general admission
Time
(Tuesday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
07oct7:30 pmB.E. Farrow, Kafari, and Michael Kebede in Concert7:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Three skillful musicians combine their craft for a resonant night of strings and percussion in the Mechanics' Hall Ballroom. In their debut show together, B.E. Farrow, Kafari,
Event Details
Three skillful musicians combine their craft for a resonant night of strings and percussion in the Mechanics’ Hall Ballroom.
In their debut show together, B.E. Farrow, Kafari, and Michael Kebede blend fiddle, bones, and banjo to create a succulent soundscape rooted in the folk and jazz traditions these three talented musicians separately pursue.
Wednesday, October 7 at 7:30 PM (doors 7:00 PM). Tickets are $15 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $20 for General Admission, and $35 for Reserved Seating. There is a $5 surcharge the day of the show. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
08oct6:30 pmWriting Culture: A New England Salon6:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Please join us for an intimate gathering of writers who record culture in all its forms. Writing is solitary work, increasingly done at kitchen tables as opportunities in our field
Event Details
Please join us for an intimate gathering of writers who record culture in all its forms. Writing is solitary work, increasingly done at kitchen tables as opportunities in our field continue to shrink. One of the best things writers can do for one another is simply gather and nourish our work and ideas. Whether you are a novelist, newspaper reporter, freelance critic, essayist, or a writer for your local museum (or wish to be any of these things), you are warmly welcome to join us at this salon-style gathering.
Participating writers will include: Jorge Arango, a critic for the Portland Press Herald; Melaine Ferdinand-King, a cultural strategist, arts writer, and 2026 winner of the Rabkin Prize based in Rhode Island; Jori Finkel, a contributing writer for The New York Times and 2023 Rabkin Prize recipient; Nyamuon Nguany Machar (Moon), a spoken word poet, a teacher with the Telling Room and a mental health advocate; and Devon Zimmerman, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.
Facilitating the discussion is Jameson Johnson, founder and editor-in-chief of the Boston Art Review. Bold Magazine Shop will be on hand with a table of wonderful titles to peruse. Nibbles and drinks will be provided, too.
Free to the public, registration is required
Time
(Thursday) 6:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
10oct8:00 pm"Gray Space | Blue Skies" - A Marimba Ballet8:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Through the metaphors of "gray space" and "blue skies," this contemporary dance performance journey moves from melancholy reflection to a place of acceptance, unity, and joy.
Event Details
Through the metaphors of “gray space” and “blue skies,” this contemporary dance performance journey moves from melancholy reflection to a place of acceptance, unity, and joy. Choreographed by award-winning Jenny Oliver, the piece is performed by five dancers to live marimba and gyil music.
The original composition by critically acclaimed marimbist and cultural activist Steph Davis shapes the sonic landscape of the piece. The sounds of the marimba and gyil blend West African and African American traditions, expressed through a contemporary lens that journeys through themes of self-discovery, love, and surrendering.
With layered choreography and a transformative emotional arc, the dance dives into the inner dialogue of the conscious creative navigating the duality of societal and cultural expectations. This piece offers the audience an opportunity to reflect on the complexities of identity, self-expression, and community care.
Tickets are $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for general admission, and $35 for reserved seating. There is a $5 surcharge on the day of the event. No one is turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Saturday) 8:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
11oct11:00 am12:30 pmAccessing Memory through Movement and Music11:00 am - 12:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Learn about the the creative process of Davis & Oliver at this collaborative workshop, shaped by the people in the room. Accessing Memory through Movement
Event Details
Learn about the the creative process of Davis & Oliver at this collaborative workshop, shaped by the people in the room.
Accessing Memory through Movement and Music, is rooted in the idea that in many African languages, the words for music and dance are the same.
In this workshop, award-winning choreographer Jenny Oliver and critically acclaimed musician Steph Davis will guide participants back to the first forms of communication: movement and music.
Part dance class, part creative laboratory, this workshop invites participants into the process of Davis & Oliver. Inspired by a short podcast on creative world-building, we’ll use movement, writing, music, and playful prompts to explore repetition, imitation, stillness, and changing direction.
No previous experience is necessary.
$5 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $10 for General Admission. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Sunday) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
13oct7:00 pmBooked: From Idea to Bookshelf7:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Ever wondered what really happens between the first spark of an idea and the finished book on the shelf? Join author-illustrator Tom Booth, editor Susan Van Metre, art director Maria T.
Event Details
Ever wondered what really happens between the first spark of an idea and the finished book on the shelf?
Join author-illustrator Tom Booth, editor Susan Van Metre, art director Maria T. Middleton, and literary agent Rick Richter for a rare behind-the-scenes conversation about every stage of the publishing journey.
Drawing on decades of experience with major publishing houses, this panel will demystify the creative and business sides of making books, share insider perspectives, and answer your questions. Whether you’re an aspiring creator, a lifelong reader, or simply curious about how books come to life, this is an exceptional opportunity to learn directly from the professionals who help shape them.
$7 for Mechanics’ Hall Members $10 for general admission. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Tuesday) 7:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
Event Details
What happens to a school building when the students leave? As Portland's communities and needs shift, many historic schools have outlived their original purpose —
Event Details
What happens to a school building when the students leave?
As Portland’s communities and needs shift, many historic schools have outlived their original purpose — but not their potential. Using actual projects, Kevin Bunker of Developers Collaborative shares their hands-on approach to transforming former schools into housing and community spaces. A panel conversation follows on the real challenges and unexpected rewards of these projects, including navigating preservation rules and construction realities and reckoning with the emotional pull a building holds for the people who once filled its halls.
Wednesday, October 14 at 6:00 p.m. (doors 5:30 p.m.). $7 for MH Members, $10 for General Admission. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
16oct7:00 pmSubcircle's "Some other body"7:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
"Some other body" is an intimate solo dance created and performed by Niki Cousineau. The piece delves into the experience of living within a body, treating it as a vessel for
Event Details
“Some other body” is an intimate solo dance created and performed by Niki Cousineau.
The piece delves into the experience of living within a body, treating it as a vessel for memory, story, and sensation. Co-directed by Scott McPheeters and accompanied by live music from Willem Cousineau and Mason McAvoy, the performance blends dance, storytelling, stage design, and projections. Designed to evolve as Niki ages, this work uses movement and narrative to reveal the realities, humor, and wonder of inhabiting a body—embracing it as a unique container for personal experience.
Tickets are $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for General Admission, and $35 for reserved seating; there is a $5 surcharge at the door. No one is turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Friday) 7:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
17oct7:00 pmSubcircle's "Some other body"7:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
"Some other body" is an intimate solo dance created and performed by Niki Cousineau. The piece delves into the experience of living within a body, treating it as a vessel for
Event Details
“Some other body” is an intimate solo dance created and performed by Niki Cousineau.
The piece delves into the experience of living within a body, treating it as a vessel for memory, story, and sensation. Co-directed by Scott McPheeters and accompanied by live music from Willem Cousineau and Mason McAvoy, the performance blends dance, storytelling, stage design, and projections. Designed to evolve as Niki ages, this work uses movement and narrative to reveal the realities, humor, and wonder of inhabiting a body—embracing it as a unique container for personal experience.
Tickets are $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for General Admission, and $35 for reserved seating; there is a $5 surcharge at the door. No one is turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Saturday) 7:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
19oct6:30 pmWe Are Your Neighbors: Maine Stories in Challenging Times6:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join Third Act Maine and Mechanics’ Hall for an evening of “moth style” storytelling and community. Hear from Mainers whose lives and work connect them
Event Details
Join Third Act Maine and Mechanics’ Hall for an evening of “moth style” storytelling and community.
Hear from Mainers whose lives and work connect them to some of the challenges facing our communities today – – from housing and health care to immigration, veterans’ services, the environment, and small business.
The personal stories invite us to transcend political divides and unite in our shared humanity. A reception with food and beverage will follow the program, offering an opportunity to reflect and connect with neighbors.
Monday, October 19 at 6:30 p.m. (doors open to the public at 6:00 p.m.). Free to the public, registration is required.
Time
(Monday) 6:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
Event Details
What began with one hand-knitted hat for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspired a group of women in Maine to begin knitting cat puppets for children affected by the war in Ukraine.
Event Details
What began with one hand-knitted hat for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy inspired a group of women in Maine to begin knitting cat puppets for children affected by the war in Ukraine. Today, those handmade puppets are distributed through Heal Ukraine Trauma’s trauma-informed children’s programs, where they serve as tools for comfort, emotional expression, and healing.
Keynote speaker Amy Goodrich, Director of Programs and Development, and Elizabeth Ames, Founder and Board Member of Heal Ukraine Trauma, will share the remarkable connection between a local community of knitters in Maine and children, veterans, and families rebuilding their lives in Ukraine.
Through stories, photos, and conversation, attendees will learn how a handmade puppet became a symbol of compassion across continents, while also exploring Heal Ukraine Trauma’s work training Ukrainian clinicians, supporting veterans and military families, and helping children recover from the trauma of war.
Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00 p.m. (doors open to the public at 5:30 p.m.). $7 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $10 for General Admission, no one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Tuesday) 6:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
Event Details
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
Event Details
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.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
22oct7:00 pm8:30 pmAda Ferrer's 'Keeper of My Kin' w/ Jordan Kisner7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join Mechanics' Hall and Back Cove Books in welcoming the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Ada Ferrer, in conversation with Jordan Kisner. From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author
Event Details
Join Mechanics’ Hall and Back Cove Books in welcoming the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Ada Ferrer, in conversation with Jordan Kisner.
From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Cuba: An American History comes a heartbreaking yet redemptive memoir about migration, separation, and the love of one family forcing its way through the fissures of history.
Tickets are $7 for Mechanics’ Hall Members and $10 for General Admission. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
24oct7:30 pmTold Slant w/ h. pruz & Greg Jamie - Library Concert7:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Told Slant returns to the Northeast for the first time in six years, appearing as a three-piece ensemble to celebrate their fourth record, What’s
Event Details
Told Slant returns to the Northeast for the first time in six years, appearing as a three-piece ensemble to celebrate their fourth record, What’s Up, released September 4, 2026, on Mtn Laurel Recording Co.
Written against their nearly unrecognizable home, New York City, the record moves with what Pitchfork calls “gritted-teeth optimism,” drawing from the worlds of Alan Vega, the Velvet Underground, and Tom Waits.
Queens-based h. pruz will open the tour with a re-configuration of their very same three-piece band in a project of experimental singer-songwriter works.
h. pruz is the solo music project of Hannah Pruzinsky (they/them). Hannah uses the project as a means to compost memories – excavating and allowing for the changing of one’s prior perception of a moment. h. pruz is currently making work that pulls from this theme, expanding further internally since their previous two critically acclaimed LPs, No Glory and Red sky at morning. Hannah currently acts as a co-editor and co-founder of the diy indie music show paper, GUNK, and lectures at a university.
Greg Jamie will also join the bill. Greg Jamie is songwriter of dark folk music, whose recent album Across A Violet Pasture was released on Orindal Records. He is based in Portland, Maine.
Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open to the public at 7:00 p.m.). $15 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $20 for General Admission, $200 to Reserve the Couch. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Saturday) 7:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
27oct7:00 pm8:30 pmLife Drawing in the Dark7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join Portland Drawing Group in the haunted ballroom of Mechanics' Hall for a seasonal Life Drawing session. Lean into the shadowy atmosphere of October with
Event Details
Join Portland Drawing Group in the haunted ballroom of Mechanics’ Hall for a seasonal Life Drawing session.
Lean into the shadowy atmosphere of October with a very special session of Life Drawing.
Expect live music with a candlelit, devilishly dressed model, Aesthel. Libations, refreshments, and sweet treats are included in your ticket.
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.
The drawing session begins at 7:00 p.m., and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are on a sliding scale starting at $15; please pay what you can afford. No one will be turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Tuesday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
29oct7:00 pmMonson, Maine, USA7:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Monson, Maine, USA is a hybrid dance, poetry, and theater work featuring Gretchen Berg, Teresa Carson, Gwyneth Jones, and Dawn Potter. The four distinguished artists are acclaimed educators, poets, choreographers,
Event Details
Monson, Maine, USA is a hybrid dance, poetry, and theater work featuring Gretchen Berg, Teresa Carson, Gwyneth Jones, and Dawn Potter. The four distinguished artists are acclaimed educators, poets, choreographers, and performers, including Maine’s Poet Laureate, Dawn Potter.
The work unfolds in three movements—Slate, Lake, and Mountain—drawing on the geological and social history of Central Maine’s slate region.
Anchored by the poem Monson, Maine, USA and set to music by Frigg, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, and Maria Kalaniemi and Eero Grundström, the performance is at times comic, at times heartrending. It is a portrait of people and landscape, exploring how both change and solidify over time.
Tickets are $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for General Admission. There is a $5 surcharge the day of the show. No one is turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
november
03nov6:00 pm8:00 pmLearn to Line Dance6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Beginner-friendly, drop-in line dancing with Robyn! Zero pressure, all fun. First Tuesdays in the Mechanics’ Hall ballroom Yeehaw! Join Robyn for monthly line dancing at
Event Details
Beginner-friendly, drop-in line dancing with Robyn! Zero pressure, all fun. First Tuesdays in the Mechanics’ Hall ballroom
Yeehaw! Join Robyn for monthly line dancing at the Hall. 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 about dancing 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 AND GET TICKETS HERE
$7 for Mechanics’ Hall members, $10 for general admission
Time
(Tuesday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
05nov7:00 pm8:30 pmPalaver Strings: Inside the Process7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join Palaver Strings for an open rehearsal and conversation, giving you a window into how they work and what they're building. Throughout the evening they'll
Event Details
Join Palaver Strings for an open rehearsal and conversation, giving you a window into how they work and what they’re building.
Throughout the evening they’ll share their creative process through excerpts of tango idioms and Syrian dance music drawn from their Vertical Heritage and I Believed in Magic programs. Expect locally curated drinks, good company, and real conversation with ensemble and community members to close out the night.
Thursday, November 15 at 7:00 PM (doors 6:30 p.m.), one hour of music and conversation followed by 30-minutes of mingling. Tickets are $18 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $20 for General Admission, there is a $5 surcharge at the door.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
12nov6:30 pm“In Search of Jon Serl,” a lecture by Susan C. Larsen6:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join Mechanics' Hall and the Rabkin Foundation for a firsthand account of the artist, John Serl. Long before major museums embraced him as one of America's most original artists, Jon
Event Details
Join Mechanics’ Hall and the Rabkin Foundation for a firsthand account of the artist, John Serl. Long before major museums embraced him as one of America’s most original artists, Jon Serl (c. 1898-1993) lived a quiet but vibrant life in rural California, surrounded by his visionary paintings, his chickens, and his chihuahuas. Playful, curious, and fiercely true to himself, he filled his work with social commentary and fearless self-examination, exploring spirituality, politics, gender, sexuality, and death. Weightless, ethereal figures seem to swim across his canvases in a kind of celestial dance.
Larsen will offer a rare, firsthand account of the artist, his work, and the enduring friendship that shaped her understanding of both. The free lecture at Mechanics’ Hall draws on Larsen’s forthcoming memoir about Serl and is organized alongside an intimate exhibition, “Jon Serl: Life Is a Dance,” at the Rabkin Foundation. The exhibit, curated by Larsen, the foundation’s emeritus and founding director, and Rabkin Curator Danielle Yovino, brings together paintings from Larsen’s personal collection alongside works collected by Dorothea and Leo Rabkin, who were among Serl’s earliest champions.
THe event is free to the public, registration is required.
Time
(Thursday) 6:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
12nov7:30 pmThe Women Who Raise Us: Stitching Together Stories of Motherhood7:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join Stonecoast faculty member and writer Susan Conley, author Chelsea Conaboy, and actress and writer Victoria Rowell for a thoughtful conversation exploring the many dimensions of motherhood and womanhood. Together, they
Event Details
Join Stonecoast faculty member and writer Susan Conley, author Chelsea Conaboy, and actress and writer Victoria Rowell for a thoughtful conversation exploring the many dimensions of motherhood and womanhood.
Together, they will consider how motherhood is inherited, reimagined, and experienced across generations and cultures, and how identity, belonging, caregiving, creativity, work, and relationships shape our understanding of what it means to be a mother. They will also explore how writers and artists draw upon these experiences to make sense of their lives and tell stories that challenge and expand traditional narratives.
Moving beyond conventional ideas of motherhood, the conversation will explore the complexities and contradictions of care—including foster care, elder caregiving, grandparenting, and blended families—and the ways women navigate, redefine, and sometimes resist the expectations placed upon them. Through the lens of creative writing and storytelling, we’ll consider how personal experience becomes art, whose stories get told, and how writing can help us examine, question, and reshape our understanding of motherhood, womanhood, and ourselves.
Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open to the public at 7:00 p.m.). The event is $7 for Mechanics’ Hall members, and $10 for General Admission. No one is turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Thursday) 7:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
13nov8:00 pm9:30 pmThe Head is not the Star of the Body8:00 pm - 9:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Mechanics' Hall presents Cassie Wang's gorgeous investigation into yearning, in which six dancers respond to the music of Big Thief. The Head is not the Star
Event Details
Mechanics’ Hall presents Cassie Wang’s gorgeous investigation into yearning, in which six dancers respond to the music of Big Thief.
The Head is not the Star of the Body is a study on longing, a meditation on desire, and a measure of distances between.
Created by Cassie Wang, the interdisciplinary performance is a choreographic and ethnographic response to music by American indie folk band Big Thief. Six performers traverse through states of holding, witnessing, singing, chasing, and coalescing in embodiments of varying relationality. The audience frames the performance on opposite sides, positioned to witness both the dance and a reflection of themselves/the other.
Generative video art and projection weave into a dance that is intimate, nostalgic, and tender through moments of affective viscerality. Throughout this multi-year process, Wang and her collaborators ground themselves in the questions: How does longing reveal identity? How do we sit with someone else’s longing? How do we measure the distance between subjects of longing?
Tickets are $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for General Admission, $35 for reserved seating. There is a $5 surcharge at the door. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Friday) 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
14nov7:00 pm8:30 pmThe Head is not the Star of the Body7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Mechanics' Hall presents Cassie Wang's gorgeous investigation into yearning, in which six dancers respond to the music of Big Thief. The Head is not the Star
Event Details
Mechanics’ Hall presents Cassie Wang’s gorgeous investigation into yearning, in which six dancers respond to the music of Big Thief.
The Head is not the Star of the Body is a study on longing, a meditation on desire, and a measure of distances between.
Created by Cassie Wang, the interdisciplinary performance is a choreographic and ethnographic response to music by American indie folk band Big Thief. Six performers traverse through states of holding, witnessing, singing, chasing, and coalescing in embodiments of varying relationality. The audience frames the performance on opposite sides, positioned to witness both the dance and a reflection of themselves/the other.
Generative video art and projection weave into a dance that is intimate, nostalgic, and tender through moments of affective viscerality. Throughout this multi-year process, Wang and her collaborators ground themselves in the questions: How does longing reveal identity? How do we sit with someone else’s longing? How do we measure the distance between subjects of longing?
Tickets are $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for General Admission, $35 for reserved seating. There is a $5 surcharge at the door. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Saturday) 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
15nov5:00 pm6:30 pmThe Head is not the Star of the Body5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Mechanics' Hall presents Cassie Wang's gorgeous investigation into yearning, in which six dancers respond to the music of Big Thief. The Head is not the Star
Event Details
Mechanics’ Hall presents Cassie Wang’s gorgeous investigation into yearning, in which six dancers respond to the music of Big Thief.
The Head is not the Star of the Body is a study on longing, a meditation on desire, and a measure of distances between.
Created by Cassie Wang, the interdisciplinary performance is a choreographic and ethnographic response to music by American indie folk band Big Thief. Six performers traverse through states of holding, witnessing, singing, chasing, and coalescing in embodiments of varying relationality. The audience frames the performance on opposite sides, positioned to witness both the dance and a reflection of themselves/the other.
Generative video art and projection weave into a dance that is intimate, nostalgic, and tender through moments of affective viscerality. Throughout this multi-year process, Wang and her collaborators ground themselves in the questions: How does longing reveal identity? How do we sit with someone else’s longing? How do we measure the distance between subjects of longing?
Tickets are $20 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $25 for General Admission, $35 for reserved seating. There is a $5 surcharge at the door. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Sunday) 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
Event Details
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
Event Details
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.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
19nov7:00 pmYard Sauce In Concert: Blended Together As One We Stand7:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
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 lively performances bring down-to-earth authenticity
Event Details
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 lively performances bring down-to-earth authenticity and virtuosic instrumental skill. The group draws from eclectic musical tastes, diverse regional traditional music influences, and a deep catalog of original songs. Old-time, bluegrass, country, and world folk— and Shaker traditions— all find their way into the blend.
Adding to the evening, Stuart Kestenbaum, former Maine Poet Laureate, will read a selection of his poems. His voice will offer a thoughtful and evocative counterpoint to the music, creating an evening that celebrates the power of both poetry and song.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village will have a pop-up store at the show. Their packaged, dried herbs (in production since 1783) will be for sale before and after the performance.
Come enjoy an evening of Maine music, poetry, community, and a little Shaker-inspired flavor!
Thursday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open to the public at 6:30 p.m.). $15 for Mechanics’ Hall Members, $20 for General Admission, $35 for Reserved Seating. There is a $5 surcharge the day of the event. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Thursday) 7:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
december
01dec6:00 pm8:00 pmLearn to Line Dance6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Beginner-friendly, drop-in line dancing with Robyn! Zero pressure, all fun. First Tuesdays in the Mechanics’ Hall ballroom Yeehaw! Join Robyn for monthly line dancing at
Event Details
Beginner-friendly, drop-in line dancing with Robyn! Zero pressure, all fun. First Tuesdays in the Mechanics’ Hall ballroom
Yeehaw! Join Robyn for monthly line dancing at the Hall. 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 about dancing 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 AND GET TICKETS HERE
$7 for Mechanics’ Hall members, $10 for general admission
Time
(Tuesday) 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
04dec7:30 pmTall Heights 'Neptune 10 Year Anniversary Tour'7:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join us at Mechanics' Hall to hear the guitar and cello harmony duo from Boston, MA in concert. Tall Heights—the acclaimed indie-folk duo of childhood friends Tim Harrington (guitar, vocals) and
Event Details
Join us at Mechanics’ Hall to hear the guitar and cello harmony duo from Boston, MA in concert.
Tall Heights—the acclaimed indie-folk duo of childhood friends Tim Harrington (guitar, vocals) and Paul Wright (cello, vocals)—are celebrating a milestone that feels as much like a homecoming as an anniversary. Ten years after the release of Neptune, the album that helped define their lush, harmony-driven sound and introduced songs like “Spirit Cold” and “Horse to Water” to listeners around the world, Tall Heights have regained ownership of the record from their former major label. To mark its return, the duo is releasing a 10TH Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Neptune, opening the vault on never-before-heard B-sides from the original recording sessions alongside newly recorded versions of “Spirit Cold” and “Horse to Water,” featuring longtime friends and collaborators Darlingside and Henry Jamison.
Friday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m., doors at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $28 in advance, $32 the day of the show.
Time
(Friday) 7:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
Event Details
Portland is home to one of the nation’s oldest continuously used “temples of knowledge” – Mechanics’ Hall. Founded in 1815 and home to the eighth-oldest
Event Details
Portland is home to one of the nation’s oldest continuously used “temples of knowledge” – Mechanics’ Hall.
Founded in 1815 and home to the eighth-oldest member-supported library in the United States, the Hall was designed as a place where working people could gather, learn, share ideas, and pursue knowledge. Mechanics’ Hall belongs to a broader tradition of institutions created to expand access to literature and learning, including other libraries, athenaeums, and mechanics institutes. Join us for an illustrated talk and discussion with leaders from Mechanics’ Hall, the Providence Athenaeum, and the Boston Athenaeum to explore the history, evolution, and continuing relevance of these remarkable spaces.
Tuesday, December 8 at 6:00 p.m. (doors 5:30 p.m.). $7 for MH Members, $10 for General Admission. No one turned away for lack of funds at the door.
Time
(Tuesday) 6:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
january
04jan9:00 am5:00 pmWinter Creation Lab - little house dance9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics' Hall. Led by Artistic Director Heather
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics’ Hall.
Led by Artistic Director Heather Stewart and Community Director Isabel Hunter, alongside company dancers, Creation Lab is a five-day immersion into the repertoire of little house dance.
During Creation Lab, dancers participate in improvisational testing grounds and contemporary dance practices, while engaging in a creative process through which we develop and make a choreographic score.
There is no formal application or audition process to attend.
The Early Bird rate is $430 for the full week through December 1. After December 1, the full-week rate is $500. Scholarships are available; please reach out to info@littlehousedance.com for more information.
Time
(Monday) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
05jan9:00 am5:00 pmWinter Creation Lab - little house dance9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics' Hall. Led by Artistic Director Heather
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics’ Hall.
Led by Artistic Director Heather Stewart and Community Director Isabel Hunter, alongside company dancers, Creation Lab is a five-day immersion into the repertoire of little house dance.
During Creation Lab, dancers participate in improvisational testing grounds and contemporary dance practices, while engaging in a creative process through which we develop and make a choreographic score.
There is no formal application or audition process to attend.
The Early Bird rate is $430 for the full week through December 1. After December 1, the full-week rate is $500. Scholarships are available; please reach out to info@littlehousedance.com for more information.
Time
(Tuesday) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
06jan9:00 am5:00 pmWinter Creation Lab - little house dance9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics' Hall. Led by Artistic Director Heather
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics’ Hall.
Led by Artistic Director Heather Stewart and Community Director Isabel Hunter, alongside company dancers, Creation Lab is a five-day immersion into the repertoire of little house dance.
During Creation Lab, dancers participate in improvisational testing grounds and contemporary dance practices, while engaging in a creative process through which we develop and make a choreographic score.
There is no formal application or audition process to attend.
The Early Bird rate is $430 for the full week through December 1. After December 1, the full-week rate is $500. Scholarships are available; please reach out to info@littlehousedance.com for more information.
Time
(Wednesday) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
07jan9:00 am5:00 pmWinter Creation Lab - little house dance9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics' Hall. Led by Artistic Director Heather
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics’ Hall.
Led by Artistic Director Heather Stewart and Community Director Isabel Hunter, alongside company dancers, Creation Lab is a five-day immersion into the repertoire of little house dance.
During Creation Lab, dancers participate in improvisational testing grounds and contemporary dance practices, while engaging in a creative process through which we develop and make a choreographic score.
There is no formal application or audition process to attend.
The Early Bird rate is $430 for the full week through December 1. After December 1, the full-week rate is $500. Scholarships are available; please reach out to info@littlehousedance.com for more information.
Time
(Thursday) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
08jan9:00 am5:00 pmWinter Creation Lab - little house dance9:00 am - 5:00 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics' Hall. Led by Artistic Director Heather
Event Details
Join little house dance at the start of the new year with their annual Winter Creation Lab at Mechanics’ Hall.
Led by Artistic Director Heather Stewart and Community Director Isabel Hunter, alongside company dancers, Creation Lab is a five-day immersion into the repertoire of little house dance.
During Creation Lab, dancers participate in improvisational testing grounds and contemporary dance practices, while engaging in a creative process through which we develop and make a choreographic score.
There is no formal application or audition process to attend.
The Early Bird rate is $430 for the full week through December 1. After December 1, the full-week rate is $500. Scholarships are available; please reach out to info@littlehousedance.com for more information.
Time
(Friday) 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
10jan11:00 am12:30 pmLife Drawing in the Light11:00 am - 12:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
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
Event Details
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. Participants will draw to the sounds of live music.
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, embrace the joy of drawing a live model in vibrant community. All are welcome.
The drawing session begins at 11:00 AM, and doors open at 10:45 AM.
Tickets are on a sliding scale; please pay what you can afford. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Time
(Sunday) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST
february
07feb11:00 am12:30 pmLife Drawing in the Light11:00 am - 12:30 pm Mechanics' Hall
Event Details
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
Event Details
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. Participants will draw to the sounds of live music.
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, embrace the joy of drawing a live model in vibrant community. All are welcome.
The drawing session begins at 11:00 AM, and doors open at 10:45 AM.
Tickets are on a sliding scale; please pay what you can afford. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Time
(Sunday) 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Mechanics' Hall
519 CONGRESS ST