Listeners, if you are in Portland, Maine this week, get ready for one of the biggest art happenings of the year. The Portland Art Museum opens its doors for a grand reintroduction with four days of free admission running from today, Thursday, November 20, all the way through Sunday, November 23. This newly transformed museum is yours to explore, no tickets needed—just walk up and join the celebration.
Kicking off at noon today, you can catch the official ribbon cutting with remarks from city and museum leaders, plus live entertainment and a custom ribbon crafted by Portland Garment Factory. From 5 to 9 p.m., the party ramps up during Museum Open Late, featuring local DJs, pop-up performances, arts partners, and some vibrant food and drink offerings. They invite you to channel your favorite artist with creative attire, but come as you are—the art is for everyone.
All weekend, meet curators in the galleries, drop in for rotating gallery talks called Look With Me, and unleash your inner artist with hands-on workshops. Friday and Saturday both offer felt art making with LeBrie Rich and printmaking with Sharita Towne, plus the Venice Biennale Educator Cohort’s Jeffrey Gibson-inspired workshops. Each day brings new opportunities for art, learning, and inspiration.
Friday through Sunday, the energy continues with music in the Pavilion, courtesy of Friends of Noise and Tender Loving Empire. Expect DJ sets from noon into happy hour, and don't miss DJ Ambush closing each afternoon with his signature grooves. Saturday adds extra excitement with performances from Small Skies and Da Costa from noon, Crystal Quartez later in the afternoon, and Sacred Harp’s uplifting harmonies from 3:30 to 4:30.
Food trucks will set up daily across the weekend, so you can refuel without leaving the creative buzz. For families, artists, and culture seekers, this four-day extravaganza is a rare chance to experience all the museum offers—fresh art, local flavor, and free admission, available on a walk-up, first-come, first-served basis, according to the Portland Art Museum.
If you’re craving live performance, the Portland Conservatory of Music on Neal Street presents Hansel & Gretel from November 20 through 23, and Soweto Gospel Choir brings global sounds to Merrill Auditorium on Friday, November 21. These ticketed shows round out a week of memorable experiences for every taste.
Portland is alive this week with art, music, and spirited events, so make the most of the celebrations. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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