Let’s explore social events in Portland, ME happening this week. Local events are a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Look through this page and consider going out and socializing during one of these social events.
Social events are great and offer a world of possibilities. You can make new friends, learn new skills, see things from different perspectives and it’s fantastic for your mental health. And never before has companionship and being able to spend time with others been as important as it is today.
You probably remember being a kid and going up to another person your age and saying, “Do you want to be friends?” and that was pretty much that. Friend made. Alas, it’s not quite as simple now that we’re grown up, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult or as awkward as we think. There are thousands of people out there who would love to meet up with others, finding them just takes a bit of help and that’s what we’re here for.
On this page, we hope you’ll find some interesting events in Portland where you can make some new friends.
Local Groups’ Events in Portland
Data & AI Social Meetup
◦ When: Thursday, Nov 21st
◦ Where: Arcadia
Get together socially to talk data, AI and other things over a drink.(…)
Dancing at Bubba’s
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Bubba’s Sulky Lounge
Dancing is active right? 😎
Come join us for a fun night of 80’s music and lunch boxes 🤓 Plenty of parking right at Bubba’s or on Portland St.
IMPORTANT! Bubba’s is CASH ONLY for bar and $5 cover charge (ATM inside).
Music starts at 8:30pm but won’t get super busy until later. So I will be pretty easy to find – tall bald dude on the first dance floor (closest to the bar). After about 9pm I won(…)
Ursula K. LeGuin and N.K. Jemisin
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: Novare Res Bier Cafe
This month we have a pair of stories, with one written in response to the other.
Ursula K. LeGuin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas” is a 1973 work of dystopian short fiction with a difficult philosophical question at its heart. Almost 50 years later, N.K. Jemisin published her story, “The Ones Who Stay and Fight,” as a direct response. Both attempt to address the question of how (or whether)(…)
Board Game Club Meetup!!
◦ When: Thursday, Nov 21st
◦ Where: Panera Bread
Board Game Night!! All are welcome!! Come join us in playing all kinds of board games, whether it’s Catan, Cribbage, Splendor, Scrabble, or any other kind of board game that you like!! You can either bring a game of your own, or just play one of the many games that I always bring. You can come or go at whatever times are convenient for you. We usually meet from 6pm to 9:30 or so, every week, on al(…)
New Folks Happy Hour @ Root Wild Kombucha
◦ When: Thursday, Nov 21st
◦ Where: Root Wild Kombucha
This event is specifically for folks **new to meetup *or* Portland**. If you’ve been to less than 3 Portland Millennials meetups before and/or have moved to Maine within the last year, this is for you! Let’s close out the day at Wild Root Kombucha on Washington Ave.
Root Wild serves a variety of kombuchas as well as a few beers and sodas.
**Transportation**: Root Wild is close to stops for bus r(…)
Middle Eastern Ensemble -Bowdoin College ( Brunswick, Me.)
◦ When: Tuesday, Nov 19th
◦ Where: undefined
**Bowdoin Middle Eastern Ensemble**
Monday, November 18 at 7:30 pm
Kanbar Auditorium, Studzinski Recital Hall
The Bowdoin Middle Eastern Ensemble, under the direction of Duncan Hardy, is proud to present eight selections of classical Middle Eastern Music. These compositions are representative of the traditions of Medieval Andalusia, Ottoman court music and Egyptian popular music from the “Golden A(…)
DevOps207 MeetUp at Novare Res
◦ When: Tuesday, Nov 19th
◦ Where: Novare Res Bier Cafe
This is a social meetup where we discuss all things DevOps! Meet with fellow professional and discuss what you are working on, the latest industry news or look for help on your job search.
If you aren’t a DevOps Engineer but want to be, this is also a great opportunity to meet some veterans and get some guidance on where to start.
Recruiters welcome! Sales pitches are not.
Novare Res can be kin(…)
Pathfinder Society Intro: Year of Immortal Influence
◦ When: Wednesday, Nov 20th
◦ Where: Scarborough Public Library
Join our Lodge on Discord!
https://discord.gg/p6EEtJm4mF
A Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for 1st- through 4th-level characters.
A new year comes for the Pathfinder Society, and what better way to start it off than by attending a fancy event? The Pathfinders find themselves invited to a charity dinner to benefit the Knights of Lastwall fighting in far-off lands against the lich king, Tar-(…)
November 23 Circlesongs on Forest Ave
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Portland Friends Meeting (Quakers)
Come sing with us! We’ll create brand new music and have a fun time doing it. If you’ve never sung before, welcome! You’ll love it here. If you’ve got tons of singing experience, welcome! This is a great place to experiment and learn more.
All ages and voices welcome!
We sing in the main room of the **Friends Meetinghouse** on Forest Ave in Portland. There’s plenty of easy parking in the lot, an(…)
Weekly Hack Night
◦ When: Wednesday, Nov 20th
◦ Where: Big Room Studios
Bring your computer, an appetite, any projects you’re working on or ideas you’d like to discuss, and join us for our weekly meetup!
Taidgh Robinson will be giving a highly anticipated talk on a project he’s been working on – teaching an AI how to play video games using deep learning!
**Getting Inside**
Please use the event chat here on Meetup or the #lemmein channel on the [Hack Portland Slack]((…)
Hildaland & Liz Simmons with Casey Murray thu 21 nov 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: Mayo Street Arts
### Event Details
Orkney (Scotland) born fiddler Louise Bichan and Indiana (USA) mandolinist Ethan Setiawan present a collaboration and meeting of their musical worlds in Hildaland.
A path steeped in the fiddle traditions of their respective sides of the Atlantic, the journey taken wends through Scottish, oldtime, and Swedish-inspired music intertwined with contemporary compositions. Bichan’s fi(…)
Tuesday Meditations in Portland with Clare Morin: November
◦ When: Tuesday, Nov 19th
◦ Where: Portland New Church
Join us on Tuesdays in September for these calming, hour-long classes, designed to encourage us and offer gentle methods to help us transform our mind and break free from old habits.
**Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00pm at Portland New Church with Clare**
November 5 – The wisdom of being kind (with Gen Khedrub)
November 12 – Seeing the good in others
November 19 – Gratitude
November 26 – No class
**Each week(…)
OBP space tour.
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Open Bench Project
Come check out the OBP. Visit the shop, take a tour, see what people are working on. This is a pretty informal event, so feel free to show up, make a friend and chat. Learn about many of the things you could do at the space. Dream a little, Visualize the maker you’ve always wanted to be, and get started on a path to a whole new you.(…)
Factory 3 makerspace tour
◦ When: Thursday, Nov 21st
◦ Where: Factory 3
Join us most Thursdays and Saturdays for a 1/2 hour to 1 hour tour. Please send an email to [email protected] before signing up, to make sure the tour is on for the day you would like to attend.
We’ll show you our shops, common work areas, and private studios, and answer your questions about membership benefits.
Factory 3’s mission is to create a space, welcoming to all, that empowers makers to r(…)
S.T.E.A.M. Instructor Idea Jam
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: Open Bench Project
Join us for our monthly idea jam, we’re putting an open invitation out to teachers, instructors, and students looking to help improve the S.T.E.A.M. learning experience. We will have an open discussion about how we have experienced learning and teaching STEAM and how we can continue to improve.
We are currently developing a series of after school programming opportunities, and would love to share(…)
Monday Basketball League – Fall
◦ When: Monday, Nov 18th
◦ Where: South Portland Recreation Center
**Adult Basketball League format**
Games Times: 6p, 7p or 8p
8 regular season games
Playoffs 10 team seeded single elimination.
5v5, 1 female and 1 male must be on the court for each team
Roster minimum of 8 players, max of 12 including 1 female and 1 male player
Two – 20 minute halves
Men shots inside 3 point arc = 1 point, Outside arc = 2 points
Female shots inside 3 point arc = 2 points, Outsid(…)
Axe Throwing League Night – WATL
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: undefined
Open to all! This is a 2-hour casual training for our league members or interested parties. Learn about how we train for competitions, get to know they other great people in the community and have fun with us! Memberships also available.(…)
Local BIZness Network Weekly Meeting / Portland
◦ When: Thursday, Nov 21st
◦ Where: Stacks Pancake Co.
**Looking for local entrepreneurs and business to join us Thursdays from 8:30 – 9:30 AM for our weekly local business networking meeting. Please invite a friend or business associate to attend with you.**
**Local networking at its best!**
**Where?:**
**Stacks Pancake Company**
**139 Riverside Street**
**Portland, ME 04101**
**If you plan on attending in person, please arrive 15 minutes earlier (…)
Tips to meet people at social events
One of the best ways to meet new people at social events in Portland is by choosing a common theme or interest. If you like movies, why not go see a screening with people who also like movies! Then you already have something to talk about. Or if you’re into coffee or beer, a Coffee and Beer Garden Meet and Greet could be perfect for you. And keep in mind that smaller group settings can be less intimidating and easier to start conversations in.
Another thing that might worry you is introductions. Some people aren’t as keen on introducing themselves and others worry or get nervous about it. Why not level the playing field and go to an event where everyone is expected to introduce themselves and talk? It could be a networking event, an acting class, a singles event, or a book club. Not only are people looking to introduce themselves at these events but they’re also there to make friends.
Our final tip is on the age of the people you are going to meet. If you have your heart set on meeting people close to your own age, then research events so that you can find your chosen demographic. At the same time, we want to encourage you not to limit yourself. An age gap doesn’t necessarily mean a disconnect and the great thing about different age groups is that they can learn from each other!
You can find even more events in Portland on Visitportland.com, Creativeportland.com, or Pressherald.com.
RELATED: How To Meet People In Portland, Maine
Wild Pink and John Francis Flynn
◦ When: Tuesday, Nov 19th
◦ Where: SPACE
Wild Pink returns to Portland with Irish songwriter John Francis Flynn in tow.
Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: SPACE
A bravura cinematic essay that intertwines jazz, history, and the taste of a spy thriller…
Sea State: Climate Resilience Potential in Gulf of Maine Fisheries
◦ When: Wednesday, Nov 20th
◦ Where: Gulf of Maine Research Institute
An interactive event featuring GMRI Senior Scientist, Graham Sherwood, and Senior Research Associate/ Vessel Safety Officer, Zach Whitener
R.A.The Rugged Man | Bayside Bowl w/Akrobatik+OystahGutt+Ben Shorr+DjMyth
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Bayside Bowl
R.A. The Rugged Man | Rough, Rugged, & Raw Tour 2024 | Bayside Bowl | Saturday NOV.23 w/s/gs Akrobatik + OystahGutt + Ben Shorr + DJJ Myth
Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating Workshop @ Definitive Brewing!
◦ When: Monday, Nov 18th
◦ Where: Definitive Brewing Company, Industrial Way, Portland, ME, USA
A fun night out for you and your friends to try your hand at cookie decorating! sip a drink and learn a new skill!
Home Buyer Education Class – November 23, 2024
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: 307 Cumberland Ave
Join us in person for this hoMEworks-approved 8-hour Home Buyer Education Class and learn the steps in the home buying process!
Union
◦ When: Wednesday, Nov 20th
◦ Where: SPACE
The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) takes on one of the world’s largest and most powerful companies in the fight to unionize.
Palaver Strings’ Ready or Not Revisited
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Mechanics’ Hall
Visionary chamber music by women, queer, trans, and nonbinary composers from medieval to modern times
pollinateHERS – Support group for female identifying Entrepreneurs in Maine
◦ When: Tuesday, Nov 19th
◦ Where: coworkHERS LLC
Connect with badass female entrepreneurs in Maine at pollinateHERS – a support group to uplift and empower each other!
Dueling Pianos With Seth Holbrook & Jim Ciampi
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: Shipyard Brewing Company
A high energy show filled with all the great hits of the decades. 2 guys, 2 pianos and 2 microphones can do a lot of damage!
Frederic L. Thompson on ‘Mary Neal Richardson’
◦ When: Thursday, Nov 21st
◦ Where: Mechanics’ Hall
A long overdue exploration of the New England Portrait Artist (1859 – 1937)
Palaver Strings’ Ready or Not Revisited [Family-Friendly Concert]
![Palaver Strings' Ready or Not Revisited [Family-Friendly Concert]](https://img.evbuc.com/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.evbuc.com%2Fimages%2F860312399%2F2234666406353%2F1%2Foriginal.20240926-182309?crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&auto=format%2Ccompress&q=75&sharp=10&fp-x=0.496212121212&fp-y=0.173669467787&s=56ecc5adce3d3b634b14e075c23a54b0)
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Mechanics’ Hall
Visionary chamber music by women, queer, trans, & nonbinary composers from medieval to modern times
Late Nights with… Clamz! Kasino: 35 and Still Alive
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: Three of Strong Spirits
Come join a fantastic variety of performers for a night of dance, laughter, and good vibes with Host Clamz! Kasino
Murcielago and OGRE
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Oxbow Blending & Bottling
A night of driving hard rock with Murcielago and OGRE at Oxbow Blending & Bottling.
Talib Kweli – SOLD OUT
◦ When: Thursday, Nov 21st
◦ Where: Oxbow Blending & Bottling
Talib Kweli comes to Portland, ME with Skyzoo, Landon Wordswell, Mister Burns, and Stay on Mars.
It’s “YOUR Night Out”, Presented by: Real Maine Mom x Baby Booty
◦ When: Thursday, Nov 21st
◦ Where: Baby Booty Workout
Step away from the hustle and stress of your everyday and join us for a relaxing and social night designed for YOU!
Make Your Own Bezel Ring or Pendant – Saturday Metalsmithing Workshop
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Artascope Studios
Learn the basics of tools, safety, soldering, forming, and stone setting to make a ring or pendant.
Chords For Kids Fundraiser 2024
◦ When: Saturday, Nov 23rd
◦ Where: Aura
Every year, MAMM celebrates its anniversary in rocking style with its Chords for Kids Scholarship Fundraiser!
Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop W/ Marebrook Farm & Blind Tiger
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: 46 Carleton St
Learn a lifelong skill and create your own handmade center piece for the fall season!
The Crowded Table with Primal Soup
◦ When: Friday, Nov 22nd
◦ Where: Oxbow Blending & Bottling
The Crowded Table and Primal Soup bring the jams to Oxbow in Portland, ME.