The Bollard Bulletin for April 16, 2025
What's on stage and where you can jump on stage yourself tonight
Highlights
Coast to Coast: An Evening of Hip-Hop, Arabic Poetry & Maqam Music features Syrian-American rapper and poet Omar Offendum and Palestinian-American musician Ronnie Malley telling tales and making heads bob as they reveal the ways Arabic culture has enriched the one over here. They perform during the first of a two-night stand of shows at One Longfellow Square (181 State St., Portland) at 7 p.m. Tix: $41.50.
Feeling stressed? Listen to Sessa. Feeling unhappy? Listen to more Sessa. Having a pleasantly relaxing day? I know the perfect soundtrack to that vibe: Sessa. The São Paolo singer and musician plays warm, easygoing Brazilian folk spiked with a microdose of psychedelia at SPACE (538 Congress St., Portland), with solo act Erev brewing ambient exotica at 8 p.m. Tix: $20 (all ages).
Strong quadruple-bill of Maine indie rock tonight at The Apohadion Theater (107 Hanover St., Portland) with veterans Tiger Saw, 2024 rookies of the year Biz Turkey, the ever-popular No Fun and Million of Energy at 7:30 p.m. Tix: $15 (all ages).
Photographer David McClain and members of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association illuminate the realities of our seafood industry during an event at Maine Maritime Museum (243 Washington St., Bath) that highlights McClain’s series on Midcoast fisherfolk and images from the museum’s archive at 6 p.m. Free (pre-register here).
Promoted, accurately, as “Portland’s most fabulous open stage,” it’s Work It Wednesday at Geno’s (625 Congress St., Portland) at 8 p.m. Tix: $5 (21+). Or maybe you’re more of a jam-funk person. In that case, bring your instrument to Root Wild Kombucha (135 Washington Ave., Portland) for the Root Jam Sesh hosted by Sam “Don’t Call Me Slim” Whitman of Hambone at 7 p.m. (free for all ages). Wait, you’re really more of a jazz cat? Then hit Blue Portland Maine for tonight’s set by Bess Jacques & The Strays at 7 p.m. (donation; 21+), and stick around for the open Jazz Sesh at 9 p.m., this week hosted by bassist and composer Robben Harris of Future Mailmen.