The Bollard Bulletin for May 21, 2025
Book your own concert tour of Portland for free tonight!
Highlights
Filmed over more than 20 years, Sabbath Queen documents Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie’s transformation from the dynastic heir of an Orthodox line into a freewheeling drag queen, queer bio-dad and founder of Lab/Shul, “an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation.” Sounds fun to me! If that sounds fun to you too, check out the screening tonight at SPACE (538 Congress St., Portland) at 7 p.m. Tix: $10.
It’s always been tough to book talent for Wednesday night shows — “hump day” audiences can be fickle, depending how much they’ve already been humped by the boss that week. Solution: invite the audience to be the talent!
For example, you could, in theory, embark on your own mini-tour of Portland tonight, starting at Orange Bike Brewing (31 Diamond St.) at 6 p.m., where you bring some of your favorite records to be spun by the house DJs and warm up your crowd during Vinyl Night. Then hike up Fox Street with your instrument for the Root Jam Sesh hosted by Sam Whitman of funk band Hambone, which starts at 6 and jams until 9 p.m. at Root Wild Kombucha (135 Washington Ave.). After that, head downtown to present your talent at the Creatives Gathering Open Mic at Mechanics’ Hall (519 Congress St.) — sign-up starts at 6:30 and the sharing takes place from 7-9 p.m. Or, if your show is on the wilder side, hit Work It Wednesday, the open stage at Geno’s (625 Congress) starting at 7:30 p.m. (21+). Wrap up your tour by crossing the street to Blue Portland Maine (650 Congress) and hit the Jazz Sesh hosted by Robben Harris of Future Mailmen that starts at 9 p.m., following the monthly set by Bess Jacques & The Strays at 7 p.m. (think of them as your opening act if that helps you feel like a star). It’s all free (tips gratefully accepted), and you’re welcome to bring your own tour t-shirts and other mech to make a few extra bucks.