University of Southern Maine
It’s hard to beat Portland’s Arts District for live entertainment. Empire Dine and Dance serves up diverse music and comedy acts with their menu. SPACE, an alternative arts venue founded by former USM students, offers a full schedule of exhibits as well as performances, some of which are all-ages shows.
Interested in music? Check out One Longfellow Square, a smaller venue that makes for intimate concerts. Likewise, the St. Lawrence Community Arts Center is the place to catch live music and local theatre, including some USM student productions. You can catch a surprisingly good number of top pop, country, and rock acts in Portland, at either the
Cumberland County Civic Center or in Portland City Hall’s Merrill Auditorium. The Merrill also hosts national tours of Broadway shows, such as the upcoming Chicago.
A quick walk down to Parkside brings you to Bubba’s Sulky Lounge, the Portland landmark with two dance floors and a full schedule of live bands.
For the latest entertainment news, listen to USM’s community radio station, WMPG, at 90.9 and 104.1 FM. WMPG’s “Scene Report,” airs every Friday and Saturday evening with their top picks of Portland’s best music and entertainment. You won’t hear the latest top-40 on WMPG, but if you’re tired of the same old thing and into independent radio, tune in.
