October 2005

10.01.05 | Sat

Lori McKenna

8:30p, $8 / $10 day of, 18+

Steeped in a kettle of Americana or alt country, Lori McKenna should rank up there with quality performers such as Lucinda Williams, Julie Miller, Kathleen Edwards, and Mary Alice Wood. Her songs lays her soul bare with a brassy heart and harrowing conviction, often examining the tension we often feel regarding the need to leave our hometowns.

10.03.05 | Mon

Kayo Dot with Time of Orchids and Conifer

8:30p, $6, 18+

Kayo Dot powerfully integrates elements of modern classical composition with the layers of guitars and vocals more common to rock and metal. With a compositional map that is strict in form yet malleable in execution, Kayo Dot uses a vast array of instrumentation to create an exciting convergence of violence and serenity. Their album "Choirs of the Eye" was released as part of "The Composer Series" on John Zorn's Tzadik Label.

Time of Orchids blurs the line between metal, classical and industrial with stunning technical prowess. Featuring haunting synths, manic shrieks and jagged guitar/bass/drums interplay from a young band pioneering a complex and vibrant new rock sound.

Conifer opens with their hard-hitting rock tunes.

10.06.05 | Thurs

TNT: Town/Gown T-Shirt Throwdown

7-9p, free, all ages

A juried t-shirt design competition and fashion show. Categories: best graphics, most decontstructed/reconstructed, raddest use of alternative materials, viewer’s choice, most awesomest, tackiest, flashiest, and many more! Judges: Jill McGowan, Angela Adams, Diane Toepfer of Ferdinand and Mark High of Milo and Casco Bay Books. Prizes: t-shirts by local designers, a Gocco Printer courtesy of Artist and Craftsmen, and many other surprises! Deadline: T-shirts should be submitted to the ICA by Monday, October 3. Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art, 522 Congress Street, Portland, Maine. Call 207.879-5742 x 229 for more info.

10.07.05 | Fri

First Friday Art Walk

5-8p, free, all ages

Reclaiming Space explores the urge to re-establish relationships with our environments, inquiring about the boundaries of ownership in a public space? This show attempts to challenge the notion of public vs. private and true freedom of expression. Featuring works in the gallery and around the city of Portland. New this month: "Starry Night", a video installation by Robert Lieber, projected on the Portland Public Library; and an installation by Anna Hepler at The Portland Company, 58 Fore Street.

10.08.05 | Sat

The Lunchbox Series with Wade Zahares

11a, $3 / $5 per family, all ages

Wade Zahares' book DELIVERY follows a delivery van up and down city streets. Join us for a look at the many angles, nooks and crannies of city architecture. Kids can work with our star artist Kelly McConnell to make 3D cityscapes and detailed, imagined city maps. Presented with Curious City.

10.10.05 | Mon

Creative Conversations

7p, free, all ages

Creative Conversations is a way to connect creative individuals: to each other, to organizations, to information, to opportunities.

This October marks the one-year anniversary of Creative Conversations! Last year we hosted a trial meeting for people interested in the creative/arts scene here in Portland. Other meetings were held around the country, all under the umbrella of a project initiated by Americans for the Arts.

Their intent was for folks to meet up for a one-time event, but we liked it so much that we've done it every month since (except for the summer months). Notes from the first 5 or 6 meetings can be found here:

We hope you'll join us for this anniversary meeting, and bring new folks who you think would enjoy participating.

10.13.05 | Thurs

Phantom Buffalo, The Enchantments and Kino Proby

8:30p, $5, 18+

Rock out with these three great local bands!

10.14.05 | Fri

The Next Generation of Democracy

5-8p, free, all ages

The NAACP, University of Southern Maine and the League of Pissed Off Voters present a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Featuring short films, spoken word, a graffiti demonstration and representatives from youth groups talking about their missions and goals.

10.15.05 | Sat

Sacred + Profane

$10, take the 2:15 ferry to Peaks Island

This isn't a SPACE event -- but we think everyone should go!
The fall is now synonymous with the Sacred & Profane. True to its name, this event is both mischievous and enlightening as some of Portland's most innovative artists exhibit their work in the powerfully somber halls of The Battery Steele. This massive cement artillery bunker is Peaks Island's own remnant of World War II. Because it is a dark, windowless, structure without electricity, artwork is illuminated by candles handed to each audience member at the door. The S&P features site-specific installations by visual artists and performances by dancers, singers, and musicians. Liberated from the rituals of traditional exhibition spaces, artworks are presented anonymously and artists often collaborate to make unconventional pieces that directly respond to the tone and architecture of the bunker. The Sacred and Profane has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year and after ten years continues to remain fresh and exciting, boldly advancing the edge of contemporary art in Maine. The organizers appropriately use the word "feast" to describe the incredible meal that concludes the event and which is included in the modest admission price. Tickets are available in advance at local businesses and at the entrance of the bunker on the day of the event. To attend this year's S&P, board the 2:15 ferry to Peaks Island at Portland's Ferry terminal on Commercial St. Saturday, October 15 and follow a troupe of performers from the ferry landing to the festival grounds.

10.16.05 | Sun

Something About America:
The Maine Refugee Experience on Page & Film

2:30 reading, 4:30 film screening, free, all ages

Website for The Letter

Join us for a dramatic reading of the new children's novel, Something About America by Portland writer Maria Testa. A Company of Girls will read from the acclaimed novel about a family from Kosova assimilating to life in Maine. Maria Testa will then discuss this poem-novel inspired by the 2002 conflict between the mayor and recent immigrants in Lewiston, Maine. The reading and discussion will be followed by a showing of Ziad H. Hamzeh's documentary, The Letter. The award-winning film documents the crossfire of emotions and events that led to the cultural confrontation in Lewiston. Sponsored by Curious City and Books Etc.

10.21.05 | Fri

Brzowski CD release

9p, $5, 18+

Local hip-hopster Brzowski releases his newest CD: Maryshelleyoverdrive, a Milled Pavement record.

10.22.05 | Sat

Company with Harpswell Sound

8:30p, $6, 18+

Listen to Company here.

Listen to Harpswell Sound here.

Like all good bands, Company can’t be labeled. Think ‘60s California acts like the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and Moby Grape--bands of former folkies gone electric. But Company are decidedly urban, albeit with with piercing Johnny Thunders-meets-Jerry Garcia leads. It's a folk sound, but more Clash, Joy Division, and Meat Puppets than ‘60s California, and they can get away with covering Joy Division’s "Love Will Tear Us Apart" right after Willie Nelson’s "You Were Always on My Mind." Harpswell Sound opens with their slow, thoughtful rock.

10.24.05 | Mon
10.25.05 | Tues

FX Makeup Workshop

6-9p, $25 / $15 students and members, ages high school and up

Please pre-register with Nat @ SPACE:
nat@space538.org, 828-5600

2 day Special FX workshop just in time for Halloween! This introductory course offers industry standard tricks of the trade as well as tips for excellent makeup effects from your own kitchen. Maine native Sarah Tarling earned her BFA at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA, and completed the Master Program at the Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles, CA. Currently she is working on two B movie turned one-act plays "Maniac" and "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" with
Running Over Productions. For more examples of her work visit here. For play info go here.

10.26.05 | Wed

Acorn Productions presents: "Will's Chills" Naked Shakespeare

7:30p, $5, all ages

In celebration of the season, The Acorn Shakespeare Ensemble brings to life some of Shakespeare's most macabre events. Includes scenes from Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Richard III, The Tempest, Anthony and Cleopatra, and Othello.

10.29.05 | Sat

Esperanza Latin Halloween Dance Party

9p, $TBA, 21+

It's a latin dance halloween extravaganza! Come dressed in your wildest costume, but please make sure it won't hurt anybody when you start shakin' it on the dance floor. We'll have prizes on hand for the best costumes.

UPCOMING:

11.03.05 | Thurs. | TNT
11.04.05 | Fri. | First Friday Artwalk: Kids With Cameras
11.05.05 | Sat. | Documentary Film: Born Into Brothels fundraiser for Kids with Cameras
11.12.05 | Sat. | The Lunchbox Series with Chris Van Dusen
11.13.05 | Sun. | 2005 Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival Kickoff
11.14.05 | Mon. | 2005 Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival
11.15.05 | Tues. | 2005 Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival
11.16.05 | Wed. | 2005 Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival
11.17.05 | Thurs. | 2005 Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival
11.18.05 | Fri. | 2005 Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival
11.19.05 | Sat. | 2005 Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival
11.20.05 | Sun. | 2005 Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival
12.02.05 | Fri. | First Friday Artwalk
12.03.05 | Sat. | Holiday Shop-A-Do
12.03.05 | Sat. | Cerberus Shoal

We’re looking for new members!
Information on memberships is available on our website at http://www.space538.org/pages/membership.php