Everybody loves Portland’s First Friday Art Walk, but not everybody loves the crowds. Looking for something off the beaten path, with hands-on experiences, curated local and underground art, free music, great food and craft beer? Look no further than the Bayside of Portland’s First Friday. Anchored by Bayside’s best kept secret in 82Parris Gallery, a truly collaborative effort of young local visionaries of the Portland art scene—and the brand new and expanding Maine Clay Collaborative, providing studio space for ceramic artists, pottery classes for all skill levels, and now free open studio clay playtime on First Fridays. Walking between these two anchors is a delight on the brand new woonerf featuring public sculpture by Clint Fulkerson in front of the renovated brick warehouse now housing craft beer masters Argenta Brewing with resident food truck Hank & Artie’s, the Fiery Puerto Rican food and rooftop cabana of Bar Publica, open fire pits on the patio of Wilson County BBQ’s featuring live music every Friday. Many people already know the iconic Bayside Bowl, with its many stages, pro lanes and rooftop bar, but right around the corner is the hidden gem of the Apohadion Theatre, presenting eclectic off-beat and underground music of infinite variety. So much going on in Bayside. Check it out this Friday!
