Category: Uncategorized

Vendor Tables Available for BPM Fest

On By BNA AdminIn Uncategorized
Potential Vendors and Sponsors Click Here

Call for Vendors and Sponsors: Showcase Your Work at the Inaugural BPM Drum Festival, and show your support of the arts in Bayside!

Bayside is getting ready to beat to a new rhythm this summer! On Saturday, August 1st, 2026, the Bayside Neighborhood Association (BNA) is proudly presenting the first-ever BPM Traditional Drum Festival along the beautiful Bayside Trail.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Levitt Family Foundation, this free, open-air festival is designed to activate our public green spaces, celebrate Bayside’s incredible cultural diversity, and bring community members together through a unique, multi-group synchronized sonic experience.

With massive crowds expected to walk the trail, dance, and listen to iconic groups like Taiko Maine, Namory Keita, and the Keepers of the Penobscot Drum, we want YOU to be a part of the energy.

Why Table at BPM Fest?

Whether you are a local maker, an advocacy group, a neighborhood non-profit, or a small business, setting up a table at the festival puts you directly in front of thousands of Portland residents and visitors in a festive, high-vibe atmosphere.

We are actively looking for:

  • Artisans & Makers: Handcrafted goods, art, jewelry, and creative wares.
  • Community Providers & Non-Profits: Organizations looking to share resources, sign up volunteers, or highlight community initiatives.
  • Neighborhood Businesses: Local brands looking to connect directly with the West Bayside community and beyond.

The Details

  • When: Saturday, August 1st, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Where: Along the Bayside Trail starting at Somerset and Elm Streets
  • Cost: Free! We have a limited number of tables and chairs, so if you can bring your own that is appreciated.

Secure Your Spot Today!

Ready to join the rhythm of the neighborhood? Spots will fill up fast as we map out the trail footprint.
Don’t wait—head over to our official signup page to tell us about your setup and secure your table space:

👉 Apply to be a BPM Fest Vendor Here

Become a Festival Sponsorship Partner

An impactful community celebration like this takes a village. While our grant covers the foundational costs, we are actively looking for local businesses, corporate partners, and community stakeholders to step up as BPM Fest Sponsors.

By partnering with the BNA, you’re showing your concrete commitment to local arts and diversity, which will help keep this incredible event entirely free and accessible to all.

👉 Interested in partnering? email us at events@baysideportland.org

For more information on the festival lineup, interactive drum circles, and schedule, check out the official BPM Fest Hub. See you on the trail!


Thank you to Levitt Family Foundation for its support of The BPM Traditional Drum Festival! We love Levitt Foundation’s mission, which is to strengthen the social fabric of America through the power of free, live music. In 2026, Levitt is supporting more than 900 free outdoor concerts nationwide in 100+ towns and cities across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds to create healthy, connected, and thriving communities. Learn more: levitt.org

Show Your Bayside Pride!

On By BNA AdminIn Uncategorized

Bayside Caps Are Here!

The BNA recently invested in a small lot of high-quality 100% cotton branded caps with custom embroidery to increase neighborhood visibility, foster community pride, and serve as a premium perk for our fundraising efforts. Right now you can get your own Bayside Cap with any donation of $25 or more. Your contribution helps fuel the vital programming, advocacy, and community outreach at the heart of the BNA’s work for over 25 years.

https://givebutter.com/BNA25

Act now and we’ll throw in a “Bayside is the Playside” pin to go with your hat. While supplies last. Thanks to the City of Portland Office of Sustainability.

Who’s wearing Bayside caps? Everybody!

Click the givebutter link above (note you don’t have to pay a donor fee) or use venmo@baysideportland Pick up your cap at the next BNA Board Meeting: 6pm, Tuesday, June 2nd, in the Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village, 24 Stone Street, Portland, Maine. Otherwise reach out to info@baysideportland.org and we’ll arrange a pickup or dropoff at your convenience.

Annual Meeting Tonight

On By BNA AdminIn Uncategorized

The Bayside Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting is happening tonight, May 2nd, from 5–7pm at the Equality Community Center, 15 Casco Street The evening will include a potluck, so please bring a dish to share if you’re able! On the agenda: a year-in-review of BNA activities and initiatives, and board elections for five open seats. General members who sign a membership form at the meeting are eligible to vote. Come connect with your neighbors, celebrate the past year, and help shape the future of Bayside!

Also today, rain or shine: Jane’s Walks throughout Bayside:

Re-Urbanizing the Urban Fabric: Portland’s Franklin Street (Jane’s Walk)
9am-10am, Meet at Lincoln Park near Federal Street & Congress Street

Affordable Housing in Portland: Rethinking Expectations (Jane’s Walk)
11am-12:30pm, Meet at 72 Oak Street

The Potential Future Home of the Bayside Opportunity Center at 28 Portland Street (Jane’s Walk)
1pm-2pm, Meet at 28 Portland Street

Bayside Underwater (Jane’s Walk)
2pm-3pm, Meet at Chestnut St. and Congress St.

Affordable Housing in Portland: Rethinking Expectations
The Potential Future Home of the Bayside Opportunity Center at 28 Portland Street
Bayside Under Water

ALSO TONIGHT:

Honey Tones in Concert 7pm–9pm,
“Last Church on the Left” at 58 Wilmot Street • Swing, blues, jazz, and folk. Suggested donation $20, all proceeds to performers. BYOB (no red wine) text 207-773-3434 for more information 

Bayside Week Finale & Night Cap! 9:00 – 11:00pm
Bar Publica 82 Hanover St Suite 7, Portland, ME 04101
Over the winter break Bar Publica redecorated, switched up the vibe and are now open! With empanadas, draft cocktails like Agua de Jamaica, and more now gracing the menu, stop by for dinner, drinks, and get your dance on!

Sunday May 3

Gnome Roam Wrap Party 5pm–8pm
Wilson County BBQ, 82 Hanover Street
Share photos & stories and take home prizes and “gnomentos” from Bayside Week

Note:Schedule is subject to change. For the latest updates and more information please see the Bayside Neighborhood Association website at baysideportland.org

Photos from the BNA Team Appreciation Party:

Ice Cream for Everyone!

On By BNA AdminIn Uncategorized

Two Bayside Week events prove that nothing brings a community together like sharing some ice cream on a warm spring day. Sundaes on a Monday was a great success thanks to our partners at Avesta Housing and Wayside Food Programs, which provide community meals every Monday from noon-1pm at 409 Cumberland Avenue. This week dessert was just a little sweeter and a lot cooler, thanks to the BNA Events Team.

… and today the Bayside Opportunity Center crew got out to Stone Street Playground to give out cups and cones to kids after school, along with groups from Boys’ & Girls’ Club and United Way programs. Thanks to the City of Portland Office of Sustainability for the block party kit, and to Whole Foods Market for donating the ice cream.

COMING UP:

Midtown Properties Community Feedback Session Wednesday April 29th 4pm–6pm
City Hall, 389 Congress Street, Room 24 • Share your ideas for four City-owned, undeveloped parcels in Bayside.

Sidewalk Chalk Flash Mob Thursday April 30th 3pm–4pm
28 Portland St (under the big green Bayside sign) • Draw your dream streetscape, send a message of peace to your neighbors, or maybe play a little hopscotch!

MORE FROM BAYSIDE WEEK:

Gnome Roam
Events Calendar

The Bayside Gnome Roam Begins!

On By BNA AdminIn Uncategorized

How It Works: Start any time during Bayside Week, but get a headstart including hints and how-tos at the BNA Spring Cleanup Saturday April 25th from 10-noon at the Bayside Community Garden on Chestnut Street.

During Bayside Week (April 25–May 2) you can find gnomes hidden all over the neighborhood. See below for photos and clues on where to find them. Track them down in real life, snap your own photo and email it to gnomes@baysideportland.org or paste it into the uploader on the bottom of the page.

Capture the spirit of Bayside and win big. Your photos could earn you neighborhood gear, gift cards to local favorites, or a gnome of your very own!

We’ll get together at the end of the week to share stories, photos, and collect prizes. Join us at Wilson County BBQ on Hanover Street Sunday May 3rd at 5pm for the announcement of the Gnome-coming King and Queen!

Note: Please do not touch, move, tamper with, disturb or otherwise harass the gnomes. They are very sensitive; remember that the Bayside gnomes live here too, and if you move them they could get lost or confused. Please think of your fellow gnome hunters, too! Try to take a unique photo that shows that you and your hunting party were there with the gnome. Make it fun for everyone!

Click here to get started!
Gnome Making Event Success!

BEHIND THE SCENES: Maine Clay Collaborative Kiln Unload: Gnome Edition

New ESOL Group in Bayside starts May 4th

On By Bayside Neighborhood AssociationIn Uncategorized

The Bayside Opportunity Center, in collaboration with Avesta Housing and the A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI), is now offering a guided English Conversation Group — a fun and relaxed space to practice English and build confidence through real conversations. Sessions include interactive discussions and simple group activities designed to develop speaking and listening skills, led by professional teachers of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Ina Demers MS Ed, and Garrett Stewart, president of APRI ME.

Sessions are offered every weekday (5 days a week) in the Community Room at Pearl Place at 184 Pearl Street in Portland — Monday through Frida from 5–6 PM. Free of charge, and no registration required. All ages and levels welcome, and support for parents with small children can be provided. For more information, contact demeri@portlandschools.org.

Groupe de conversation en anglais

Grupo de Conversação em Inglês

مجموعة المحادثة باللغة الإنجليزية

Kooxda Wada-hadalka Ingiriisiga

Kikundi cha Mazungumzo ya Kiingereza

BAYSIDE WEEK April 25th – May 3rd

On By BNA AdminIn Events Team, Uncategorized

Bayside Week Starts This Weekend!

Saturday April 25

Bayside Spring Cleanup 10am–12pm,
Bayside Community Garden, 78 Chestnut Street
Part of the “2nd Annual Great Portland Pickup.” Coffee, water & snacks provided. Trash bags, gloves, and pickers provided.

Gnome Roam Kickoff — Show up for the cleanup and get a headstart on the Gnome Roam with instructions, tips and clues. The more you photograph, the bigger the prize — including new Bayside swag, local gift certificates, and more. You may even get to take you very own gnome home! The Gnome Roam goes all week, with a wrap party on Sunday May 3rd. (see below)

Spring Cleanup Afterparty 12pm–3pm Bayside Bowl, 58 Alder Street • Free string of bowling for every cleanup participant, courtesy of Bayside Bowl!

Consider the Source w/ S.C.O.B.Y.
8pm–11:30pm, Bayside Bowl, 58 Alder Street
Live in concert. all ages. $20 adv. $25 door

Sunday April 26

Drag Brunch 10:30am–1pm
Batson River Brewing & Distilling, 82 Hanover St.

Deb Van Hoewyk Community Garden Naming Ceremony 1pm–2pm
Bayside Community Garden, 78 Chestnut Street
Honoring longtime BNA board member and community activist Deborah Van Hoewyk.

Tea Time Afterparty 2-3pm, 
Two Fat Cats Bakery, 195 Lancaster Street • Every pie sold benefits the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition 

Rainbow Reels–Movie Watch Party 2pm–5pm
Equality Community Center, 15 Casco Street

Bach’s B Minor Mass, Portland Symphony Orchestra 2:30pm, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street • Pre-concert conversation at 1:30pm.

Live Concert — Boyscout, The Fur, Robert Samantha 7:30pm–11:30pm
The Apohadion Theater, 107 Hanover Street

Monday April 27

Wayside Community Lunch 12pm–1pm
409 Cumberland Avenue • Presented by Wayside Food Programs. Open to the public.

Sundaes on Monday 1pm–2pm
409 Cumberland Avenue • After lunch join us for dessert!

Tuesday April 28

Bayside Opportunity Center Meet & Greet, Stay & Play 3:30pm–5pm,
Stone Street Playground, 170–174 Oxford Street
Learn about the BOC and imagine a community center in Bayside. Games, sweet treats, and freebies for kids.

Trivia Night with Sporcle 6:30pm–8:30pm
Batson River Brewing & Distilling, 82 Hanover St

Bach’s B Minor Mass, Portland Symphony Orchestra 7pm,
Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street • Pre-concert conversation at 6:00pm.

Wednesday April 29

Bayside Business Breakfast Club 8:30am Maine Clay Collaborative, 65 Hanover Street
Last Wednesday of every month. RSVP: breakfastclub@baysideportland.org

Midtown Properties Community Feedback Session 4pm–6pm
City Hall, 389 Congress Street, Room 24 • Share your ideas for four City-owned, undeveloped parcels in Bayside.

Trivia Night 7pm–9pm
Wilson County Barbecue, 82 Hanover St Suite 8
Every Wednesday 7–9pm. 75¢ wings + rotating beverage special.

Thursday April 30

Sidewalk Chalk Flash Mob 3pm–4pm
28 Portland St (under the big green Bayside sign) • Draw your dream streetscape, send a message of peace to your neighbors, or maybe play a little hopscotch! Thanks to the City of Portland Office of Sustainability for providing the chalk.

BNA Teams Appreciation Party 5pm–8pm
RSVP to info@baysideportland.org for information

Friday May 1

2026 Gallery Season Opening 5pm–8pm
82 Parris Gallery, 82 Parris Street • First Friday Art Walk

Clay Play  5pm–7pm
Maine Clay Collaborative, 65 Hanover Street
Free drop-in pottery wheel experience. No work kept — just fun!

Spring for the Kids 6pm–9pm
Boys & Girls Club, 277 Cumberland Avenue

Drag Race Viewing Party 7pm–9:30pm Batson River Brewing & Distilling, 82 Hanover St

Bearly Dead, Live in Concert 8–11:30pm, Bayside Bowl, 58 Alder Street

80’s Dance Night 8:30pm–12am
Bubba’s Sulky Lounge,92 Portland Street • Wear full 80s gear and get in FREE + chance to win $50 cash. Spectators: $5 cover.

Saturday May 2

USCF Monthly Chess Series 10am–2pm
Baxter Academy, 185 Lancaster Street
Registration 9:45am. USCF ID required.
$10 entry, $15 prize for quad winners.

Re-Urbanizing the Urban Fabric: Portland’s Franklin Street (Jane’s Walk)
9am-10am, Meet at Lincoln Park near Federal Street & Congress Street

Affordable Housing in Portland: Rethinking Expectations (Jane’s Walk)
11am-12:30pm, Meet at 72 Oak Street

The Potential Future Home of the Bayside Opportunity Center at 28 Portland Street (Jane’s Walk)
1pm-2pm, Meet at 28 Portland Street

Bayside Underwater (Jane’s Walk)
2pm-3pm, Meet at Chestnut St. and Congress St.

Vogue Ballroom 101 with Aquarius Funk
2pm–4pm, Equality Community Center,
15 Casco Street • Intro to vogue ballroom — practice and conversation about ballroom culture. By donation, no one turned away. Open to all 18+, centering QTBIPOC individuals.

Bayside Neighborhood Association Annual Meeting 5pm–7pm Equality Community Center, 15 Casco Street • Potluck, board elections, year-in-review. Bring a dish if you can!

Honey Tones in Concert 7pm–9pm,
“Last Church on the Left” at 58 Wilmot Street • Swing, blues, jazz, and folk. Suggested donation $20, all proceeds to performers. BYOB (no red wine) text 207-773-3434 for more information 

Everything Dance Party with DJ Jon
9pm–12am, Bubba’s Sulky Lounge, 92 Portland St
Today’s hits plus everything else.

Sunday May 3

Gnome Roam Wrap Party 5pm–8pm
Wilson County BBQ, 82 Hanover Street
Share photos & stories and take home prizes and “gnomentos” from Bayside Week

Note:Schedule is subject to change. For the latest updates and more information please see the Bayside Neighborhood Association website at baysideportland.org

BNA Dev Team Shows Up for Bayside

On By BNA AdminIn Relevant Developments, Uncategorized

Wednesday afternoon the City of Portland hosted the first of two public feedback forums related to the Midtown Properties in Bayside. Members of the BNA Relevant Developments Team, including team lead Amelia LaBreck, vice-president Rob Sylvain, and treasurer Peter Markoe attended to make sure Bayside voices are heard throughout the process. The city also is soliciting feedback though an online survey, here: Midtown Project Community Survey

The next public forum is scheduled for April 29th at City Hall. (The session’s hours have been extended to accommodate more members of the public, and will now be held from 4pm – 7pm.) For more information visit the City of Portland Website. Click the link below for an overview of the BNA’s position on Midtown, or use the search tool to the right for some historical perspective.

City Announces Public Process for Midtown Development

Please take the survey and consider joining us at the next public session. Feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas at developments@baysideportland.org As always, we want to hear from you!

Gnome Making Event Success!

On By Robert SylvainIn Arts & Music, Events Team, Uncategorized

Get ready for the Bayside Gnome Roam! 🧙‍♂️

What a night! During April’s First Friday, dozens of neighbors and friends packed Maine Clay Collaborative for our Gnome Roam prep event — and the results were magical. Scores of handmade clay gnomes are now drying, ready to be fired up and let loose on the streets of Bayside.

So what happens next? The fine folks at Maine Clay will fire all those little characters in the kiln. Then we’ll fan out across the neighborhood and tuck them into nooks, perch them on stoops, and hide them in plain sight — ready for neighbors to discover during Bayside Week, April 25th through May 2nd. Find one, photograph it, share it. It’s part art project, part hide-and-seek, and totally Bayside.

Bayside Week is shaping up to be something really special. Get a head start on the Gnome Roam by showing up at our kickoff cleanup event from 10am-noon on Saturday April 25th at the Bayside Community Garden. Check out everything that’s happening at www.baysideportland.org/community-calendar/ — and if you have an event to add or want to get involved, reach out to the events team.

Let’s show everyone why Bayside is the Playside!

Thank You Maine Clay Collaborative!