new england's live music guide
PORTLAND
ONE LONGFELLOW SQUARE
ABOUT
One Longfellow Square is a nonprofit performing arts and concert venue in Portland, Maine's West End, at the entrance to the city's Arts District. The space holds approximately 180 seated and operates as Portland's dedicated listening room. It is housed in a renovated 19th-century building at Longfellow Square and also offers live streaming for select shows.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The venue emphasizes folk, Americana, and singer-songwriter acts but also programs soul, R&B, jazz, indie pop, world music, and film screenings. It runs free community concerts in Congress Square Park during summer and partners with the Portland Public Library to offer free ticket passes. The atmosphere is focused and attentive, geared toward close listening.
HISTORY
The building was abandoned in 1994 and purchased by Portland Performing Arts in 1998, which spent nearly $800,000 to renovate it. The Center for Cultural Exchange opened on March 5, 1999 in the space. The venue was renamed One Longfellow Square when it began operating as an independent nonprofit. It also runs the Longfellow Emerging Artist Fellowship (LEAF) program. It nearly closed permanently due to financial losses during the COVID-19 pandemic but was saved by community support.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Thursday
- 8:00pm — Portland Jazz Orchestra feat. Falmouth High School jazz vibes
Friday
- 8:00pm — An Evening with Chris Smither let's go
Saturday
- 8:00pm — Mary Fahl, formerly of October Project get loud
Thursday - 5/21
- 8:00pm — Portland Jazz Orchestra feat. Westbrook High School let's go
Saturday - 5/23
- 8:00pm — The Last Revel with special guest 40 Thieves get loud
Wednesday - 6/3
- 7:00pm, 9:30pm — June Open Mic Night hosted by Lollabelle jazz vibes
Full schedule at onelongfellowsquare.com/upcoming-shows-events/ →