Portland, ME February 2026

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Portland Shows Up

I recently spoke with Casey Oakes, associate director at Portland Ovations, about their POP fundraising event held every December, and how Portland—and beyond—once again showed up in a major way.

“We have to hold it in a bigger space next year,” he said. “It just keeps growing and growing.”

That community support, in the form of funds raised at the event, along with annual memberships and other giving, makes it possible for Oakes and his team to provide the performances, programming, and outreach that impact so many.

“It embodies everything I love about Portland,” he went on to say, referring to their Community Seats program, which you’ll read more about on page 14. “Those moments energize both the artists and the audience, and when every seat is filled, everyone benefits.”

His comments got me thinking about everything I value about living here. It’s not that we’re perfect—and we’re certainly experiencing our growing pains—but we show up for one another. Time and again, Portland proves that we’re not just the economic engine of the state; we’re the heartbeat of it, too.

Our Love Local issue is a testament to that. We hope that as you read it, you’ll feel that same spirit of giving and connection reflected in the stories we share about the people who live and work here. The people, after all, are what it’s all about.

“We’re a welcoming city that truly shows up for one another,” Oakes said. I couldn’t agree more.

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Emily Harradon | emily.harradon@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Angela Smith | angela.smith@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Meghan Morrison | meghan.morrison@citylifestyle.com

Maritza Feliciano | maritza.feliciano@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Angela Smith

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

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How

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FEBRUARY 2026

city scene

WHERE

CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Ana Blosset plays at Equal Measure Arts fundraiser, advancing accessible studio recording and music education. 2: Two Lights Settlements Services’ Holiday Party. 3: A festive night celebrating the women of Maine Women in Business. 4: Casey Oakes (left), Aimée Petrin, and Tania Power at Portland Ovations’ annual fundraiser, POP. 5: Maine’s own American Idol star Julia Gagnon performs at this year’s Magic of Christmas. 6: HAND-Philippines Gala & Auction supporting community rebuilding efforts and the medical/surgical mission in Bohol, Philippines. 7: Co-General Managers Helen Carter and Reo Miyake at Aomori, a new Japanese soul food restaurant.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

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Tree of Life Chiropractic Announces Upcoming Workshops

Perfect Storm (Jan. 31 and Mar. 28, 2026, 11 a.m.) with Dr. Conor Campbell explores how stress can dysregulate a child’s nervous system and show up as anxiety, ADHD, sensory challenges, sleep issues, or behavior concerns. Birth + Beyond (Feb. 28, 2026, 11 a.m.) with Dr. Victoria Campbell supports expecting parents by focusing on nervous-system health through pregnancy and birth. Free and open to the community. More information: treeoflifechiros.com.

Live at Madrid's

Live at Madrid’s, a new 800-capacity venue in Portland, is targeting a March 2026 opening. With fundraising complete and the loan closed, Barrett Made is moving full speed ahead on a buildout that will welcome local and national acts, weddings, and special events.

Scan to read more

Maine Aesthetic Medicine Expands Wellness Care

Maine Aesthetic Medicine launched a new Wellness Program in January 2026, featuring hormone optimization and GLP-1 weight management with Nurse Practitioner Avery Brennan. Brennan will begin seeing patients for consultations in January to review health history, discuss goals, and determine the best plan and treatment options. Interested in being among the first to schedule? Join the waitlist by emailing Avery@maineaestheticmedicine.com.

Scan to read more

RESULTS & BENEFITS

the CITY LIST

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Art Gallery

Cove Street Arts covestreetarts.com

Portland Art Gallery portlandartgallery.com

Moss Galleries | Portland elizabethmossgalleries.com

Greenhut Galleries greenhutgalleries.com

Casco Bay Artisans cascobayartisans.com

Local Adventure

Sea Kayaking and Hiking at North Star Adventure Center northstaradventures.me

Fat Tire Biking at Pineland Farms pinelandfarms.org

Pond Cabin Yoga at Hidden Valley Nature Center midcoastconservancy.org/hvnc

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

Sugar House Tour and Experience at Jo's Sugar House jossugarhouse.com

Thompson's Point Rink thompsonspoint.com/therink

How Portland Ovations opens its doors so more people can experience live performance.

A SEAT FOR EVERYONE

ARTICLE BY ANGELA SMITH

Portland Ovations believes live performance should be within reach for every person in our community. Through its Community Seats program, Portland Ovations partners with local nonprofits, social service agencies, and others to offer tickets to people who might not otherwise attend a show, from newer Mainers and youth programs to families navigating tough seasons. We sat down with Executive & Artistic Director Aimée Petrin and Director of Community Programs & Partnerships Katelyn Manfre to learn how Community Seats works, who it serves, and why access to the arts matters.

CAN YOU TELL READERS ABOUT COMMUNITY SEATS AND WHAT SPARKED IT?

Aimée: We’ve been doing this for 10 to 15 years, but episodically. It didn’t have much shape, and we did it when we could.

In the last few years, it has gained real structure. We decided it was time to name it, formalize it, and make it public. It’s always been part of our DNA, but now it’s a true program, not just something insiders know about.

Katelyn: When I started, there’d been a lot of turnover across nonprofits, so my work has been rebuilding and forming new relationships. Only recently did we gather that work under Community Seats.

Having a named program we can point to lets us say, “This is what we do. Come in through this door.” It’s a natural entry point for organizations to get to know our programming, and those relationships often deepen.

Now people come to us asking to be part of it. One partner said their participants told them, “We never get invited to the fun, cool things in Portland. How do we get invited?” That’s exactly what Community Seats is for.

WHAT GAP WERE YOU SEEING IN WHO WAS ABLE TO COME TO PERFORMANCES, AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO FILL IT?

Aimée: The gap shows up in a lot of ways, but the biggest one is socioeconomic. It is also about people who don’t feel welcome or like they belong in Merrill Auditorium or our other venues.

This program is as much about social connection as it is about tickets. It is about what it feels like to be in community.

Katelyn: Many of our partners serve people who are spread out or only together for a short time. Family Promise, for example, walks with families for a period, then they “graduate,” but they’re still part of that wider circle.

Organizations are looking for fun, low-pressure ways to bring people together again. Familyfriendly, intergenerational shows are especially popular. Community Seats gives people who don’t see each other regularly a reason to gather, reconnect, and feel part of something.

CONTINUED >

“This program is as much about social connection as it is about tickets. It is about what it feels like to be in community.”

Youth from Our Place attend Memphis Jookin' and meet the artists. Photo courtesy of Portland Ovations.

“There is real value in engaging young people, newer Mainers, and adults who have not seen a live performance in a long time, or ever.”

WHY DOES ACCESS TO LIVE PERFORMANCE MATTER?

Aimée: First, coming together. One of the main issues we are trying to address is social isolation. Any chance to bring people together is vital.

Second, we are fortunate that what brings people together here is live performance. The shared experience is incomparable. It can be magical, transformative, and joyful.

Katelyn: There is real value in engaging young people, newer Mainers, and adults who have not seen a live performance in a long time, or ever. We present music and dance from all over the world. People can connect with an art form or culture that is theirs, close to their heart, or completely new.

All the reasons these art forms have survived and crossed oceans for centuries show up in small moments.

I think of the group connected to the Azerbaijan Society that came to 360 Allstars a few years ago: Newly arrived families from Afghanistan, babies and tweens in tow, looking for something to do together. We worked with their director to bring them to this urban circus with BMX bikers, DJs, and breakdancing. The kids had the night of their lives. They got T-shirts signed; they were glowing.

We later heard how much it meant to have that bright spot during a really hard time. Being able to breathe together and experience joy, celebration, and positivity—that is the value for me.

Aimée: And it goes both ways. The energy in the room changes with a broader mix of people.

At Soweto Gospel Choir, a friend told us they sat next to folks who came through Community Seats, including someone from Africa who knew the music and language. That person explained what was happening on stage and brought such joy. Our friend said their own experience was better because of who they sat beside.

This program is not one-dimensional. The impact moves through the whole audience.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH NONPROFITS, AND HOW MANY PARTNERS ARE YOU SERVING?

Katelyn: Partners find us in a lot of ways. Some reach out directly. Others come through board members and community connections. I follow up to establish or deepen the relationship.

Some partnerships go back years. With those, I sit down once a year, go through the season, and ask which titles make sense for their community.

We tailor logistics to each organization so it feels easy and welcoming. For some, I send a monthly list of shows, and they request tickets. Others connect around specific titles. Some pick up tickets in advance; others prefer will-call. The goal is always low-barrier.

Right now, we have 17 Community Seats partners, including three new this season, within a larger network of about 40 community organizations we work with each year.

Aimée: Some partners came to us in surprising ways—like Portland Community Squash or the Center for Grieving Children. That is why staying open is so important. We do not want a rigid idea of who “qualifies.” The aim is low-barrier and welcoming.

We also welcome partners from the stage, which gives visibility to their work and changes the energy in the room. Those “We’re here!” cheers are powerful, and artists feel that too.

WHAT KINDS OF COMMUNITIES DO THESE NONPROFITS SERVE?

Katelyn: It is a wide range. We work with youth organizations like Our Place; KidsPeace, which supports families in foster care; and Portland Community Squash, which engages newly arrived immigrant families through sport.

Many partners serve newer Mainers, helping people connect with services and settle here. Community Seats becomes one more way to say, “Welcome. We want you here.”

We also partner with the Equality Community Center. Each year, we bring a group of their youth to a show. This season about 30 teens will get glammed up for a pre-party, then see Kinky Boots together.

Another partner works with survivors of sexual assault and trafficking and includes wellness practitioners and artists across the region. Their community is spread out, so these shared evenings are a rare chance to gather around joy and a shared experience.

The Center for Grieving Children joined us after we worked together during the Broadway tour of Dear Evan Hansen . Getting to know their work more deeply led to a Community Seats partnership.

Overall, we are working with BIPOC communities, underrepresented communities, youth development programs, recent immigrants and asylum seekers, people with disabilities, and others who have historically had less access to performance.

Aimée: Many of these communities have had limited access to live performance, or at least in this moment. And again, it is not just about the ticket. It is about feeling welcome and included— having that sense of belonging. That is the heart of the program.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT IMPACT—IN NUMBERS?

Katelyn: Last year, we distributed about 600 Community Seats tickets, with a value of around $30,000. That was before the program was fully formalized.

This year, our goal is 700 seats, and we are on track. At most performances, there are between 20 to 40 Community Seats tickets in use. Each organization usually takes 10 to 15.

Aimée: Importantly, we have not had to turn anyone away. That is something we care about deeply.

Initial funding came from the Onion Foundation, and support has grown from there. In some cases, we have to purchase seats due to contractual obligations, so funding helps underwrite tickets and also supports workshops, outreach, and Katelyn’s time with partners. It means we do not have to say no.

Katelyn: More and more, artists and management companies are also initiating outreach. Because Ovations has a dedicated community engagement role, tours will ask, “Who can we connect with?” and we can say, “We already have this network.”

They have been very open. For Kinky Boots, the tour agreed to set aside 30 tickets for the Equality Community Center, even with a tight financial agreement.

CONTINUED >

We recently presented DakhaBrakha with the State Theatre and reserved a block of Community Seats tickets for partners and for members of the Ukrainian community, including a group referred by a social worker.

Artists and tours increasingly see that it is not just about money. It is about impact.

Aimée: In the early days, we never would have expected this kind of flexibility from Broadway tours, where every seat is accounted for. Now we ask, and no one has said no. People recognize the importance of bringing as many people as possible into live performance.

WHEN

YOU THINK OF COMMUNITY SEATS AT ITS BEST, WHAT’S ONE MOMENT THAT COMES TO MIND?

Aimée: Honestly, there is something at every performance. The Soweto Gospel Choir night is one I come back to. That feeling of, “This is exactly what we hoped for.”

Katelyn: Our Place stands out. We have worked with them for years. It is an after-school program, and they bring kids to evening shows when they can. They love dance, circus, acrobatics—anything high-energy.

Some of them saw 360 Allstars as a student matinee and then asked to come back for the evening performance with Our Place because they loved it so much. That kind of excitement is really special.

We are also growing partnerships in the disability community. Last year, we piloted audio description for A Year With Frog and Toad and invited blind and low-vision adults and kids.

There was a boy, eight or nine, who is blind. He sat with his audio-description headset on and laughed through the whole show. We also organized a touch tour, so people could go on stage after, feel the props and costumes, and talk with the stage management team.

Seeing artists, crew, and audience all leaning into that shared experience is one of my favorite parts of this work.

HOW HAS COMMUNITY SEATS SHAPED YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Aimée: First, we truly love what we do. Seeing people experience the joy of performance fuels us.

Organizationally, this work has widened our perspective. It has given us a deeper understanding of our community and reminded us not to assume we know who will want to come or why. Some of the organizations and reasons have surprised us, in the best way.

That openness applies to our doors, our minds, and our hearts. We are better for it, and our audiences are better for it.

Katelyn: Another shift is how we talk about the work. We have done some version of this for years, but only recently named it, built a webpage, and made it easier to find. We are getting better at telling the story.

We also created a welcome message that plays before shows to set a tone of hospitality from the moment someone decides to come through the end of the night. We are always refining how we present these experiences so people genuinely feel welcome.

Aimée: And there has been a shift in how we think. Like many nonprofits, we used to operate from scarcity: “We can give away this many tickets and no more.”

Thanks to funding and member support, we have been able to loosen that. We are more expansive, not just with Community Seats but across our programs. Moving from scarcity to generosity benefits everyone.

HOW CAN PEOPLE SUPPORT COMMUNITY SEATS?

Katelyn: Visit portlandovations.org/community-seats. My email is there, so organizations can reach out about becoming partners. There is also information on how to support the program financially. People can make a designated gift, and there are options to donate when they buy tickets.

Aimée: People have specifically asked how to help provide access to the performing arts. Formalizing this program was partly about creating that pathway. There is now a direct way for people to support Community Seats and be part of this work.

Community Organizations Say Thanks.

Community Seats currently partners with 17 organizations, a number that’s always evolving. Here’s what two had to say:

“Portland Ovations plays a vital role in strengthening our community by expanding access to the arts and deepening cultural awareness. Through classical and contemporary music, performance, storytelling, and theater, they create meaningful opportunities for local communities to engage with diverse artistic traditions. The Community Seats program has allowed members and friends of the Azerbaijan Society of Maine to be part of an invaluable and memorable cultural journey, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to inclusion and belonging.”

—Tarlan Ahmadov, Director, Azerbaijan Society of Maine

“We have many great memories of going to Portland Ovations shows where our youth have experienced everything from modern dance, to hip hop, to circus arts, to tap dance. As many of our youth are aspiring dancers and performers, it is exciting to have them in an audience appreciating the arts as a viable and celebrated career path.”

- Libby Catania, Founder & Executive Director, Our Place Portland

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ARTICLE BY ANGELA SMITH | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ILLUSTRATION INSTITUTE

LOVE, ILLUSTRATED

A LOOK AT ILLUSTRATION INSTITUTE, THE PEAKS-BORN NONPROFIT TURNING ILLUSTRATION INTO A LIVING CONVERSATION AND SHOWING HOW STORIES ON AND BEYOND THE PAGE CONNECT US.

Illustration Institute isn’t just about hanging pretty pictures. Founders Scott Nash and Nancy Gibson-Nash are quietly and methodically building a place where illustration is treated as a serious, egalitarian art form that connects people through story.

What some people might not realize, but is true, is that Maine is deeply welcoming, globally connected, and full of illustrators whose work spans the world and moves far beyond lighthouses and lobsters. “Maine really is a nexus for illustrators; they’re drawn here,” said Nash, giving the example of Ashley Bryan, who moved here and lived on Cranberry Island. “He came here because the Maine arts community welcomed him.”

“The cliche of the obfuscating Mainer really isn’t true,” Nash added. “We pull people in, and we’re very connected—the sheer number of illustrators here is quite amazing.”

Beyond Ashley Bryan, here are just a few of the illustrators living in Maine that Nash rattled off, giving weight to his claim that this state is rich with illustration:

• Melissa Sweet – Caldecott Honor–winning children’s book author-illustrator known for her mixed-media biographies like Balloons Over Broadway and Some Writer !

• Ben Bishop – Maine comic creator best known as one of the artists on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin and for his creator-owned series The Aggregate.

• Chris Van Dusen – Maine picture-book author-illustrator behind The Circus Ship and the If I Built… series, and illustrator of Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson books.

• Francis Hamabe – The first art director for Down East who helped shape the magazine’s playful, modern visual style.

• Daniel Minter – Portland-based painter and illustrator whose work on award-winning children’s books and Kwanzaa stamp designs centers Black history, spirituality, and home.

• Tim Gasek – Animator best known for his work on the stopmotion Wallace & Gromit films.

• Jeff Badger – Maine artist and educator known for his comics and the handmade illustrated book The Wreck of the Cheseborough, plus co-leading the Maine–Aomori print exchange.

• Robert McCloskey – Beloved mid-century author-illustrator of Make Way for Ducklings and Maine classics like Blueberries for Sal and One Morning in Maine

“AT ILLUSTRATION INSTITUTE EVENTS, YOU DON’T JUST SEE THE ART—YOU MEET THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT, FEEL THEIR ENTHUSIASM, AND WATCH ILLUSTRATION COME TO LIFE.”

This is just the tiniest sampling.  Two stories Nash couldn’t help but share, and that are worth doing the same here:

• During a Peaks Island residency with Illustration Institute, Caldecott Medalist Brian Floca found himself walking the shore as a storm rolled in, riveted by the wind, waves, and tug-of-war between awe and good judgment. That experience became the seed for Island Storm , his 2025 picture book illustrated

Sydney Smith. Two siblings head toward the sea just as the weather turns, daring each other onward, balancing the pull of wonder with the instinct to know when it’s time to head in.

• Maurice “Jake” Day grew up in Damariscotta with a passion for Maine’s woods and wildlife, and he carried that love all the way to Hollywood. When Disney first imagined Bambi as a mule deer story, Jake pushed back, insisting the hero had to be a white-tailed deer—the kind he knew from home. He headed back to Maine’s Katahdin region with his camera, sending the studio details of the forest to learn from. He also arranged to have two orphaned fawns sent to California so animators could watch them grow. The movie’s scenery and lifelike deer all trace back to this work.

One of the goals the Nashes have for Illustration Institute is to make something invisible (illustration) visible. They hope to elevate illustration similar to how Haystack Mountain School of Crafts elevated craft. “Illustration is beyond what four walls can hold, “ said Nash. “It’s the whole book—the composition, sketches, concept…the story.”

At Illustration Institute events, you don’t just see the art—you meet the people behind it, feel their enthusiasm, and watch illustration come to life in a way it rarely does with the artwork alone.

Through the Marilyn Faison Artist Residency on Peaks Island, Illustration Institute hosts more than a dozen illustrators each summer, giving them time to work in a beautiful, peaceful

setting while also inviting them into the community for talks and workshops with kids and adults—all offered for free. Illustration Institute’s presence carries over to the mainland and throughout Maine in traveling exhibitions like The Great State of Illustration in Maine, which brings work by more than 90 historical and contemporary illustrators into libraries and community galleries alongside free, hands-on programs led by master illustrators.

In the works is Connected by Story at the Portland Museum of Art, scheduled for 2027, plus plans for a new downtown archive that will help preserve and share the work of Maine illustrators for years to come.

All of it adds up to this: Maine really is a living, breathing illustration community, and Illustration Institute is one of the places

where you can see that up close. You might catch a Caldecott winner talking with a second grader about sketchbooks, or a graphic novelist explaining how a story travels from Peaks Island to Japan and back.

If you love picture books, comics, graphic novels—or illustration as art in all its forms from posters and prints to digital illustration and animation—keep an eye out for Illustration Institute’s upcoming workshops, exhibitions, draw-offs, and more—and go. The illustrators are here, the doors are open, and the conversations are waiting.

Learn more at illustrationinstitute.org .

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The Art of Paying Attention

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC–PUBLISHED PHOTOGRAPHER ROBBIE GEORGE CAPTURES THE PRESENCE HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

Robbie George is a National Geographic–published fineart nature photographer whose work focuses on the quiet, powerful moments where wild landscapes and human experience meet. He has spent more than 20 years photographing the natural world, from the high Rockies to the rugged New England coast.

Robbie’s connection to Maine began through Four Season Farm, where he has spent time immersed in local farm culture. His two sons are the grandchildren of famed organic farmer

Eliot Coleman, and Robbie’s time on the farm deepened his appreciation for Maine’s working landscapes, changing seasons, and intimate relationship with the environment.

After meeting his wife, Katrina, the two brought their passion for wellness to the community by opening HOTWORX Portland — creating a place where holistic health, nature, and personal transformation intersect. His photography continues to be an extension of this philosophy: slowing down, paying attention, and reconnecting with the rhythms that matter.

Robbie’s photography continues to be an extension of this philosophy: slowing down, paying attention, and reconnecting with the rhythms that matter.

THE ARTIST'S STORY BEHIND THE LENS

Robbie discovered photography as a way to document the natural world long before he made it his life’s work. What began as a curiosity turned into a daily practice — studying light, weather, wildlife behavior, and the landscapes that shaped him. Over time, the camera became less of a tool and more of a way of seeing.

In Maine, Robbie is most drawn to autumn forests, seascapes, stormy coastlines, quiet farm moments, and wildlife. He describes Maine as a place “where the seasons don’t just

change — they express themselves,” and he aims to capture the emotion and texture of those transitions.

His work blends patience with instinct. Many of his favorite images come from long pre-dawn hikes, time spent alone along the coast, or waiting motionless in a field for a fox, a deer, or an osprey to reveal itself.

Photography, for Robbie, is a form of grounding — a way to slow down, listen, and reconnect. It also mirrors the philosophy he brings into HOTWORX Portland: wellness as presence, intention, and everyday renewal.

He describes Maine as a place “where the seasons don’t just change — they express themselves,” and he aims to capture the emotion and texture of those transitions.

LIT TLE ADVENTURES, BIG LOCAL LOVE: 40 WAYS TO BRIGHTEN FEBRUARY

ARTICLE BY ANGELA SMITH

FEBRUARY

FIELD GUIDE

From sunrise Thermos walks to igloos, trivia nights, and wintry beach walks, this list is your invitation to treat February like a month-long micro-adventure. Use these ideas as date nights, solo resets, or ways to show off Portland to visiting friends. Circle a few, add them to your calendar, and let small, local moments brighten even the grayest days.

1. Sunrise Thermos Session on the Eastern Prom: Pack a Thermos, walk the Eastern Promenade Trail at first light, and watch the sun rise over the islands while the harbor wakes up.

2. Waterfront Igloo at Harbor Bistro + Terrace: Book a heated igloo for a cozy night of creative local dishes and drinks on the edge of the Old Port. harborbistroandterrace.com

3. Arcade Night at Arcadia: Warm up with cocktails and oldschool games at Arcadia on Congress—pinball, Pac-Man, skeeball, and more. arcadiaportland.com

4. Indoor Farmers’ Market Morning on Stevens Ave: Hit the Portland Winter Farmers’ Market on Saturdays for root veggies, bread, cheese, and flowers, then cook a local-love dinner at home.

5. Scandi-Inspired Cocktails at Portland Hunt & Alpine Club: Slide into a booth at Portland Hunt & Alpine Club for a wintery cocktail and Nordic-inspired snacks after a cold-night wander. huntandalpineclub.com

6. Casco Bay Lines Winter Island Hop: Take a daytime Casco Bay Lines ferry to Peaks or Great Diamond, walk the quiet roads, and sip coffee while watching for sea smoke on a frigid morning. cascobaylines.com

7. Washington Baths Sauna + Plunge: Reserve a session for a sauna + cold plunge ritual, then journal how your body and mood feel afterward. washingtonbaths.com

8. Back Cove Loop with a Podcast: Walk the Back Cove Trail, a 3-ish mile loop, listening to your favorite podcast— then grab a treat from a nearby bakery.

9. Bird Walk & Snowy Fields at Gilsland Farm: Wander the gentle trails at Maine Audubon’s Gilsland Farm with binoculars, or join one of their winter bird walks through meadows, orchard, and salt marsh. maineaudubon.org

10. Journaling Date in a Hotel Lobby: Tuck into the lobby at The Press Hotel or Canopy with a winter drink and spend an hour journaling or writing gratitude lists.

11. Frozen Falls Hike to Jewell Falls: Follow Portland Trails into the Fore River Sanctuary to Jewell Falls, Portland’s only natural waterfall, transformed into winter ice.

12. Wednesday Trivia at Bissell Brothers: Head to Bissell Brothers Brewing at Thompson’s Point for their weekly Wednesday trivia. bissellbrothers.com

13. Payson Park Sled Run: Bring a sled to Payson Park and fly down the hill until your cheeks hurt from laughing.

14. Curling & Brew Tour in Greater Portland: Book a tour for an intro to curling at Troubh Ice Arena followed by tastings at local breweries.mainebaycycle.com

15. Igloo Dining at Alto (Cambria Hotel): Reserve a rooftop igloo for cocktails and small plates under the stars, complete with heater, pillows, and city lights. altoportland.com

16. Bayside Mural Hunt: Walk Bayside Trail and do a mural scavenger hunt, photographing all the street art you find along the way.

17. Riverside Golf Course Winter Playground: Check out Riverside Golf Course’s winter layout for sledding hills, skating rinks, cross-country skiing, and snowshoe trails. riversidegolfcourseme.com/golf/winter-activities

18. Heated Vinyasa in the Arts District: Try a heated class at Portland Yoga Project and then wander the Arts District for a post-class snack or tea. theportlandyogaproject.com

19. Pineland Farms Snowshoeing and Fat Biking: Drive to Pineland Farms in New Gloucester and hit the snow-covered fields. pinelandfarms.org

20. Fireplace Cocktail at the Armory: Sink into a chair by the fireplace at The Armory Lounge with a classic winter cocktail or mocktail. theregency.com/dining/ the-armory-lounge

21. Chai + People Watching: Grab a spicy chai or seasonal latte at Tandem Coffee or Bard Coffee and people-watch from a window seat. tandemcoffee.com, bardcoffee.com

22. Whoopie Pie Flight: Create a whoopie-pie taste test: start at Two Fat Cats Bakery, add Cape Whoopies, and finish with a wild-card bakery you haven’t tried yet. twofatcatsbakery.com, capewhoopies.com

23. Indoor Climbing at EVO: Try climbing at EVO Rock + Fitness; rent gear if you’re brand-new. evorock.com

24. Bayside Bowl Duckpin Session: Reserve a lane at Bayside Bowl, order tots, and bowl under the disco ball. baysidebowl.com

25. Indoor Golf & Putting Contest: Hit an indoor golf simulator at X-Golf Portland or play mini-golf at Minibar. xgolfportland.com , minibargolf.com

26. Maine Celtics Game: Catch a Maine Celtics home game at the Portland Expo and share soft pretzels, high-fives, and defense chants. maine.gleague.nba.com

27. State Theatre Wild Card Show: Choose a band you’ve never heard of and commit to going all in. statetheatreportland.com

28. At-Home Maine Miniseries Night: Stay in, pile on blankets, and watch the HBO miniseries Olive Kitteridge, filmed and set in small-town coastal Maine.

29. Mechanics’ Hall Event: Attend a lecture, concert, or literary night at historic Mechanics Hall and spend time soaking in the reading room and architecture. mechanicshallmaine.org

30. Pottery Class at Portland Pottery: Take a wheel or hand-building class at Portland Pottery Studio and make yourself a winter mug or bowl. portlandpottery.com

31. Give Metalsmithing a Whirl at Artascope: Learn jewelry metalsmithing basics in a relaxed workshop at Artascope Studios in Yarmouth. artascope.org

32. Distillery Tour & Tasting: Tour Hardshore Distilling Company and learn the story behind a Maine winter gin or spirit. hardshoredistilling.com

33. New Puzzle with a Maine Buy a Maine-illustrated puzzle from a local bookstore and keep it going all month.

34. Board Game Night at Home—or Out: Plan a board game night at home or head to Another Round for games and snacks. anotherroundmaine.com,

35. Snow Candy Night: When it snows, pour hot maple syrup over clean snow (or shaved ice in a dish) to make maple snow candy—old-school winter magic.

36. Maine Mariners Hockey Night: Cheer for the Maine Mariners at Cross Insurance Arena—pick a random player to be “your” player all season. marinersofmaine.com

37. Volunteer Afternoon: Spend a few hours volunteering with Preble Street, Maine Needs, or Wayside Food Programs as a “love your city” practice. preblestreet.org, maineneeds.org , waysidemaine.org

38. Harbor-View Chowder Night: Grab chowder and oysters at Eventide Oyster Co. or J’s Oyster and watch the working waterfront in winter. eventideoysterco.com, jsoyster.com

39. Journals & Stacks at the Portland Public Library: Spend an afternoon at the Portland Public Library, wandering stacks, flipping through magazines, and borrowing a “February read.” portlandlibrary.com

40. Winter Beach Walk at Crescent Beach or Ferry Beach: Drive out for a winter walk at Crescent Beach State Park or Ferry Beach, listening to waves crash against cold sand.

LOVE POTION #9

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ANNA BARNES

A PINK COCKTAIL PERFECT FOR CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY

WHO NEEDS FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE FLOWERS AND COCKTAILS?

This Valentine's Day, whether you plan to treat a loved one, treat your girlfriends, or treat yourself, I can promise you'll want to serve up this perfectly pink cocktail; one I like to call Love Potion #9. It looks as fabulous as it tastes. You can't beat the bright, fresh grapefruit juice and the bubbles add a lively kiss on top. Each sip is dreamier than the next. Cheers, here's to love!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1.5 oz rosé

• 5 oz fresh grapefruit juice

• 5 oz simple syrup

• 1 egg white

• 3 oz bubbles (champagne or sparkling wine)

THE HOW-TO:

1. Pour the rosé, simple syrup, egg white, and grapefruit juice into an ice-filled shaker.

2. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, until chilled.

3. Pour into a coupe glass using the strainer.

4. Top with champagne or sparkling wine.

5. Garnish with edible flowers and grapefruit peel.

6. Enjoy!

Taking Real Estate to New Heights

FEBRUARY 2026

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

FEBRUARY 6TH

Love Gala

Brick South at Thompson's Point

Celebrate an evening of music, dancing, and delicious food—all in support of The Center for Grieving Children. This winter-festive gathering (wear whatever makes you feel fabulous) is the Center’s largest annual fundraiser, providing vital funding and awareness so children, teens, and families coping with grief and loss can access compassionate, no-cost support for as long as they need it. Details: cgcmaine.org/event/lovegala2026

FEBRUARY 6TH–7TH

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour

State Theatre | 7:00 PM

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour returns for its 26th year in Portland, presented by Chestnut Mountain Productions. Settle in for a three-hour lineup of award-winning short films featuring climbers, skiers, runners, paddlers, and explorers in some of the world’s wildest places. Expect breathtaking cinematography, big inspiration—and different films each evening. Visit statetheatreportland.com/ events/banff-night-1 for more information.

FEBRUARY 12TH

Harlem Globetrotters

Cross Arena | 7:00 PM

Celebrate 100 years of jaw-dropping basketball as the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters bring their 100 Year Tour to Portland. Expect gravity-defying dunks, hilarious tricks, new commemorative jerseys, and fan favorites as they face longtime rivals the Washington Generals. Enjoy pre-game Magic Pass fun and a free post-game autograph session in this once-in-a-century celebration. Event information: crossarenaportland.com

FEBRUARY 14TH

Boston

Bruins Alumni vs. Maine Hockey

Cross Arena | 1:00 PM

All-Stars

Watch beloved former Boston Bruins hit the ice again as they face a roster of Maine Hockey All-Stars, featuring local former college and pro players with Maine ties. This special benefit game celebrates the region’s rich hockey history while raising funds for The Center for Grieving Children. Tickets: crossarenaportland.com

FEBRUARY 15TH

Coffee Tasting!

Congress Square Park | 11:00 AM

Taste a variety of fresh coffee from local roasters. Featuring Lay Day Roasters, Rwanda Bean Coffee, Cantilever Coffee, and more. Free and open to all. BYO sipping vessel or grab a mug from our mug market, featuring local ceramicists! And consider purchasing a bag of coffee beans to support these lovely local businesses! *Rain date: February 22. More information: congresssquarepark.org/event/coffee-tasting

FEBRUARY 28TH

Wine & Food Walk in Portland, Maine's West End

Portland's West End | 2:30 PM

Join Sommelier Erica Archer for a guided viticultural tasting and walking tour through Portland’s West End, featuring four top restaurants. Sample four thoughtfully selected wines with paired bites while learning how regional influences shape flavor, style, and quality. Build confidence in tasting, selecting, and pairing wines—and leave with practical, palate-pleasing knowledge. Ages 21+. Learn more: winewiseevents.com/walks