PORTLAND – Reminiscent of eclectic markets held in cities around the world, the Bayside International Fair & Market will bring activities representing a range of cultures to the old Portland Public Market on Cumberland Avenue Saturday, June 2.
Events, from 1 to 8 p.m., will include a flea market and a festival, where food, music, dance, children’s activities, and arts and crafts. Hosted by the ethnically diverse Bayside Neighborhood Association (known for its annual Black Frame Art Sale), the event enables people to experience the international flavor of different cultures.
There will be art and crafts from Nielsen Smith Metalworks, Mainely Labs Studios, Passport to Africa, Fern Dyer and Victoria Szathowski, among others. Food vendors will include Borealis Breads, Latino Bodega, Sun Oriental Market and Sudanese community members.
Workshops for new Americans will take place on the second floor of the market, and the Portland Public Library will offer free demonstrations of the Rosetta Stone language learning software from 1 to 5 p.m. Mom-to-Mom of Maine will provide crafts, games and face-painting for children. Experts in henna hand painting and hair braiding will showcase their skills.
This event is part of a trio of happenings in Portland the first weekend of June that also include the First Friday Art Walk Friday night and the Old Port Festival Sunday.
Admission to the flea market is free. Parking is available in the attached garage. For more information, call Dory Waxman at 415-0769.
Music and dance
1 p.m.: Tepmonorom Dance Ensemble performing Cambodian classical dance
1:50 p.m.: Shane Garcia, flamenco guitar
2:40 p.m.: Nancy 3 Hoffman, accordion
3:30 p.m.: CAFAM, Chinese dance
4:20 p.m.: Singza, Rwandese traditional dance
5:10 p.m.: Le Musique d’Acadiens, French folk music
6:40 p.m.: Ayperi/Nya’s Trance Dance Group, belly dance
Journey stories
1:30-1:55 p.m.: Salah Din Abdalla will discuss social live in Darfur, Sudan, where his wife and some of his children still live.
2-2:20 p.m.: Ina Demers will talk about her move from Indonesia to the United States.
2:25-2:45 p.m.: Ben Arthur will offer a glimpse into the culture and traditions of the people of Torit, a town in Southern Sudan.
2:50-3:10 p.m.: Marwa Abdalla will shed light on what it is like to arrive in Portland, from Darfur with no English background and be expected to excel at school and to enroll in college.
4:50-5:20 p.m.: Wells Staley will talk about the Underground Railroad and anti-slavery efforts in Maine.
New American workshops
1:20-2:30 p.m.: The right to have an interpreter
2:30-3:30 p.m.: Financial safeguards and banking relationships
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Community conversations
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Update on immigration reform
5:30-6:30 p.m.: College is possible
6:30-7:30 p.m.: Getting ready for homeownership
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