Stews & Stories Potluck Supper - Mechanics' Hall

Schedule

Thu Jan 29 2026 at 05:30 pm to 08:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Mechanics' Hall | Portland, ME

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The first of two Community Plate potlucks in Portland in 2026! Join us to share food & stories, plus a fun Conversation & Connection hour!
About this Event

Story Sharing Potluck Supper - Mechanic's Hall: "Stews & Stories"

and invite you to join us for our second annual Stews & Stories Potluck Supper, an engaging evening of connection through shared food and storytelling.

Winter in Maine is a time when we all crave comfort and warmth, and nothing says that like a hearty stew and a heartfelt story. Our story prompts and storytellers for the evening will explore ideas of comfort and warmth, and we'll sit down to a meal that will echo these themes. When you're considering what to bring, stews, soups, and warm bread may top your list, but feel free to bring any dish that warms you, nourishing your body, your spirit -- or both!

For those who haven't been to a Community Plate supper yet, a Story Sharing Potluck Supper is an opportunity to engage with new and old friends and to make connections around something we all have in common: the food we eat and our family food stories. Bring a dish (with a story!) to share, an open mind and an open heart. Make a new connection! We encourage everyone to try sitting with someone you don't know. It's fun, trust us! During the dinner, we’ll be sharing stories around the table, and after dessert, you’ll be treated to a collection of live storytelling performances from practiced storytellers — some may even be your neighbors! Bring your recipe to the event, and afterwards we’ll compile the evening's recipes and stories into a community cookbook that all attendees will receive to commemorate our evening together and the community we created.

Prior to the supper, you will receive a series of story prompts that we will use to share stories during the supper. Don't miss out on this chance to create lasting memories and forge new friendships. We look forward to sharing food and stories with you!

The tickets for this event are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $20. We believe strongly that there should be no barriers to participating in community, economic or otherwise, so please pay what you can. There is also an option to pay it forward by paying for someone else's ticket, and making sure anyone who wants to be part of this community is able to! If bringing a dish, either made or purchased, is a also barrier, just bring yourself and your stories. We look forward to sharing food and stories with you no matter what!


ABOUT COMMUNITY PLATE

Community Plate is a recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that fosters connection and builds community through shared food and storytelling. For more information contact community[at]communityplate.me

If you have questions about Story Sharing Potluck Suppers, or Community Plate, there is an FAQ on our website, and you can also visit our supper page.

Thank you for being part of our community!


PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

Mechanics’ Hall is located at 519 Congress Street. Our main entrance is between Loquat Shop and the Art Mart. The Greater Portland Metro’s Congress & Casco Street Stop is directly in front of our building, served by .

Parking is available at the , which has entrances on Casco and Brown Street, with a rate of $5 per hour. Metered street parking is available on Congress, Casco, Cumberland, Free Street, and other nearby streets. Free hourly street parking is available between Parris and Alder Street.


ACCESSIBILITY

To enter our building, patrons will need to navigate a single step or use a . There is a wheelchair-accessible elevator to the third-floor ballroom.

If you have a particular accessibility question or request please contact us at .



Thank you to our sponsors!
  • Kennebec Savings Bank

Event Photos
Agenda

🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Check-in, Connection & Conversation Hour

Info: During our Check-in, Connection & Conversation Hour we'll get everyone and their food settled in, and begin engaging around some fun and creative games of food and friendship.


🕑: 06:30 PM - 06:45 PM
Welcome & Introductions

Info: We begin our meal with some introductions and intention setting about generosity and attention.


🕑: 06:45 PM - 07:30 PM
Supper & Story Sharing

Info: Dinner is served! While we work our way around and through the potluck buffet, we can begin to share stories with our dinner neighbors across and around the table.


🕑: 07:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Storytelling

Info: We have a great lineup of storytellers who will entertain us with stories about our evening's theme, food, family, and community.


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Where is it happening?

Mechanics' Hall, 519 Congress Street, Portland, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 0.00 to USD 44.52

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