Staying in
While hunkering down in front of a fire with a good book is a great way to spend time, too much winter solitude can prompt the sort of cabin fever that had Jack Nicholson stalking his loved ones and hacking down doors in “The Shining.” OK, so there may have been a little more than cabin fever going on there, but the cold winter weather can be isolating.
Not to worry! There are plenty of ways for you to get out, visit with old friends and make a few new ones that don’t involve Jack Frost nipping at any of your extremities.
Be your own American Idol
If you thought karaoke was a passing trend, think again. You can find karaoke seven days a week in Portland, and whether or not you ever muster the courage to take to the stage yourself, you can still have a great time watching other people get their grooves on. Of course, it may be worth getting up there on your own, too, if only to finally figure out the real lyrics to your favorite songs. Try it Sunday through Wednesday at Old Port Tavern (11 Moulton St.), Wednesday and Thursday at Mathew’s Lounge (133 Free St.), Friday nights at City Sports Bar & Grille (formerly Casey’s) right next to Yankee Lanes (867 Riverside St.) and Saturdays at Flask Lounge (117 Spring St.).
If singing’s not your thing but you still want your turn in the limelight, you can head out to City Sports Bar & Grille on Tuesday nights instead to get your chance to play Guitar Hero on a 12-foot projection screen. It’s free on Tuesday nights from 6 pm to close, but if that’s not enough time for you to achieve rock god status, you can go back any day of the week and rent the Wii for $10 an hour.
Dance the night away
From ballroom to tango to west coast swing, winter is the perfect time to learn how to dance. For one thing, it’s cold, so partnering up on the dance floor is a good move in terms of self-preservation. And for another, it’s never too early to start getting ready for Valentine’s Day or that June wedding you’re planning.
Much like the karaoke scene in Portland, your learn-to-dance options are vast. You can start at the North Star Cafe on alternating Monday nights in January and February with an informal tango lesson at 7 pm followed by dancing with Tango Mucha Labia at 9 pm. From there, head over to Maine Ballroom Dance for Argentine tango practice (Wednesdays) or some impromptu instruction in the art of salsa (Fridays). Every Saturday night features dance parties preceded by lessons at Maine Ballroom Dance on Congress Street, the American Ballroom Dance Academy on Forest Avenue and across town at the Maplewood Dance Center on Warren Avenue, where DJ Jon holds down the turntables.
If you want to swing, head out to the North Deering Grange Hall at 1408 Washington Avenue, where, on the first and third Fridays of each month, there are lessons followed by dancing late into the night.
No partner is necessary at any of these functions, so who knows? You could meet your 2009 Valentine in the process. Maybe you’ll even find a date for that June wedding, provided it isn’t your own.
FMI: maineballroomdancing.com; americanballroomdanceacademy.com; maplewooddancecenter.com; downeastdance.net/calendar.htm.
Show off your big brain
For some reason, pub trivia goes especially well with winter ales. Perhaps it’s because a pint of cool dark brew takes the sting out of all those wrong answers, or maybe it has something to do with the fact that there’s no guilt associated with sitting inside and drinking when it’s so cold outside. Either way, meeting up with some friends to try your hand at the Pub Quiz at Ri Ra (72 Commercial St.) is a great way to spend a Tuesday night. The fun begins at 8 pm, though you may want to show up a bit earlier to stake out a spot, come up with a team name and order your first round. And if you miss the Tuesday night event, stop in to the Stadium (504 Congress St.) on Thursdays for their version of the quiz, called Stump Trivia. For both evenings you can put together your own team of two or more people or just show up and sidle your way onto someone else’s roster. And don’t worry about the big brain — most quizzes feature a picture round, too.
Play a game
If your friends are up for it, why not organize a board game night? Dig out that old Monopoly board, or check under the bed to see if you still have Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble on hand. Newer games like Battle of the Sexes — which sounds cheesy but was actually kind of fun when my family played on Christmas Eve — can also be cool to check out, or with just a couple of boards and a free printout from baseballguru.com/bracket1.gif you can hold your own cribbage tournament. Make it a potluck, throw on some music and you have a solid night ahead of you. If your friends aren’t gamers, don’t worry — just head over to boardgames.meetup.com/445 and join this local group of board game enthusiasts. If you’re quick about it, you can probably make the January get together.
Start a film club
Going to see a movie may not be the most social of endeavors, but that’s easily remedied with a post-viewing kaffeeklatsch or wine bar gathering. See a current movie at the Nickelodeon on Temple Street and then wander into the Old Port for your discussion; visit The Movies at its new location in the Portland Museum of Art (starting in February) followed by a chat in the museum cafe; or head down to Videoport and get an expert opinion on the best rentals for a movie group discussion and organize your own group at home.
Get literary
Download one of the hundreds of reading group guides from us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/bookclubs and organize a discussion of your own, or attend one of the many book clubs in and around Portland. The Portland Public Library holds meetings on the third Saturday of every month at the Main Branch in Monument Square; the first Tuesday on Peaks Island; the second Thursday at Riverton; and the fourth Thursday at Munjoy. Visit portlandlibrary.com or stop in at your local branch for details.
Sing a song
Didn’t get your fill of caroling in December? Join the Blue Lobster Troupe, a community chorus based out of the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center on Munjoy Hill. They meet the first and third Saturday of each month and are open to anyone with “a positive attitude and a desire to sing regardless of musical ability.” Contact Liz at 775-5568 ext. 102 or liz@stlawrencearts.org FMI.
With so much going on inside this winter, will you really even get a chance to show off that new scarf you got for Christmas?
For more entertaining options in and around Portland check out the listings at www.mainetoday.com. [log] => migrated from switch_stry_migration.php [revision_timestamp] => 1245433252 [format] => 3 [name] => admin [picture] => [data] => a:1:{s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:1;} [path] => story/view/2256 [field_mt_story_tagline] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [value] => You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun [safe] => You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun [view] => You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun ) ) [field_mt_story_byline] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [value] => Belinda Ray Photos by Tim Greenway [safe] => Belinda Ray Photos by Tim Greenway [view] => Belinda Ray Photos by Tim Greenway ) ) [field_mt_story_date] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [value] => 2009-01-06T13:00:00 [timezone] => America/New_York [timezone_db] => UTC [date_type] => date [view] => Tue, 2009-01-06 13:00 ) ) [field_mt_story_sidebar] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [value] => [format] => [safe] => [view] => ) ) [field_mt_story_images] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [fid] => 15 [list] => 1 [data] => Array ( [description] => Meghan Denison, left, and Miranda Ames celebrate after completing successful game of Guitar Hero. photo credit: Tim Greenway [title] => 3178_20081216_indoor3.jpg ) [uid] => 1 [filename] => 3178_20081216_indoor3.jpg [filepath] => story_images/3178_20081216_indoor3.jpg [filemime] => image/jpeg [filesize] => 108909 [status] => 1 [timestamp] => 1245272237 [nid] => 845 [view] => ) [1] => Array ( [fid] => 16 [list] => 1 [data] => Array ( [description] => Collette Reny, left, and Kristina Powell try to come up with a correct answer during trivia night at Ri Ra Irish Pub. photo credit: Tim Greenway [title] => 3179_20081216_indoor1.jpg ) [uid] => 1 [filename] => 3179_20081216_indoor1.jpg [filepath] => story_images/3179_20081216_indoor1.jpg [filemime] => image/jpeg [filesize] => 91649 [status] => 1 [timestamp] => 1245272237 [nid] => 845 [view] => ) [2] => Array ( [fid] => 17 [list] => 1 [data] => Array ( [description] => Scorecards for trivia at Ri Ra. photo credit: Tim Greenway [title] => 3180_20081216_indoor2.jpg ) [uid] => 1 [filename] => 3180_20081216_indoor2.jpg [filepath] => story_images/3180_20081216_indoor2.jpg [filemime] => image/jpeg [filesize] => 93462 [status] => 1 [timestamp] => 1245272237 [nid] => 845 [view] => ) ) [last_comment_timestamp] => 1245433252 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( [13] => stdClass Object ( [tid] => 13 [vid] => 1 [name] => Home [description] => [weight] => 0 ) ) [build_mode] => 0 [readmore] => 1 [content] => Array ( [field_mt_story_tagline] => Array ( [#type_name] => __mt_tms_story [#context] => full [#field_name] => field_mt_story_tagline [#post_render] => Array ( [0] => content_field_wrapper_post_render ) [#weight] => -3 [field] => Array ( [#description] => [items] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [#formatter] => plain [#node] => stdClass Object *RECURSION* [#type_name] => __mt_tms_story [#field_name] => field_mt_story_tagline [#weight] => 0 [#theme] => text_formatter_plain [#item] => Array ( [value] => You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun [safe] => You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun [#delta] => 0 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#theme_used] => 1 [#printed] => 1 [#type] => [#value] => [#prefix] => [#suffix] => [#children] => You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] => You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun [#printed] => 1 ) [#single] => 1 [#attributes] => Array ( ) [#required] => [#parents] => Array ( ) [#tree] => [#context] => full [#page] => 1 [#field_name] => field_mt_story_tagline [#title] => Tagline [#access] => 1 [#label_display] => hidden [#teaser] => [#node] => stdClass Object *RECURSION* [#type] => content_field [#children] => You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>
You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun
Tue, 2009-01-06 13:00
While hunkering down in front of a fire with a good book is a great way to spend time, too much winter solitude can prompt the sort of cabin fever that had Jack Nicholson stalking his loved ones and hacking down doors in “The Shining.” OK, so there may have been a little more than cabin fever going on there, but the cold winter weather can be isolating.
Not to worry! There are plenty of ways for you to get out, visit with old friends and make a few new ones that don’t involve Jack Frost nipping at any of your extremities.
Be your own American Idol
If you thought karaoke was a passing trend, think again. You can find karaoke seven days a week in Portland, and whether or not you ever muster the courage to take to the stage yourself, you can still have a great time watching other people get their grooves on. Of course, it may be worth getting up there on your own, too, if only to finally figure out the real lyrics to your favorite songs. Try it Sunday through Wednesday at Old Port Tavern (11 Moulton St.), Wednesday and Thursday at Mathew’s Lounge (133 Free St.), Friday nights at City Sports Bar & Grille (formerly Casey’s) right next to Yankee Lanes (867 Riverside St.) and Saturdays at Flask Lounge (117 Spring St.).
If singing’s not your thing but you still want your turn in the limelight, you can head out to City Sports Bar & Grille on Tuesday nights instead to get your chance to play Guitar Hero on a 12-foot projection screen. It’s free on Tuesday nights from 6 pm to close, but if that’s not enough time for you to achieve rock god status, you can go back any day of the week and rent the Wii for $10 an hour.
Dance the night away
From ballroom to tango to west coast swing, winter is the perfect time to learn how to dance. For one thing, it’s cold, so partnering up on the dance floor is a good move in terms of self-preservation. And for another, it’s never too early to start getting ready for Valentine’s Day or that June wedding you’re planning.
Much like the karaoke scene in Portland, your learn-to-dance options are vast. You can start at the North Star Cafe on alternating Monday nights in January and February with an informal tango lesson at 7 pm followed by dancing with Tango Mucha Labia at 9 pm. From there, head over to Maine Ballroom Dance for Argentine tango practice (Wednesdays) or some impromptu instruction in the art of salsa (Fridays). Every Saturday night features dance parties preceded by lessons at Maine Ballroom Dance on Congress Street, the American Ballroom Dance Academy on Forest Avenue and across town at the Maplewood Dance Center on Warren Avenue, where DJ Jon holds down the turntables.
If you want to swing, head out to the North Deering Grange Hall at 1408 Washington Avenue, where, on the first and third Fridays of each month, there are lessons followed by dancing late into the night.
No partner is necessary at any of these functions, so who knows? You could meet your 2009 Valentine in the process. Maybe you’ll even find a date for that June wedding, provided it isn’t your own.
FMI: maineballroomdancing.com; americanballroomdanceacademy.com; maplewooddancecenter.com; downeastdance.net/calendar.htm.
Show off your big brain
For some reason, pub trivia goes especially well with winter ales. Perhaps it’s because a pint of cool dark brew takes the sting out of all those wrong answers, or maybe it has something to do with the fact that there’s no guilt associated with sitting inside and drinking when it’s so cold outside. Either way, meeting up with some friends to try your hand at the Pub Quiz at Ri Ra (72 Commercial St.) is a great way to spend a Tuesday night. The fun begins at 8 pm, though you may want to show up a bit earlier to stake out a spot, come up with a team name and order your first round. And if you miss the Tuesday night event, stop in to the Stadium (504 Congress St.) on Thursdays for their version of the quiz, called Stump Trivia. For both evenings you can put together your own team of two or more people or just show up and sidle your way onto someone else’s roster. And don’t worry about the big brain — most quizzes feature a picture round, too.
Play a game
If your friends are up for it, why not organize a board game night? Dig out that old Monopoly board, or check under the bed to see if you still have Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble on hand. Newer games like Battle of the Sexes — which sounds cheesy but was actually kind of fun when my family played on Christmas Eve — can also be cool to check out, or with just a couple of boards and a free printout from baseballguru.com/bracket1.gif you can hold your own cribbage tournament. Make it a potluck, throw on some music and you have a solid night ahead of you. If your friends aren’t gamers, don’t worry — just head over to boardgames.meetup.com/445 and join this local group of board game enthusiasts. If you’re quick about it, you can probably make the January get together.
Start a film club
Going to see a movie may not be the most social of endeavors, but that’s easily remedied with a post-viewing kaffeeklatsch or wine bar gathering. See a current movie at the Nickelodeon on Temple Street and then wander into the Old Port for your discussion; visit The Movies at its new location in the Portland Museum of Art (starting in February) followed by a chat in the museum cafe; or head down to Videoport and get an expert opinion on the best rentals for a movie group discussion and organize your own group at home.
Get literary
Download one of the hundreds of reading group guides from us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/bookclubs and organize a discussion of your own, or attend one of the many book clubs in and around Portland. The Portland Public Library holds meetings on the third Saturday of every month at the Main Branch in Monument Square; the first Tuesday on Peaks Island; the second Thursday at Riverton; and the fourth Thursday at Munjoy. Visit portlandlibrary.com or stop in at your local branch for details.
Sing a song
Didn’t get your fill of caroling in December? Join the Blue Lobster Troupe, a community chorus based out of the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center on Munjoy Hill. They meet the first and third Saturday of each month and are open to anyone with “a positive attitude and a desire to sing regardless of musical ability.” Contact Liz at 775-5568 ext. 102 or liz@stlawrencearts.org FMI.
With so much going on inside this winter, will you really even get a chance to show off that new scarf you got for Christmas?
For more entertaining options in and around Portland check out the listings at www.mainetoday.com. [#title] => [#description] => [#printed] => 1 ) [#title] => [#description] => [#children] =>
You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun
Tue, 2009-01-06 13:00
While hunkering down in front of a fire with a good book is a great way to spend time, too much winter solitude can prompt the sort of cabin fever that had Jack Nicholson stalking his loved ones and hacking down doors in “The Shining.” OK, so there may have been a little more than cabin fever going on there, but the cold winter weather can be isolating.
Not to worry! There are plenty of ways for you to get out, visit with old friends and make a few new ones that don’t involve Jack Frost nipping at any of your extremities.
Be your own American Idol
If you thought karaoke was a passing trend, think again. You can find karaoke seven days a week in Portland, and whether or not you ever muster the courage to take to the stage yourself, you can still have a great time watching other people get their grooves on. Of course, it may be worth getting up there on your own, too, if only to finally figure out the real lyrics to your favorite songs. Try it Sunday through Wednesday at Old Port Tavern (11 Moulton St.), Wednesday and Thursday at Mathew’s Lounge (133 Free St.), Friday nights at City Sports Bar & Grille (formerly Casey’s) right next to Yankee Lanes (867 Riverside St.) and Saturdays at Flask Lounge (117 Spring St.).
If singing’s not your thing but you still want your turn in the limelight, you can head out to City Sports Bar & Grille on Tuesday nights instead to get your chance to play Guitar Hero on a 12-foot projection screen. It’s free on Tuesday nights from 6 pm to close, but if that’s not enough time for you to achieve rock god status, you can go back any day of the week and rent the Wii for $10 an hour.
Dance the night away
From ballroom to tango to west coast swing, winter is the perfect time to learn how to dance. For one thing, it’s cold, so partnering up on the dance floor is a good move in terms of self-preservation. And for another, it’s never too early to start getting ready for Valentine’s Day or that June wedding you’re planning.
Much like the karaoke scene in Portland, your learn-to-dance options are vast. You can start at the North Star Cafe on alternating Monday nights in January and February with an informal tango lesson at 7 pm followed by dancing with Tango Mucha Labia at 9 pm. From there, head over to Maine Ballroom Dance for Argentine tango practice (Wednesdays) or some impromptu instruction in the art of salsa (Fridays). Every Saturday night features dance parties preceded by lessons at Maine Ballroom Dance on Congress Street, the American Ballroom Dance Academy on Forest Avenue and across town at the Maplewood Dance Center on Warren Avenue, where DJ Jon holds down the turntables.
If you want to swing, head out to the North Deering Grange Hall at 1408 Washington Avenue, where, on the first and third Fridays of each month, there are lessons followed by dancing late into the night.
No partner is necessary at any of these functions, so who knows? You could meet your 2009 Valentine in the process. Maybe you’ll even find a date for that June wedding, provided it isn’t your own.
FMI: maineballroomdancing.com; americanballroomdanceacademy.com; maplewooddancecenter.com; downeastdance.net/calendar.htm.
Show off your big brain
For some reason, pub trivia goes especially well with winter ales. Perhaps it’s because a pint of cool dark brew takes the sting out of all those wrong answers, or maybe it has something to do with the fact that there’s no guilt associated with sitting inside and drinking when it’s so cold outside. Either way, meeting up with some friends to try your hand at the Pub Quiz at Ri Ra (72 Commercial St.) is a great way to spend a Tuesday night. The fun begins at 8 pm, though you may want to show up a bit earlier to stake out a spot, come up with a team name and order your first round. And if you miss the Tuesday night event, stop in to the Stadium (504 Congress St.) on Thursdays for their version of the quiz, called Stump Trivia. For both evenings you can put together your own team of two or more people or just show up and sidle your way onto someone else’s roster. And don’t worry about the big brain — most quizzes feature a picture round, too.
Play a game
If your friends are up for it, why not organize a board game night? Dig out that old Monopoly board, or check under the bed to see if you still have Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble on hand. Newer games like Battle of the Sexes — which sounds cheesy but was actually kind of fun when my family played on Christmas Eve — can also be cool to check out, or with just a couple of boards and a free printout from baseballguru.com/bracket1.gif you can hold your own cribbage tournament. Make it a potluck, throw on some music and you have a solid night ahead of you. If your friends aren’t gamers, don’t worry — just head over to boardgames.meetup.com/445 and join this local group of board game enthusiasts. If you’re quick about it, you can probably make the January get together.
Start a film club
Going to see a movie may not be the most social of endeavors, but that’s easily remedied with a post-viewing kaffeeklatsch or wine bar gathering. See a current movie at the Nickelodeon on Temple Street and then wander into the Old Port for your discussion; visit The Movies at its new location in the Portland Museum of Art (starting in February) followed by a chat in the museum cafe; or head down to Videoport and get an expert opinion on the best rentals for a movie group discussion and organize your own group at home.
Get literary
Download one of the hundreds of reading group guides from us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/bookclubs and organize a discussion of your own, or attend one of the many book clubs in and around Portland. The Portland Public Library holds meetings on the third Saturday of every month at the Main Branch in Monument Square; the first Tuesday on Peaks Island; the second Thursday at Riverton; and the fourth Thursday at Munjoy. Visit portlandlibrary.com or stop in at your local branch for details.
Sing a song
Didn’t get your fill of caroling in December? Join the Blue Lobster Troupe, a community chorus based out of the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center on Munjoy Hill. They meet the first and third Saturday of each month and are open to anyone with “a positive attitude and a desire to sing regardless of musical ability.” Contact Liz at 775-5568 ext. 102 or liz@stlawrencearts.org FMI.
With so much going on inside this winter, will you really even get a chance to show off that new scarf you got for Christmas?
For more entertaining options in and around Portland check out the listings at www.mainetoday.com. [#printed] => 1 ) [links] => Array ( ) ) \m -->
You don’t have to be cold to have winter fun
By Belinda Ray
Photos by Tim Greenway
2009-01-06
It’s January in Maine — that time of year when the snow flies, the temperature plummets, and the words “wind chill factor” begin making regular appearances in the daily forecast. If you’re a skier, a snowboarder, or a Siberian husky, you may be psyched for the whole winter wonderland vibe. But when the powder is hidden under a chunky layer of frozen slush and the wind is blowing too hard to keep the lifts open, even the heartiest adventurers will need to seek out indoor entertainment.
While hunkering down in front of a fire with a good book is a great way to spend time, too much winter solitude can prompt the sort of cabin fever that had Jack Nicholson stalking his loved ones and hacking down doors in “The Shining.” OK, so there may have been a little more than cabin fever going on there, but the cold winter weather can be isolating.
Not to worry! There are plenty of ways for you to get out, visit with old friends and make a few new ones that don’t involve Jack Frost nipping at any of your extremities.
Be your own American Idol
If you thought karaoke was a passing trend, think again. You can find karaoke seven days a week in Portland, and whether or not you ever muster the courage to take to the stage yourself, you can still have a great time watching other people get their grooves on. Of course, it may be worth getting up there on your own, too, if only to finally figure out the real lyrics to your favorite songs. Try it Sunday through Wednesday at Old Port Tavern (11 Moulton St.), Wednesday and Thursday at Mathew’s Lounge (133 Free St.), Friday nights at City Sports Bar & Grille (formerly Casey’s) right next to Yankee Lanes (867 Riverside St.) and Saturdays at Flask Lounge (117 Spring St.).
If singing’s not your thing but you still want your turn in the limelight, you can head out to City Sports Bar & Grille on Tuesday nights instead to get your chance to play Guitar Hero on a 12-foot projection screen. It’s free on Tuesday nights from 6 pm to close, but if that’s not enough time for you to achieve rock god status, you can go back any day of the week and rent the Wii for $10 an hour.
Dance the night away
From ballroom to tango to west coast swing, winter is the perfect time to learn how to dance. For one thing, it’s cold, so partnering up on the dance floor is a good move in terms of self-preservation. And for another, it’s never too early to start getting ready for Valentine’s Day or that June wedding you’re planning.
Much like the karaoke scene in Portland, your learn-to-dance options are vast. You can start at the North Star Cafe on alternating Monday nights in January and February with an informal tango lesson at 7 pm followed by dancing with Tango Mucha Labia at 9 pm. From there, head over to Maine Ballroom Dance for Argentine tango practice (Wednesdays) or some impromptu instruction in the art of salsa (Fridays). Every Saturday night features dance parties preceded by lessons at Maine Ballroom Dance on Congress Street, the American Ballroom Dance Academy on Forest Avenue and across town at the Maplewood Dance Center on Warren Avenue, where DJ Jon holds down the turntables.
If you want to swing, head out to the North Deering Grange Hall at 1408 Washington Avenue, where, on the first and third Fridays of each month, there are lessons followed by dancing late into the night.
No partner is necessary at any of these functions, so who knows? You could meet your 2009 Valentine in the process. Maybe you’ll even find a date for that June wedding, provided it isn’t your own.
FMI: maineballroomdancing.com; americanballroomdanceacademy.com; maplewooddancecenter.com; downeastdance.net/calendar.htm.
Show off your big brain
For some reason, pub trivia goes especially well with winter ales. Perhaps it’s because a pint of cool dark brew takes the sting out of all those wrong answers, or maybe it has something to do with the fact that there’s no guilt associated with sitting inside and drinking when it’s so cold outside. Either way, meeting up with some friends to try your hand at the Pub Quiz at Ri Ra (72 Commercial St.) is a great way to spend a Tuesday night. The fun begins at 8 pm, though you may want to show up a bit earlier to stake out a spot, come up with a team name and order your first round. And if you miss the Tuesday night event, stop in to the Stadium (504 Congress St.) on Thursdays for their version of the quiz, called Stump Trivia. For both evenings you can put together your own team of two or more people or just show up and sidle your way onto someone else’s roster. And don’t worry about the big brain — most quizzes feature a picture round, too.
Play a game
If your friends are up for it, why not organize a board game night? Dig out that old Monopoly board, or check under the bed to see if you still have Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit or Scrabble on hand. Newer games like Battle of the Sexes — which sounds cheesy but was actually kind of fun when my family played on Christmas Eve — can also be cool to check out, or with just a couple of boards and a free printout from baseballguru.com/bracket1.gif you can hold your own cribbage tournament. Make it a potluck, throw on some music and you have a solid night ahead of you. If your friends aren’t gamers, don’t worry — just head over to boardgames.meetup.com/445 and join this local group of board game enthusiasts. If you’re quick about it, you can probably make the January get together.
Start a film club
Going to see a movie may not be the most social of endeavors, but that’s easily remedied with a post-viewing kaffeeklatsch or wine bar gathering. See a current movie at the Nickelodeon on Temple Street and then wander into the Old Port for your discussion; visit The Movies at its new location in the Portland Museum of Art (starting in February) followed by a chat in the museum cafe; or head down to Videoport and get an expert opinion on the best rentals for a movie group discussion and organize your own group at home.
Get literary
Download one of the hundreds of reading group guides from us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/bookclubs and organize a discussion of your own, or attend one of the many book clubs in and around Portland. The Portland Public Library holds meetings on the third Saturday of every month at the Main Branch in Monument Square; the first Tuesday on Peaks Island; the second Thursday at Riverton; and the fourth Thursday at Munjoy. Visit portlandlibrary.com or stop in at your local branch for details.
Sing a song
Didn’t get your fill of caroling in December? Join the Blue Lobster Troupe, a community chorus based out of the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center on Munjoy Hill. They meet the first and third Saturday of each month and are open to anyone with “a positive attitude and a desire to sing regardless of musical ability.” Contact Liz at 775-5568 ext. 102 or liz@stlawrencearts.org FMI.
With so much going on inside this winter, will you really even get a chance to show off that new scarf you got for Christmas?
For more entertaining options in and around Portland check out the listings at www.mainetoday.com.