UUCB partners with Portland church for concert benefitting Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project
Maine Artists Unite in Portland Concert to Support Immigrant Legal Services
PORTLAND, Maine – On Saturday, October 24, the historic Woodfords Congregational Church on Woodfords Street will host a diverse night of music, poetry, and dance aimed at raising funds for the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP), Maine’s only statewide provider of free immigration legal services. The event, scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. with the concert kicking off at 7, brings together musicians from across the state and the globe for a celebration of culture and solidarity.
The evening opens with a performance by Madeleine Hanna and the four‑person Jawahir Arabic Music Ensemble, who will showcase Lebanese songs and dance. Next, the Pihcintu Multinational Girls Choir—featuring children from 16 different countries whose lives have been disrupted by war, famine, or turmoil—will join the African‑inspired band Akiwacu. The duo will perform songs that reflect resilience and hope. Somali oud player and vocalist Hadithi Abdulle will then share pieces that trace personal stories of survival and faith.
The program will also highlight Maine’s literary voice. Poet Jeri Thériault, a Franco‑American born in Maine, will read from her works, followed by a video of former U.S. President Barack Obama’s selection of Richard Blanco as the country’s fifth inaugural poet. Blank copies of Blanco’s poems, suitable for framing, will be available for donation.
Closing the night, the Singing Resistance chapters from Portland and Brunswick‑Topsham will lead a series of songs created in 2026 as “resistance cries” in response to the Minneapolis ICE occupation. The event will be emceed by Mohamed Awale, a comedian from Brunswick.
“We want to celebrate the richness of our community while giving back to those who help others navigate the challenges of immigration,” said Awale during a brief pre‑show address. “It’s about creating a shared space for healing and hope.”
All proceeds from ticket sales and donations will go directly to ILAP and to the artists performing. The organization, founded in 1993, offers free legal services, community outreach, and advocacy for immigrants across Maine. In addition to supporting the group, the concert will provide a portion of the funds to the performers, many of whom have been personally impacted by recent immigration policies.
Tickets will be sold at the door, and donations will be accepted in person as well. The event is sponsored by Bowdoin University, which has a long-standing commitment to social justice initiatives in the region.
Woodfords Congregational Church, located at 202 Woodfords Street, has hosted similar community‑support events in the past and will be open to visitors from 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, attendees can contact the church directly or visit the ILAP website.
The concert promises an evening of artistic diversity, cultural exchange, and communal support, underscoring Maine’s growing role as a hub for immigrant advocacy and creative expression.
