Auburn sits across the Androscoggin River from Lewiston, and together the "twin cities" form the heart of central Maine. Auburn has a weekly brewpub open mic and a monthly church jam for acoustic pickers, and Lewiston's pubs add more open mics a bridge away. This guide covers Auburn's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Auburn
The west bank of the Androscoggin was part of the Wabanaki homeland. Settlers arrived in the late 1700s, and Auburn was incorporated in 1842 and became a city in 1869.
While Lewiston made textiles, Auburn made shoes. By the late 1800s it was one of the leading shoe-manufacturing cities in the country, producing millions of pairs a year in factories along the river.
Today Auburn is a city of about 24,000, with a revitalized riverfront, Lake Auburn and the Lost Valley ski area.
The Auburn Music Scene
Auburn's music life centers on Gritty McDuff's brewpub, which hosts a weekly Thursday open mic, and the Park Avenue Pickers, an informal monthly acoustic jam at Auburn United Methodist Church. Lewiston, across the river, has the Franco Center and several more pub open mics.
Portland's bigger scene is about 40 minutes south.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Auburn
- Gritty McDuff's (Auburn) – A brewpub with a Thursday open mic.
- Auburn United Methodist Church (439 Park Ave.) – Home of the Park Avenue Pickers jam.
- Franco Center (Lewiston) – Concerts and Franco-American culture.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Auburn
Auburn has a weekly open mic and a monthly jam, with more in Lewiston. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often, and Maine winters can cancel events. Always check the venue's or host's social media before heading out with your gear.
In Auburn
- Gritty McDuff's Auburn Open Mic (Auburn) – Thursdays, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
- Park Avenue Pickers Acoustic Jam (Auburn United Methodist Church, 439 Park Ave., Auburn) – A monthly Tuesday-evening jam (traditionally the second Tuesday, around 6:00 p.m.). Bluegrass, gospel, blues and old favorites; any acoustic instrument welcome.
In Lewiston
- Fast Breaks Open Mic (Lewiston) – Mondays; sign-up 6:30 p.m., music 7:00 p.m.
- Hopper's Open Mic (Lewiston) – First Fridays at 6:00 p.m.
- The Cage Open Mic (Lewiston) – Every other Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
Lewiston-Auburn Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Open Mic (7 p.m.) | Fast Breaks, Lewiston | All Styles |
| Tuesday (monthly) | Park Avenue Pickers Jam (6 p.m.) | Auburn United Methodist Church | Bluegrass / Acoustic |
| Wednesday (every other) | Open Mic (6 p.m.) | The Cage, Lewiston | All Styles |
| Thursday | Open Mic (7 p.m.) | Gritty McDuff's, Auburn | All Styles |
| Friday (1st) | Open Mic (6 p.m.) | Hopper's, Lewiston | All Styles |
Tips for Playing Auburn-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Think twin cities. Lewiston and Auburn are a bridge apart, so you can catch stages in both.
- Learn a Franco-American tune or two. The region's French-Canadian fiddle tradition runs deep.
- Plan for winter. Let instruments warm up in their cases before tuning.
Helpful Local Resources
- Maine Songwriters Association (mainesongwriters.org) – Statewide open mic list.
- Sun Journal (sunjournal.com) – Lewiston-Auburn news and events.
- Franco Center (francocenter.org) – Concerts and Franco-American culture.
