Lewiston is Maine's second-largest city, a historic mill town on the Androscoggin River's Great Falls with deep Franco-American roots and a growing immigrant community. Together with its twin city of Auburn across the river, it offers a busy week of small open mics, a monthly acoustic pickers' jam and a cultural center devoted to Franco-American music. This guide covers Lewiston's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Lewiston
The Great Falls of the Androscoggin were a fishing and gathering place for the Wabanaki peoples. Colonial settlers arrived in the 1770s, and Lewiston was incorporated in 1795.
In the mid-1800s, Boston investors harnessed the falls with canals and built huge textile mills, including the Bates Mill, once Maine's largest employer. Thousands of French-Canadian immigrants came from Quebec to work in them, making Lewiston one of the most French-speaking cities in the United States. Bates College was founded in 1855.
As the mills declined, Lewiston struggled, but since the early 2000s, Somali and other African immigrants have revitalized its downtown. The Bates Mill now houses offices, restaurants and Baxter Brewing.
The Lewiston Music Scene
Lewiston's music reflects its Franco-American heritage, with fiddle, step-dancing and French song kept alive at the Franco Center, housed in a former church. Bates College brings concerts and student musicians, and The Public Theatre stages productions downtown.
Bars and pubs across Lewiston and Auburn run small weekly and monthly open mics, and the Park Avenue Pickers host a monthly acoustic jam. Portland, 40 minutes south, offers a much bigger calendar.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Lewiston
- Franco Center (Lewiston) – Concerts and Franco-American cultural events.
- The Public Theatre (31 Maple St.) – A professional theater.
- Baxter Brewing (Bates Mill) – A brewpub in a historic mill.
- Gritty McDuff's (Auburn) – A brewpub with a weekly open mic.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Lewiston
Lewiston and Auburn together offer open mics most weeks and a monthly jam. 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.
Open Mics
- Gritty McDuff's Auburn Open Mic (Auburn) – Thursdays, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
- 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.
Jams
- 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.
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 Lewiston-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.
