On the corner of Hanover Street in Portland Maine lies The Apohadian Theatre. The venue, founded in 2017, has become a staple of Maine’s diverse local scene and has marked itself as the backbone of new local projects as they rise through the Maine scene 

       When you first step into The Apohadian Theatre it is impossible to miss the vibe the crew is shooting for. The venue feels as if you’re simultaneously walking into a bar and at the same time a DIY basement show. The venue is clean and well maintained but still holds the grimy DIY atmosphere that you would expect going to a basement show in the heart of Boston. This atmosphere is something that you truly cannot find anywhere else

      Portland Maine has become a rough spot for new musicians and many DIY or smaller venues have shifted focus to become more profitable. Sun Tiki, for example, switched their business model to become purely a practice space for bands after hosting local shows for a multitude of years and Space Gallery moving to mainly booking touring acts. Despite this the Apohadian stays true to its DIY roots and doesn’t show any sign of changing any time soon.

       The Apohadian is self described as a “labor of love” and there can’t be a more accurate description of this venue. The venue is run entirely by volunteers with love for their local scene and experimental creators. The Apohadian doesn’t discriminate with its booking either, hosting a variety of genres like Bluegrass, Hardcore Punk, Hip Hop, and even the occasional drag show. No matter what you go to the Apohadian to see, you can bet it’ll be interesting.

       The Apohadians’ dedication to local artists and music has created a loyal fan base that strives to support every artist. When asked what drives them to stay true to this local scene even with so many other venues switching to more lucrative business models. 

        The Apohadian has become a staple of Maine music and has done so with an undying loyalty to the creators and artists who give their time to perform. In a world where the support for local music has been dwindling more and more, it becomes more and more important to support local artists, creators, and venues like the Apohadian.