TODAY

MAY 6

Jon Peter Lewis

Jon Peter Lewis, known as JPL to his fans, was a finalist on the third season of “American Idol.” He’s been working on his own songs and special projects since then, including an Internet program, “American Nobody,” which takes an insider’s look at the music business and pokes fun at pop culture. He released a self-titled EP in February. Go to www.jonpeterlewis.com to listen to audio. Call 778-7339 for information.

When: Noon

Where: Amphitheater, University of Maine, Farmington

How much: $5

“Storytime Live”

Nickelodeon brings some of its most beloved characters to Portland today for “Storytime Live.” Kids will take a journey with Dora the Explorer and groove with the Backyardigans, plus visit with Wonder Pets and Ni Hao, Kai-lan and the Monkey King. Call PortTix at 842-0800 or go to www.porttix.com for tickets.

When: 3 and 6 p.m.

Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland

How much: $21 to $41

FRIDAY

MAY 7

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore, author of the best-seller “Care of the Soul,” presents “The Importance of Not Knowing Yourself: Protecting the Mystery of Who You Are,” the subject of his upcoming book. Moore’s lecture precedes a sold-out workshop, “Imperfect Souls: How to Love Your Inner Idiot.” Go to www.mainejungcenter.org for information.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Orion Performing Arts Center, off Route 201, Topsham

How much: $20. Full-time students with ID may attend for free, but must register in advance.

“Curious George Live”

The Curious George you love on the page is on the stage for five performances this weekend in Portland. In his debut musical, the famous monkey travels to Rome and the Golden Meatball Contest to help a friend. Call 775-3458 for tickets.

When: 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Cumberland County Civic Center, Spring Street, Portland

How much: $12 for all (except Gold Circle seating) Friday. All other shows are $12, $16 and $20. Gold Circle seating is $30.

“Oliver Twist”

The Theater Project’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel is much grittier than the popular musical, reflecting more of the author’s social commentary. For the first time, the Theater Project’s Professional Ensemble will perform with teen actors of the Young Company. The show runs Friday through May 23. Call 729-8584 for tickets.

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Theater Project, 14 School St., Brunswick

How much: Pay what you want; $18 suggested

Renaissance Voices

The 21-voice a cappella ensemble Renaissance Voices presents its spring concert in Springvale Friday and in Portland Saturday. The program includes works by Thomas Weelkes, Robert Schumann and selections from the Great American Songbook. Go to www.renaissancevoices.org for tickets, and click on “recordings” to hear audio.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Sanford-Springvale Historical Society Museum, 505 Main St., Springvale Friday; Immanuel Baptist Church, 156 High St., Portland Saturday

How much: Tickets for Friday’s concert are $12 for adults, $10 for youths, and free for children under age 12 accompanied by an adult. Tickets for Saturday’s concert are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

SATURDAY

MAY 8

Hollywood Dance Party

Join deejay Jay-C for a recreation of a Hollywood club scene complete with pin-up girl Ludella Hahn performing on stage. Go to the dance party dressed as a famous (or infamous) celebrity to try to win a cash prize. This is a 21-and-older show. Go to www.bubbassulkylounge.com for information.

When: 9 p.m. (doors)

Where: Bubba’s Sulky Lounge, 92 Portland St., Portland

How much: $4

Spring Celebration

Wolfe’s Neck Farm celebrates spring with a host of activities on Saturday. There will be a scavenger hunt, face painting, time with the farm animals, tractor climbing, crafts, a musical performance by Alastair Moock and more. Go to www.wolfesneckfarm.org for information.

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, Freeport

How much: $5 per person or $20 per family

Sweetback Sisters

The two frontwomen of the Sweetback Sisters aren’t actually sisters. They met while on tour with a world music choir and discovered they both loved Hank Williams’ songs. With a band of four other musicians, the women perform contemporary honky tonk. Go to www.thesweetbacksisters.com to listen to music. Call 442-8455 or go to chocolatechurcharts.org for tickets.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath

How much: $12 in advance; $14 at the door

Remembering Tom Rowe

Tom Rowe, one of the founding members of the local folk trio Schooner Fare, died in 2004. His friends and family remember him publicly every year with a concert. This year’s concert includes performances by the remaining members of Schooner Fare; Rowe’s son, Dave, with his trio; and Denny Breau. Maine humorist Robert Skoglund (known as the Humble Farmer) emcees. The show benefits the Jack McPhillips Memorial Fund. Call 782-7228 for tickets.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Franco-American Heritage Center, Cedar and Oxford streets, Lewiston

How much: $15 to $30

Best of Broadway

A cast of 12 brings audiences more than 23 songs from 15 Broadway shows Saturday night in a song-and-dance performance benefitting Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. The Best of Broadway show is in its 18th year and its 13th benefitting the children’s hospital. Call PortTix at 842-0800 or go to www.porttix.com for tickets.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland

How much: $25 to $35

Bulb Tour

Tulip-crazed people have a wonderful opportunity to see more than 45,000 tulips on display at the private W.P. Stewart estate in Northeast Harbor on Saturday (rain date is Sunday). The tour of the estate also features other spring-blooming flowers, a sunken alpine garden and woodland gardens. The tour benefits Camp Beech Cliff. Go to www.springbulbtour.org for information.

When: Gates open 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: W.P. Stewart Estate, 32 Sargeant Drive, Northeast Harbor

How much: $15; free for ages 12 and younger with adult

SUNDAY

MAY 9

Portland Rossini Club

The Portland Rossini Club presents a concert with music for piano, vocal duets, music for two pianos and music for strings on Sunday in Portland. Go to phyllisleeke.com for information.

When: 3 p.m.

Where: St. Luke’s Cathedral, 143 State St., Portland

How much: Suggested donation of $10 ($5 for seniors). Students admitted for free.

MONDAY

MAY 10

Travis James Humphrey

Local honky-tonk singer/guitarist Travis James Humphrey is releasing his third album, “Dirty Beautiful World,” and has a series of CD-release shows to celebrate. Two of those shows are in southern Maine in the next week or so. Go to www.travisjameshumphrey.com to listen to audio and for more information.

When: 8 p.m. Monday in Biddeford; 5 to 7 p.m. May 14 in Portland

Where: Champions Sports Bar, 15 Thornton Ave., Biddeford on Monday; Dogfish Bar and Grille, 128 Free St., Portland, on May 14

How much: Free, both shows

WMPG Bluegrass Spectacular

Local bluegrass bands turn out for a rollicking night of music on Monday to benefit Portland’s community radio station WMPG (90.9 and 104.1 FM). On the bill are the Jerks of Grass, the Stowaways and the Grassholes. Go to www.wmpg.org for information. Tickets at Bull Moose Music stores and at www.stlawrencearts.org.

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St., Portland

How much: $12

TUESDAY

MAY 11

Play Festival

Portland Stage Company presents its Little Festival of the Unexpected Tuesday through May 15. The festival features readings of new American plays. The plays selected for this year’s festival are winners from the 2009 Clauder Competition, which is a New England-based playwriting contest. Call 774-0465 for information.

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and May 13; noon, 3 and 7:30 p.m. May 15

Where: Studio Theater, Portland Stage Company, 25A Forest Ave., Portland

How much: $10 suggested donation

“Jonah and the Whale”

The Oratorio Chorale will be performing “Jonah and the Whale” by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Dominick Argento May 22-23. Argento’s composition features elements of hymns, sea chanteys, work songs and biblical and Latin Mass texts. Several panelists are making illustrated presentations on Tuesday during a pre-concert symposium called “Jonah and the Whale in Story, Science, Art and Music” to explore the impact this ancient story has had over the centuries. Go to www.oratoriochorale.org for information.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath

How much: Free

Anthology Release

The Telling Room releases a new anthology on Tuesday. “Can I Call You Cheesecake? 35 Stories and Poems about Food” is a collection of stories and poems by local students participating in the At the Table project. Also released during Tuesday’s party will be a memoir by Aruna Kenyi, a native of Sudan who is now attending the University of Maine at Farmington. Go to www.tellingroom.org for more information.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square

How much: $10 suggested donation; free for students

WEDNESDAY

MAY 12

Open Mic

The Maine Organization of Storytelling Enthusiasts holds its monthly open mic Wednesday. The guest host and performer is storyteller Claire Miller of Nova Scotia, Canada. The open-mic portion of the evening allows for 10-minute storytelling (no readings). Go to moosetellers.ning.com for information.

When: 7 p.m. (open mic), 8 p.m. (Miller)

Where: North Star Music Cafe, 225 Congress St., Portland

How much: $5 donation suggested