TODAY

MAY 13 

Steve Almond

Steve Almond, author of “Candyfreak,” has brought readers yet another humorous book looking at a part of life that just about everybody can relate to: rock ‘n’ roll. “Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life” also comes with a “bitchin’ ” soundtrack, compiled by Almond, available at www.stevenalmond.com. Go to www.longfellowbooks.com for information.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Longfellow Books, 1 Monument Way, Portland

How much: Free 

Amy Wilson

Every woman starts out raising her kids with the best of intentions, but then, says author Amy Wilson, those noble goals get trampled under the reality of daily life. She talks about her own parenting experiences in “When Did I Get Like This? The Screamer, the Worrier, the Dinosaur-Chicken-Nugget-Buyer, and Other Mothers I Swore I’d Never Be,” released last month. Go to www.auburn.lib.me.us for information on her talk and book signing in Auburn.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring St.

How much: Free 

FRIDAY

MAY 14

Sage Francis

Hip-hop performer and founder of Strange Famous Records Sage Francis released a new album earlier this week. On “Li(f)e,” Francis continues to use his music to share his observations on our society. He’ll be joined by a band and guests Free Moral Agents and B. Dolan. This is a 21-and-older show. Tickets at Bull Moose Music stores and at www.port citymusichall.com.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland

How much: $16 in advance, $18 day of show; $30 VIP seats

Republic of Strings

Local fiddler Darol Anger and his Republic of Strings perform a range of string-band music from bluegrass and Americana to pop and jazz. The band’s current lineup includes Mike Block on cello, Scott Law on guitar and Lauren Rioux on viola. Go to www.darolanger.com/republicofstrings.html for audio. Go to unityme.org/theater for tickets to Friday’s concert. Go to www.stonemountainarts center.com for tickets to Saturday’s concert.

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

Where: Unity Centre for the Performing Arts, 42 Depot St., Unity on Friday; Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield on Saturday

How much: $15 Friday; $20 Saturday 

Portland Players

Portland Players ends its season with the much-loved musical “West Side Story.” Set in New York City in the 1950s, “West Side Story” tells the story of a doomed loved affair amid the tempers of teenage street gangs. Just some of the musical’s famous songs are “America,” “Tonight,” “Somewhere,” “Maria” and “I Feel Pretty.” The play runs Friday through May 30. Call 799-7337.

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays

Where: Portland Players, 420 Cottage Road, South Portland

How much: $15 to $20 

Harper

Australian blues artist Harper combines rock, pop and world music in his songwriting, harmonica playing and sometimes, the didgeridoo, a traditional instrument of Australian Aborigines. Go to www.harper.biz to launch Harper’s audio player. Go to www.innontheblues.com/Entertainment.html for tickets.

When: 9 p.m.

Where: Inn On the Blues, 7 Ocean Ave., York Beach

How much: $8 

SATURDAY

MAY 15 

Red Curtain Music Series

The Red Curtain Music Series celebrating singer/songwriters at North Star Music Cafe continues Saturday night with local performers Vanessa Torres and Pete Kilpatrick. Torres and Kilpatrick will be joined by Pittsburgh-based Nicole Reynolds and Brooklyn-based Jason Myles Goss. Call 699-2994 for information.

When: 8 p.m.

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

How much: $8; $5 for students with ID 

Circus Arts

Young local performers of Circus Smirkus and their mentors will offer juggling, clowning, mime and other circus arts workshops on Saturday each followed by a performance. The workshops and performance benefit student performers. Call 899-5640 for tickets.

When: 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Where: Yarmouth High School, 215 West Elm St.

How much: $10; $5 for children 

Arabian Nights Fantasy

In the 1924 silent film “The Thief of Bagdad,” Douglas Fairbanks outwits an evil ruler and woos a beautiful princess. On Saturday, you can watch Fairbanks in all his swashbuckling glory with live piano accompaniment by Doug Protsik. Reservations are recommended. Call 725-5222.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Frontier Cafe, Cinema and Gallery, Fort Andross, 14 Maine St., Brunswick

How much: $8 

Portland Chamber Music Festival

Violinist Jennifer Elowitch, violist Stefanie Taylor, cellist Marc Johnson and pianist Dena Levine of the Portland Chamber Music Festival perform works by Haydn, Rebecca Clarke and Brahms on Saturday. The concert benefits the music festival and Congregation Bet Ha’am. Go to www.pcmf.org for tickets.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Congregation Bet Ha’am, 81 Westbrook St., South Portland

How much: $25. Free for ages 21 and younger (tickets required). 

Michelle Shocked

Singer/songwriter Michelle Shocked stops in Portland on Saturday night, bringing her Roadworks project to One Longfellow Square. The project is an ongoing themed tour: the theme for 2010 is American Idle, in which she’ll perform songs (her own and others’) reflecting the country’s unemployment crisis. Call 761-1757 or go to www. onelongfellowsquare.com for tickets.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: One Longfellow Square, State and Congress streets, Portland

How much: $35 

Migratory Bird Festival

In celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, the folks at Viles Arboretum in Augusta are holding a birding festival. The day’s events include birds walks, bird-banding demonstrations, workshops, a butterfly walk, exhibits, children’s activities and a star and constellation walk. Call 626-7989 to register.

When: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Viles Arboretum, 153 Hospital St., Augusta

How much: $8; free for children under age 16 

Scott Ainslie

Guitarist Scott Ainslie is as renowned for his music scholarship as for his musicianship. Ainslie has spent most of his life performing, recording and studying the roots of blues music and African and African-American music traditions. Reservations recommended. Go to www. kennebunkcoffeehouse.com for tickets.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: River Tree Arts, 35 Western Ave., Kennebunk

How much: $15 in advance; $20 at the door 

Evening at the Pops

The All-Star Concert Band, with 25 to 30 members, performs showtunes, marches and jazz selections on Saturday. The band’s concert is a benefit for the Leavitt’s Mill Free Health Care Center. Call 929-6472 for tickets.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Saco River Grange Hall, 29 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills

How much: Suggested donation of $15; $13 for students and seniors. Free admission for children ages 12 and younger. 

SUNDAY

MAY 16 

Songs of Yesteryear

Ron Carroll and Friends present the sixth annual Songs of Yesteryear on Sunday in Brunswick. A cast of more than 20 performers will offer up songs popular in the 1950s, including “Old Cape Cod,” “Goodnight Irene” and “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.” The performance benefits the Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program. Tickets at Hannaford supermarket and Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick. Call 725-6558 for information.

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Crooker Theater, Brunswick High School, 116 Maquoit Road

How much: $10 in advance; $12 at the door 

St. Mary Schola

The early-music ensemble St. Mary Schola presents “Ce Moys de May” on Sunday in Falmouth. The ensemble’s program includes romantic songs of the troubadours, Elizabethan madrigals and chansons from the French Renaissance. Go to www.stmaryschola.org and click on “listen” to hear audio. Tickets available at the ensemble’s Web site and at the door.

When: 4 p.m.

Where: St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth

How much: $17 in advance; $20 at the door 

Laura Trice

Growing up in Portland, Laura Trice, founder of Wholesome Junk Food, learned about eating healthy while still being able to indulge in treats like whoopie pies. Trice released “The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook” earlier this month, which includes recipes for favorites such as chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and some more exotic food combinations, such as golden pineapple-carrot muffins. She’ll talk about and sign copies of her new book Sunday. Go to www.longfellowbooks.com for information.

When: 3 p.m.

Where: Longfellow Books, One Monument Way, Portland

How much: Free 

MONDAY

MAY 17 

Seanachie Nights

For Seanachie Nights’ monthly Celtic music and traditions performance at Bull Feeney’s, the local Celtic music duo Castlebay will present “A May Garland” in honor of the Celtic festival of Beltane. Julia Lane and Fred Gosbee of Castlebay will perform music and offer tidbits of Celtic lore. Go to www.lynnecullen.com for information.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Bull Feeney’s, 375 Fore St., Portland

How much: $10 suggested donation 

TUESDAY

MAY 18 

Two

Port City Music Hall’s Two, a local music series, presents singer/songwriter Kate Schrock accompanied by percussionist Todd the Rocket and soul singer Kenya Hall and her band on Tuesday night. This is a 21-and-older show. Go to www.portcitymusichall.com for information.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland

How much: $2 

WEDNESDAY

MAY 19 

SCOTS

Southern Culture on the Skids (SCOTS) mixes Americana, rock/pop and even some surf sensibilities into its music. The band calls its rural-meets-urban sound “countrypolitan.” Go to www.scots.com and click on “jukebox” to hear audio. This is a 21-and-older show. Go to www.portlandasylum.com for information.

When: 9 p.m.

Where: Asylum, 121 Center St., Portland

How much: $12 in advance; $15 day of show

 

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