– Art Openings

“The Search for Beauty: Whistler and His Time,” continues through Jan. 2, Colby College (Museum of Art), Waterville. www.colby.edu. Today.

“Life Unfiltered,” radio, writing and photography stories; continues through July 9, Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, Portland. 761-0660. Reception 5 to 8 p.m. today.

“The Way Life Should Be,” Maine Art Gallery, Wiscasset. 882-7511. reception 5 to 7 p.m. today.

“Between Fact and Fiction: Embroidered Stories,” work by Jill Snyder Wallace; continues through June 30, Maine Fiberarts, Topsham. 721-0678. Reception 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

MSAD #17 District Student Art Show, continues through June 1, Lajos Matolcsy Art Center, Norway. 739-6161. Tuesday.

Auditions

Teen Idol auditions, ages 11 to 18. Appointment required, Topsham Public Library, Topsham. topshamlibrary.org. 4 to 6 p.m. Friday; 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Girls’ auditions, for “Annie,” Arundel Barn Playhouse, Arundel. 985-5553. 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Hackmatack Playhouse auditions, for “Leading Ladies,” Hackmatack Playhouse, Berwick. 698-1807. Saturday, call for appointment.

Lincoln County Community Theater summer production auditions, for “Oliver!,” Lincoln County Community Theater, Damariscotta. www.lcct.org. noon to 2 p.m. (children) Saturday.

USM Youth Ensembles auditions, online reservations required, University of Southern Maine (Corthell Concert Hall), Gorham. www.usm.maine.edu/music/youthensembles/auditions.html. Strings, flute, oboe, bassoon Wednesday. Runs through Friday, May. 28.

Benefits

Kids First Gala, silent and live auctions, food and dancing to benefit the Kids First Center, Woodlands Club, Falmouth, $75. www.kidsfirstcenter.org. 6 p.m. today.

An Evening on the Waterfront, live and silent auctions and entertainment to benefit the Root Cellar, Ocean Gateway Terminal, Portland, $25. 774-3197. 6 to 9 p.m. today.

Stiletto Challenge, men’s, women’s and team 100-yard dashes on stilettos followed by after party; benefits Lift Up Ellie and breast cancer support, The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough. www.thelandingatpinepoint.com. 5 to 8 p.m. today.

Spring Fling, dancing and music and food to benefit the preservation of the club’s 1805 mansion. Reservations recommended. Jacket and tie required, Portland Club, Portland, $15-$30. 221-5446. 8 to 11 p.m. Friday.

Brick Brick: LEGO Houses for Westbrook, LEGO-building contest for adults; benefits Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland, Empire Dine and Dance, Portland, by donation. www.habitatportlandme.org. 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Blue Point Chowder Challenge, benefits Project G.R.A.C.E., Blue Point Congregational Church, Scarborough, $7, $4 under age 12. 883-6540. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Hospice House 5K Race and Remembrance Walk , benefits the KMW Fund of AHCH, which supports care for patients with limited or no health insurance at the Hospice House, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice House, Auburn, $22 day of, $18 in advance. 795-9428. 8 a.m. (registration) Sunday.

Play On, food and music benefitting Theater at Monmouth, Joyce’s, Hallowell, $40. 933-9999. 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Race to Stop Extinction, 5K run/walk and children’s fun run to benefit Endangered Species Coalition, Back Cove, Portland. www.race2stopextinction.org. 9 a.m. Sunday.

Books and Authors

Author program, Roberta Gibson Pevear and Ann Chandonnet, authors of “Write Quick: War and a Woman’s Life in Letters, 1836-1867,” will talk about and sign copies of their book, Bethel Historical Society (Moses Mason House), Bethel, free. 824-2908. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Book signing, with Anne Chandonnet and Roberta Pevear, authors of “Write Quick: War and a Woman’s Life 1836-1867,” Fifth Maine Regiment Museum, Peaks Island, free. 766-3330. 2 p.m. Sunday.

Author program, Sw. Anurag Shantam talks about and sign copies of his book, “Awakenings,” The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough, $20. www.the landingatpinepoint.com. 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Comedy

Open Mic Comedy, Slainte, Portland. With Brian Brinegar, 8 p.m. today.

Birdie Googins, “The Marden’s Lady,” Jonathan’s Restaurant, Ogunquit, $12 day of, $10 in advance. 646-4777. 8 p.m. Friday.

Dance

Swing Dance, partner not needed, beginners welcome, Deering Grange, Portland, $8. 653-5012. With Maine Swingin’ DJs ($8), 8 to 9 p.m. lesson, 9 p.m. to midnight dancing Friday.

Country dancing, Maplewood Dance Center, Portland. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday.

Contradance, College of the Atlantic (Gates Center), Bar Harbor, $6, free for children. 288-5015. 7:30 p.m. lesson, 8 p.m. dance Saturday.

Family Contradance, Community House, Kennebunkport, $2-$7. With the Two Fiddles Band, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Ballroom dancing, Maplewood Dance Center, Portland. Semi-formal dance party, 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday; 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Variety show, with dance genres spanning Bollywood to contemporary, Bates College (Schaeffer Theatre), Lewiston, free. 786-6161. 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Fairs/Festivals

Wings, Waves and Woods, annual birding festival with boat trips, guided nature walks, and presentations by artists and naturalists, various locations, Deer Isle. www.islandheritage trust.org. Friday.

Films

Travelogue Film, Sawyer Memorial Auditorium, Greene, free. 946-5311. “Florida’s Alien Wildlife” and “Superior’s Native Wildlife,” 2 and 7 p.m. Friday.

For Children

Everybody Loves Pirates, puppet show with the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers, Wentworth Intermediate School, Scarborough, free. www.

scarboroughcrossroads.org.

3 p.m. Sunday.

Home & Garden

Plant sale, benefits South Portland Land Trust, American Legion Post, South Portland. www.SPLandTrust.com. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Plant sale, hosted by the Southern Maine Daylily and Hosta Society, Southern Maine Community College, South Portland. www.smdhs.org. 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Old York Garden Club Plant Sale, Grant House, York. 363-6266. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Native Plant Sale, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, free. www.mainegardens.org. noon to 4 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Plant sale, benefits the church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Augusta. 441-2971. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Spring at Saco Heath, guided tour of the heath; registration required, Saco Heath, Saco, $36. www.newenglandwild.org/learn. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Rhododendron Auction, sponsored by the Maine chapter of the American Rhododendron Society, Merryspring Nature Center, Camden. 832-7385. Noon Saturday.

Creating a Woodland Garden When All You have Are the Trees, demonstration and talk with Bill Cullina, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, $5-$10, free under age 3. 633-4333. 11 a.m. Saturday.

Medicinal Mushrooms of Maine, learn to identify, find and eat common medicinal mushrooms, Fields Pond Audubon Center, Holden, $70. 989-2591. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Plant sale, benefits the school, King Middle School, Portland. 871-7103. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Plant sale, benefits the Saco Bay Gardening Club’s education and scolarship programs, Dyer Library, Saco. sacobaygardenclub.com. 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Plant sale, also with baked and other goods and children’s activities, School Around Us, Arundel. www.schoolaroundus.org. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Plant sale, with special Plant a Row for the Hungry program, University of Maine Cooperative Extension York County, Springvale. 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Rose and plant sale, Maine Rose Society’s annual rose sale and the Cumberland County Master Gardeners Association’s plant sale, Barron Center, Portland. www.mainerosesociety.com. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Music

The Toughcats, One Longfellow Square, Portland, $15 door, $12 in advance. 761-1757. 8 p.m. today.

Kinderkonzert, for ages 3 to 7, with members of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Bates College (Olin Arts Center), Lewiston, $4 door. 773-6128. “Percussion: The Beat Goes On!” 9, 10 and 11 a.m. today.

Duane Andrews and Dwayne Cote, Unity Centre for the Performing Arts, Unity, $10. 948-SHOW. 7:30 p.m. today.

Slightly Polished, The Liberal Cup, Hallowell, free. 623-2739. 7 to 10 p.m. today.

Pearl and the Beard, Tiger Saw and Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, Mayo Street Arts, Portland. www.mayostreetarts.org. 9 p.m. today.

Pete Miller, CD release with Sara Hallie Richardson, One Longfellow Square, Portland, $10 door, $8 in advance. 761-1757. 8 p.m. Friday.

Crooked Still, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, $25. stonemountainartscenter.com. 8 p.m. Friday.

Chris Keenan, Slainte, Portland. 5 p.m. Friday.

Atomik, monthly dance party hosted by DJ Elusid; 21-plus, Port City Music Hall, Portland. portcitymusichall.com. 9 p.m. Friday.

Disco Glam Party, with Lovewhip and other bands; 21-plus, Geno’s, Portland, $6. www.myspace.com/genosrockclub. 9 p.m. Friday.

Downeast Fiddle Jamboree and Dance, with the Old Grey Goose and guests. Tickets are by donation ($14, $12 for students and seniors suggested), Saco River Grange Hall, Bar Mills. 929-6472. 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Delta Knights, Crystal Falls, Chelsea, $10. deltaknights.com. 9 p.m. Friday.

Danielle Doyle and Beth Colegrove, with Monique Bidwell, North Star Music Cafe, Portland, by donation. 699-2994. 8 p.m. Friday.

Friday Night Jazz, Solo Bistro, Bath. 443-3373. Tracey MacLean and Kelly Muse, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Lynn Deeves and Colleen Sexton, Frontier Cafe, Cinema & Gallery, Brunswick, $12 door, $10 in advance. 725-5222. 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Music from the Movies, with the Maine Music Society, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Auditorium, South Paris, $16-$18, $9 for students. 782-7228. 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Jazz with Mark Tipton, Blue, Portland. donation, 10 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

Rose Cousins, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, $10. stonemountainartscenter.com. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Come Fly with Me, performance by the Downeasters Barbershop Chorus and guest quartet, Acoustix. Discounted tickets available through May 9, Scarborough High School, $15-$20, $10 for students with ID. www.downeasters.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.

Starnes and Shah, Slainte, Portland. 828-0900. 9 p.m. Saturday.

Evergreen, house concert; reservations required, Private residence, Ripley, $10 suggested donation. 277-3733. 7 p.m. Saturday.

Scott Nygaard and Crow Molly, with Annalivia, One Longfellow Square, Portland, $18 door, $15 in advance. 761-1757. 8 p.m. Saturday.

“Jonah and the Whale,” presented by the Oratorio Chorale. Admission is free for children under age 12 accompanied by an adult, Falmouth Congregational Church, Falmouth, $10-$25. www.oratoriochorale.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.

Melissa Ferrick, Jonathan’s Restaurant, Ogunquit, $25 day of, $22.50 in advance. 646-4777. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Family contradance, with the Old Gray Goose. Tickets are by donation ($8 suggested; $20 maximum for a family). Admission is free for children age 12 and younger, Saco River Grange Hall, Bar Mills. 929-6472. 7 p.m. Saturday.

Mark “Guitar” Miller, VENUE Music Bar and Bistro, Freeport. 865-1780. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Wind, Wire and Quill, progressive concert with organist and harpsichordist Thomas Marshall, South Parish Congregational Church, Augusta, $10 suggested donation. 622-2424. 4 p.m. Saturday.

Pine Tree State Country Music Association, several performers, Silver Spur, Mechanic Falls. www.ptscountrymusicassoc.org. Award show (donation of $7 in advance; $8, $3 for under age 12 at the door), 1 p.m. Sunday.

Music from the Movies, with the Maine Music Society, Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston, $16-$18, $9. 782-7228. 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Nitpickers, The Liberal Cup, Hallowell. 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Jazz Buffet, Events on Broadway, South Portland, $12.50-$15. 699-5855. With Mike Willette Swing Band, 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Rhythmic Cypher, music, poetry and freestyle open mic hosted by Tina Smith, Slainte, Portland. 7 p.m. Sunday.

A Loss for Words, with Transit, Kid Liberty and Pinsky, Big Easy, Portland, $12 day of, $9 in advance. www.bigeasyportland.com. 5 p.m. Sunday.

Jessica Cooper, viola, Bates College (Olin Arts Center), Lewiston, free. www.bates.edu. 3 p.m. Sunday.

Delta Highway, blues, Time Out Pub, Rockland, $10. 593-9336. 7 p.m. Monday.

Alexis Pastuhov, Slainte, Portland. 828-0900. 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Electric Open Mic, Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery, Saco, free. 571-9648. 8 to 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Portland String Quartet , Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, $15. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

KinderKonzert, for ages 3 to 7, with members of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, Scarborough High School, Scarborough, $4. 773-6128. 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Monday Night Concert Series, Slates, Hallowell. 622-9575. Cheryl Wheeler ($25), 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Noonday concert, Bates College (Olin Arts Center), Lewiston, free. 786-6135. With Miles Isacke and Seth Warner, classical guitarists, 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Arrington de Dionyso’s Malaikat Dan Singa, with Crank Sturgeon and id m theftable; 18-plus, Space, Portland, $7. www.space538.org. 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Reverend Horton Heat, with Cracker; 21-plus show, Asylum, Portland, $20 day of, $18 in advance. www.portlandasylum.com. 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Muse, with host DJ Lady Zen, Slainte, Portland. 828-0900. 9 p.m. Wednesday.

School Music Program Concert, student performance, Deering High School, Portland, free. www.portlandschools.org. Band and chorus, 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Outdoors

Bird walk, guided walk, Essex Woods, Bangor. 989-2591. 7 to 8:30 a.m. today.

Warbler Weeks, expert birders help you locate and identify migrating birds, Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, $5. www.maineaudubon.org. 7 to 9 a.m. today.

Bird walk, guided walk with naturalist and birder Eric Hynes, Maine Audubon (Gilsland Farm), Falmouth, $8. 7 a.m. today. Runs through Thursday, Jun. 24.

Morning birding, Capisic Pond Park, Portland, $5. www.maineaudubon.org. 7 to 9 a.m. Friday.

Bird walk, guided walk, Walden Parke Preserve, Bangor. 989-2591. 7 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Passamaquoddy Plant Medicine, field walk and presentation with Fredda Paul, Maine Audubon (Gilsland Farm), Falmouth, $25 walk, $20 presentation. www.maineaudubon.org. 10 a.m. to noon (walk), 2 to 4:30 p.m. (presentation) Saturday.

Sailing and Open House, check out the sailing center and take a sailboat ride in Portland Harbor, SailMaine, Portland, free. 650-2085. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Bird walk, guided walk, University of Maine, Orono. 989-2591. 7 to 8:30 a.m. Monday.

Bird walk, guided walk, Saxl Park, Bangor. 989-2591. 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Nature in Your Neighborhood, guided walk with a naturalist, Hinckley Park, South Portland, $15. www.maineaudubon.org. 7 to 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Bird walk, guided walk, Technology Park, Orono. 989-2591. 7 to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Special Events

Food and Farm, series of films, lectures, discussions exploring our access to sustainable food, Space, Portland. 828-5600. Screening of “Dirt” with author William Logan ($7), 7:30 p.m. today; Screening of “Ingredients” ($7), 7:30 p.m. Friday; Screening of “Colony” ($7), 7:30 p.m.Wake Up the Farm Party (free, at Boyd Street Urban Farm), 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Saturday; Screening of “The End of the Line” ($7), 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Southern Maine Coastal Classic, all-breed dog shows and obedience and rally trials, Wassamki Springs Campground, Scarborough, $4 per vehicle. www.yorkcountykennelclub.homestead.com. begins at 8 a.m. today through Sunday. Runs through Sunday.

Cape Verde Island Cultural Weekend, discussions, art exhibitions, films, food and wine tasting, Museum of African Culture, Portland, $10. 871-7188. Saturday.

Maine Comics Arts Festival, Ocean Gateway Terminal, Portland, $5. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Cape Verde Island Cultural Weekend, discussions, art exhibitions, films, food and wine tasting, Museum of African Culture, Portland, $10. Sunday.

Steps to Prevent Identity Theft, and shredding party. Bring items you would like shredded. Reservations recommended, Ameriprise Financial, South Portland. 772-1894. 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Theater

“Bach at Leipzig,” Portland Stage Company, Portland. 2 and 7:30 p.m. today; 7:30 p.m. Friday; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday;

2 p.m. Sunday.

“Shooting Star,” romantic comedy; dinner theater production by Harbor Light Stage. Reservations required, York Harbor Reading Room, York Harbor, $34-$63.50. www.harbor lightstage.org. 6 p.m. (dinner),

7:30 p.m. (play) today and Friday; 3 p.m. (drinks) and 4 p.m. (play); 6:30 p.m. (dinner) and 8 p.m. (play) Saturday; noon (drinks) and 1 p.m. (play); 5 p.m. (play) and 6:30 p.m. (dinner) Sunday.

“Grease,” musical, Schoolhouse Arts Center, Standish, $18, $16 for students and seniors.

www.schoolhousearts.org.

7:30 p.m. today and Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

“Snapshot Silhouette,” presented by A Company of Girls’ Ensemble company, Portland Stage Company (Studio Theater), Portland. 874-2107. 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday;

1 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Runs through Sunday.

“Juno and the Paycock,” a tragicomic portrait of a poor tenement family in Dublin caught up in the upheaval of Ireland?Civil War presented by the American Irish Repertory Ensemble. Tickets are $18; $15 for seniors and students and for all on Thursdays, St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland. www.airetheater.com. 7:30 p.m. today and Friday; 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

“Dragon?Daughter,” Asian folk tale adapted and performed by Figures of Speech Theatre, Bates College (Schaeffer Theatre), Lewiston, $3-$6. batestickets.com. 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

“Little Shop of Horrors,” musical comedy, Old Port Playhouse, Portland, $15-$18. oldportplayhouse.com.

7 p.m. today; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

“All the Great Books, Abridged,” comedic look at the great works of literature presented by the Poland Players, Dr. Robert Wall Theatre, Poland, $5. 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday.

“Rumplestiltskin,” children’s theater production presented by Acorn’s Fairy Tale Players, Acorn Studios, Westbrook, $5. 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

“Oliver Twist,” Admission is pay what you want; $18 suggested, Theater Project, Brunswick. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

“West Side Story,” Portland Players, South Portland, $15-$20. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday;

2:30 p.m. Sunday. Runs through May 30.

Westbrook Shakespeare Festival, with Acorn Productions’ Naked Shakespeare ensemble. Admission is free ($5 to $10 suggested donation), Riverbank Park, Westbrook. www.acorn-productions.org. “As You Like It,” 5:30 p.m. Friday; “Romeo and Juliet,” 2 p.m., “As You Like It,”

5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Student performance, of contemporary performance poetry, Bates College (Pettigrew Hall), Lewiston, free. 786-6161.

7:30 p.m. Tuesday.