• CONCERTS

TODAY

Noonday Concert with University of Southern Maine Chamber Singers, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland. Free. 775-3356. 12:15 p.m.

Paula Cole, folk-rock; 21-plus. The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough. $40. www.thelandingatpinepoint.com. 7 p.m.

A Loss for Words, pop-punk, with Lions Lions and others, Deering Grange, Portland. $10 day of show; $8 in advance. www.brownpapertickets.com. 7 p.m.

“Irish Christmas in America,” One Longfellow Square, Portland. $25 at door; $22 in advance. 761-1757. 7:30 p.m.

Matisyahu: “Festival of Light” with Moon Taxi, reggae, State Theatre, Portland. $28 day of event; $26 in advance. www.statetheatreportland.com. 6:30 p.m.

Southern Maine Children’s Chorus, youth chorus performs variety of music from spirituals to folk songs, University of Southern Maine (Corthell Concert Hall), Gorham. Free/donation. 780-5555. 7 p.m.

Bates College Gamelan Orchestra, Bates College (Chase Hall), Lewiston. Free. 7:30 p.m.

Acoustic Night, Mayo Street Arts, Portland. $5. www.mayostreetarts.org. 8 to 11 p.m. 

FRIDAY

Gibson Brothers, bluegrass Christmas show, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield. www.stonemountainartscenter.com. $79 dinner and show; $49 show only. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday ($35).

Fred Eaglesmith Traveling Show, with the Fabulous Ginn Sisters, folk/Americana, One Longfellow Square, Portland. $25 at door; $20 in advance. 761-1757. 8 p.m.

Barefoot Truth, roots rock, Fryeburg Academy (Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center). $17.50; $10 for students. www.fryeburgacademy.org. 7:30 p.m.

David Mallett, folk, St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland. $25. www.stlawrencearts.org. 7:30 p.m.

Sara Evans, country holiday concert, Bangor Auditorium. $21.50-$41.50. www.basspark.com. 7:30 p.m.

Big Gigantic, electronic and hip hop; 21-plus. Port City Music Hall, Portland. $12 day of show; $10 in advance. www.portcitymusichall.com. 8 p.m.

Holiday Concert with Susie Burke, David Surette and Kent Allyn, First Congregational Church, Kittery Point. $10-$15. 439-5401. 7:30 p.m.

“Listening In, Looking Out,” image and sound project with local schoolchildren, Bates College (Olin Arts Center), Lewiston. 786-6135. 7:30 p.m.

Richard Nelson’s Imaginary Ensemble, jazz, rock, funk and folk, Frontier Cafe, Cinema & Gallery, Brunswick. $12 day of show; $10 in advance. www.explorefrontier.com. 7:30 p.m. 

SATURDAY

Solstice Celebration Concert and Ceremony with Leah Wolfsong and friends, First Universalist Church, Auburn. $8-$10. 7 p.m.

Carolyn Currie, acoustic concert in the Star Dome, University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. $5-$10; limited seating. 780-4249. 7 p.m.

Suzy Bogguss, country Christmas show, VENUE Music Bar and Grille, Portland. $35-$70. venuemusicbar.com. 8 p.m.

Junior Brown, country/rock, Bates College (Olin Arts Center), Lewiston. $8-$15. www.bates.edu. 7:30 p.m.

“A Heritage Christmas” with the Maine Music Society, Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston. $16-$18. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.

Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, blues-rock, State Theatre, Portland. $20 day of show; $18 in advance. www.statetheatreportland.com. 8 p.m.

Paul Sullivan: “Christmas in Maine,” piano, Unity Centre for the Performing Arts. $15. 948-7409. 7:30 p.m.

UMF Community Orchestra, University of Maine (Nordica Auditorium), Farmington. $6; $5 for seniors. 778-7072. 7:30 p.m.

David Francey, Canadian singer/songwriter, River Tree Arts, Kennebunk. $20 day of show; $15 in advance. www.kennebunkcoffeehouse.com. 8 p.m.

Agape Coffeehouse Concert, Seacoast Chapel, Saco. Free. www.seacoastchapel.com/agape. 6 to 8 p.m.

Maine Academy of Modern Music and River Tree Arts Launch Party with Paranoid Social Club, Seacoast Chapel Music Choir and Kevin St. Michael, Town Hall, Kennebunk. Free. www.rivertreearts.org. 6 to 9 p.m.

“Fantasia on Christmas Carols” by the Tri-City Community Chorus, First Parish Congregational Church, Saco. $5-$12. 283-3771. 7 p.m.

Dorie Barnes and Jesse Feinberg, jazz, Merriconeag Grange Hall, Harpswell. $10; $7 for students and seniors. 798-9201. 6 p.m.

“Lysa Hora I: Winter Night” with local bands, Mayo Street Arts, Portland. Free. www.mayostreetarts.org. 7:30 p.m.

“Caroling, Caroling,” holiday concert with Seaglass Chorale, South Congregational Church, Kennebunkport. $15; $12 for seniors. www.seaglassperformingarts.org. 7 p.m.

“Stardust and Roses,” jazz, gospel, international and holiday songs by the Greater Freeport Community Chorus, Freeport Performing Arts Center. $5-$10; free ages 12 and younger. 751-6301. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 

SUNDAY

“Sounds Good!” with The Edith Jones Project, holiday swing music, Johnson Hall, Gardiner. $15; $6 for students; reservations recommended. 582-7144. 3 p.m.

“Jazz Breakfast” with State Street Traditional Jazz Band, Portland Museum of Art. Breakfast items available for purchase; concert free with museum admission: $4-$10; free for children under 6. 775-6148. 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Dashboard Confessional, rock, State Theatre, Portland. $28 day of show; $25 in advance. www.statetheatreportland.com. 7:30 p.m.

Bluegrass jam session, unplugged string instruments only, Roost Function Hall, Buxton. $5; free for children with adult. 854-5520. 1 to 6 p.m.

Carbon Leaf, Celtic/bluesgrass rock, The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough. $17.50-$22.50. www.thelandingatpinepoint.com. 7 p.m.

Paul Sullivan: “Christmas in Maine,” piano, All Souls Congregational Church, Bangor. www.allsoulsbangor.com. 2 p.m.

World Music Holiday Concert with Naia and the Kolosko-Dimow Duo, Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland. $10-$12. www.carldimow.com. 7 p.m.

“Rock My Soul,” holiday gospel show, One Longfellow Square, Portland. $15 at door; $12 in advance. 761-1757. 4 p.m.

“Caroling, Caroling,” holiday concert with Seaglass Chorale; benefits the Sanfood Food Pantry. Holy Family Church, Sanford. Donation. www.seaglassperformingarts.org. 7 p.m. 

TUESDAY

Bill Kreutzmann (of The Grateful Dead) & 7 Walkers, rock; 21-plus. Port City Music Hall, Portland. $22 in advance; $25 day of show; $40 VIP seated. www.portcitymusichall.com. 8 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY

Jorma Kaukonen, finger-style guitarist of The Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, One Longfellow Square, Portland. $40 at door; $35 in advance. 761-1757. 8 p.m.

Armor for the Broken, metal, with MS White, She Has Fallen and Spies Like Us, Deering Grange, Portland. $10 day of show; $8 in advance. www.brownpapertickets.com. 6:30 p.m.

• COMEDY

“Ba Ha Ha Humbug: An Evening of Holiday Comedy” with Karen Morgan, John Ater, Stephanie Doyle, Tuck Tucker, Nellie Coes and Kate Ghiloni. Frontier Cafe, Cinema & Gallery, Brunswick. $12 at door; $10 in advance. www.explorefrontier.com. 7 p.m. today.

Rich Ceisler, Comedy Connection, Portland. 774-5554. $7.50, 8:30 p.m. today; with EJ Murphy and Lou Avent ($15), 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Paula Poundstone, One Longfellow Square, Portland. $40. 761-1757. 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday.

Running with Scissors, improv, Mayo Street Arts, Portland. $7. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

• BARS/CLUBS

TODAY

Alison Violette, light rock, Andys Old Port Pub, Portland. andysoldportpub.com. 6 p.m.

Marc Pinansky, Joshua Madore and Wes Hartley & The Traveling Trees, acoustic, Empire Dine and Dance, Portland. $6. www.portlandempire.com. 9 p.m.

Old School, Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery, Saco. 571-9652. 8 to 11 p.m.

Velourosaurus, rock, with The Dirk Quinn Band, VENUE Music Bar and Grille, Portland. $5. venuemusicbar.com. 8 p.m.

A Band Beyond Description, Grateful Dead covers; 21-plus. Big Easy, Portland. bigeasyportland.com. 10 p.m.

Cilla Bonnie, singer-songwriter, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 8 p.m.

Mirror Image, jazz, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 10 p.m.

Squid Jiggers, Irish music, Ri Ra, Portland. www.rira.com. 8:30 p.m. 

FRIDAY

Jeff Cusack, light rock, Andys Old Port Pub, Portland. 8 p.m.

“Friday Night Jazz” with Lorraine Bohland and Mickey Felder, Solo Bistro, Bath. 443-3373. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Heather Maloney, folk/rock, with Gunther Brown, The Oak and the Ax, Biddeford. theoakandtheax.blogspot.com. 8 p.m.

Jeff Beam, indie rock, CD-release show; 21-plus. Empire Dine and Dance, Portland. $6. www.portlandempire.com. 10 p.m.

DJ Verbatum, Pearl Lounge, Portland. 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Red Light Revue, blues/rock/R&B, VENUE Music Bar and Grille, Portland. $5. venuemusicbar.com. 8 p.m.

[dog] and [pony] DVD-Release Show with Jacob & The House of Fire, D. Gross, Jakob Battick & Friends, Robber & Thief and Selbyville; 18-plus. Space Gallery, Portland. $8. www.space538.org. 8 p.m.

Twisted Roots, singer/songwriter series with Uncle Jack & Whitcomb, Big Easy, Portland. bigeasyportland.com. 5 p.m.

The Mutineers, bluegrass, Dogfish Bar & Grille, Portland. thedogfishbarandgrille.com. 8 p.m.

Old Red, old-time music, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 8 p.m.

Vince Nez & Friends, acoustic, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 10 p.m.

Plaid Daddy, pop and rock covers, Ri Ra, Portland. www.rira.com. 10 p.m.

Motor Booty Affair, ’70s funk/disco covers, Asylum, Portland. $10/donation. portlandasylum.com. 9 p.m.

Darien Brahms, singer/songwriter, with Lady Zen, Bayside Bowl, Portland. $5. baysidebowl.com. 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

Dave Packard, acoustic, Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery, Saco. 8 to 11 p.m.

Naughty Holiday 2 Costume Ball; 21-plus. Slainte, Portland. $5 ($3 with skimpy costume). 828-0900. 9 p.m.

WCYY Class of 2010 with Educated Advocates, The Mallett Brothers Band, Brenda and Crunk Witch. Empire Dine and Dance, Portland. www.portlandempire.com. 9 p.m.

[dog] and [pony] DVD-Release Show Night 2 with Matt Bauer, Wesley Hartley & The Traveling Trees, Jesse Pilgrim & The Bonfire, Milkman’s Union and Greg Jamie, The Oak and the Ax, Biddeford. theoakandtheax.blogspot.com. 7:30 p.m.

Theodore Treehouse, indie-rock, CD-release show with Brenda and Phantom Buffalo; 18-plus. Space, Portland. $7. www.space538.org. 9 p.m.

Adam Waxman, rock/soul/blues, Big Easy, Portland. $7. bigeasyportland.com. 8 p.m.

Hot Lunch Bebop, jazz, Dogfish Bar & Grille, Portland. thedogfishbarandgrille.com. 8 p.m.

Abram Taylor, garage jazz, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 8 p.m.

Michael Beling Trio, jazz, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 10 p.m.

Miss Fairchild, funk-pop, Bayside Bowl, Portland. baysidebowl.com. 9 p.m. 

SUNDAY

Fogcutters Big Band Holiday Extravaganza, Empire Dine and Dance, Portland. $5-$10. www.portlandempire.com. 8 p.m.

Duffy and Co., folk-rock, Andys Old Port Pub, Portland. andysoldportpub.com. 5:30 p.m.

“Christmas Rock Spectacular,” rock concert with Rotundo Sealeg, Good Kids Sprouting Horns, Strawberry Allstars and Wood Burning Cat, benefits Wayside Food programs. Slainte, Portland. $5/donation. 828-0900. 7 p.m.

Sean Mencher & His Rhythm Kings, jazz/blues, Dogfish Bar & Grille, Portland. thedogfishbarandgrille.com. 8 p.m.

Mark “Guitar” Miller, acoustic rock/blues, Racks, Portland. 6 p.m. 

MONDAY

Open mic with Alec Wall, Andys Old Port Pub, Portland. andysoldportpub.com. 8 p.m.

The Stowaways, bluegrass/roots, Empire Dine and Dance, Portland. www.portlandempire.com. 8:30 p.m.

Line of Force, soul, Big Easy, Portland. bigeasyportland.com. 6 p.m. 

TUESDAY

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

Irish Session, Andys Old Port Pub, Portland. andysoldportpub.com. 7 p.m.

Blues jam with Poke Chop & The Other White Meats, VENUE Music Bar and Grille, Portland. venuemusicbar.com. 8 to 11 p.m.

“Slush,” dance beats by Jamie O’Sullivan and guest DJs; 21-plus; benefits Prepare Maine. Space, Portland. $5. www.space538.org. 8 p.m.

Port Veritas Poetry Slam, spoken word, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 9:30 a.m. 

WEDNESDAY

Bluegrass Folk Jam, bring your acoustic instrument, The Brunswick, Old Orchard Beach. 449-1126. 7 to 10 p.m.

David Beam and Friends, blues, roots and covers, Andys Old Port Pub, Portland. 7:30 p.m.

Hip-hop open mic; 21-plus, Big Easy, Portland. $2. bigeasyportland.com. 9 p.m.

Bob Rasero, blues guitar, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 8 p.m.

Matt Meyer & The Gumption Junction, roots/Americana, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com.

10 p.m.

Miles, acoustic, Ri Ra, Portland. www.rira.com. 8 p.m.