BENEFITS

FRIDAY

Motor Booty Affair, benefit dance for Cheverus High School Purple and Gold Club and girls’ basketball, Italian Heritage Center, Portland. $25. 774-6238. 7 to 11 p.m.

Fashion Without Limits, fashion show, music, stand-up comedy and more to benefit the Ms. Wheelchair Maine Leadership and Advocacy Organization; Avant Center, Westbrook. $10 in advance; $20 at door. fashionablegivingforlife.com. 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Labyrinth Walk, indoor Chartre-style labyrinth for meditative walks; benefits Center for Grieving Children; Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland. Donation. 772-7421. 4 to 7:30 p.m.

 

SATURDAY

Designing Women Fine Art and Craft Show, benefits Women, Work and Community; Merriconeag Waldorf School, Freeport. $2/donation. 217-0407. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Come Aboard with Foundation 51,” annual fundraising auction with silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, live music and photo booth, Ocean Gateway Terminal, Portland. $40 to $75. fdn51.ejoinme.org/auction. 6 p.m.

Thanks for Giving Gala Charity, benefit for Dean Snell Cancer Foundation with silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and jazz trio, The Inn at Brunswick Station, Brunswick. $30. 837-9919. 6 to 10 p.m.

“Cranksgiving” Bike Race, ride to stores to purchase food for donation; benefit for Project F.E.E.D.; Woodfords Congregational Church, Portland. (845) 489-3612. Registration at 10 a.m.; race at 10:30 a.m.

“Foodstock,” benefit concert for hunger prevention with local bands Phantom Companion, Men in Flannel and Let’s Folk, Falmouth High School. Donation. 781-7429. 7:30 p.m.

Maine Roller Derby “Thanks for Giving” Benefit Bout, benefits Hardy Girls, Healthy Women; Happy Wheels Skate Center, Portland. $7. mainerollerderby.com. 5 p.m.

 

SUNDAY

Wine Tasting, fundraiser for Woodfords Family Services, Slainte, Portland. Cost not given. slaintewinebar.com. 4 to 7 p.m.

Rick Charette and The Bubblegum Band, children’s music concert, Mercy Hall dining room, Saint Joseph’s College, Standish. Free with new unwrapped toy or gift card for donation. 893-7792. 2 p.m.

Fun-Raiser for Cancer Patient Nancy Glassman, with music, art, food, drinks and auction, First Congregational Church, Camden. $20. 230-0436. 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Pet Project to Benefit Lucky Pup Rescue, 30 paintings of dogs available or that have been adopted through LPR and calendars for sale, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland. luckypuprescue.org. 3 to 7 p.m.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

TODAY

USM Theatre Department Open House, a look behind the curtain at how theater happens, USM (Russell Hall), Gorham. Free. 780-5151. 5 to 7 p.m.

Pecha Kucha Night, informal and fun gathering for creative people to share their ideas, work and thoughts, River Tree Arts, Kennebunk. $5. rivertreearts.org. 7 p.m.

 

FRIDAY

Christmas Tree Lighting, with music from a capella groups Meddiebempsters and Miscellania, L.L. Bean Flagship Store, Freeport. Free. 6:45 p.m.

Full Dome Double Feature, “Two Small Pieces of Glass” and “IBEX,” USM (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. $5, $6. 780-4249. 7 and 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

Frozen Turkey Hunt, search for hidden apples to win prizes including turkeys, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay. Free. 633-4333, Ext. 101. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Eight Planets and Counting,” planetarium show, USM (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. $4, $6. 780-4249. 3 p.m.

Met Opera Live in HD, screening of Glass’ “Satyagraha,” Strand Theatre, Rockland. $23 to $27. rocklandstrand.com. 12:55 p.m.

Early Bird Sale and Rolling Slumber Bed Races, special sales, cooking demos, craft fair, cookies, cocoa and more, downtown Brunswick. brunswickdowntown.com. All day beginning at 6 a.m.; bed races at 11 a.m. at Park Row.

Equine Journey’s Fourth Annual Fall Family Fun Day, carriage rides, pony and hay rides, face painting, music, games and food, Ring Farm, Bridgton. Donation. 647-8475. Noon to 3:30 p.m.

 

SUNDAY

The Magic of the Steelgraves, magic show, The Hive, Kennebunk. $6. thehivekennebunk.com. 2 p.m.

Psychic Sunday, Lucid Stage, Portland. $1 admission; additional fees for readings, products and services. onthenewedge.com. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast,” planetarium show for children, USM (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. $4, $5. 780-4249. 3 p.m.

 

TUESDAY

Fifth Annual Pie and Bread Sale, pies, breads, jams and jellies, Cascade Brook School, Farmington. 441-1595. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CRAFT FAIRS

TODAY

Holiday Open Studio Show and Sale, jewelry, fiber and fabric arts, Open Concepts Gallery and Studios, Portland. 400-6159. 3 to 8 p.m.

 

FRIDAY

Christmas Fair, First Congregational Church, Buxton. 727-4933. 3 to 7 p.m.

ArtFull Gifts Fine Art and Craft Holiday Fair, benefits Coastal Mountains Land Trust and United Mid-Coast Charities; Point Lookout Resort, Northport. $3. 763-3433. Gala collectors’ evening ($10 admission), 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; holiday fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

 

SATURDAY

Hannaford Associates’ Holiday Craft Fair, more than 50 crafters, Portland Elks Lodge. 885-3632. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Waynflete Holiday Artisan Fair, more than 30 Maine artisans, Waynflete School, Portland. 774-5721, Ext. 364. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Holiday Craft Fair, three floors of handmade crafts, food, raffles and entertainment, Casco Bay High School/PATHS, Portland. 773-2727. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Maine Made Christmas Craft Show, Stevens Avenue Armory, Portland. 946-7079. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Holly Daze Bazaar, wreaths, knit goods, books and lunch, First Congregational Church, South Portland. 799-3361. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saco Valley Fiber Artists, annual craft show and sale with demonstrations, North Scarborough Grange Hall, Scarborough. sacovalleyfiberartists.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christmas Craft Fair, crafts, wreaths, cookies, silent auction and more, West Scarborough United Methodist Church, Scarborough. 883-2814. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas Craft Fair, crafts, baked goods, white elephant tables and more, West Falmouth Baptist Church, Falmouth. 797-4066. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holly Days Fair, baked goods, handmade gifts, jams, jellies, silent auction and more, Falmouth Congregational Church. 781-3413. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas in the Country, ornaments and decorations, crafts and silent auction, Tuttle Road United Methodist Church, Cumberland. 829-3766. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Village Christmas Fair, Congregational Church of Cumberland. 829-3419. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Santa’s Workshop Christmas Fair, holiday craft fair, First Congregational Church, North Yarmouth. 829-3644. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holiday Craft Fair, wreaths, soap, candles, woodworking, jewelry and more, Pownal Elementary School. 319-9708. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Christmas Fair, United Methodist Church, Brunswick. 725-2185. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Annual Holiday Craft Show, benefits the Brunswick Hockey Boosters, Brunswick High School. 729-1170. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Made in Maine Christmas Craft Show, by Society of Southern Maine Craftsmen, Mt. Ararat High School, Topsham. societyofsouthernmainecraftsmen.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

South Windham Library Holiday Fair, craft items and handmade quilt raffle, Windham-Gorham Rod and Gun Club, Gorham. 595-7167. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas Fair, crafts, baked goods, jewelry, books and more, West Gorham Union Church, Gorham. 839-4208. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christmas Fair, crafts, wreaths, baked goods and more, North Windham Union Church, Windham. 892-6142. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holiday Fair, crafts, jewelry and food items, Mill Brook Estates, Westbrook. 856-0018. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Christmas Fair, American Legion Hall, Westbrook. 854-8478. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

York Art Association Annual Fine Craft Holiday Fair, American Legion Post 56, York. 363-4049. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christmas Fair, North Saco Congregational Christian Church, Saco. 282-0958. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Pine Cone Fair, silent auction, ornaments, jewelry, wreaths and arrangements, Christ Church, Kennebunk. 985-4494. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Holiday Bazaar, pottery, quilts, candles, Ukranian painted eggs, artwork and more; benefits the CLC YMCA scholarship fund; Central Lincoln County YMCA, Damariscotta. $1. 563-3477. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christmas Fair, ornaments, crafts, white elephant table and cookie walk, First Congregational Church, North Berwick. 676-3170. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Noble Cheerleaders and MSAD 60 District Craft Fair, woodworking crafts, stained glass, pottery, jewelry, ornaments and more, Noble High School, Berwick. 651-6840. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Snowflake Fair, wreaths, fir pillows, holiday gifts, baked goods and more, Lovell United Church of Christ, Center Lovell. 925-1321. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Gingerbread Fair, wreaths, crafts, gift baskets, home-baked pies and baked goods, jewelry and more, First Universalist Church, Auburn. 783-0461. 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas Fair, First Congregational Church, Buxton. 727-4933. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Christmas Gifts and Decorations Sale, toys, decorations, gifts, shoes, clothes and more, Limington Town Hall. 692-2989. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Waterborough Historical Society Holiday Fair, handmade crafts, bake sale and silent auction, Waterboro Town Hall. 247-5148. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Christmas Fair, handmade gifts, cookie walk, kids’ room, bargain room and baked goods, First Baptist Church, Springvale. 324-4266. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

FILMS

“Master Smart Woman,” biopic on Sarah Orne Jewett, commentary by Peggy Wishhart of Historic New England, Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum, Sanford. Free. 324-2797. 7 p.m. today.

Independent Film Series, “The Blue Butterfly” (2004), Fryeburg Academy. $8; $4 students. 935-9232. 7:30 p.m. today.

“The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975” (2011), documentary followed by panel discussion on the legacy of the Black Power movement, Space, Portland. $7. space538.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday.

“Certified Copy” (2010), York Public Library. Free. 363-2818. 3 p.m. Sunday.

“The Pruitt-Igoe Myth” (2011), documentary explores the issues that led to the decline of conventional public housing in America, Space, Portland. $7. space538.org. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

 

BOOKS/AUTHORS

Language Arts Live, poetry reading by Sydney Lea, Bates College (Edmund S. Muskie Archives), Lewiston. Free. 784-0416. 7:30 p.m. today.

Brown Bag Lecture, with Layne V. Witherell, author of “Wine Maniacs: Life in the Wine Biz,” Portland Public Library. Free; bring lunch. 871-1710. Noon to 1 p.m. Friday.

Crash Barry, author of “Tough Island: True Stories from Matinicus, Maine,” Gulf of Maine Books, Brunswick. 729-5083. 7 p.m. Friday.

Poetry Reading, with Ted Bookey, Herb Coursen and Dave Morrison, Harlow Gallery, Hallowell. $3. 685-3636. 7 p.m. Friday.

Dahlov Ipcar, author and illustrator of “Dahlov Ipcar’s Wild Animal Alphabet,” Portland Museum of Art. 775-6148. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Father Sean McManus, author of “My American Struggle for Justice in Northern Ireland,” Maine Irish Heritage Center, Portland. 780-0118. 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Seanachie Nights, with New Hampshire storyteller Andy Davis, Bull Feeney’s, Portland. $9/donation. 253-0288. 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.

Port Veritas Spoken Word Night, with poet Hannah Galvin, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland. $3, $5. localsprouts.coop. 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Brown Bag Lecture, with Eva Murray, author of “Well Out to Sea,” Portland Public Library. Free; bring lunch. 871-1710. Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday.

 

PARTICIPANT DANCE

Swing Dance, music by Maine Swingin’ DJs, Deering Grange Hall, Portland. $8. 653-5012. Lessons at 7 p.m., dance at 8 p.m. Friday.

Contradance, Town Hall, Bowdoinham. $9. 666-3090. 8 to 11 p.m. (beginner’s lesson at 7:30 p.m.) Saturday.

Dance Party, DJs spin dub, reggae, jazz, down-tempo and hip-hop on vinyl, The Oak and the Ax, Biddeford. Free. theoakandtheax.blogspot.com. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Community Folk Dance, instructions and dancing to traditional music and dance from the Balkans, Israel, France and Greece, Mallett Hall, Pownal. $5. 688-2293. Family dance at 5:30 p.m., folk dance at 7 p.m. Sunday.