TODAY

APRIL 8

Stefan Jackiw

Violinist Stefan Jackiw’s playing at a recent concert, said the Philadelphia Inquirer, was “a sound so saturated and vibrant it sounded like a living thing.” The young performer plays an all-Brahms recital in Portland tonight. A pre-concert conversation about the program begins at 6 p.m. Go to www.stefanjackiw.com and click on “music” to hear audio. 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: $32; $10 for students

Noonday Concert

The Portland Conservatory of Music’s and First Parish’s final Noonday Concert of the season takes place today. The DaPonte String Quartet will perform Schubert’s String Quartet in A minor, Opus 29. Call 775-3356.

When: 12:15 p.m.

Where: First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 425 Congress St., Portland

How much: Free

Sondheim’s 80th

It’s hard to believe the man who brought us the music of “West Side Story,” “Into the Woods” and “Sweeney Todd” is 80 years old, because his music is always young. To celebrate his 80th, the folks at the University of Southern Maine’s School of Music will perform Sondheim songs as well as some songs he has said he wished he’d written. Call 780-5555 for tickets.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Corthell Concert Hall, University of Southern Maine, Gorham

How much: $15; $10 for seniors; $5 for students

Peter Mulvey

With e-mail and quick communication technologies like Twitter, the old-fashioned letter is a rarity, but not for singer/songwriter Peter Mulvey. While on the road, he has been writing his nieces and nephews regular letters since the first one was born a decade ago. Some of those letters are included in his new album, “Letters from a Flying Machine.” Go to www.petermulvey.com and click on “music” to hear audio. Call 761-1757 or go to www.onelong fellowsquare.com for tickets.

When: 8 p.m.

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

How much: $15 in advance; $18 at the door

Ali Mazrui

Ali Mazrui, an acclaimed academic and author on modern Africa, presents “From Othello to Obama: Is This the Dawn of the Post-Racial Age?” at the University of New England in Biddeford today. In addition to the numerous books he has written, many folks may know him as the creator of the TV series “The Africans: A Triple Heritage,” a joint project of the BBC, PBS and the Nigerian Television Authority. Go to www.une.edu for information.

When: Noon

Where: St. Francis Room, Jack Ketchum Library, University of New England, Hills Beach Road, Biddeford

How much: Free

FRIDAY

APRIL 9

Flavors of Freeport

Art, music, and most importantly, food, are the highlights of this weekend’s Flavors of Freeport. There will be food and wine tastings, demonstrations on table setting and decorating, and a big block party with live music. Go to www.flavorsoffreeport.com for information.

When: Various times Friday through Sunday

Where: Various locations, Freeport

How much: Varies by activity

German Art Song

Jenny Robinson, a native of Belfast and music faculty member at the University of Southern Maine, performs a concert of German songs by Schubert, Schumann, Strauss and Wagner on Friday. She’ll be joined by guest vocalists on some songs. Call 780-5555 for tickets.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Corthell Concert Hall, University of Southern Maine, Gorham

How much: $15; $10 for seniors; $5 for students

John Pizzarelli Quartet

Jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli returns to Maine with his quartet Friday. They’ll be performing music from Pizzarelli’s latest album, “Rockin’ in Rhythm: A Duke Ellington Tribute.” Go to www.jonathansrestaurant.com for tickets.

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Jonathan’s Restaurant, 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit

How much: $37.50

Vivid Motion

The dance company that brought us “The Nutcracker Burlesque” offers its spring dance show at the St. Lawrence Arts Center in Portland Friday through Sunday. The varied program includes numbers inspired by Bollywood, martial arts and modern dance. Go to www.vividmotion.org for tickets.

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

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

How much: $12; $10 for students and seniors; $5 for children ages 12 and younger

SATURDAY

APRIL 10

Old Time Sounds

Local musicians and long-time pals Dave Peloquin and Bob Webb are known in the state for their maritime-flavored collaborations, but their new album, “Sounds Like Old Times,” explores the roots of country music with songs from the 1920s to the 1950s. Go to www.aarhusgallery.com for information.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Aarhus Gallery, 50 Main St., Belfast

How much: $10 suggested donation

Jonathan Biss

Pianist Jonathan Biss performs works by Haydn, Schoenberg, Mendelssohn and Beethoven at the Rockport Opera House on Saturday. The award-winning pianist is scheduled to make his Carnegie Hall debut next season. Go to www.baychamberconcerts.org for tickets.

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St.

How much: $25 to $45; $8 for ages 18 and younger

Eek-a-Mouse

At 6 feet, 6 inches tall, Ripton Hylton, aka Eek-a-Mouse, took his musical name from a race horse he used to bet on – not from an aversion to mice. The Boston Globe once called him “the Al Jarreau of reggae.” Go to www.eeksperience.com and click on “MP3s” 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: $16 in advance; $18 day of show

Rock Off

The Rock Off is back, but with new organizers: Maine Academy of Modern Music, Portland Music Foundation and MaineToday.com (owned by MaineToday Media, which also publishes the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel daily newspapers, the weekly Coastal Journal in Bath and their respective Web sites).

High school bands are competing for prizes including the title of Best Young Band in Maine. The opening showcases are Saturday and Sunday, with the finals scheduled for May 1. Go to www.mainetoday.com/rockoff for information and to hear audio from competing bands. Guest band the Holy Boys Danger Club performs Sunday.

When: 12:40 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Empire Dine and Dance, 575 Congress St., Portland

How much: $12; $10 for students

Figure Skating

The Motown sound is the theme of the North Atlantic Figure Skating Club’s annual ice show on Saturday and Sunday in Falmouth. Joining local skaters is guest performer Shaquille Davis, who placed fourth in the Junior Men’s Division of the 2010 Canadian Figure Skating Championships. Go to www.northatlanticfsc.org for information.

When: 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Family Ice Center, 20 Hat Trick Drive, Falmouth

How much: $10; $7 for children and seniors; $20 premium seating

SUNDAY

APRIL 11

Chocolate Lovers’ Fling

If you didn’t get your fill of chocolate bunnies for Easter, head to the annual Chocolate Lovers’ Fling in Portland on Sunday. Fudge, truffles, mousse – you name it – will be available for tasting. The event benefits Sexual Response Services of Southern Maine. Go to www.chocolateloversfling.org for tickets and information.

When: 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Holiday Inn by the Bay, Spring Street, Portland

How much: $20; free for children ages 10 and younger

MONDAY

APRIL 12

“In Search of Memory”

Neuroscientist Eric Kandel won a Nobel Prize for his work on the brain’s storage of memories. In the documentary film “In Search of Memories,” Kandel’s work and life are used to examine how the brain stores memories and memory-related diseases. A panel discussion follows the screening. Go to www.space538.org for information.

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland

How much: $7

TUESDAY

APRIL 13

Cauchefer-Choplin

French organist Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin performs works by Bedard, Franck and Pierne on Tuesday on the Kotzschmar Organ in Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Before the performance, she’ll be casually interviewed on stage by Portland’s municipal organist, Ray Cornils. Call PortTix at 842-0800 or go to www.porttix.com for tickets. Children will be admitted for free, but tickets are required.

When: 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. pre-concert conversation)

Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland

How much: $20; free for children ages 12 and younger

Jack Bowen

“Don’t Believe Everything You Think.” “The Revolution Will Be Tweeted.” “Clones Are People Too.” Bumper stickers don’t just hold your car together. They’re philosophical nuggets that say oh so much about the human condition – or so says author Jack Bowen in his newly released book, “If You Can Read This: The Philosophy of Bumper Stickers.” He signs copies of and talks about the book Tuesday in Waterville. Go to www.colby.edu for information.

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Room 122, Diamond Building, Colby College, Waterville

How much: Free

WEDNESDAY

APRIL 14

Flamenco Guitar Duo

The liveliness of flamenco music is in the deft hands of two guitarists on Wednesday: New England-based Juanito Pascual and Holland-based El Periquin perform. Go to www.elperiquin.com and www.juanitopascual.com to hear audio. Call 761-1757 or go to onelongfellowsquare.com for tickets. 

When: 8 p.m.

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

How much: $12 in advance; $15 at the door