Art

“Sit Down! Chairs from Six Centuries,” collection of American and European seating furniture from 1470 to the present, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick, free. 725-3275. 1 to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 16.

“The Search for Beauty: Whistler and His Time,” drawings and paintings, Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville. Noon to 4:30 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

“Islands and Sirens,” work by Tom Curry and Brian Mark, Thos. Moser Showroom, Freeport. www.thosmoser.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 31.

“False Documents and Other Illusions,” Portland Museum of Art, $4-$10, free under age 6. www.portlandmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 2.

“The Old Port at Night,” photos by Melanie Bennett. Also, historical photography and poetry exhibit, “Look Twice: The Waponahki in Image and Verse,” University of Southern Maine (Glickman Family Library), Portland. 780-4270. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. today; 7:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

“Anything Goes,” paintings, sculpture, mixed media, River Arts, Damariscotta. 563-1507. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Friday.

“Rackstraw Downes: Onsite Paintings, 1972-2008,” Portland Museum of Art, $4-$10. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Through March 20.

“Currents 6,” multimedia work by Gina Siepel, Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville. www.colby.edu. Noon to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Through Feb. 13.

Fall faculty exhibit, recent work by Bevin Engman, Gary Green, Maggie Libby, Harriett Matthews, Abbott Meader, Nancy Meader, Garry Mitchell and Scott Reed, Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville. www.colby.edu. Noon to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Through Jan. 2.

“Little Elegies: The Art of Nineteenth-Century Mourning,” paintings, texts and objects created to assuage grief, memorialize the dead and remind viewers of religious truths drawn from the museum’s collections, Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville. www.colby.edu. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday.

Faculty exhibition, Maine College of Art (Institute of Contemporary Art), Portland. www.meca.edu. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 9.

“The Art of December: Original Holiday Cards by Maine Artists from the Mildred Burrage Collection,” Maine Historical Society, Portland. www.mainehistory.org. Noon to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Through Jan. 3.

“Transport,” large-format photos of classic cars by Robert Moran, Running with Scissors, Portland. appointment.

Nathan Macomber, glass works, Gallery 302, Bridgton. www.gallery302.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“New Work,” paintings by Paul Black, Fore Street Gallery, Portland. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday. Through Jan. 2.

“Artful Ornaments,” metal, clay, mixed media and more, Markings Gallery, Bath. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Jennifer Wadsworth, oil paintings, SugarWood Gallery, Farmington. www.sugarwoodgallery.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Imagination Takes Shape: Canadian Inuit Art from the Robert and Judith Toll Collection,” Bowdoin College, Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, Brunswick. 2 to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Through Feb. 11.

Small works, paintings and mixed media by various artists, Perimeter Gallery, Belfast. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today; 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Through Jan. 23.

Art in the Square, paintings by various artists, Boothbay Region Art Foundation Gallery, Boothbay Harbor. Noon to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 2.

“A Matter of Perception: An Exhibition by Artists with Disabilities,” VSA arts of Maine Gallery, Augusta. www.vsartsmaine.org. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Winter invitational exhibit, The Gallery at Eleven Pleasant St., Brunswick. www.vsartsmaine.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Biennial Portland Show, invitational exhibit; continues through Dec. 31, Greenhut Galleries, Portland. 772-2693. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Fall exhibit, works by Todd Watts and Ilya Askinazi and from the museum’s collection, University of Maine Museum of Art, Bangor. 561-3350. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

“Mesa to Sedona to Jerome,” paintings by Francine Schrock, Sandpiper Jewelry Gallery, South Portland. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

“Shoemaking Skills of Generations,” exhibit celebrating Lewiston and Auburn’s history and present-day legacy in shoemaking, Museum L-A, Lewiston. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Main Streets of Waldo County,” photography, Belfast Free Library, Belfast. www.belfast.lib.me.us. 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday; 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Jennifer Morrison, nature photography exhibit, Viles Arboretum, Augusta. www.vilesarboretum.org. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“And Sew It Seams,” embroideries, art quilts and large-scale woven sculpture, Spindleworks, Brunswick. www.spindleworks.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“The Way We Work,” group show, 317 Main St., Yarmouth. www.317mainst.org. Noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Through Jan. 7.

“Art Noveau,” new works by Vox Photography artists, Portland Public Library (Lewis Gallery), Portland. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 31.

“LINES Portland: The Invisible/Visible Lines and Labor that Connect Us,” Katarina Weslien’s prints based on road repair lines made by Portland public service crews, Portland City Hall. www.lines.portlandmaine.gov. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Through Feb. 11.

Berri Kramer, photographs, The Frame Works, Kennebunk. theframeworks.net. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Cross Currents: Visual Art Distilled from the Maritime World,” Maine Maritime Museum, Bath, $9-$12. 443-1316. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Through Feb. 6.

“Italy Inside/Out,” paintings by Brita Holmquist, Daunis Fine Jewelry, Portland. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Contemporary Maine Wood Sculpture,” Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport. www.woodschool.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Through Feb. 4.

“Katrina Chronicles, Vol. 1 and 2,” work by Peter Precourt, University of Maine (Charles Danforth Gallery), Augusta. www.uma.edu/danforth. 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 21.

Linden O’Ryan and John Cardano, poem cards and various media, Southwest Harbor Public Library. www.swhplibrary.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

R. Keith Rendall, woodcuts and etchings, Gold/Smith Gallery, Boothbay Harbor. 633-6252. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Women of Monhegan,” work by Francis Hynes, Kate McGloughlin, Carol Raybin, Alison Hill and Marilyn Swift, and work by Michael Vermette, Elizabeth Moss Gallery, Falmouth. www.elizabethmossgalleries.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Through Jan. 10.

“Reflections: Glass, Water and Memory,” landscape images in fused stained glass by Kay McKeever Allison, Harmon’s & Barton’s Gallery, Portland. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Through Jan. 29.

Betty Overlock and Michelle Walker, new media and gourds, Bangor Public Library. www.bpl.lib.me.us. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Roberta Goschke, still life, landscape and charcoal portraits, Waldoboro Public Library. www.waldoborolibrary.org. Noon to 7 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday; noon to 7 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.

Jason Slaughter, paintings, Waterfall Arts, Belfast. www.waterfallarts.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Through Jan. 20.

“Envisioning the World: The First Printed Maps, 1472-1700,” University of Southern Maine (Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education), Portland. 780-4850. 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Holiday show, Ember Grove Gallery, Portland. EmberGrove.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

“Diagonal Knitting: A Different Slant,” sculptural work and clothing by Katharine Cobey, Maine Fiberarts, Topsham. 721-0678. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Through Feb. 25.

“Winter Works,” paintings and sculpture by Tom Curry, Ralf Feyl and others, and “Eye Catchers,” small works, Gleason Fine Art, Portland. www.gleasonfineart.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Through Jan. 29.

Holiday art show, Harlow Gallery, Hallowell. www.harlowgallery.org. Noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Through Jan. 8.

“Aunt Lu: The Story of Princess Watahwaso,” collection of photographs and objects, Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor. www.abbemuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

“Weston: Leaves of Grass,” Edward Weston photographs, Portland Museum of Art, Portland, $4-$10, free under age 6. 775-6148. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Through March 13.

“Highlights from the Photography Collection of Tim Whelan,” Maine Media Gallery (Tim Whelan Photographic Books and Gallery), Rockport. www.mainemedia.edu. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

Auditions

Gaslight Theater auditions, Hallowell City Hall. www.gaslighttheater.org. For “Key for Two,” 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Benefits

Jesse Ludwig, alt-rock, Andy’s Old Port Pub, Portland. andysoldportpub.com. 7 p.m. Thursday.

Polar bear plunge, benefits the Natural Resources Council of Maine. Minimum of $50 in pledges, East End Beach, Portland. Noon Friday.

New Year’s Eve with Paul Cataldo, Americana/roots; reservations recommended, Andy’s Old Port Pub, Portland. andysoldportpub.com. 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Atlantic Ocean plunge, to benefit Caring Unlimited domestic violence program, Gooch’s Beach, Kennebunk. 490-3227. 10:30 a.m. (registration), 11 a.m. (plunge) Saturday.

Lobster dip, annual event to benefit Special Olympics in Maine. $100 minimum to participate. Costumes encouraged, Brunswick, Old Orchard Beach. Noon Saturday.

Books and Authors

Author reading and book signing, Rockland Public Library, free. With Kate Braestrup, author of “Beginner’s Grace: Bringing Prayer to Life,” 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Comedy

Open mic comedy, hosted by comedian Brian Brinegar, Slainte, Portland. 828-0900. 8 p.m. Thursday.

Dance

New Year’s Eve dance party, Nasson Community Center, Springvale, $40. 636-1224. 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday.

Contradance, all dances taught, dessert potluck; partner not necessary, Falmouth Congregational Church, Falmouth, $5-$10, free under 5. 756-2201. 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

Fairs/Festivals

Festival of Trees, with a variety of associated activities, Saco Museum, Saco, free. 283-3861. Noon to 5 p.m. today through Wednesday; noon to 8 p.m. Thursday; noon to 5 p.m. Friday.

Films

Greg Stump’s “Legend of Aahhhs,” exploration of the history of ski films with an introduction and question-and-answer session with Greg Stump, State Theatre, Portland, $16.50. www.statetheatreportland.com. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday.

Food and Drink

Wine Wise Presents: Wine Bar Wednesdays, weekly series providing an opportunity to learn about wines and meet people, Wine Bar on Wharf Street, Portland, $35 door, $30 in advance. www.winewiseevents.com. Sparkling wines, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

New Year’s Eve wine tasting dinner, No. 10 Water Street, Brunswick, $65. (877) 373-2374. 6 p.m. Friday.

For Children

New Year’s Eve celebration, balloon drop, crafts and other special activities, Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, Portland. www.kitetails.org. Noon and 2 p.m. (balloon drops) Friday.

Museums

“Learning is an Ornament: The History of Kennebunk’s Schools,” replica installations, historic images and more, Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk, $5 donation. www.brickstore museum.org. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Music

Sacred harp singing, also known as shape-note singing; not a performance, open to those interested in practicing the traditional four-part singing, Pilibosian residence, New Harbor, free. 677-6437. 2 to 5 p.m. (potluck follows) today.

Okbari Middle Eastern Ensemble, with belly dancers, Mayo Street Arts, Portland, $10. 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The Gawler Family New Year’s Celebration, various folk traditions; followed by a contradance, Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston, $12. 689-2000. 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The Gawler Family New Year’s Celebration, various folk traditions; followed by contradance, Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center, South Carthage, $10. 562-4445. 7 p.m. (pre-show jam at 6 p.m.) Wednesday.

The Gawler Family New Year’s Celebration, various folk traditions; followed by a contradance, Unity Centre for the Performing Arts, Unity, $10. 948-SHOW. 7:30 p.m. (pre-show jam at 6 p.m.) Thursday.

New Year’s Eve gala, with the Jim Ciampi Band, 21-plus, The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough, $79.95-$100. www.thelandingatpinepoint.com. 8 p.m. Friday.

New Year’s Eve with Clash of the Titans, battle of the bands, State Theatre, Portland, $20 door, $15 in advance. www.statetheatreportland.com. 8 p.m. Friday.

New Year’s Eve with the Brew, rock; 18-plus, The Sweet Spot, Waterville, $20 door, $18 in advance. www.sweetpeopleproductions.com. 9 p.m. Friday.

New Year’s Eve with Rustic Overtones and Gypsy Tailwind, 21-plus. Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door; $50 VIP seating, Port City Music Hall, Portland. www.portcitymusichall.com. 8 p.m. Friday.

New Year’s Eve party, with Tricky Britches and others, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland, free. www.localsproutscooperative.com. 8 p.m. Friday.

New Year’s Eve party, with the Don Campbell Band, Thatcher’s, South Portland, $25. 332-1261. 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Hattie Simon, jazz, Azure Cafe, Freeport. 865-1237. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday.

All Together Now, Beatles tribute band, Jonathan’s Restaurant, Ogunquit, $15 door, $12 in advance. 646-4777. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Ryan Montbleau Band, rock, soul, blues, jazz, Americana, folk, reggae and funk, Fryeburg Academy (Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center), Fryeburg, $20, $10 for students. www.fryeburgacademy.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Ellis Paul, and his band, One Longfellow Square, Portland, $20 door, $18 in advance. 761-1757. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Outdoors

New Year’s hike, 2-mile hike on snowmobile trails near the health center. Leashed dogs welcome, Sacopee Valley Health Center, Porter. Hot cocoa and refreshments at 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. Saturday.

Special Events

The Twelve Days of Christmas, tours of the mansion decked out in holiday splendor; tours are self-guided. Victoria Mansion, Portland, $5-$15, family ticket $35, free under age 6. www.victoriamansion.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday. Through Jan. 8.

Phyzkidz, youth-friendly performances of the vaudeville festival, Phyzgig, Space, Portland, $10-$12, $8 age 12 and younger. www.phyzgig.org. 2 and 5 p.m. today; 11 a.m and 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 11 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

“Christmas with the Longfellows,” a mid-19th century holiday celebration with Longfellow House tours, children’s activities, Wadsworth-Longfellow House, Portland. 774-1822. Noon to 5 p.m. (last tour leaves at 4 p.m.) today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tour leaves at 4 p.m.) Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last tour leaves at 1 p.m.) Friday.

“We Weave the Years Together,” explore spinning, weaving, knitting and hand sewing through stories and activities for ages 7 through adult, City Center, Augusta, free. www.oldfortwestern.org. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Phyzgig, Acorn Productions’ annual festival of physical comedy with many performers, Portland Stage Company, Portland, $18-$20, $16 age 12 and younger. www.phyzgig.org. With Avner the Eccentric (all tickets are $20), 7 p.m. Tuesday; 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

“The Wreck of the Nottingham Galley,” exhibit of items related to or recovered from the Nottingham Galley, Maine State Museum, Augusta. www.mainestatemuseum.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Through March 31.

Port Veritas Youth Poetry Slam, Coffee by Design, Portland, $3, suggested donation. www.portveritas.com. 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

New Year Gorham, music, dancing, children’s activities and other entertainment, various locations, Gorham. www.newyeargorham.org. $7, 7 p.m. to midnight Friday.

New Year’s Eve celebration, entertainment, bonfire, marshmallow toasting, dancing, children’s parade, community potluck, various locations, Bethel, free, donations appreciated. (800) 824-2910. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday.

New Year’s by the Bay, chem-free New Year’s Eve party with performances, dining, activities. Festival buttons are $15, $5 for students in kindergarten through grade 12, free for children under age 5, various locations, Belfast. www.nybb.org. Friday.

New Year’s planetarium, with Sky Dome theater shows, lectures and midnight countdown, University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland, by donation. 780-4249. 7 p.m. to midnight Friday.

Downtown Countdown, events and activities throughout downtown Bangor. www.downtownbangor.com. Noon to midnight Friday.

New Year’s Eve, children’s celebration with entertainment, fireworks, hot cocoa toast and activities, L.L. Bean retail store, Freeport, free. www.llbean.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

Sid Tripp’s Black Cat Ball, music, dancing and food; wear festive holiday attire, Mariner’s Church Banquet Center, Portland, $50. 772-3599. 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday.

First Night OOB, family-friendly activities and a bonfire and fireworks on the beach, various locations, Old Orchard Beach. www.oob365.com. Begins at  4:30 p.m. Friday.

A Lucid New Year’s Eve, music and dancing, Lucid Stage, Portland, $5. 899-3993. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday.

Icing, New Year’s Eve bash with live music and food; 21-plus, Space, Portland, $50. www.space538.org. 8 p.m. Friday.

New Year’s Eve with Johnny Rawls, includes hotel stay, food, dancing and more. Limited number of dance-only tickets available for $25, Trade Winds Motor Inn, Rockland, $199 per couple. 596-6055. Friday.

New Year’s Eve celebration, with music, dancing, vaudeville and refreshments, Criterion Theatre and Arts Center, Bar Harbor, $5. www.criteriontheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday.

New Year’s Eve Sardine and Maple Leaf Drop, Tides Institute and Museum of Art, Bank Square, Eastport. www.tidesinstitute.org. 11 p.m. (maple leaf drop), midnight (sardine drop) Friday.

“Here Comes the Sun,” New Year’s Day celebration with marshmallow toasting and more, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, free. 633-4333. Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Sports

Maine Red Claws, NBA Development League basketball game, Portland Exposition Building, 210-6655. Portland vs. Springfield, 5 p.m. today; vs. Erie, 7 p.m. Thursday.

Portland Pirates, American Hockey League, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, $11-$17. 828-4665. www.portlandpirates.com. vs. Providence, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; vs. Hartford, 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Harlem Globetrotters, “4 Times the Fun” world tour; tickets start at $13.50, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. 775-3458. 7 p.m. Saturday.

 

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