Art

“The Search for Beauty: Whistler and His Time,” drawings and paintings, Colby College (Museum of Art), Waterville. Noon to 4:30 p.m. today.

“Sit Down! Chairs from Six Centuries,” chair 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 and Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 9. Through Jan. 16.

“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 Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 9.

“False Documents and Other Illusions,” Portland Museum of Art, Portland, $4-$10, free under age 6. www.portlandmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

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

“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. today, Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Through March 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.

“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. Noon to 5 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Through April 3.

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 8 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

“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.

“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. today through Saturday. Through Feb. 6.

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

“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 Saturday. 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 Saturday. Art in the Square, paintings by various artists, Boothbay Region Art Foundation Gallery, Boothbay Harbor. Noon to 5 p.m. today.

“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 Saturday.

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

“Lines Portland: the invisible/visible lines and labor that connect us,” Katarina Weslien’s prints based on road repairs made by public service crews, Portland City Hall, Portland. www.lines.portlandmaine.gov. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Through Feb. 11.

“Contemporary Maine Wood Sculpture,” Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport. www.woodschool.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 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.

“Women of Monhegan,” work by Francis Hynes, Kate McGloughlin, Carol Raybin, Alison Hill and Marilyn Swift, also work by Michael Vermette, Elizabeth Moss Gallery, Falmouth. www.elizabethmossgalleries.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 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; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Through Jan. 29.

“Maine Life As It Is,” paintings and drawings by Tom Brennan, Bangor Public Library. www.bpl.lib.me.us. Reception 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

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

“Currents 6,” multimedia work by Gina Siepel, Colby College (Museum of Art), Waterville. www.colby.edu. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 9. Through Feb. 13.

“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; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. 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 Saturday. Through Jan. 29.

Holiday Art Show, Harlow Gallery, Hallowell. www.harlowgallery.org. Noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

An Evening with Rackstraw Downes, artist talks about his work, followed by a book signing, Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, $15. www.portlandmuseum.org. 6 p.m. Thursday.

“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 through Saturday. Through April 2.

“Drawing Show,” group exhibit, Caldbeck Gallery, Rockland. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Through Jan. 28.

“Waldo County Through Eastern’s Eye,” black and white historic photographs from the Penobscot Marine Museum’s Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Company collection, University of Maine (Hutchinson Center), Belfast. 548-2529. 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Through Apr. 30.

“Launch!,” work by young, emerging visual artists, York Art Association, York Harbor. www.yorkartassociation.com. Reception 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Jan. 9. Through Jan. 30.

“A Collection of Works: Max O’Callaghan-Shaw,” paintings and drawings, St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland. www.stlawrencearts.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Runs through Monday.

Art Openings

First Friday Art Walk, self-guided tour of local art galleries, studios, museums and alternative art venues, various locations, Portland, free. www.firstfriday artwalk.com. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Auditions

Southern Maine Children’s Chorus, for singers in grades 12 and under, University of Southern Maine (Corthell Concert Hall), Gorham. marshunda.smith@maine.edu. appointment Wednesday.

“Cinderella,” ballet and jazz dancers and a gymnast needed for a ballet theater production, Centre of Movement School of Performing Arts, Gorham. 839-3267. Ages 8 to 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Jan. 9; ages 13 to adult, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 9.

Books and Authors

Keystone Reading Series, Local Sprouts Cooperative, 649 Congress St., Portland, free. With poet Karrie Waarala, 8 p.m. Thursday.

Author program, Stephen Huyler, author of “Sonabai: Another Way of Seeing,” presents a slide lecture on “Re-Envisioning the Identity of Women in Contemporary India,” Rockland Public Library, Rockland, free. 594-0310. 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Book signing, Borders Bookstore, Brunswick, free. Glenna Johnson Smith, “Old Maine Woman, Stories from the Coast to the County,” 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Book signing, Nonesuch Books, South Portland. 799-2659. Glenna Johnson Smith, author of ?d Maine Woman, Stories from the Coast to the County,” 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 9.

Classical Music

Blue Hill Concert Association’s Sunday Afternoons Concert Series, admission is free for children and high school students, First Congregational Church, Blue Hill, $20. 359-2353. The Lefthand Canyon Trio, 3 p.m. Jan. 9. Through March 20.

Comedy

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

Improv Comedy Showcase, Lucid Stage, Portland, $10. 899-3993. 8 p.m. Friday.

Dance

Adele Myers and Dancers, contemporary dance, Gould Academy (Bingham Auditorium), Bethel, $10, $6 for children and seniors. www.mahoosucarts.org. 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Ballroom dancing, Maplewood Dance Center, Portland. 878-0584. 7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday.

Swing Dance, partner not needed, beginners welcome, Deering Grange, Portland. 653-5012. With the Delta Knights ($10), 8 to 9 p.m. lesson, 9 p.m. to midnight dancing Friday.

Contradance, potluck at 7 p.m., beginner dancer session at 7:30 p.m.; family dance at 6 p.m, Wescustogo Grange, North Yarmouth, $10, $7 for students and seniors. 233-4325. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Salsa Night, beginner bachata lesson at 7 p.m.; advanced beginner salsa lesson at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 for dancing; $12 for dancing and lessons, Grace, Portland. www.pmsalsa.com. 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

Films

Teens through Time, film series with teen-centric viewpoint, Portland Public Library, Portland, free. 871-1700. 1950s: “Blackboard Jungle,” 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Through June 29.

“Burdus,” documentary about a father and daughter who start a movement in the Palestinian territories, Space, Portland, $7. www.space538.org. 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

“Picasso and Braque Go to the Movies,” followed by discussion, Strand Theatre, Rockland, $8.50. 594-0070. 8 p.m. Friday.

Kids Classics at Dreamland Theater, movies for children, Winter Street Center, Bath, $5 suggested donation. www. sagadahocpreservation.org. “Dr. Doolittle,” 2 p.m. Jan. 9.

Food and Drink

Wine Revolution, wine tasting with guest speaker Barney Schneider, Grace, Portland, $10. 828-4422. 6 p.m. Wednesday.

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 day of, $30 in advance. www.winewiseevents.com. Italian reds, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Home & Garden

Gardening workshop, registration required, Skillins Greenhouses, Falmouth and Cumberland. (800) 244-3860. Fresh Floral Arranging ($15), 10 a.m and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Gardening workshop, registration required, Skillins Greenhouse, Brunswick. (800) 339-8111. Fresh Floral Arranging ($15), 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Bath Antiques Show, Bath Middle School, Bath, $4. 443-8983. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 9.

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; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Music

Sacred Harp singing, also known as shape-note singing; not a performance, open to those interested in practicing the traditional four-part singing, Portland New Church, Portland, by donation. vicki-adams@roadrunner.com. 1 to 4 p.m. today.

Bluegrass/folk jam, bring your instrument, Strike Zone Restaurant and Pub, Old Orchard Beach. 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Through Feb. 16.

Noonday concerts, half-hour performance presented by Portland Conservatory of Music and the church, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland, free. 775-3356. Dean Stein, violin, 12:15 p.m. Thursday.

Edwin McCain, 21-plus, The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough, $30. www.thelandingatpinepoint.com. 7 p.m. Thursday.

Little Feat, Waterville Opera House, Waterville, $35 day of, $32.50 in advance. 873-7000.8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Fishtank Ensemble, with Cinder Conk, One Longfellow Square, Portland, $15. 761-1757. 8 p.m. Thursday.

Fishtank Ensemble, gypsy, Unity Centre for the Performing Arts, Unity, $15. 948-SHOW. 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Le Vent du Nord, One Longfellow Square, Portland, $28 door, $25 in advance. 761-1757. 8 p.m. Friday.

The English Beat, ska; 18-plus, The Sweet Spot, Waterville, $25 day of, $22 in advance. www.sweetpeopleproductions.com.9 p.m. Friday.

Epiphany Celebration, with the Choral Art Society’s a cappella group, the CAS Camerata, Immanuel Baptist Church, Portland, $20 door. 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

George Cole Quintet, gypsy jazz, Lincoln Street Center for Arts and Education, Rockland, $10-$15. www.lincolnstreetcenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday.

Richard Nickerson Scholarship Concert, Windham High School (Windham Performing Arts Center), Windham, $8-$10. 892-1810. 7 p.m. Saturday.

The THE BAND Band, tribute band, One Longfellow Square, Portland, $20 door. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Sara Cox, with South China; 18-plus, Space, Portland, $7. www.space538.org. 8 p.m. Saturday.

New Gloucester Village Coffeehouse, First Congregational Church, New Gloucester, $10. Antje Duvekot, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Concerts at Jewett, $10, $5 for students, free for children age 12 and younger, University of Maine (Jewett Hall), Augusta. 621-3551. Castlebay: Music of the Maine Coast, 2 p.m. Jan. 9.

Bluegrass jam session, unplugged string instruments only, Roost Function Hall, Buxton, $5, free for kids with adult. 854-5520. 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 9.

The Lovin’ Spoonful, pop; 21-plus, The Landing at Pine Point, Scarborough, $35-$45. www.thelandingatpinepoint.com. 7 p.m. Jan. 9.

Midcoast Community Chorus, with African drumming and dance ensemble, Djump! and Sean Fleming on keyboards, Camden Hills Regional High School (Strom Auditorium), Rockport, $15. www.mccsings.org. 4 p.m. Jan. 9.

Winter in the Country, country music show, Club 302, Windham, $5. 793-8884. 2 p.m. Jan. 9.

John Linscott and the Mainestream Jazzmasters, open jam jazz session, The Local Buzz, Cape Elizabeth, by donation. 541-9024. 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 9.

Pro Sports

Maine Red Claws, NBA Development League basketball game, Portland Exposition Building, Portland, 210-6655. Vs. Dakota, 7 p.m. Thursday; vs. Dakota, 8 p.m. Friday.

Portland Pirates, AHL hockey team, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, $11-$17. 828-4665. www.portlandpirates.com. Vs. Springfield, 7 p.m. Friday; vs. Manchester, 7 p.m. Saturday.

Readings

Poetry reading, Maine College of Art (Institute of Contemporary Art), Portland, free. www.meca.edu. With Claude Caswell, 7:30 p.m. Friday.

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, free under age 6, family ticket $35. www.victoriamansion.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Saturday.

Knitting Night, knit (or not) while listening to a performance by fiddler Hope Hoffman and her band, Free Grange Music Studio, Bowdoinham, free. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Through Jan. 18.

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

Port Veritas, spoken word series, Blue, Portland. With poet Annie Finch ($3 suggested donation), 7 p.m. Tuesday. Through Jan. 18.

Knitting Night, knit (or not) while listening to a performance by fiddler Hope Hoffman and her band, Lucid Stage, Portland, free. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Through Jan. 19.

True at First Light, performances by dancers and musicians, Mayo Street Arts, Portland, $8. www.mayostreetarts.org. 8 p.m. Saturday.

Theater

“Checkered Floors,” one-person performance based on the Somali migration to Lewiston experience, Old Port Playhouse, Portland, $15. www.oldportplayhouse.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Jan. 9. Through Jan. 9.

Portland Playback Theatre, troupe enacts stories from the audience, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland, $5-$10, donation. www.portlandplayback.com. Theme: “Forks in the Road,” 7:30 p.m. Friday.