Art

“Gather Up the Fragments: The Andrews Shaker Collection,” Shaker furniture, printed works, visual art, tools, textiles and small crafts, Portland Museum of Art. 775-6148; portlandmuseum.org. Through Feb. 5.

“Paul Caponigro: The Hidden Presence of Places,” photography, Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland. 596-6457; farnsworthmuseum.org. Through Jan. 5.

“Focus on India,” photos by Lawrence Elbroch, Red Door Pottery Studio and Gallery Shop, Kittery. 439-5671. Through Feb. 1.

“Madeleine de Sinety: Photographs,” Portland Museum of Art. 775-6148; portlandmuseum.org. Through Feb. 5. Through Dec. 31.

“Courting the Muse,” watercolors by Ken Fellows, York Public Library. 363-2818. Through Dec. 30.

“The Global Lens,” photography by Dominic Chavez, University of Maine Museum of Art, Bangor. umma.umaine.edu. Through Dec. 30.

“Studio Life,” painting by Carlo Pittore, University of Maine Museum of Art, Bangor. umma.umaine.edu. Through Dec. 30.

“Constructions,” wall-oriented relief sculpture by Abe Ajay, University of Maine Museum of Art, Bangor. umma.umaine.edu. Through Dec. 30.

“A Perpetual Present,” 2011 MECA-faculty-selects exhibition, Maine College of Art (Institute of Contemporary Art), Portland. 699-5029. Through Friday.

Holiday Extravaganza, more than 60 Maine artists, craftsmen, poets and musicians, Aarhus Gallery, Belfast. 338-0001; aarhusgallery.com. Through Saturday.

“Precious Things,” multiple artists, small pieces, L/A Arts Gallery 5, Lewiston. 576-4805. Through Jan. 7.

“Let Heaven and Nature Sing: Seventh Annual Festival of Trees,” Saco Museum. 283-3861. Through Dec. 31.

J. Donna Asmussen, watercolors and printmaking, Finance Authority of Maine, Augusta. famemaine.com. Through Jan. 6.

“Colors of Maine,” paintings by Neil Wyrick, Falmouth Memorial Library. 781-2351. Through Dec. 30.

Michele A. Caron, paintings, 317 Main Street Community Music Center, Yarmouth. 846-6264. Through Jan. 13.

“All Things Bright and Beautiful,” four Maine artists, Archipelago, Rockland. 596-0701. Through Jan. 6.

Drawing the Line #11, drawings large and small, June Fitzpatrick Gallery at Maine College of Art, Portland. 699-5083.

“Enter Night,” art with theme of “welcoming darkness and celebrating the coming of winter,” Rose Contemporary, Portland. rosecontemporary.com. Through Dec. 31.

“Barry: The Art Exhibition,” paintings, sculpture and pen-and-ink drawings by Edith Cleaves Barry, Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk. 985-4802. Through Jan. 9.

Paul Black, new paintings, Fore Street Gallery, Portland. 874-8084. Through Jan. 7.

“Kitchen Americana,” paintings by Jean Kigel, The Bakery, Damariscotta. 563-2867. jeankigel.com. Through Dec. 31.

“Peace 2011,” painting, drawing and sculpture, Greenhut Galleries, Portland. 772-2693. Through Dec. 31.

“A Tradition of Affordable Art,” winter show, Art Space Gallery, Rockland. artspacemaine.com. Through Dec. 31.

Second annual “Everything Under the Tree” holiday sale, SoPo Art Studios, South Portland. 899-5939. Today through Friday.

“Bringing Art Home for the Holidays,” four artists in fiber, metal, wood and clay, Harmon’s & Barton’s Gallery, Portland. 774-5948. Through Dec. 31.

Invitational ornament show, ornaments in glass, clay, wood, fiber and metals, Markings Gallery, Bath. 443-1499. Through Dec. 31.

“Beast in Show,” benefits area animal organizations, art by Susan Mathias and Nancy McGinnis, Monkitree, Gardiner. 512-4679. Through Jan. 12.

“Gift Wrapped,” mixed-media collages by Noriko Sakanishi, Gold/Smith Gallery, Boothbay Harbor. 633-6252. Through Saturday.

“Port of Portland: A Ship-Shaped History,” presented by Maine Maritime Museum, Lewis Gallery, Portland Public Library. 443-1316. Through Jan. 3.

History of Maine’s Gateway City, Maine Maritime Museum, Bath. 443-1316. Through Feb. 14.

“My Chicago” by Diane Hudson and “Vanishing Acts” by Jane Banquer, photography, woodblock prints and paintings, Addison Woolley Gallery, Portland. 450-8499. Through Thursday.

“Small Works 2011,” multiple artists, Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Ellsworth. 667-6611; courthousegallery.com. Through Friday.

Charles Thompson, paintings, University of New England Campus Center, Biddeford. une.edu. Through Jan. 15.

“In The Forest By The Sea” Paintings by Jada Fitch, The Green Hand Bookshop, Portland. 253-6808. Through Jan. 30.

Second annual holiday art show, Snug Harbor Farm, Kennebunk. 967-2414. Through Dec. 31.

“Eye Catchers,” art to please the eye and tickle the senses, Gleason Fine Art, Portland. 699-5599. Through Jan. 30.

“Inside Stories,” oil paintings by Adria Moynihan, running with scissors, Portland. 978-394-6605.

Thomas Birtwistle, Cole Caswell and Bryan Graf, new and recent photographs, Zero Station Art, Design, Framing, Portland. Through Feb. 1.

Diane Bowie Zaitlin, encaustic Paintings, Carver Hill Gallery, Rockland. carverhillgallery.com. Through Dec. 31.

Annual holiday exhibition, gallery artists and invited guest artists, Caldbeck Gallery, Rockland. 594-5935. Through Friday.

“John Hultberg and Monhegan Island: The Man, The Place and his Dreams,” Fryeburg Academy (Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries of Art), Fryeburg. 935-9232. Through Jan. 21.

“Bad Seed #3,” Maine artist J.T. Gibson, Coleman Burke Gallery at Port City Music Hall, Portland. colemanburke.com. Through Jan. 25.

Holiday art show, original art in oil, pastel and watercolors; prints and cards, Gallery Framing, Brunswick. 729-9108. Through Dec. 30.

“Multiples,” group exhibition: featuring Mildred Johnson, George Mason and Isabelle Pelissier, Coleman Burke Gallery, Fort Andross, Brunswick. colemanburke.com. Through Feb. 1.

“The Circus Comes to Town,” Bex Bros. Circus miniature circus figures and more, Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport. penobscotmarinemuseum.org. Through Jan. 29.

YES Art Works group exhibit, Speers Gallery, Kennebunk Free Library. 985-2173. Through Dec. 31.

Kennebec Valley Art Association’s 49th annual “Holiday Art Show and Sale,” Harlow Gallery, Hallowell. 622-3813. Through Saturday, Jan. 14.

Paintings, photos, glass and pottery, 15 local artists, Art Guild Gallery, Freeport. 865-3103. Through Dec. 31.

The Creche Collection, display of unique creches from around the world, Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries of Art, Fryeburg Academy. 935-9232. Through Dec. 30.

“In the Material,” UMFK fall semester art students’ works in pastels, oils, acrylics and graphite, Blake Library, University of Maine, Fort Kent. 834-7527. Through Dec. 31.

Artists Collective show and sale, mixed media, The Royal Bean, Yarmouth. 846-1009. Through Jan. 31.

Patricia L. Ritzo, acrylic landscape and figure paintings, Thomas Memorial Library, Cape Elizabeth. 799-1720. Through Dec. 30.

“Maine Past and Present,” graphite drawings by Tony Lisa, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth. 846-5866. Through Jan. 8.

“Maine Wood 2012,” biennial juried exhibition of Maine woodworkers, Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, Rockport. woodschool.org. Through Feb. 3.

“Through the Ages: 75 Years at the Brick Store Museum,” Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk. 985-4802.

Members’ Invitational, Harlow Gallery, Hallowell. harlowgallery.org. Through Jan. 14.

Auditions

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” casting two men and five women, show contains strong language, tacky outfits, ’80s nostalgia, City Theater, Biddeford. citytheater.org. 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Benefits

Christmas tree sale to benefit the New School, freshly cut trees from Acton Tree Farm, New School, Kennebunk, $25-$35. 985-3745. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today through Wednesday.

Chili and Chowder Cookoff, benefits Muscular Dystrophy Association, Trackside Station, Rockland, $10. 831-9323. 5 to 8 p.m. Monday.

Books and Authors

Book signing and poetry reading by Pam Burr Smith, author of “Heaven Jumping Woman,” Gulf of Maine Books, Brunswick. 729-5083. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.

Classical Music

“Magic of Christmas,” annual holiday concert with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, “Magic of Christmas” Chorus, Cirque de la Symphonie and a capella groups, Merrill Auditorium, Portland, $31-$61, senior and student discounts. 842-0800. 1 and 5 p.m. today.

Seacoast Brass Quartet, Christmas favorites, with Warren King on organ, Christ Church, Kennebunk, $10, $7 students and seniors. 985-4494. 2 p.m. today.

“Holiday Classics: Familiar, Folk and Fugue,” Tapestry Singers, Second Congregational Church, Newcastle, $10 advance, $12 doors. 644-1174. 2 p.m. today.

Comedy

Open mic comedy night, Slainte, Portland, 21-plus. slaintewinebar.com. 8 p.m. Thursday.

Dance

“Peace Peace Peace,” performance by Art Moves Dance Studio, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Auditorium, South Paris, $5 advance, $7 doors. artmovesdance.com. 7 p.m. Tuesday.

“The Victorian Nutcracker,” Portland Ballet, Merrill Auditorium, Portland, $20-$60. porttix.com. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Fairs/Festivals

Annual “Handmade Holiday” craft fair, The Oak and the Ax, Biddeford, free. theoakandtheax.blogspot.com. Noon today.

Annual holiday art show, pottery by Elaine Fuller, jewelry by Ashley Heffron and Red Heel and more, Kittery Art Association. 439-1290. 1 to 6 p.m. today.

Films

Fall film series, “Jane Eyre” (2011), York Public Library, free. 363-2818. 3 p.m. today.

“How to Start a Revolution,” documentary, sponsored by OccupyMaine, Space, Portland, free. space538.org. 7:30 p.m. today.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), the holiday classic with Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed and Lionel Barrymore, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, free. 563-5513. 6:30 p.m. Monday.

Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (1951), Rockland Library, free. 594-0310. 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Strand Theatre, Rockland, free. 3 p.m. Friday.

Food and Drink

Wine tasting, Ned Swain of Devenish Wines brings “geeky” and adventurous wines, Rosemont Market & Bakery, Portland. rosemontmarket.com. 4 to 7 p.m. Friday.

For Children

“Santa’s Reindeer Revue,” talent show by Santa’s rollicking band of renegade reindeer, Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, Portland, $8-$9. kitetails.org. 4 p.m. today; 1 p.m. Friday.

Music

Carols in the Round, with the Mt. View High School Chamber Singers, United Christian Church, Lincolnville Center, donation. 785-3521. 4 p.m. today.

Weekly music jam sessions, bring an instrument or just come to listen, Sail Power and Steam Museum, Rockland, free. 701-7627. 2 to 4 p.m. today.

Hattie Simon and Nick Thompson-Brown, jazz vocals and piano with stand-up bass, Bard Coffee, Portland. 899-4788. Noon to 2 p.m. today.

Chris Humphrey Quartet, “Third Sunday Jazz Series,” St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kennebunk, free. 467-5310. 4:30 p.m. today.

Jazz brunch, Richard Marsters, light jazz with trumpet, flute, guitar and piano, Jumpin’ Jakes Seafood Cafe, Old Orchard Beach, $12.99, buffet. 937-3250. 10 a.m. today.

Italian Heritage Center Community Band, Italian Heritage Center, Portland, bring new toy. italianheritagecenterband.com. 1 p.m. today.

“Christmas with Renaissance Voices,” 21-voice a cappella ensemble, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland, $12 advance, $15 doors. renaissancevoices.org. 2 p.m. today.

Robin Jellis, classical, Celtic and modern cello music, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland, free/donation. localsprouts.coop. 11 a.m. today.

Choral Art Society, carols in the Library, Longfellow house, Portland, $10-$12, reservations required. 774-1822, ext. 206. 2:30 p.m. today.

Mosaic, “Comfort and Joy,” Christmas music from 15th to 21st century, a cappella and with guitar and mandolin, The Hive, Kennebunk, $8. thehivekennebunk.com. 2 p.m. today.

Inanna, Sisters in Rhythm, Slates, Hallowell, $15. 622-9575. 8:15 p.m. Monday.

Wu-Tang Clan, hip-hop, State Theatre, Portland, $40, all ages, general admission. statetheatreportland.com. 8 p.m. Tuesday.

“Christmas with Cornils, A Kotzschmar Christmas,” with organist Ray Cornils, the Parish Ringers, Choral Art Camerata and Aaron Engebreth, Merrill Auditorium, Portland, $22-$34. porttix.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Glenn Jones, Cian Nugent and Selbyville, instrumental acoustic guitar, The Oak and the Ax, Biddeford, $7. theoakandtheax.blogspot.com. 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Boston String Quartet’s “Celtic Christmas Extravaganza,” featuring vocalist Pan Morigan, Franco-American Heritage Center, Lewiston, $20 advance, $25 doors, $18 students and seniors. francocenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The Marriage of Minnie and Waisley, Panda Bandits, Jesse Pilgrim, Meghan Yates, Blood Warrior, Dead Man’s Clothes, D.Gross, Dirty Dishes, Mayo Street Arts, Portland, $10 advance, $12 doors. mayostreetarts.org. 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Jazz at The Blue: Jesse Heasly, jazz standards and pop tunes, Blue, Portland. portcityblue.com. 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Old-time music jam, open jam of old-school Appalachian music, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland, free/donation. localsprouts.coop. 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Boston String Quartet’s “Celtic Christmas Extravaganza,” North Parish Congregational Church, Sanford, $15. 324-3163. 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Ben Laufer, piano, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland, free/donation. localsprouts.coop. 7 p.m. Thursday.

Franklin County Fiddlers, “Home for the Holidays” concert, Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center, South Carthage, $15. 562-4445. Potluck supper at 5:30 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Steve Grover Sextet holiday show and CD-release, traditional carols, Christmas pop favorites, holiday folk traditions and some surprises, One Longfellow Square, Portland, $12. onelongfellowsquare.com. 8 p.m. Friday.

Animal Mother, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland, free/donation. localsprouts.coop. 7 p.m. Friday.

Holy Mackerels Trio, with Mark Stover and Fiddlin’ Paul D’Alessio, Tugs Pub, Southport Island. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Rustic Overtones, rock and funk, Port City Music Hall, Portland, $18, 18-plus. portcitymusichall.com. Friday.

Norway open mic night, hosted by singer-songwriter Heather Pierson, Norway Unitarian Universalist Church, $3, bring non-perishable food item. 603-733-6350. Sign-up at 6:30, music at 7 p.m. Friday.

“The Great Day,” contemporary and traditional Christmas music, Greely Middle School, Cumberland. whitepinechurch.org. 6 p.m. Saturday.

Special Events

National Theatre in London Live Broadcast, “Collaborators,” imaginary encounter between Joseph Stalin and playwright Mikhail Bulgakov, Strand Theatre, Rockland, $23, $15 students. rocklandstrand.com. 3 p.m. today.

Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad’s “Polar Express” train rides, holiday decorated train rides to “The North Pole,” Ocean Gateway Terminal, Portland, $25-$40. porttix.com. Rides start at 2:45 p.m. today and Wednesday through Friday.

Victorian Christmas at Donnell House, Victorian Christmas decor, kids’ crafts and live musical entertainment, Maine Maritime Museum (Donnell House), Bath, $5, 12 and under $3, family $15. 443-1316. Noon to 5 p.m. today; 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Solstice dawning celestial poetry evening, poetry and stars with local writers, University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland, donation. usm.maine.edu/planet. 7 p.m. today.

“Deck the Halls: The Carols of Christmas,” Christmas at the Victoria Mansion, Portland, $15, $13.50 seniors, $5 ages 6 to 17. victoriamansion.org. Daily except Christmas and New Year’s Day through Jan. 8.

Join-in “Nutcracker,” come ready to perform in Nutcracker garb, for children and adults, benefits the Dance Studio children’s scholarship fund, Belfast Dance Studio, $4, $7 family. 338-5830. 11:30 a.m. today.

First annual caroling, merry singing down Main Street, Cumston Hall, Monmouth. 933-2952. 2 p.m. today.

Seanachie Nights, spoken word and music, “Solstice Revels” with Sebastian Lockwood, Lynne Cullen and Janet Lynch, Bull Feeney’s, Portland, $9 suggested. 253-0288. 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.

Port Veritas spoken-word night, weekly poetry reading, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland, free/donation. localsprouts.coop. 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Metropolitan Opera Live in HD, Gounod’s “Faust,” classic retelling of the Faust legend, Strand Theatre, Rockland, $27/$23. rocklandstrand.com. 1 p.m. Tuesday.

“Crop Circles,” Tom Prescott shares recent photos of crop circles in England, Camden Public Library. 236-3440. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Metropolitan Opera Live in HD, Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Julie Taymor’s production of Mozart’s masterpiece, Strand Theatre, Rockland, $12.50, $10 for 18 and under. rocklandstrand.com. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Stonehenge at Mid-Winter Eve, the astronomy of Stonehenge, University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland, donation. usm.maine.edu/planet. 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The Ein Prat Fountainheads, young Israeli singers, dancers and musicians, Temple Beth El, Portland, $8-$10, $30 family. 774-2649. 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Men’s night holiday event, arts and fine crafts, with Colin Woodard, author of “American Nations,” Studio 53 Fine Art Gallery, Boothbay Harbor. 380-7554. 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Labyrinth walk, indoor Chartre-style labyrinth for meditative walks, benefits Center for Grieving Children, Trinity Episcopal Church, Portland, free/donation. 772-7421. 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Holiday Sing-A-Long, festive fundrasier for Lincoln County Animal Shelter and CHIP Energy Fund, Savory Maine, Damariscotta. 563-2111. 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday.

“A Little More Heartwood Christmas,” Christmas poetry, readings and music, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, $8, $5 students. heartwoodtheater.org. 7 p.m. Thursday.

Metropolitan Opera Live in HD, “Hansel and Gretel,” for families and children, abridged version sung in English, Lincoln Theater, Damariscotta, $10. 563-3424. 1 p.m. Saturday.

Sports

Portland Pirates, AHL affiliate of the NHL Phoenix Coyotes, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, $12-$20. 828-4665. portlandpirates.com. Vs. St. John’s, 4 p.m. today.

Maine Red Claws, Development League affiliate of the NBA Celtics, Bobcats and 76ers, Portland Exposition Building, $6-$30. 210-6655. nba.com/dleague. Vs. Erie, 5 p.m. today; vs. Iowa, 7 p.m. Friday; vs. Iowa, 1 p.m. Saturday.

Theater

“Pageant of the Nativity,” non-denominational, re-creation of the nativity story, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland, free/donation. 773-5747. 4:45 p.m. today.

Studio Theatre of Bath presents “The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever,” Chocolate Church Arts Center, Bath, $13-$15. 442-8455. 2 p.m. today.

“Miracles on School Street,” all-ages collaboration to celebrate the season, Theater Project, Brunswick, $12. theaterproject.com. 2 p.m. today.

Vivid Motion, Inc.’s “Nutcracker Burlesque,” spicy spin on the classic ballet, St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland, $15. vividmotion.org. 7:30 p.m. today and Tuesday through Friday.

“The Musical Bah Hum Bug,” Christmas carol musical, Academy of Developing Artists of Maine, Biddeford, $10 advance, $13 doors. 502-0217. 2 p.m. today; 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

David Sedaris’ “Santaland Diaries,” hilarious one-man show, Portland Stage Company (Studio Theater), Portland, $20, $17 students. portlandstage.org. 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. today.

Snowlion Repertory Company’s musical production of Dickens’ “The Christmas Bride,” joyous holiday tale of love lost and found, home and family, faith and forgiveness, Lucid Stage, Portland, $17, $15 students and seniors. lucidstage.com. 3 p.m. today; 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The Wandering Beggar,” celebrating Jewish culture through early Eastern Europen Jewish communities, Acorn Studios, Westbrook, $15, $12 students and seniors. 854-0065. 2 p.m. today.

“The X-Mas Files: A Search for Santa,” musical holiday comedy for all ages, Waldo Theater, Waldoboro, $5-$8. 832-6060. 2 p.m. today.

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Arts in Motion Theater Company, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, Fryeburg Academy, $12, $10 students and seniors. 935-9232. 1 and 4 p.m. today.

“A Christmas Story,” presented by Penobscot Theatre, Bangor Opera House $20-$35. 942-3333. 3 and 8 p.m. today; 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

“Anne of Green Gables,” presented by Belfast Maskers, Shrine Hall, Belfast, $15, $10 teens, $5 12 and under. 338-9668. 2 p.m. today.

“Scrooge,” A/D/A/M, Biddeford, $10 advance, $13 doors. 423-2027. 2 p.m. today; 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” Portland Stage Company, Portland, $35-$40. portlandstage.org. 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 2 and 7 p.m. Friday; noon Saturday.

“Wales and Tales,” Al Miller and his merry band of holiday celebrants, features “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” benefits Midcoast Hunger Program, Theater Project, Brunswick, donation. 729-8584. 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Home for the Holidays Cabaret, New Edge Productions and Lucid Stage, Lucid Stage, Portland, $8. lucidstage.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday.