• BENEFITS

TODAY

2012 Kids First Gala Auction, signature cocktails, gourmet treats, music and dancing with Big Chief, and silent and live auctions, The Woodlands Club, Falmouth. $75. kidsfirstcenter.org. 6 p.m.

FRIDAY

“Walk for Wishes,” Maine Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser with sports mascots Slugger, Crusher and Cuppy; all walk participants can manage pledges, donations, teams and emails directly online; Payson Park, Portland. maine.wish.org. Registration and entertainment at 5 p.m.; walk at 6 p.m.

Benefit Extravaganza, bellydance by Kate Cipaldi, burlesque performances, silent auction and music by Kurt Baker, Lady Zen, Dan Capaldi, OD (Sudanese rapper), The Heartache Kids, Where’s My Friend and more; benefits Organic Health Response Scholarship Fund; Geno’s Rock Club, Portland. $10. 221-2382. 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.

“Moose Stock,” zumba classes, wine tasting, cruises and lobster bake; benefits the Maine American Heart Association; Point Sebago Resort, Casco. Starts at $219. dinahzumba.com. Various times Friday to Sunday.

SATURDAY

Fifth Annual 5K Run and 2-Mile Walk for Homeless & Hungry, Mothers Beach, Kennebunk. yorkcountyshelterprograms.org. Registration at 8 a.m.; race at 9 a.m.

Walk-A-Thon to Cure Scleroderma, benefits the New England Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation, Back Cove, Portland. scleroderma.org. 10 a.m. registration; noon walk.

Great Strides 5-Mile Cystic Fibrosis Walk, St. Pius X Church, Portland. newenglandcff.org/greatstrides. Check-in at 9 a.m.; walk at 10 a.m.

“Palette,” silent and live auctions, wine tasting, appetizers and chocolate fountain, Fiddlehead Center for the Arts, Gray. $5. fiddleheadcenter.org. 6 p.m.

“Cool Treasures,” historic tours of three venues on Kennebunk Beach; benefits the museum’s climate control project; Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk. $45. 985-4802. 4 to 6 p.m.

SUNDAY

Second Annual Trivia Night for Tri-County Literacy, prizes and drawings for individuals and teams; benefits the Literacy Volunteer program and the Read With Me family literacy program; Aki Japanese Restaurant, Brunswick. $25 per person. 833-6259. 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Contra Dance, music by the 317 Contra Dance Band; benefit for Freeport Community Counseling; Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Factory, Freeport. $9; $7 for seniors; $5 for children ages 12 and under. 865-4071. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Batimbo Beats: “Celebrating the Planting Season,” Burundians trained in the sacred drum dances of their native country perform along with a dance troupe with the Rwanda Community Association of Maine; benefit for Immigrant Garden Projects; Westbrook Performing Arts Center. $25; $10 for children. cfah.me. 3 p.m.

Cow Patty Bingo, just what it sounds like; benefits Casco Bay High’s 2012 Project Graduation; Casco Bay High School. $10 per 2 foot-square bingo square. cbhs.portlandschools.org. 2 p.m.

“A Celebration of Harmony and Hope,” “Pink” CD-release show with musicians Kate Schrock, Lynn Deeves, Emilia Dahlin, Andrea RE, Laura Darrell and many others; benefits the Maine Breast Cancer Coalitions’ Support Services Fund; Jonathan’s Restaurant, Ogunquit. $10 to $49. jonathansrestaurant.com. 7 p.m.

TUESDAY

“Eat, Drink, Read” with Cheryl Sternman Rule, hors d’oeuvres based on Rule’s recipes and a cash bar; benefit for the library; Kennebunk Free Library. $30 in advance; $40 day of show. kennebunklibrary.org. 6 to 8 p.m.

• FAIRS/FESTIVALS

Indoor Crafters Fair and Bake Sale, West Kennebunk United Methodist Church. 985-6632. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Wells Reserve EcoDay, discover eco-friendly ways to connect to a healthy future with more than 50 exhibitors, paddle surfing, kayaking, fly fishing demos, Nordic walking, geocaching, TRX suspension training, yoga, zumba and more; Wells Reserve at Laudholm, Wells. $4; free for children under 12. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Maine Comics Arts Festival, more than 100 artists, writers and creators, Ocean Gateway Terminal, Portland. $5; free for ages 12 and under. 780-1676. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

• PLANT SALES

SATURDAY

Friends of the Berwick Library Plant Sale, Berwick Public Library. 698-5737. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

St. John’s Annual Plant Sale, perennials, annuals, vegetable plants, herbs, houseplants, books and tools, Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Thomaston. 845-2250. 8 a.m. to noon.

Foreside Garden Club Plant Sale, perennials, herbs, hanging baskets and annuals, Falmouth Shopping Center. 829-4805. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Spring Plant and Pie Sale, hosted by the Longfellow Garden Club, North Deering Congregational Church, Portland. 797-8880. 8 a.m. to noon.

South Portland Land Trust Annual Plant and Bake Sale, American Legion Post, South Portland. 408-1039. 9 a.m. (8 a.m. for Land Trust members).

Plant Sale Extravaganza, annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs and house plants, University of Maine Cooperative Extension York County, Springvale. 324-2814. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Cumberland County Master Gardener Plant Sale, Barron Center, Portland. 781-6099. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wildridge Garden Club Plant Sale, free gardening tips included, George E. Jack School, Standish. 642-3647. 8 a.m. to noon.

Saco Bay Gardening Club Plant Sale, hardy perennials, shrubs and vegetable seedlings, Dyer Library, Saco. sacobaygardenclub.com. 8 a.m.

Herb Sale, heirloom herbs thinned from the garden plus others, Tate House Museum, Portland. tatehouse.org. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Morris Farm Community Plant Sale, Morris Farm, Wiscasset. 882-4080. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Tenth Annual Weekend Plant Sale, annuals, vegetable plants, shrubs, perennials and more, Coastal Humane Society, Brunswick. coastalhumanesociety.org. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

SUNDAY

Southern Maine Daylily and Hosta Society Plant Sale, Southern Maine Community College, South Portland. smccme.edu. 8 a.m. to noon.

• SPECIAL EVENTS

TODAY

Champagne Dinner, featuring winemaker Jean Baptiste, David’s Restaurant, Portland. $95. Call for reservation: 773-4340.

“Ulysses for the Fun of It,” weekly listening session of a recording of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” performed by Irish actors, Maine Irish Heritage Center, Portland. Free. maineirish.com. 6 to 7:30 p.m. today and May 24. Through June 28.

FRIDAY

Camping Weekend, activities, demonstrations, clinics and family-fun activities, L.L. Bean, Freeport. Most activities are free. Schedule at llbean.com/freeport. Various times Friday to Sunday.

Northern New England Home, Garden and Flower Show, Fryeburg Fairgrounds. $9; $4 for ages 6 to 16; free for children under 6. homegardenflowershow.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

SATURDAY

Third Annual Bug Light Kite Festival, live music by Tricky Britches, Bug Light Park, South Portland. Free. sphistory.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date is Sunday.)

Endangered Species Day in the Children’s Room, family-oriented games, art projects and activities, Bangor Public Library. Free. 947-8336. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Maine Marble Show, Governor’s Restaurant, South Portland. $3; free for children under age 12. 657-4165. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Maine Nordmenn Constitution Day Celebration, Maine Wildlife Park, Gray. $3.50. 622-3096. Special guided tour at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Arena Antique Show and Sale, 34 exhibitors and expert appraisals, Biddeford Ice Arena. $10. goosefairantiques.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

SUNDAY

Seventh Annual Victorian Doll Tea, by Victoria Mansion and Portland Ballet; traditional tea service, ballet demonstration and lesson, Victorian etiquette lesson, cupcakes and more; Maine Irish Heritage Center, Portland. $40 for one adult and one child; $30 for Victoria Mansion or Maine Irish Heritage Center members; additional adults are $25 and $20 each; additional children are $15 and $10 each. victoriamansion.org. 1 p.m.

Pine Tree State Country Music Association Award Show, with Allen’s Tradition Band, Denny Breau, Gloria Jean Silke and many others, Silver Spur, Mechanic Falls. $6 in advance; $7 day of show; $3 for children under age 12. ptscountrymusicassoc.org. 1 p.m.

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Giant Pumpkin Plantlet Give-Away, bring a pail, Pinkham’s Plantation, Damariscotta. Free. damariscottapumpkinfest.com. 8 a.m.

MONDAY

Seanachie Nights, spoken word and music with singer/storyteller Nanette Perrotte, Bull Feeney’s, Portland. $9/donation. 253-0288. 7 to 9 p.m.

Storytime in the Garden, hourlong stories read by Pat Jeremiah, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay. Free with admission: $12; $6 for children. 633-4333. 10 a.m.

Crabgrass Puppet Theatre: “Anansi Spiderman of Africa,” a tangled web of trickster tales for children, Public Theatre, Lewiston. $5. 782-2211. thepublictheatre.org. 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Monday; 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday; 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

TUESDAY

“Purr and Caw: Talking About Species,” poetry and song in the theme of “species,” Frontier Cafe, Cinema & Gallery, Brunswick. $5. spindleworks.org. 7 to 9 p.m.

• FILMS

TODAY

“Queen of the Sun” (2010), documentary about bees introduced by local beekeeper Antje Roitzsch, Rockland Public Library. Free. 594-0310. 6 p.m.

FRIDAY

“Low & Clear” (2012), documentary about the exploration of life in the disappearing wilderness of the West, plus Q&A with filmmaker Kahlil Hudson, Space Gallery, Portland. $7. space538.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday.

Maine Wildlife Conservation Film Festival, more than 30 conservation, natural history and wildlife documentary films, Reel Pizza Cinerama, Bar Harbor. $8 per two-hour series ($7 for adults and students with ID); festival passes are $75 ($65 for seniors and students with ID). Schedule at maineWCFF.com. Friday to Monday.

SUNDAY

Bluestocking Film Series, new short films by an international roster of women directors, St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland. $8. stlawrencearts.org. 4 p.m.

MONDAY

“The Princess Bride” (1987, rated PG), Skidompha Library, Damariscotta. $5/donation. 563-5513. 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

“Love Actually” (2003, rated R), Patten Free Library, Bath. Free. 443-5141. 6:30 p.m.

“Revenge of the Electric Car” (2011), documentary, One Longfellow Square, Portland. $6.27. onelongfellowsquare.com. 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

“Every Little Step” (2008), “A Chorus Line” documentary, with Q&A with two members from original Broadway production; Frontier Cafe, Cinema & Gallery, Brunswick. $7.50; $6.50 for seniors and students. explorefrontier.com. 7 p.m.

MAY 24

“In Shopian” (2011), a firsthand account of Shakeel Ahmed’s story amidst the current state of social unrest in Srinagar, St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland. $5. stlawrencearts.org. 7 p.m.

“George Harrison: Living in The Material World” (2011), documentary by Martin Scorsese, Rockland Public Library. Free. 594-0310. Part I, 6:30 p.m.

• BOOKS/AUTHORS

TODAY

Margaret Hathaway, author of “The Food Lovers’ Guide to Maine,” South Portland Library. Free. southportlandlibrary.com. 6:30 to 8 p.m.

FRIDAY

“Brown Bag Books,” Edmund Morris discusses “Colonel Roosevelt” in live HD broadcast, Lincoln Theater, Damariscotta. $10. lcct.org. Noon.

Friday Local Author Series, with Kevin Mills, author of “Breakwater,” Portland Public Library. Free. portlandlibrary.com. Noon.

SUNDAY

Matt Tavares, author of children’s picture book “Zachary’s Ball,” Louis T. Graves Library, Kennebunkport. Free. 967-2778. 2 p.m.

TUESDAY

Maine Historical Society Book Group, Wayne Curtis’ “And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the World in Ten Cocktails,” Maine Historical Society, Portland. $10 to $20 for four sessions. mainehistory.org. 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Milton Huntington, author of “A Lifetime of Laughter,” Lithgow Public Library, Augusta. Free. lithgow.lib.me.us. 1 p.m.

Tarrantine Spring Spotlight and Poetry Showcase, readings by Maurice Burford, Jason Canniff, Sarah Farnhan, Katie Fuller, Nate Logan and Jason Mitchell, Bangor Public Library. Free. bpl.lib.me.us. 6 to 8 p.m.

MAY 24

Dena Riegel, author of “The Official Maine Staycation Manual,” South Portland Library. Free. southportlandlibrary.com. 6:30 to 8 p.m.

• PRO SPORTS

Portland Sea Dogs, Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, Hadlock Field, Portland. $4 to $9. milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t546. Vs. Binghamton, 6 p.m. Friday; 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• PARTICIPANT DANCE

Swing Dance, music by Maine Swingin’ DJs, Wescustogo Hall, North Yarmouth. $8. 653-5012. Lesson at 7 p.m., dance at 8 p.m. Friday.

“Milonga del Este,” tango dance hosted by WMPG’s DJ Adira, Mayo Street Arts, Portland. $12. mayostreetarts.org. 8 p.m. to midnight Friday.

Family Dance, Quebecois-style “barn dance” with Benoit Bourque & Son and Friends, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston. $1. 782-0386. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

International Folk Dance, traditional music and dance from the Balkans, Israel, France and Greece (includes instruction), Mallett Hall, Pownal. $5. 688-2293. Family dance at 5:30 p.m.; folk dance at 7 p.m. Sunday.