• HOT TICKETS

Music and Nightlife: State plays host  to AWOLNATION

AWOLNATION is the latest electronic rock band fronted by Aaron Bruno, formerly of Under the Influence of Giants, Hometown Hero and Insurgence. Hopefully, Bruno won’t be AWOL when his band plays the State Theatre in Portland.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Monday

WHERE: State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $18 in advance; $20 day of show

INFO: (800) 745-3000; statetheatreportland.com

Art and Theater: Open Studio for Safe Passage

PORTLAND PHOTOGRAPHER Richard Sandifer hosts his annual Open Studio event featuring art, food and music in a benefit for Safe Passage. The Maine-based nonprofit organization serves at-risk children in Guatemala.

WHEN: 4:30 to 11:45 p.m. Friday

WHERE: RGS Studio, 151 Newbury St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $20; $50 VIP

INFO: 329-3646; rgsphoto.com

Dining and Drink: A meal that’s sure to float your boat

MAINE FOODIE TOURS’ once-a-year progressive dinner on the islands will start with apps and wine on a harbor boat tour. Then dine on lobster stew at the Chebeague Island Inn, followed by entrees on Great Diamond Island and dessert on the trip home.

WHEN: 5:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Leaves from Long Wharf, Commercial St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $125

INFO: (800) 595-4849; mainefoodietours.com

Et Cetera: Improv Festival  brings the funny

LAUGH YOUR WAY through the weekend with the third annual Portland Improv Festival. Taking place over four nights, the event features 14 improv groups from across New England. This interactive form of comedy always brings out the wacky and unexpected.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday to Sunday

WHERE: Lucid Stage, 29 Baxter Blvd., Portland

HOW MUCH: $12 in advance; $15 at door; $40 for four-day pass

INFO: lucidstage.com 

 

• CHEAP THRILLS

Music and Nightlife: Adam Ezra drops anchor at Empire

THE ADAM EZRA GROUP has been touring the country and making a national name for itself. But being Boston-based, the members still come home to New England once in a while, which is what they’ll be doing this week.

WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Friday

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

HOW MUCH: $8

INFO: 879-8988; portlandempire.com

Art and Theater: Chamber ME says hi to Haydn

THIS WEEKEND offers three chances to catch the Chamber ME Music Series. The monthly concerts feature Haydn and Schubert.

WHEN & WHERE: 11 a.m. Friday at Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St.; 5 p.m. Friday at State Street Church, 159 State St., Portland; 11 a.m. Saturday at River Tree Arts Center, 35 Western Ave., Kennebunk

HOW MUCH: Free/donation

INFO: 251-1953; tinyurl.com/chamberME

Dining and Drink: Celebrate harvest at Rippling Waters

SAVOR a fresh “soil to supper” vegetarian meal, enjoy a garden tour and listen to live music at this annual community dinner celebrating the harvest.

WHEN: 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Rippling Waters Organic Farm, 55 River Road, Steep Falls

HOW MUCH: $10, plus additional donation if you want beer or wine

INFO: 642-5161; greengrower@ripplingwaters.org 

Et Cetera: Hello stubble – hey, it’s for a good cause

ARE YOU man enough to spend the winter growing your facial hair for a good cause? Then head to Nosh for the kick-off of Beards B-Cause, a contest and benefit for Mystache Fights Cancer. Arrive clean-shaven, and swear off razors until March.

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Nosh Kitchen Bar, 551 Congress St., Portland

HOW MUCH: Admission free; longest beard, priceless

INFO: beardsbcause @gmail.com

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