• BENEFITS

Ladies Night Out Wear Red Benefit, sip, nosh, socialize and shop to benefit the American Heart Association, $10. HealthSource of Portland, 949 Brighton Ave. www.facebook.com/ HealthSourceOfPortland/events. 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Westbrook Feud, teachers and students square off in a fundraiser to benefit the Westbrook High School Class of 2014, $7 for adults, $5 for students. Westbrook Performing Art Center, 471 Stroudwater St., Westbrook. westbrookpac.org. 7 p.m. Thursday.

“Freezin’ for a Reason,” polar dip fundraiser for Camp Sunshine in Casco, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families, $100 in pledges. East End Beach, Eastern Promenade Trail, Portland. campsunshine.org. Noon Saturday.

• BOOKS & AUTHORS

Author Eleanor Morse reads from and discusses “White Dog Fell from the Sky” at the Maine Women Writers Collection. Free. University of New England, Abplanalp Library, 716 Stevens Ave., Portland. www.une.edu/mwwc/conferences/authorseries.cfm. Noon Thursday.

A Valentine for Seamus Heaney: Reading and Remembering, tribute to the late Nobel laureate. Poems read, stories told, traditional airs played, plus open mic so all can share. $5. Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St., Portland. 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Literary Death Match, local authors read their work and judges offer comedic commentary. $8-10. Space Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland. www.space538.org/events/literary-death-match-1. 8 p.m. Friday.

David Swanson, author of “War No More: The Case for Abolition,” Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. www.curtislibrary.com. 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Paul Doiron, author of “Massacre Pond” and “The Poacher’s Son,” Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St., Bath. www.patten.lib.me.us. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

• DANCE

Salsa Dancing with DJ Baulio, Latin, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, bachata and Latin hits. Dance lessons included, $5, 21-plus. The Pearl Lounge, 444 Fore St., Portland. pearloldport.com. 8 p.m. Thursday.

Folk Dance Brunswick, world music and dance, many dances taught, no partner needed. $8; $5 seniors and students. People Plus, 35 Union St., Brunswick. www.peopleplusmaine.org. 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Swing Dance with Lay-Z-Gait, $12. Barn at Flanagan Farm, 668 Narragansett Trail, Buxton. www.barnatflanaganfarm.com. Dance lesson at 7, music starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Wednesday Night Stomp Swing Dance, $5 to $10 suggested donation. Acoustic Artisans, 594 Congress St. 2nd floor, Portland. www.acousticartisans.com. Beginners swing lesson at 7 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

• FILM

“Carbon Nation,” film screening with introduction by George Jacobson, professor emeritus, University of Maine. Donations welcome. Portland Public Library, Rines Auditorium, 5 Monument Square, Portland. www.portlandlibrary.com. 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.

“For the Rights of All: Ending Jim Crow in Alaska,” documentary reveals the true story of an Alaskan woman who became an unlikely hero in the fight for civil rights. Free. Sills Hall, Smith Auditorium at Bowdoin College, 3725 College St., Brunswick. bowdoin.edu. 7 p.m. Thursday.

Maine Outdoor Film Festival, selection of curated short films in conjunction with the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend. Proceeds benefit Teens to Trails. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Unity Center for the Performing Arts, 42 Depot St., Unity. www.uccpa.unity.edu. 7 p.m. Friday.

The Fosse (Figures of Speech Student Ensemble) presents “Frankenstein,” a puppet film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s book, $8, $4 for 12 and under. Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Portland. www.mayostreetarts.org. 1 p.m. Sunday.

Local Love Muscle Valentine’s Day Film Festival, unthemed selection of short films intended to intrigue, enchant and delight. Free. Space Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland. www.space538.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

“The Trials of Muhammad Ali,” documentary investigates the extraordinary and often complex subject’s life outside the boxing ring, $8. Space Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland. www.space538.org. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

• FOOD AND DRINK

Wine and Cheese Tasting, free, Maine Beer and Beverage Co. in the Public Market House, 28 Monument Square, Portland. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting, Elements: Books Coffee Beer, 265 Main St., Biddeford. elementsbookscoffeebeer.com. 5 p.m. Friday.

“Keepers of the Hearth: The Love, Courtship and Marriages of the Washburn Women,” heritage dinner and living history program, $20. Washburn Norlands Living History Center, 290 Norlands Road, Livermore. 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Valentine’s Day with The Rat Pack, includes five-course dinner and show and a rose for every lady, $39.99. Anthony’s Dinner Theater, 151 Middle St., Portland. anthonys dinnertheater.com. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

6th Annual Elegant Valentine Brunch, hosted by Friends of Par Sem to benefit restoration fund, $12, $5 for 10 and under. Parsonfield Seminary, 504 North Road. parsonfieldseminary.org. 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.

The Senator Inn Mystery Caper, dinner theater, $40, Senator Inn and Spa, 284 Western Ave., Augusta. www.senatorinn.com. 6 p.m. Saturday.

• FOR KIDS

“Rumpelstiltskin,” fun and spunky musical retelling of the Grimm fairy tale. $8, $9. Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine, 142 Free St., Portland. www.kitetails.org. 4 p.m. Friday; 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and Feb. 20. Through Feb. 23.

Play Me a Story, Up, Up and Away! Theater for Kids brings stories to life, then imaginations take flight in a fun-filled workshop, $50 for the month or $15 per session. Portland Stage Co., 25A Forest Ave., Portland. www.portlandstage.org/Page.114.Play+Me+a+Story. 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

Valentine Pony Rides on costumed horses in an indoor arena, $10. LaDawn Therapeutic Riding Center, 995 Goodwins Mills Road, Dayton (Route 35, near Route 5). 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

February Vacation Makers Camp, for children ages 6 to 12 to experience, make and create art. Engine, 265 Main St., Biddeford. feedtheengine.org/vacation-camp. 2:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

• HOME & GARDEN

Belfast Garden Club presentation, Bonsai in a Nutshell. Free. St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 95 Court St., Belfast. www.belfastgardenclub.org. 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday.

• OUTDOORS

Great Maine Outdoor Weekend, promoting outdoor activities around the state for all skill levels. Many activities free. Various locations statewide. greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org. Friday to Sunday.

Great Winter Fun Day, try snowshoeing, ice fishing or ice skating. View the wildlife and lake displays, build a fort or snowman, then enjoy some hot cocoa by the fire. Free. Tree Center, 5 Dunaway Dr., Sanford. www.waban.org. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Maine Audubon Winter Carnival & Open House, fun day of outdoor exploration, bird ID lessons and hands-on activities for all ages. Free. Gilsland Farm Audubon Center, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth. www.maineaudubon.org/events. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Slims Fishing Derby, cash prizes and door prizes, all legal waters in Hancock County. $15, free for kids. Toddy Pond Public Landing, U.S. Route 1, Orland. www.slimsfishingderby.com. Saturday and Sunday.

Abenaki Draft Horse Association’s Annual Winterfest, horse-drawn sleigh rides, sledding, food and drink, blacksmith demonstrations. Free admission; sleigh rides $5 adults; $3 15-18 years old; under 14 free if accompanied by an adult. Abenaki Draft Horse Club, Dukes Lane, Lyman. www.facebook.com/pages/Abenaki-Draft-Horse-Club/226642974948. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

• Special Events

Vow renewal atop Saddleback Mountain, remake your promises to your beloved or make a commitment to marriage. Free with lift ticket or season pass. Saddleback Mountain, 976 Saddleback Road, Rangeley. www.saddlebackmaine.com. 1 to 3 p.m. Friday.

Laser Fantastic 2014, Southworth Planetarium, University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St., Portland. $5.50, $1 for 3D glasses. www.usm.maine.edu/planet. 7 p.m. Friday. Through Feb. 23.

Maine Roller Derby: Hate the Love bout, Calamity Janes vs. Quebec, $7. Happy Wheels Skate Center, 331 Warren Ave., Portland. www.mainerollerderby.com. 5 p.m. Saturday.

Lowry’s Lodge Poetry Series, Annie Finch and Duff Plunkett, $3. Saccarappa Art Collective, 861 Main St., Westbrook. 7 p.m. Saturday.

Vladimir Zinczenko, Russian mentalist. Card manipulation, hilarious attempts at picking the pockets of audience members and daring and dramatic escapes. $16, $14 seniors, $12 for 12 and under. Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center, 280 Water St., Gardiner. www.johnsonhall.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Seanachie Nights presents Franco-American storyteller Michael Parent, unique blend of stories and songs, $9 suggested donation. Bull Feeney’s, 375 Fore St., Portland. www.facebook.com/BullFeeney. 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.

• Lectures & Workshops

Lecture: Visiting artist Tim Gaudreau, Maine College of Art MFA alumnus and eco artist, lectures on his current projects and environmental stewardship, free. Maine College of Art, Osher Hall, 522 Congress St., Portland. meca.edu. Noon Thursday.

Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith, authors of the Pocket Chinese Almanac series, speak on the Chinese Year of the Horse, free. Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art, 522 Congress St., Portland. meca.edu/news. Noon Thursday.

Natural Beekeeping class, two-day intensive workshop on keeping bees, $175. Atlantic Regional Credit Union, 3 Union Park Road, Topsham. www.goldstarhoneybees.com/products/20-Classes. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

World Beyond War, writer and activist David Swanson, learn how you can declare peace. Free. Lee Hall, WishcamperCenter, USM Portland, 34 Bedford St. www.peaceworksbrunswickme.org 1 p.m. Saturday.

Figure Drawing, no instructor, artists bring own materials and easels, gallery provides chairs, stools, tables. $30/$60/$15. Centre St Arts Gallery, 11 Centre St., Bath. centrestartsgallery.blogspot.com. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Great Mountain, The Great River and the Great Northwoods, writer Hans M. Carlson will speak at College of the Atlantic about his experiences in the greater northeast of Canada and the United States. Free. College of the Atlantic McCormick Lecture Hall, 105 Eden St., Bar Harbor. news.coa.edu/2014/02/07/the-great-mountain-the-great-river-and-the-great-northwoods. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.