• BENEFITS

TODAY

Fundraising Card Party, benefits Falmouth Historical Society, Holy Martyrs Church, Falmouth. Donation. 781-2705. Noon to 4 p.m.

Casco Bay YMCA Adaptive Services Programs Auction, silent and live auctions, hors d’oeuvres and desserts, cash bar and music; Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport. $35, $40; two for $60. 865-9600. cumberlandcountyymca.org. 6 to 9 p.m.

 

FRIDAY

I Pity the Fool, dinner, dance and prizes to benefit Youthlinks, 21-plus; Lincoln Street Center, Rockland. $15 to $20. 594-2221. youthlinksonline.org. 7 to 10 p.m.

Hockey Benefit, former members of the Boston Bruins and others play a hockey game to benefit the Portland Firefighters IAFF Local No. 740, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. $10/donation; free for children under 12. alex@ecmgevents.com. 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)

Chemistry Club Demonstration, University of Southern Maine’s chemistry club performs demonstrations and hosts short discussions on the chemistry behind the Japan nuclear disaster; benefits Red Cross efforts in Japan; Talbot Auditorium, Luther Bonney Hall, USM Portland. $5/donation. usm.maine.edu. 4:30 p.m.

 

SATURDAY

Blue Point Chowder Challenge, fourth annual event; portion of proceeds benefits Project G.R.A.C.E.; Blue Point Congregational Church, Scarborough. $7. 883-3773. 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Poker Tournament, Texas Hold ‘Em (no limit); benefits building fund for new South Berwick Library; participation is limited to 100; Regatta Banquet and Conference Center, Eliot. friendsofsouthberwicklibrary.org. Check-in prior to 12:45 p.m.

Antiques Appraisal, benefits Hospice of York; limit two items per person with a suggested donation of $10 for one or $17 for two items; Atlantic Design Center, York. 363-3004. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Escapists, high-energy improv performers; benefits school theater program; Cheverus High School, Portland. $7. 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday.

 

SUNDAY

Chocolate Lovers’ Fling, annual event to benefit Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine; Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland. $20 in advance; $25 at door; free for under age 10; VIP tickets cost $10 and $50. chocolateloversfling.org. 1 to 4 p.m.

 

MONDAY

Scrabble Fest, sponsored by Androscoggin Literacy Volunteers; Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch, Auburn. 333-4785. Deadline to register for April 10 event is Monday.

 

• SPECIAL EVENTS

TODAY

Hot Chocolate Jubilee, variety show, comedy and music with the theme “Spirit of the Kennebec,” Chocolate Church Arts Center, Bath. Free. 442-8455. 7:30 p.m. today to Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

Gym Dandies Children’s Circus, 30th anniversary performance, Scarborough High School. $4, $5; free for children with an adult. 6:30 p.m. today and Friday.

SMCC Women’s History Project, series about women of the college with discussion and reception, Southern Maine Community College, South Portland. Free. 741-5865. “Claudia Story and the Great Library Campaign of 1964,” 12:30 p.m.

 

SATURDAY

Rural Living Day, Maine Cooperative Extension and MOFGA team up for workshops and seminars on raising food and growing plants, Mt. View High School, Thorndike. $20; includes lunch. umaine.edu/waldo. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Green Beginnings, with musician Hope Hoffman, poetry, artist Debby Atwell and Master Gardener Sharon Turner, Round Top Farm, Damariscotta. Free. 563-1216. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Horse-Drawn Vehicles in Maine,” slide presentation and discussion with Nick Buck, Owls Head Transportation Museum. Free. 594-4418. 1 p.m.

Djembe Intensive Workshop with instructor Annegret Baier, Portland Friends Meeting House. $60. 871-8859. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

 

SUNDAY

Shape Note Singing, four-part singing tradition also known as Sacred Harp; not a performance, everyone welcome to participate; The New Church, Portland. Donation. theportlandchurch.org. 1 to 4 p.m.

Open House of Alchemist Delights, with food and drink, KittyWitch Perfumery, tarot reading and a full menu of magical healing services, The Oak and the Ax, Biddeford. Free admission. theoakandtheax.blogspot.com. Noon to 5 p.m.

 

MONDAY

Documenting Community Heritage, panel discussion with members of the Documenting Maine Jewry Project, Rines Auditorium, Portland Public Library. portlandlibrary.com. Free. 4 p.m.

 

TUESDAY

Institute for International Studies Open House, Institute for Italian Studies, Portland. Free. iismaine.com. 5:30 to 7 p.m.

 

WEDNESDAY

Tragic Tales of Mill Girls Gone Wrong, illustrated lecture by Elizabeth DeWolfe, Maine State Museum, Augusta. Free. mainestatemuseum.org. 6:30 p.m.

 

• FILMS

TODAY

Maine Jewish Film Festival, 14th annual festival, all films are Maine premieres; Nickelodeon Cinemas, Portland. $8 per screening ($6 for students and seniors age 66 and older). mjff.org. “Duck Soup” (1933), 5 p.m.; “Maya” (2010), 7 p.m.

“In the Realms of the Unreal” (2004), Strand Theatre, Rockland. $7, $8.50. 594-0070. 8 p.m.

 

SATURDAY

Lewiston Auburn Film Festival, various venues, Lewiston. $22 for festival pass. lafilmfestival.org. All day Saturday.

Anything But Silent, series of classic silent films, Bangor Public Library. Free. 947-8336. Noon. Through April 23.

First Saturday Film Series, Southwest Harbor Public Library. Free. swharbor.lib.me.us. “Helena from the Wedding” (2010), 2 p.m.

 

SUNDAY

“With My Own Two Wheels” (2010), documentary on bicycles, Space, Portland. $5, $7. space538.org. 7:30 p.m.

 

MONDAY

“Being in the World” (2010), USM Philosophy Symposium film, Space, Portland. $5, $7; free for USM staff and students with ID. space538.org. 7:30 p.m.

 

WEDNESDAY

Teens through Time, film series with teen-cenric viewpoint, Portland Public Library. Free. 871-1700. 1980s: “The Warriors” (1979), 4:30 p.m.

 

• BOOKS/AUTHORS

TODAY

James Nelson, author of “With Fire and Sword: The Battle of Bunker Hill,” author talk, Rockland Public Library. Free. rocklandlibrary.org. 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, author of “I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity,” co-sponsored by Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights, University of Maine (Jewett Hall Auditorium), Augusta. Free. uma.edu. 11 a.m.

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, author talk co-sponsored by Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights, Hannaford Hall, USM, Portland. Free. usm.maine.edu. 6 p.m.

Amy Wood, author of “Life Your Way: Refresh Your Approach to Success and Breathe Easier in a Fast-Paced World,” author talk, Longfellow Books, Portland. Free. longfellowbooks.com. 7 p.m.

 

FRIDAY

Maine Festival of the Book, readings, signings, performances, workshops and panel discussions, University of Southern Maine, Portland. Most events are free; opening reception at 7:30 p.m. Friday costs $10. mainereads.org. Various times Friday to Sunday.

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, author of “I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity,” author talk co-sponsored by Maine Voices for Palestinian Rights, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Free. curtislibrary.com. 7 p.m.

 

SATURDAY

David Sedaris, best-selling humor author shares stories and readings from his writings, Merrill Auditorium, Portland. $52 to $62. 842-0800. 8 p.m.

Melanie Joy, author of “Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs and Wear Cows,” author talk with free hors d’oeuvres catered by Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland Public Library. Free. 773-2215. 3 p.m.

 

SUNDAY

Shonna Milliken Humphrey, author of “Show Me Good Land,” book-release party with food, wine and music by Travis James Humphrey, The Danforth, Portland. Free. danforthmaine.com. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

An Evening with Author Ron Currie Jr., readings from the novel “Everything Matters!” and other works; part of the Maine Festival of the Book; Portland Stage Company (Studio Theater). Free. mainereads.org. 7 p.m.

 

WEDNESDAY

Brown Bag Lecture Series with Susan Conley, author of “The Foremost Good Fortune,” Portland Public Library. Free; bring own lunch. 871-1710. Noon to 1 p.m.

An Evening of Poetry and Images with Carolyn Locke, author of “Always This Falling,” Bangor Public Library. Free. 947-8336. 6:30 p.m.

 

• PRO SPORTS

Maine Red Claws, NBA Development League, Portland Exposition Building. $5 to $30. 210-6655. Vs. Erie, 7 p.m. today.

Portland Pirates, AHL hockey team, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. $11 to $17. 828-4665. Vs. Manchester, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

 

• DANCE

Ballroom Dancing, Maplewood Dance Center, Portland. Call for prices: 878-0584. 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Wednesday.

Community Contra Dance, refreshments served, Southwest Harbor Public Library. $5; $10 per family. 244-7065. 6:30 p.m. (dances taught at 6 p.m.) Saturday.

Contra Dance with Perpetual e-Motion, all dances taught, dessert potluck, partner not necessary; Falmouth Congregational Church. $5 to $10; free under age 5. 756-2201. 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

International Folk Dance, traditional music and dance from the Balkans, Israel, France and Greece, beginners welcome; Pownal Town Hall. $5; $3 for children. 688-2293. Teaching 7 to 8 p.m. followed by dance party until 9 p.m. Sunday.