• HOT TICKETS

Music and Nightlife: Williams to play State Theatre

FOR MORE than 35 years, singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams has been defying labels and winning fans. She was Americana before that label was printed, she’s got a country heart, and she definitely rocks.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $30 to $45

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

Art and Theater: ‘Yankees’ that even a Sox fan could love

PARDON the cliche, but Ogunquit’s “Damn Yankees” is a home run. Maybe even a grand slam. Set in Fenway Park, this show is full of song and dance — and lots of humor. Highly recommended.

WHEN: Through Aug. 18, with shows at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday and matinees at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main St.

HOW MUCH: $39 to $74

INFO: 646-5511; ogunquitplayhouse.org

Seasonal fare at Turkey Hill dinner

KARL OKERHOLM of El Rayo Cantina will be the guest chef at the next Cultivating Community outdoor Twilight Dinner. He’ll be serving a three-course meal highlighting seasonal foods from Turkey Hill Farm.

WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Turkey Hill Farm, 120 Old Ocean House Road, Cape Elizabeth

HOW MUCH: $30 per person, BYOB

INFO: cultivatingcommunity.org/calendar/twilight-dinners.html

Et Cetera: Playing ‘Chess’  in Biddeford

IF YOU COULDN’T get “One Night in Bangkok” out of your head in the ’80s, this weekend will be your last chance to catch a local performance of the London version of the musical “Chess.” Lyrics by Tim Rice, music by Benny Andersen and Bjorn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: City Theater, 205 Main St., Biddeford

HOW MUCH: $20

INFO: 282-0849

• CHEAP THRILLS

Music and Nightlife: Drop by to see the Drops

IF OLD-TIME FOLK is your thing — or even if it isn’t — the Carolina Chocolate Drops are worth checking out. And since they’re playing for free Saturday night in Freeport, you’ve got nothing to lose if you do.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Discovery Park, L.L. Bean, 95 Main St., Freeport

HOW MUCH: Free

INFO: llbean.com/summer

Art and Theater: Greenhut opens Paiement exhibit

WOOLWICH ARTIST Tom Paiement opens his latest solo exhibition, “Search for Form,” at Greenhut Galleries in Portland.

WHEN: Opens with a reception 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday; on view through Sept. 1

WHERE: Greenhut Galleries, 146 Middle St., Portland

HOW MUCH: Free

INFO: 772-2693; greenhutgalleries.com

Dining and Drink: Pie contest could be berry lucrative

THINK YOU make a killer blueberry pie? Enter the blueberry pie festival at the Topsham Fair, and if you win, you’ll get $50 and move on to the Maine State Blueberry Pie Contest in Augusta.

WHEN: Judging at 1 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Exhibition Hall, Topsham Fairgrounds, Route 196

HOW MUCH: Free to enter, but admission to the fair costs $10

INFO: topshamfair.net

Et Cetera: Good eats and more at barbeque fest

THE WESTERN MAINE Barbeque Festival is about more than just good ‘cue, though it will definitely have plenty of good eating. Check out the motorcycles and classic cars, ride a mechanical bull, and try your hand at knife and tomahawk throwing. And that’s just for starters.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Fryeburg Fairgrounds, 1154 Main St., Fryeburg

HOW MUCH: $5 admission at the gate, children under 10 free

INFO: 647-4449