• BENEFITS

Claddagh Mhor Pipe Band Presents “Comics for Kilts,” proceeds will go towards the purchase of equipment and uniforms for the band, Maine Irish Heritage Center, Portland. $20; two for $30. claddaghmhor.com. Cash bar opens at 7 p.m.; show at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Additional Photos

Matt and Jason Tardy create "comedic electronica" as AudioBody, and they're part of the Phyzgig lineup Friday at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center. Courtesy photo

Southern Maine Pickin’ Society Headlining Dinner and Fundraiser, music and dinner, benefits American Liver Foundation, Falmouth Congregational Church. $12; $20 per couple; $30 per family. runningfortigerlily.com. 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

“Pastabilities 4.0,” Waterfall Arts fourth annual family “fun(d)raiser” with a pasta dinner, music by Noah Fishman and a silent auction, Waterfall Arts, Belfast. $15; $5 for children under age 12. waterfallarts.org. 5 and 6:30 p.m. seatings Monday.

Rippleffect Gala, dancing, food, raffle and live auction; benefits Rippleffect Scholarship Program; Ocean Gateway Terminal, Portland. $50. rippleeffect.net. 6 to 10 p.m. March 1.

• FAIRS/FESTIVALS

Longfellow Days, monthlong celebration of readings, tours, dinners, films and more honoring Henry W. Longfellow, various locations, Brunswick. Various prices. brunswickdowntown.com/longfellowdays. Through Sunday.

Laser Fest, laser-light shows including “Laser U2,” “Laser Spirit,” “Laser Mania,” “Hypnotica” and more; University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. $5, plus $1 for 3-D glasses. Call for show schedule: 780-4249. Noon, 2, 3, 7 and 8 p.m. today and Friday; 1, 3, 7 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday.

24th Annual Family Fest, outdoor winter family fun, poker run, snow volleyball tournament, pie-eating contest and ugliest ski sweater contest, Shawnee Peak, Bridgton. Free. 647-8444. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

Longfellow Days: Cabaret Valentine Buffet, buffet of desserts, cheeses and beverages, plus music, love letters and poetry from Maine State Music Theatre; The Inn at Brunswick Station. $25; reservations required. 729-4439. 7 p.m. Friday.

Bethel Winterfest, Nordic and Alpine skiing events, snowboarding, snowmobiling, rail jams, sledding, scenic airplane rides, demonstrations and more; various locations, Bethel. bethelwinterfest.com. 5:15 to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to about 7 p.m. Saturday.

Signature Event, fine cocktails and confectionary creations, kickoff to Maine Restaurant Week, Portland Harbor Hotel. $35; four for $120. mainerestaurantweek.com. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Wines Around the World, Maine Restaurant Week event; culinary journey to Argentina, Italy, Spain, France and the U.S.; The Inn at Brunswick Station. $45; includes wine, food, tax and tip. 837-6565. 6 p.m. March 1.

• SPECIAL EVENTS

FRIDAY

“Search for the Solar System’s Edge,” planetarium show, University of Southern Maine (Southworth Planetarium), Portland. $4, $6. usm.maine.edu/planet. 1 p.m.

Phyzgig, with AudioBody, Randy Judkins and Norman Ng, plus lobby magic by Dan Link, Westbrook Performing Arts Center. $16; $10 for ages 12 and younger. acorn-productions.org. 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

Annual Longfellow Birthday Party, readings of Longfellow poems by MPBN’s Irwin Gratz and state Rep. Herb Adams, Maine Historical Society, Portland. mainehistory.org. 10 a.m.

“Longfellow and Bull: The Poet and the Virtuoso,” illustrated talk by Charles Kaufmann, Maine Historical Society, Portland. mainehistory.org. 1 p.m.

Maine Roller Derby: Calamity Janes vs. Montreal Sexpos, Happy Wheels Skate Center, Portland. $5. mainerollerderby.com. 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Winter Family Fun Day, dog-sled rides, ice harvesting, ice-sculpting demonstrations, nature hikes and more, Aroostook State Park, Presque Isle. $1.50; free for children and seniors. parksandlands.com. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Simply Southern Italian Cooking and Wine Series, cooking and wine class presented by the Chadwick, Newfangled Eats and Wine Wine, 21-plus; Chadwick Bed and Breakfast, Portland. $75; $125 per couple. 774-5141. 6 to 9 p.m.

SUNDAY

Fort Andross Winter Antique Show, dealers from all over New England, Fort Andross, Brunswick. Free admission. 522-1977. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MONDAY

Storytime in the Garden, hourlong stories read by Pat Jeremiah, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay. Free. 633-4333. 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY

“The Iraq War from a Maine Perspective,” Salt Institute hosts an evening dedicated to soldiers fighting in Iraq and their families featuring the Portland premiere of the Maine-made documentary “Welcome to Lee Maine,” discussion with Portland Press Herald columnist Bill Nemitz and photojournalist Gregory Rec, Cinemagic Grand, South Portland. $6. salt.edu. 7 p.m.

MARCH 1

Maine Beer Co. Beer Dinner, four-course dinner paired with beers from Maine Beer Co., 50 Local, Kennebunk. $55, includes tax and tip. localkennebunk.com. 6 p.m.

• FILMS

TODAY

2012 Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films, Space Gallery, Portland. $8. space538.org. 7:30 p.m.

“Windfall” (2012), award-winning documentary about wind power, Carrabassett Community Library, Carrabassett Valley. Free. 628-2070. 7 p.m.

“The Wind Journeys” (2009), Maine premiere of award-winning film, in Spanish with English subtitles, post-screening discussion, Rockland Public Library. Free. 594-0310. 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

“Windfall” (2012), award-winning documentary about wind power, New Portland Community Room. Free. 628-2070. 6 p.m.

SATURDAY

2012 Oscar Nominated Live Action Short Films, Space, Portland. $8. space538.org. 7:30 p.m.

“The Princess Bride” (1987, rated PG), Long Branch School & General Store, Bowdoinham. Free. 699-8900. 6 p.m.

SUNDAY

Annual Oscar Party, watch the Oscars live in HD on the big screen, plus red carpet and prizes, Strand Theatre, Rockland. Free. rocklandstrand.com. 6:30 p.m.

“The Debt” (2011, rated R), York Public Library. Free. 363-2818. 3 p.m.

TUESDAY

“Windfall” (2012), award-winning documentary about wind power, Unity Centre for the Performing Arts. Free. 948-7469. 7 p.m.

MARCH 1

“Windfall” (2012), award-winning documentary about wind power, Skowhegan Free Library. Free. 628-2070. 6 p.m.

“The Prep School Negro” (2011), documentary screening with outreach workshop featuring film director Andre Robert Lee, University of New England (Ludcke Auditorium), Portland. Free. friendsschoolofportland.org. 6 p.m.

• BOOKS/AUTHORS

TODAY

Luann Yetter, author of “Portland’s Past: Stories from the City by the Sea,” Maine Maritime Museum, Bath. $7; $5 for members. mainemaritimemuseum.org. 7 p.m.

Poet Carolyn Gelland, author of “Four Alarm House,” Farmington Public Library. Free. 778-4312. 7 p.m.

FRIDAY

June O’Donal, author of “The Fryeburg Chronicles: Book I — The Amazing Grace 1765-1784,” Portland Public Library. Free. portlandlibrary.com. Noon.

SATURDAY

Chris Van Dusen, author of “Randy Riley’s Really Big Hit,” and Matt Tavares, author of “There Goes Ted Williams,” Kennebooks, Kennebunk. 967-6136. 10:30 a.m.

Kristen Lindquist and Morgan Callan Rogers, birthday party for the store, Gulf of Maine Books, Brunswick. gulfofmainebooks.com. 3 p.m.

February Blues Book Bash, several independent authors read and sign their books, Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick. Free. 594-0091. 12:30 to 4 p.m.

Rebekah Raye, art workshop and book reading by children’s book author and illustrator, Maine State Museum, Augusta. Free. mainestatemuseum.org. 11 a.m.

TUESDAY

Maine Historical Society Book Group, Jane Brox’s “Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light” and other selected readings, Maine Historical Society, Portland. $10 to $20 for four sessions. mainehistory.org. 7 p.m.

Port Veritas Spoken Word Night, weekly poetry reading, Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland. Free/donation. localsprouts.coop. 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Morgan Callan Rogers, author of “Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea,” Patten Free Library, Bath. Free. 443-5141. 6:30 p.m.

• PRO SPORTS

Portland Pirates, AHL affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. $12 to $20. portlandpirates.com. Vs. Springfield, 4 p.m. Sunday.