• BENEFITS

TODAY

Additional Photos

Sasha Cohen and the rest of the Smucker's Stars on Ice are at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland on Friday. Courtesy photo

Pumped for cycling season? The Great Maine Bike Swap is happening Sunday at USM's Sullivan Gym in Portland.

Glitterati, literary ball with music, food and more to benefit The Telling Room, Port City Music Hall, Portland. $50. tellingroom.org. 6 to 10 p.m.

MAPIL Auction, with drinks, refreshments and live entertainment; benefits the Maine Association of Public Interest Law; University of Maine School of Law, Portland. 780-4355. 4:30 p.m. silent auction; 5:30 p.m. live auction.

FRIDAY

Hogan Relief Fund Benefit, with live music by The Tony Boffa Band, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction (including auction of sports memorabilia); benefits family who lost two children in a fire; Fireside Inn & Suites, Portland. $25. hoganrelieffund.com. 7 to 11 p.m.

SATURDAY

Feast for the Children, 16th annual dinner of African foods and dance program; benefits the building of a school in southern Sudan; Cathedral School Guild Hall, Portland. $20; $15 for children. 829-1011. 5:30 p.m.

Japanese Disaster Relief Day, sponsored by Bath-Tsugaru Sister City Program with lap swimming from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bath Area YMCA and a silent auction with hors d’oeuvres from 5 to 8 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, Bath. Donation. 443-8330.

“Belong to the Song,” musical celebration to benefit Brunswick Rotary Club programs, Brunswick High School (Crooker Theatre). $25. belongtothesong.com. 7:30 p.m.

“Smokin’ Fun Night Out,” with M.C. Leslie Downs, The Kings of the Hill, the Maine Gay Men’s Chorus a capella group and Lady Zen, plus a silent auction; benefits the Trans Youth Equality Foundation, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland. $15. brownpapertickets.com. 7 to 10 p.m. 

SUNDAY

Have-a-Seat Auction, local artists and students have created one-of-a-kind hand-painted chairs to auction off to the highest bidder; Casco Bay High School project graduation fundraiser; Empire Dine and Dance, Portland. portlandempire.com. 1 to 4 p.m.

TUESDAY

Mason-Osann Concert and Scholarship Fundraiser, with the Gorham Chamber Singers, the Westbrook Chamber Singers and the Gorham First Parish Church Choir, Westbrook Performing Arts Center. Donation. westbrookpac.org. 7 p.m. 

• FAIRS/FESTIVALS

Cuba Week, annual celebration with art, films, food and music by the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association; various locations, Brunswick. brunswicktrinidad.org. Various times Friday to Wednesday. Through April 17.

Yarmouth Wellness Fair, local holistic and integrative health-care showcase with providers, discussions and presentations, William H. Rowe School, Yarmouth. Free. 846-3984. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. 

• SPECIAL EVENTS

TODAY

“Weaving Time: The Past and Present of Holocaust Memory in the United States,” by Natasha Goldman, adjunct professor of art history at Bowdoin College, University of Southern Maine (Abromson Community Education Center), Portland. Free. 780-4141. 4:30 p.m.

Architalx, speaker series focusing on architecture and design issues, Portland Museum of Art. $10; $8 online only. architalx.org. Andrew Freear, Alabama, 6 p.m.

Eggs and Chicks, learn the basics of raising various types of poultry, Town Office, Farmington. 645-2568. 7 p.m. 

FRIDAY

“Stars on Ice,” national touring production with Olympic, world and national champions, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. $25 to $125. 775-3458. 7:30 p.m.

Universes: “Live from the Edge,” ensemble poetry performances mixed with music, Merrill Auditorium, Portland. $36; $10 for students. porttix.com. 8 p.m.

Pecha Kucha Night, L/A Arts Gallery 5, Lewiston. $5. laarts.org. 6:20 to 8 p.m.

Rainbow Ball Weekend, dance free for high school students and chaperones; other events are scheduled during the weekend on the University of Maine campus including workshops, a pool party and a drag show competition; Machias Valley Grange Hall. Dance costs $15 each; $20 per couple. 255-1244. Various times Friday to Sunday.

Manchester Lions Home & Garden Show, Augusta Civic Center. $7; free ages 16 and younger. 622-5330. lionshomeandgardenshow.org. 4 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Portland Home Show, annual show with industry vendors, exhibitors and seminars, Portland Exposition Building. $7; free for ages 12 and younger with an adult. (800) 237-6024. 1 to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

SATURDAY

“Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock,” multi-media experience that’s a cross between “Yellow Submarine” and Dr. Seuss, Space, Portland. $8. space538.org. 2 p.m.

North Atlantic Figure Skating Club 13th Annual Show, Family Ice Center, Falmouth. $8 to $20. northatlanticfsc.org. 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.

Ukrainian Egg Decorating, Merryspring Nature Center, Camden. $30 to $35 per family. 236-2239. 10 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Victorian Tea and Fashion Show, enjoy tea, scones, sandwiches and other delights while exploring 19th-century fashions, Dorothy Stevens Community Center, West Kennebunk. $20; $10 ages 12 and under. 650-9020. Noon.

“Met Opera Live: Le Comte,” high-def broadcast of Rossini opera, Strand Theatre, Rockland. $27. 594-0070. 1 p.m.

“Met Opera Live: Le Comte,” high-def broadcast of Rossini opera, Fryeburg Academy (Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center), Fryeburg. $23, $26; $18 for students. 935-9232. 1 p.m.

Hardy Girls Healthy Women’s Girls Rock!, performance of “That Takes Overaries!: Bold Girls, Brave Acts,” One Longfellow Square, Portland. $5; free for children. hardygirlshealthywomen.org. 2 and 4 p.m.

Popcorn Saturday, children’s program with Matt Loosigian for preschool through grade 5, River Tree Arts, Kennebunk. $5; $20 per family. 967-9120. 11 a.m.

Food Preservation Techniques, hot water bath canning and freezing, Westbrook High School. $30. 854-0826. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Growing Fruit in the Home Garden, learning tour of a small farm and fruit orchard, Foxes Ridge Farm, Acton. $5. 324-2814. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. 

SUNDAY

Great Maine Bike Swap, buy or sell affordable used bicycles; USM Sullivan Gym, Portland. $3; free for ages 12 and under. bikemaine.org. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Civil War Sesquicentennial Open House, with music by The Uncalled Four, a children’s scavenger hunt and guest speaker/historian Herb Adams, Fifth Maine Regiment Museum, Peaks Island. Free/donation. 766-5514. 1 to 4 p.m.

Psychic Sunday, readings, products and services, Lucid Stage, Portland. $1 admission plus additional fees from vendors. lucidstage.com. Noon to 4 p.m.

TUESDAY

Food Preservation Techniques, hot water bath canning and freezing, Gorham Middle School. $10. 222-1095. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY

“M.O.O.S.E with Mike Harris,” storytelling humorist, Rines Auditorium, Portland Public Library. $5/donation. portlandlibrary.com. 7 p.m. (open mic); 8 p.m. (storyteller).

• FILMS

TODAY

“Wild Versus Wall,” McCormick Lecture Hall, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor. Free. coa.edu. 11 a.m. 

FRIDAY

Classic Cinema, monthly film series, St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, Falmouth. Free. 781-3366. “Sweet Smell of Success” (1957), 7 p.m.

Travelogue Film: “Ghost Towns of the Wild West,” Sawyer Memorial Auditorium, Greene. Free. 946-5311. 2 and 7 p.m.

Maine Deaf Film Festival, films written, produced, created and performed by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and film production companies, University of Southern Maine (Luther Bonney Hall), Portland. $5 to $14; free for USM students with ID. mainedeaffilmfest.com. “See What I’m Saying” (PG-13) and talk by director Hilari Scarl, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday; selected films in two sessions, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday; reception, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday; evening session, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. 

SATURDAY

“Louder than a Bomb,” 2010 documentary about Chicago’s youth poetry slam that involves more than 600 students, Strand Theatre, Rockland. 594-0070. 8 p.m. Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday.

SUNDAY

Kids Classics at Dreamland Theater, movies for children, Winter Street Center, Bath. $5/donation. sagadahocpreservation.org. “Mary Poppins” (1964), 2 p.m.

Dance in Focus, international selection of short dance films, Bowdoin College (Sills Hall), Brunswick. Free; tickets required. 725-3375. 7 p.m.

“On a Phantom Limb” and “Behind the Eyes are the Ears,” films by Nancy Andrews; fundraiser for Partners in Health; College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor. $5. coa.edu. 7 p.m. 

TUESDAY

“Good Food,” documentary about the farmers, ranchers and businesses that are creating a more sustainable food system in the Pacific Northwest, Univesity of Maine (Lincoln Auditorium), Farmington. Free. 778-7210. 7 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY

Teens Through Time, film series with teen-cenric viewpoint, Portland Public Library. Free. 871-1700. 1970s: “Cooley High” (1975), 4:30 p.m. 

• BOOKS/AUTHORS

TODAY

Dennis A. Walch, author of “The Greens of Maine,” Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook. Free. 854-0630. 5:30 p.m.

Paul Janeczko, poetry, Southwest Harbor Public Library. Free. 244-7065. 7 p.m.

Tess Gerritsen, bestselling mystery writer, York County Community College, Wells. Free. 216-4312. 6:30 p.m. 

FRIDAY

“Killer Listing,” book launch, reading and signing with author Vicki Doudera, Owl and Turtle Bookshop, Camden. Free. owlandturtle.com. 4 to 6 p.m.

Van Reid, author of “The American Zig-Zag: Volume 1!”, Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, Newcastle. $5/donation. 586-5616. 6:30 p.m. 

SATURDAY

Book Signing Event with authors Deva Fagan, Kate Perry, Jeff Romano, Sandra Leinonen Dunn, Nancy McGinnis, Jenn Greenleaf, Pond Town Poets and Ruth and Ted Bookey, Harlow Gallery, Hallowell. Free. harlowgallery.org. 1 to 3 p.m.

Book Signing with Donna Towle, author of “My Spiritual Guide for Souls,” Ave Maria Gift Shop, Portland. Free. 797-7999. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lisa Jahn-Clough, story hour with author of “Felicity & Cordelia,” Longfellow Books, Portland. longfellowbooks.com. 3 p.m. 

SUNDAY

Buddy Wakefield, poetry reading, Lucid Stage, Portland. $10, $12. lucidstage.com. 7 to 9 p.m. 

MONDAY

Lily King, author of “Father of the Rain,” “The English Teacher” and “The Pleasing Hour,” University of Southern Maine (Wishcamper Center), Portland. Free. usm.maine.edu. 7 p.m.

Pam Flowers, author of “Ellie’s Long Walk,” Bangor Public Library. Free. bangorlibrary.org. 6:30 p.m. 

TUESDAY

LunchBox Friends with poet Eleanor Steele, Falmouth Memorial Library. Free. 781-2351. Noon.

Julia Spencer-Fleming, author of “One was a Soldier,” Longfellow Books, Portland. longfellowbooks.com. 7 p.m.

Alison Bechdel, graphic novelist and award-winning cartoonist of the syndicated comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For,” University of Maine (Richard Randall Student Center), Augusta. Free. www.uma.maine.edu. 4 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY

Jennifer Moxley, author of five books of poetry, University of Southern Maine (Wishcamper Center), Portland. Free. usm.maine.edu. 7 p.m. 

• PRO SPORTS

Portland Sea Dogs, Minor League baseball, Hadlock Field, Portland. $7 to $9. portlandseadogs.com. Vs. Reading, 6 p.m. today (opening day) and Friday; 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; vs. Trenton, 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday.

Portland Pirates, AHL hockey team, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland. $11 to $17. portlandpirates.com. Vs. Springfield, 4 p.m. Sunday.

• PARTICIPANT DANCE

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

Contra Dance and Ceilidh, with The Highland Soles and guitarist Owen Marshall; benefits the Brentwood Farms Community Garden in Portland; Longfellow Elementary School, Portland. $5, $10; $25 per family. 874-8195. 7 p.m. Friday.

Spring Fling Dance, music of the ’50s to ’70s with DJ Dick Fredette, Nasson Community Center, Springvale. $10. 324-5657. 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday.

Saturday Night Dance Party, American Ballroom Dance Academy, Portland. Call for cover. 671-7644. Argentine tango lesson at 6 p.m.; group lesson at 7 p.m.; dance party 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday.

North Yarmouth Contradance, with Flowing Tide and calling by Maggie Robinson, Wescustogo Hall, North Yarmouth. $7, $10. 233-4325. 6 p.m. (dance), 7 p.m. (potluck), 7:30 (beginners), 8 to 11:30 p.m. (dance) Saturday.