Dasha Kelly Hamilton. Photo by Andrew Feller

Dasha Kelly Hamilton: Makin’ Cake
7 p.m. Thursday. Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland, pay what you can, $25 suggested. rocklandstrand.com
Former Wisconsin Poet Laureate Dasha Kelly Hamilton will be in Rockland for a storytelling voyage into the history of the U.S. by way of live conversation, digital media and a pair of on-stage bakers. “Makin ‘Cake” serves up observations about race, culture and class in an innovative way, as Kelly Hamilton expertly serves up slices of the American experience. A cake reception follows the performance.

L to R: Andrea Myles-Hunkin (Carmen Bernstein), Joe Lambert (Lt. Frank Cioffi), and Michael Donovan (Christopher Belling) in Lyric Music Theater’s “Curtains.” Photo by Linwood Leland

‘Curtains’
7:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Through April 8. Lyric Music Theater, 176 Sawyer St., South Portland, $25, $20 seniors, 12 and under. lyricmusictheater.org
Composers John Kander and Frank Ebb are the masterminds behind hit shows “Chicago” and “Cabaret,” so you can have faith that their show “Curtains” will be absolutely fabulous. The musical comedy is set at Boston’s Colonial Theater in the late ’50s. It’s opening night, and the leading lady drops dead on stage. The entire cast and crew is on the suspect list as a local detective/musical theater fan tries to crack the case. Numbers include “Show People,” “The Woman’s Dead” and “It’s Business.”

See a planetarium animated laser show featuring the music of Metallica in Portland. Peter Gudella/Shutterstock.com

Laser Metallica
8:30 p.m. Friday. Southworth Planetarium at University of Southern Maine, 70 Falmouth St., Portland, $7, $1.50 for 3D glasses. usm.maine.edu
This is quite possibly the most unique way to listen to the heavy metal tunes of Metallica, so if you’re a fan of the band, get your friends together and put this on your calendar. Laser Metallica will feature several songs from the band’s iconic catalog that you’ll hear while beneath Southworth Planetarium’s full dome. All the while, an incredible laser light animation show will unfold before your eyes. Short of seeing Metallica live, what could be cooler? Find out on Friday.

People dance at Tommy’s Park while the Ragtime Destroyers play. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Swingin’ Saturday
7:30 p.m. Saturday. Urban Farm Fermentory & Gruit Brewing Co., 200 Anderson St., Portland, free. portlandswingproject.com
Put on your dancing shoes, because the Portland Swing Project is taking over Urban Farm for a night of swing dancing. Don’t know how to swing dance? Don’t sweat it, because swing dancers tend to be friendly, and the Lindy Hop is a whole lot of fun. Live music will be provided by the Ragtime Destroyers. Come early, or stick around afterwards to imbibe some of the kombucha or cider made on site.