Greater Portland Books/Authors Wednesday 12/10 “The Historical Atlas of Maine,” discussion with editor Stephen Hornsby, 6 p.m., free, Osher Map Library, University of Southern Maine, 314 Forest Ave., Portland. Thursday 12/18 “Answers to Questions Nobody was Askin,’” reading with author Tim Sample, 6:30 p.m., free, Letterpress Books, Northgate Plaza, 91 Auburn St., Portland, 747-4232, letterpress-books.com. […]

This week’s performing arts calendar includes Christmas shows in a variety of formats and settings. Portland Symphony Orchestra will offer 12 performances of its annual seasonal spectacular, “The Magic of Christmas,” beginning Dec. 12. Portland Ballet’s “Victorian Nutcracker,” the company’s signature take on the terpsichorean Christmas classic, runs for three performances in two cities beginning […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors Wednesday 12/3 “Dream Singer,” reading and discussion with author Frank O. Smith, 6:30 p.m., free, Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main St., Cumberland, 829-2215. Thursday 12/4 “Poet Coyote,” live composition and readings by four poets, 6 p.m., University of New England, Art Gallery, 716 Stevens Ave., Portland, 221-4499. Sunday 12/7 “Sea Wings,” reading […]

Every December it’s hard to avoid the sonic tsunami of “Jingle Bells,” “Santa’s Coming To Town” and a wealth of other popular Christmas tunes. But finding a treasure trove of traditional music for the Advent season is a bit harder. But it’s do-able here in southern Maine, and this week I’m featuring three outstanding opportunities […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” and “A Christmas Memory,” costumed reading by local actors, Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., $10, children $5, First Congregational Church, 301 Cottage Road, South Portland. “Dream Singer,” reading and discussion with author Frank O. Smith, 6:30 p.m., free, Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main […]

As we move toward the end of November, the performing arts calendar segues toward Christmas. Let’s start this week’s look at my picks of the tix with two shows that have nothing to do with Christmas, then segue into three that do. “Oliver!” is an exemplar of classic musical theater. In South Portland, Lyric Music […]

Greater Portland Books/Authors Wednesday 11/19 “When You Hold a Patient’s Hand,” reception with author Dr. Stuart Gilbert, 7-8:30 p.m., free, Cancer Community Center, 778 Main St., South Portland, 774-2200. Friday 11/21 “River Talk,” discussion with local author C.B. Anderson, noon to 1 p.m., free, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Square, Portland, 871-1700 ext. 705. Film […]

Diverse brands of popular music continue to top my personal A&E charts this weekend. On Friday, an ensemble of jazz professors from the University of Southern Maine School of Music will hold forth on the Gorham campus. Their show is titled “Not Your Grandfather’s Jazz.” Crowd-wise, the biggest draw will be the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s […]

Greater Portland Auditions/Calls for Art “Miniatures,” call for small works of art in all media, to be displayed during holiday season, Constellation Gallery, $5 entry fee, gallery@constellationart.com. Books/Authors Thursday 11/13 “The Republic of Pirates,” reading and book signing with author Colin Woodard, 6:30 p.m., Letterpress Books, 91 Auburn St., Portland, 747-4232. Tuesday 11/18 “In a […]

An intriguing variety of popular music dominates this week’s picks of the tix in Portland, with artists ranging from singer-songwriters to rock ensembles. All are booked into a trio of Congress Street venues that are within a few minutes walk of each other. Maybe they should parade down Congress Street. Pieta Brown, a singer-songwriter with […]