TODAY
APRIL 8
Stefan Jackiw
Violinist Stefan Jackiw’s playing at a recent concert, said the Philadelphia Inquirer, was “a sound so saturated and vibrant it sounded like a living thing.” The young performer plays an all-Brahms recital in Portland tonight. A pre-concert conversation about the program begins at 6 p.m. Go to www.stefanjackiw.com and click on “music” to hear audio. Call PortTix at 842-0800 or go to www.porttix.com for tickets.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland
How much: $32; $10 for students
Noonday Concert
The Portland Conservatory of Music’s and First Parish’s final Noonday Concert of the season takes place today. The DaPonte String Quartet will perform Schubert’s String Quartet in A minor, Opus 29. Call 775-3356.
When: 12:15 p.m.
Where: First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 425 Congress St., Portland
How much: Free
Sondheim’s 80th
It’s hard to believe the man who brought us the music of “West Side Story,” “Into the Woods” and “Sweeney Todd” is 80 years old, because his music is always young. To celebrate his 80th, the folks at the University of Southern Maine’s School of Music will perform Sondheim songs as well as some songs he has said he wished he’d written. Call 780-5555 for tickets.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Corthell Concert Hall, University of Southern Maine, Gorham
How much: $15; $10 for seniors; $5 for students
Peter Mulvey
With e-mail and quick communication technologies like Twitter, the old-fashioned letter is a rarity, but not for singer/songwriter Peter Mulvey. While on the road, he has been writing his nieces and nephews regular letters since the first one was born a decade ago. Some of those letters are included in his new album, “Letters from a Flying Machine.” Go to www.petermulvey.com and click on “music” to hear audio. Call 761-1757 or go to www.onelong fellowsquare.com for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: One Longfellow Square, State and Congress streets, Portland
How much: $15 in advance; $18 at the door
Ali Mazrui
Ali Mazrui, an acclaimed academic and author on modern Africa, presents “From Othello to Obama: Is This the Dawn of the Post-Racial Age?” at the University of New England in Biddeford today. In addition to the numerous books he has written, many folks may know him as the creator of the TV series “The Africans: A Triple Heritage,” a joint project of the BBC, PBS and the Nigerian Television Authority. Go to www.une.edu for information.
When: Noon
Where: St. Francis Room, Jack Ketchum Library, University of New England, Hills Beach Road, Biddeford
How much: Free
FRIDAY
APRIL 9
Flavors of Freeport
Art, music, and most importantly, food, are the highlights of this weekend’s Flavors of Freeport. There will be food and wine tastings, demonstrations on table setting and decorating, and a big block party with live music. Go to www.flavorsoffreeport.com for information.
When: Various times Friday through Sunday
Where: Various locations, Freeport
How much: Varies by activity
German Art Song
Jenny Robinson, a native of Belfast and music faculty member at the University of Southern Maine, performs a concert of German songs by Schubert, Schumann, Strauss and Wagner on Friday. She’ll be joined by guest vocalists on some songs. Call 780-5555 for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Corthell Concert Hall, University of Southern Maine, Gorham
How much: $15; $10 for seniors; $5 for students
John Pizzarelli Quartet
Jazz guitarist and vocalist John Pizzarelli returns to Maine with his quartet Friday. They’ll be performing music from Pizzarelli’s latest album, “Rockin’ in Rhythm: A Duke Ellington Tribute.” Go to www.jonathansrestaurant.com for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Jonathan’s Restaurant, 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit
How much: $37.50
Vivid Motion
The dance company that brought us “The Nutcracker Burlesque” offers its spring dance show at the St. Lawrence Arts Center in Portland Friday through Sunday. The varied program includes numbers inspired by Bollywood, martial arts and modern dance. Go to www.vividmotion.org for tickets.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St., Portland
How much: $12; $10 for students and seniors; $5 for children ages 12 and younger
SATURDAY
APRIL 10
Old Time Sounds
Local musicians and long-time pals Dave Peloquin and Bob Webb are known in the state for their maritime-flavored collaborations, but their new album, “Sounds Like Old Times,” explores the roots of country music with songs from the 1920s to the 1950s. Go to www.aarhusgallery.com for information.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Aarhus Gallery, 50 Main St., Belfast
How much: $10 suggested donation
Jonathan Biss
Pianist Jonathan Biss performs works by Haydn, Schoenberg, Mendelssohn and Beethoven at the Rockport Opera House on Saturday. The award-winning pianist is scheduled to make his Carnegie Hall debut next season. Go to www.baychamberconcerts.org for tickets.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St.
How much: $25 to $45; $8 for ages 18 and younger
Eek-a-Mouse
At 6 feet, 6 inches tall, Ripton Hylton, aka Eek-a-Mouse, took his musical name from a race horse he used to bet on – not from an aversion to mice. The Boston Globe once called him “the Al Jarreau of reggae.” Go to www.eeksperience.com and click on “MP3s” to hear audio. This is a 21-and-older show. Go to www.portlandasylum.com for information.
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Asylum, 121 Center St., Portland
How much: $16 in advance; $18 day of show
Rock Off
The Rock Off is back, but with new organizers: Maine Academy of Modern Music, Portland Music Foundation and MaineToday.com (owned by MaineToday Media, which also publishes the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel daily newspapers, the weekly Coastal Journal in Bath and their respective Web sites).
High school bands are competing for prizes including the title of Best Young Band in Maine. The opening showcases are Saturday and Sunday, with the finals scheduled for May 1. Go to www.mainetoday.com/rockoff for information and to hear audio from competing bands. Guest band the Holy Boys Danger Club performs Sunday.
When: 12:40 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Empire Dine and Dance, 575 Congress St., Portland
How much: $12; $10 for students
Figure Skating
The Motown sound is the theme of the North Atlantic Figure Skating Club’s annual ice show on Saturday and Sunday in Falmouth. Joining local skaters is guest performer Shaquille Davis, who placed fourth in the Junior Men’s Division of the 2010 Canadian Figure Skating Championships. Go to www.northatlanticfsc.org for information.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Family Ice Center, 20 Hat Trick Drive, Falmouth
How much: $10; $7 for children and seniors; $20 premium seating
SUNDAY
APRIL 11
Chocolate Lovers’ Fling
If you didn’t get your fill of chocolate bunnies for Easter, head to the annual Chocolate Lovers’ Fling in Portland on Sunday. Fudge, truffles, mousse – you name it – will be available for tasting. The event benefits Sexual Response Services of Southern Maine. Go to www.chocolateloversfling.org for tickets and information.
When: 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Holiday Inn by the Bay, Spring Street, Portland
How much: $20; free for children ages 10 and younger
MONDAY
APRIL 12
“In Search of Memory”
Neuroscientist Eric Kandel won a Nobel Prize for his work on the brain’s storage of memories. In the documentary film “In Search of Memories,” Kandel’s work and life are used to examine how the brain stores memories and memory-related diseases. A panel discussion follows the screening. Go to www.space538.org for information.
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland
How much: $7
TUESDAY
APRIL 13
Cauchefer-Choplin
French organist Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin performs works by Bedard, Franck and Pierne on Tuesday on the Kotzschmar Organ in Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Before the performance, she’ll be casually interviewed on stage by Portland’s municipal organist, Ray Cornils. Call PortTix at 842-0800 or go to www.porttix.com for tickets. Children will be admitted for free, but tickets are required.
When: 7:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. pre-concert conversation)
Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland
How much: $20; free for children ages 12 and younger
Jack Bowen
“Don’t Believe Everything You Think.” “The Revolution Will Be Tweeted.” “Clones Are People Too.” Bumper stickers don’t just hold your car together. They’re philosophical nuggets that say oh so much about the human condition – or so says author Jack Bowen in his newly released book, “If You Can Read This: The Philosophy of Bumper Stickers.” He signs copies of and talks about the book Tuesday in Waterville. Go to www.colby.edu for information.
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Room 122, Diamond Building, Colby College, Waterville
How much: Free
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 14
Flamenco Guitar Duo
The liveliness of flamenco music is in the deft hands of two guitarists on Wednesday: New England-based Juanito Pascual and Holland-based El Periquin perform. Go to www.elperiquin.com and www.juanitopascual.com to hear audio. Call 761-1757 or go to onelongfellowsquare.com for tickets.
When: 8 p.m.
Where: One Longfellow Square, State and Congress streets, Portland
How much: $12 in advance; $15 at the door
Send questions/comments to the editors.
