• CLASSICAL MUSIC
The Portland Conservatory of Music presents Noonday Concerts, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland, $5 suggested donation. portlandconservatory.net. Karger Scholars and aspiring artists, 12:15 p.m. Thursday.
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Symphonic Band Concert, University of Maine, Orono, Collins Center for the Arts, $12. umaine.edu/spa. 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
DaPonte String Quartet Winter Series II: Old World/New World, Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Thomaston, $20, under 21 free. daponte.org. Works by Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Dvorak, 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Cellist Jan Muller-Szeraws and pianist Ya-Fei Chuang, program will include pieces by Johannes Brahms and Samuel Barber, Hebron Academy Lepage Center for the Arts, free. 966-5266. Intimate evening of premier chamber music, 7:30 p.m. Friday.
DaPonte String Quartet Winter Series II: Old World/New World, Lincoln Theater, Damariscotta, $20, under 21 free. daponte.org. Works by Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Dvorak, 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Bowdoin Department of Music Chamber Ensemble, Bowdoin College, Studzinski Recital Hall, Brunswick, free. 798-4141. 12:30 p.m. Friday.
Allen Wong, Bowdoin College Chapel, Brunswick, free. 798-4141. Student piano recital, 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Choral Arts Society presents “Christmas at the Cathedral,” Portland Brass Quintet will join in on some pieces and will play some holiday favorites, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland, $22 to $35; $5 youth in advance; choralart.org. Works include Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols,” Noon and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
DaPonte String Quartet Winter Series II: Old World/New World, Portland Public Library Rines Auditorium, $20, under 21 free. daponte.org. Works by Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Dvorak, 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Portland Ovations presents Richard Stoltzman, David Deveau and Sarah Shafer; clarinet, piano and operatic singing; Hannaford Hall, University of Southern Maine, Portland, $10-$40. portlandovations.org. 3 p.m. Saturday.
Early Music in the Chapel Series, with tenor Timothy Neill Johnson-Tenor, soprano Erin Chenard-Soprano and lute player Timothy Burris, Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland, $15, $10 students and seniors, free for under 17, baroquelute.com. Carols from the Baroque period, 7 p.m. Saturday.
Sheepscot Valley Chorus Holiday Concert, Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, $12 advance, $15 door. sheepscotvalleychorus.org. Features the Christmas Oratorio of Camille Saint-Saens, 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
Bowdoin Chamber Choir, Bowdoin College Chapel, Brunswick, free. 798-4141. Scottish-themed music with guest fiddler Bonnie Rideout and pianist George Lopez, 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Bowdoin Chorus presents “Black Nativity,” a retelling of the classic Christmas story with traditional carols sung in gospel style, created by Langston Hughes, Bowdoin College, Studzinski Recital Hall, Brunswick, free. 798-4141. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
Christmas Prelude: 1854 Hook Organ Candlelight Concert, reception with refreshments follows the concert, First Congregational Church, Kennebunkport, donations accepted. firstchurchkennebunkport.com. Christmas music with a medley of musicians, 4 p.m. Sunday.
Yuletide Choral Concert, University of Maine, Orono, Collins Center for the Arts, $12. umaine.edu/spa. 2 p.m. Sunday.
DaPonte String Quartet Winter Series II: Old World/New World, Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church, Topsham, $20, under 21 free. daponte.org. Works by Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Dvorak, 3 p.m. Sunday.
“The Journey to Bethlehem” Advent vespers program, First Congregational Church UCC, South Portland. fccucc.org. Evening of music by solos and small groups, 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Voxx Choral Ensemble, Harbor Square Gallery, Rockland, $10. harborsquaregallery.com. Featuring selected works from “Mary, Mother and Child,” 1 p.m. Sunday.
Chamberfest: Bowdoin College Student Chamber Ensemble, Studzinski Recital Hall, Brunswick, free. 798-4141. 4 and 7:30 p.m. Monday.
• DANCE
Maine State Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” cast of nearly 300 dancers, Merrill Auditorium, Portland, $20-$60. porttix.com. Cast of nearly 300 dancers, 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tina Titzer’s Act One Dance Company, many styles of dance featured, Fryeburg Academy Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, $12, $8 for under 12. 935-4020. “Festival of Dance” and “The Nutcracker Sweets,” 7 p.m. Saturday.
“Intricate Glances Will Meet Here,” Bates College, Edmund S. Muskie Archives, Lewiston. 786-6161. Senior thesis piece by Colleen Fitzgerald blends tango and modern elements, 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Men of the Strip, Asylum, Portland, $15, 18-plus. portlandasylum.com. Male dance revue featuring Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, 9 p.m. Dec. 12.
Fall Dance Showcase, University of Maine, Orono, Hauck Auditorium, $10. umaine.edu/spa. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12.
• THEATER
Theater at Monmouth presents “This Wonderful Life,” Cumston Hall, Monmouth, $20-$30. theaterat monmouth.org. Steve Murray’s adaptation of Frank Capra’s holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 1 and 7:30 p.m.; 1 p.m. Sunday.
“Broadway at Good Theater,” songs from such shows as “A New Brain,” “Cinderella” “A Christmas Carol,” “How to Succeed,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “The Secret Garden,” “Lady in the Dark,” “Elf,” “She Loves Me,” “Wonderful Town,” “Gigi” and “Striking 12,” St. Lawrence Arts Center, Portland, $25-$30. good theater.com. 7 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 p.m. Friday; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
“The Snow Queen,” beloved fairy tale of devotion, bravery and the triumph of love, Portland Stage Company, $35-$45, $15 for children under 15. portlandstage.org. 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; noon and 5 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Dec. 12. Through Dec. 22.
David Sedaris’ “The Santaland Diaries,” Portland Stage Company Studio Theater, $20-$25. portlandstage.org. Hilarious tale of Crumpet, a Macy’s store elf. For mature audiences only. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Through Dec. 22.
“The Gift of the Magi,” holiday musical set in the ’40s, The Footlights, Falmouth. $15-$18, pay what you can Thursdays, thefootlightsinfalmouth.com. 7 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Dec. 12.
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” presented by Our Theatre Company, Nasson Community Center Little Theatre, Springvale, $10, $8 seniors, kids 12 and under. myotc.org. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 15.
“The Sound of Music,” Portland Players, South Portland, $20, $18 seniors, $15 students. portlandplayers.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
“Annie,” Lyric Music Theater, South Portland, $21.99, $17.99 seniors. lyricmusictheater.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 21.
Portland Playback Improv Theater, improvisors re-enact audience member stories on stage using metaphor, song, movement and fairy tales, Community Television Network (CTN), Portland, $7 suggested donation. portlandplayback.com. Theme: “Welcoming,” 7:30 p.m. Friday.
“A Christmas Carol: The Musical,” presented by L/A Community Little Theatre, Great Falls Performing Arts Center, Auburn, $18, $15 seniors, $12 for 12 and under. laclt.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12. Through Dec. 15.
“The WFCP Home Time Radio Hour 2013,” presented by Freeport Players, Freeport Performing Arts Center at the high school, $10 advance, $15 door. fcponline.org. Music from the 1940s to early ’60s mixes with classic comedy and new radio plays, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
“The Dybbuk of Park Slope,” Acorn Studio Theater, Westbrook, $15, $12 for 12 and under. acorn-productions.org. Play about finding your spirituality in the complex 21st-century world, 7:30 p.m. Friday. and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Through Dec. 29.
“A Magical Christmas 2013,” presented by the Original Peacox Productions, professional touring theater troupe known for artful male and female impersonations, Hallowell City Hall Auditorium, $10. peacoxproductions.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Through Dec. 14.
“A Christmas Carol: The New Musical Tale,” two-person musical, Clay Hill Farm Restaurant, Cape Neddick, $18, $15 matinees. clayhillfarm.com. 2 p.m. Sunday; 6 p.m. Wednesday. Through Dec. 22.
“A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” The Footlights, Falmouth, $10. thefootlightsinfalmouth.com. Starring David LaGraffe and Claudia Hughes, 7 p.m. Monday.
Mad Horse Theatre’s “By Local” play reading series, Madhorse Theater at The Hutchins School, South Portland, $10 suggested donation. madhorse.com. “Alligator Road” by Callie Kimball, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12.
• MUSEUMS
OPENING
Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport: “Underfoot: Footwear, Hooked Rugs, In the Cellar and Below Decks,” penobscotmarinemuseum.org. Opening reception and holiday party, 4 to 7 p.m. Friday. Through Feb. 22.
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Portland Museum of Art: Ahmed Alsoudani: “Redacted,” paintings and drawings by New York-based Iraqi artist and MECA graduate, through Feb. 2; Winslow Homer’s “Civil War,” wood engravings and prints from Homer’s days as an artist with the Union Army, through Sunday; “Piece Work: 2013 Portland Museum of Art Biennial,” new and recent work by living artists, through Jan. 5; “9 Walks,” video projections by Amy Stacey Curtis exploring movement in time and space via the motif of a walk in the woods, through Jan. 5; Jason Rogenes “J480N R063N38,” installation of large-scale sculptural forms in the PMA family space, through Jan. 5. portlandmuseum.org
Maine Jewish Museum, Portland: “Beings,” sculptures by Eva Goetz and Nanci Khan. treeoflifemuseum.org. Through Dec. 24.
Saco Museum: “The Holly and The Ivy: Festival of Trees,” through Dec. 29. dyerlibrarysacomuseum.org
Maine Historical Society/Longfellow House, Portland: “This Rebellion: Maine and the Civil War,” photographs, letters, maps, artifacts and memorabilia, through May 26. mainehistory.org
Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick: “Breakthrough: Work by Contemporary Chinese Artists,” artwork by eight pioneering Chinese women, through Dec. 22; “This Mighty Scourge of War,” art of the Civil War, through Jan. 5. “Regarding the Forces of Nature: From Alma Thomas to Yayoi Kusama,” through March 9. “A World of Objects,” small and rarely seen objects from diverse collections. Through June 8. bowdoin.edu/art-museum
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, Bowdoin College, Brunswick: “Robert E. Peary and His Northern World,” through Dec. 31; “Animal Allies: Inuit Views of the Northern World,” through Jan. 6; “Spirits of Land, Air, and Water: Antler Carvings from the Robert and Judith Toll Collection,” through Feb. 23. bowdoin.edu/ arctic-museum
Maine Maritime Museum, Bath: “Going Coastal: Humor, Parody and Amusement of a Maritime Nature,” through June 1. mainemaritimemuseum .org
Bates College Museum of Art, Lewiston: “Redefining the Multiple: 13 Japanese Printmakers” and “Selections from Berenice Abbott’s ‘Portrait of Maine,’ ” through Dec. 14. bates.edu
Colby Museum of Art, Waterville: “Nowhere But Here,” works by Marsden Hartley, Arthur Dove, Elizabeth Murray, Ben Pier and others, through Jan. 5; “The Lunder Collection,” works by Whistler, Homer, O’Keefe and many more American masters, plus “Spaces and Places” and “American Weathervanes,” through June 8. colby.edu/museum
Maine State Museum, Augusta: “Maine Voices from the Civil War,” letters, documents, diaries, sketches, paintings, flags and other objects from the Civil War period, through May 2015. mainestatemuseum.org
Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland: “The Wonderful World of Oz,” exhibition drawn from the world’s most comprehensive collection of Oz materials, based in Maine, through March; “Temperas and Watercolors” by Andrew Wyeth, through April 30; “Every Picture Tells a Story: N.C. Wyeth Illustrations from the Brandywine River Museum,” through Dec. 29; “American Treasures: Maine Voices,” views of Maine through art by N.C. Wyeth, Louise Nevelson, Alex Katz and more, through Dec. 29; “A Wondrous Journey: Jonathan Fisher and the Making of Scripture Animals,” through Jan. 5. farnsworthmuseum.org
Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor: “Wabanaki Guides,” the legacy of Wabanaki people serving as guides for European and American explorers, cartographers, tourists and artists from the 1600s to present, through December. abbemuseum.org
University of Maine Museum of Art, Bangor: Sachiko Akitama, “On Finding Home,” figures carved from wood and finished with painted surfaces; “From the Shadows,” black and white photographs by Susan Burnstine and Lynn Saville. umma. umaine.edu. Through Jan. 4.
Brick Store Museum, Kennebunk: “Art of the Barn,” presented by Heartwood College of Art, artists’ interpretations of local barns, through Dec. 28. brickstoremuseum.org
• ART GALLERIES
OPENINGS/RECEPTIONS
Camden Public Library: Clarity Robert and Su.Sane Hake “Fey Fairy Fey,” opening reception, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with performance art and music by Gabrielle’s Sounds, 236-3440. Through Dec. 31.
Townsend Real Estate & Art Gallery, South Portland: Paintings by Jack Riddle, 842-9200. Opening reception 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Courthouse Gallery Fine Art, Ellsworth: “Small Works 2013,” courthousegallery.com. Holiday open house 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Through Dec. 24.
Susan Maasch Fine Art, Portland: “8 Women Abstract Artists,” 8 x 8-inch works by local artists, susanmaaschfine art.com. Opening reception 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 31.
Harlow Gallery, Harpswell: Kennebec Valley Art Association “8x10x100” Art Exhibition; proceeds support arts programming, pieces sell for $100. harlowgallery.org. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 28.
Daunis Fine Jewelry, Portland: Brita Holmquist “Water Notes,” small, bold oil paintings. daunis.com. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 31.
Constellation Gallery, Portland: Maine Artists Collective “Alchemy of Light,” paintings, mixed media, photography and digital art with the theme of light. constellationart.com. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 29.
Fore Street Gallery, Portland: Paul Black “New Portland Paintings,” 874-8084. Opening reception 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 31.
Elizabeth Moss Gallery, Falmouth: “Just What You’ve Always Wanted,” paintings, photographs, mixed media and more, elizabethmossgalleries.com. Opening reception 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 12.
Mainely Frames and Gallery, Portland: William Harrison, pen and ink drawings, mainelyart.com. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 31.
Portland Public Library: Southern Maine Community College Student Work Exhibition, self-portraits in charcoal. portlandlibrary.com. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 31.
Green Hand Bookshop, Portland: “Portraits of Recently Extinct Birds of the Eastern United States” by Jada Fitch. 253-6808. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Feb. 4.
A Fine Thing: Edward T. Pollack Fine Arts, Portland: Works by Wyatt Barr, Kimberly Convery, Clint Fulkerson and Rollin Leonard. 699-2919. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Showing into January; closing TBA.
Grapheteria Gallery, Portland: “Our Beautiful Planet,” photography by George Petkov. thegrapheteria.com. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 31.
Waterfall Arts, Belfast: “Rusty Bits” metal show and sale; and paintings by Sandy Balmforth. waterfallarts.org. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 22.
Monkitree, Gardiner: “REVISION,” Matthew Demers and Allison McKeen. monkitree.com. Opening reception 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday. Through Feb. 1.
Local Sprouts Cooperative, Portland: Large drawings and paper cuts by Kelly Sue and Bones Kim. First Friday celebration, with music by Blood Warrior, Even Parker, McKay Belk and Nick Robles, localsprouts.coop. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday.
Artwalk Gardiner, dozens of area artists and artisans exhibit their work in studios, shops and storefronts, 582-6600. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Kingfield Friday Artwalk: 939-6518. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Gallery Framing, Brunswick: “Maine 10” Art Show, Sylvia Dyer, Shirley Lewis, Mary Truesdell, Leslie Emerson, Susan Rayfield Wood and Wayne Robbins; galleryframinginc.com. Opening reception noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Through Dec. 27.
Greenhut Galleries, Portland: “The Holiday Show,” festive group show with works by more than 40 artists, greenhutgalleries.com. Opening reception 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Through Dec. 28.
Yarmouth Frame and Gallery, Yarmouth: “Small Works Holiday Show,” art by more than 60 artists. yarmouthframeandgallery.com. Opening reception 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Through Jan. 31.
Falmouth Memorial Library, Falmouth: Carol Tanner, www.falmouth.lib.me.us. Opening reception noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Boothbay Region Art Foundation Gallery, Boothbay Harbor: “Art in the Square,” 12 x 12-inch original artwork on canvas by local artists, proceeds benefit the student and scholarship fund, 633-2703. Artist and public reception 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Through Jan. 5.
Richard Boyd Gallery, Peaks Island: “Holiday Offerings 2013,” selection of original works by regional artists working in a variety of media and styles. richardboydartgallery.com. Through Dec. 31.
5RAA Arts Downtown & All Around Exhibit and Sale: Art studios, galleries, museums and group shows with musicians; paintings, clay, textiles, wood pieces, jewelry, mixed media, baskets and more, Brunswick and Bowdoinham. 5raa.org. Friday through Sunday.
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Saccarappa Art Collective, Westbrook: Chuck Thompson, “Maine Plein Air Landscapes,” with several other guest artists. 591-7300. Through Saturday.
Gleason Fine Art, Portland: “Eye Catchers,” annual holiday show featuring folk artist Jeff Barrett, through Dec. 28. gleasonfineart.com
Aarhus Gallery, Belfast: 7th annual Extravaganza, smaller artworks and a wide range of creative craft work from more than 70 Maine artists. aarhusgallery.com. Through Dec. 24.
York Public Library: “The Collector’s Choice,” photographs, lithographs, paintings and more by several artists. www.york.lib.me.us. Through Jan. 3.
Markings Gallery, Bath: “Wearable Art,” Maine weavers, felters and jewelers. markingsgallery.com. Through Dec. 31.
Rose Contemporary, Portland: “Moonlit,” photographs by Luc Demers. rosecontemporary .com. Through Dec. 31.
The DaVinci Experience Art Gallery, Falmouth: First Anniversary Show, paintings and photography by established local artists and emerging artists. davinciexperience.com. Through Jan. 9.
June Fitzpatrick Gallery at MECA, Portland: “Pots,” 15th annual studio pottery exhibit, works by Paul Heroux, Susan Dewsnap and Sequoia Miller. 699-5083. Through Dec. 14.
Studio 53 Fine Art Gallery, Boothbay Harbor: “Gifts for Giving ’13,” showcase of original works of fine art, sculpture and fine crafts. 380-7554. Through Dec. 18.
Red Door Pottery Studio and Gallery Shop, Kittery: “Home for the Holidays,” show of local crafts and curiosities. reddoorpottery.com. Through Dec. 15.
Frost Gully Gallery, Freeport: Dahlov Ipcar, show of 20 new paintings, frostgullygallery .com. Through Dec. 28.
The Hive and Heartwood College of Art, Kennebunk: “100 Birds for Haiti,” 100 works or art portraying birds from local artists are being sold for $100, with half of the proceeds benefiting Partners in Development, an organization devoted to the emergency feeding of children in Haiti, thehivekennebunk.com. Through Dec. 31.
PhoPa Gallery, Portland: Steven Laxton: “Circo El Salvador,” images of traveling circus families. phopa gallery.com. Through Dec. 28.
University of New England Art Gallery, Portland: Joe Guertin “A Graphic Designer Remembered,” une.edu/artgallery. Through Jan. 26.
Maine College of Art Institute of Contemporary Art, Portland: 2013 Maine College of Art Faculty Exhibition, featuring Sascha Braunig, Hilary Irons, Samantha Haedrich and Peter Simensky. meca.edu. Through Dec. 22.
Gold/Smith Gallery, Boothbay Harbor: “The Seasons,” new paintings by John Vander, goldsmithgallery.net. Through Dec. 24.
University of New England Campus Center, Biddeford: Michael Vickery, “Progressions in Time and Space: Traditional and 3D-printed Media,” 284-6394. Through Jan. 15.
Gleason Fine Art, Boothbay Harbor: New sculptures by Jeff Barrett, gleasonfineart.com. Through Jan. 4.
Eastern Tire Gallery, Rockland: “9 Lively Ladies 9 x 9 Show,” works by Lois Anne, Lolly Clayton, Nancy Fitzgerald, Elizabeth O’Haverty, Deb Winship, Rebecca Thompson, Edith LaRoche, Stell Shevis and Marietta Raveri. 594-5250. Through Dec. 31.
Savory Maine, Damariscotta: Viola Glendinning, vistas in oil. savorymainedining.com. Through Jan. 7.
Fryeburg Academy, Pace Galleries of Art, “Fryeburg Fair Portraits-Ambrotypes” by David Puntel, also includes portraits by Rachel Andrews Damon and vintage portraits from O.B. Denison. fryeburgacademy.org. Through Dec. 20.
Schoolhouse Gallery, Kingfield: “River Reflections – Maine Woods Mirror,” photographs by John Orcutt. schoolhouseartgallery.com. Through Jan. 3.
Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick: Jym St. Pierre, “Maine Landsc[r]apes,” photographs. curtislibrary.com. Through Dec. 12.
Maine Fiberarts, Topsham: Quilted Assemblages by Donald Talbot and Beatrice Gilbert, mainefiberarts.org. Through Dec. 31.
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