First Parish in Portland, Unitarian Universalist, will present its 83rd annual “Pageant of the Nativity” at 4:45 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 13 in the historic Meeting House at 425 Congress St., in downtown Portland. The pageant features a cast of nearly 80 people, is told by music and scripture, with no words spoken by the actors. The nondenominational pageant is free and open to the public.
Harvey Reid, author of “The Wreck of the Isidore,” 5-7 p.m., Lovell Designs, 26 Exchange St., Portland, 828-5303, www.woodpecker.com.
Debra Spark, author of “Good for Jews,” and Melissa Senate author of “The Secret of Joy,” book signing and discussion, 10 a.m., Prince Memorial Library, 266 Main St., Cumberland, 829-2215.
Jean Mary Flahive, author of “Billy Boy: The Sunday Soldier of the 17th Maine,” 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., with Civil War reenactors, L.L. Bean, Main St., Freeport.
“The Territorial World of Maine Lobstermen,” presentation by K. Stephens, author of “The Ghost Trap,” and Maine lobsterman, Ryan Post, 1-3 pm., Sherman’s Books & Stationery, Main St., Freeport, www.theghosttrap.com.
Kevin Kelly, author of “Entertaining Your Indoor Cat,” 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., Nonesuch Books & Cards, Mill Creek Shopping Center, 50 Market St., South Portland, 799-2659.
Colin Sargent, “Museum of Human Beings,” 12-3 p.m., L.L Bean Retail Store, Maine St., Freeport, www.llbean.com.
Jane Freeberg, author of children’s book, “The Scallop Christmas,” 11 a.m. -3 p.m., L.L. Bean, Main St., Freeport.
“The Way We Get By,” documentary film, 7 p.m., free/ donations welcome to send to troops in Iraq, Yarmouth High School Performing Arts Center, 286 Elm St., Yarmouth, for list of requested items for donation call David, 846-5535.
“John Marin: Let the Paint be Paint!” documentary film, 6:30 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. Saturday, $7, Portland Museum of Art, Seven Congress Square, Portland, advance tickets, www.portlandmuseum.org.
“Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” 12 p.m., by donation, Southworth Planetarium, USM Portland, 780-4249.
“Red Cliff,” 7:30 p.m., Space Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland, 828-5600, www.space538.org.
“Psychogeography,” digital art by USM students, 5-7 p.m. opening reception, exhibit through Dec. 19, Open Concepts Gallery and Studios, 50 Cove St., Portland, entrance through J.S. Ritters Jewelry, Jan Piribeck, 780-5276.
“Shaping the Terrain: Digital Mapping of Portland Public Art Spaces,” digital maps by USM students, 5-7 p.m. opening reception, exhibit through Dec. 19 by appointment, Running With Scissors Gallery and Studio, 50 Cove St., Portland, Ariette Scott, 650-8661.
Royal River Art League Holiday Show, work of 17 local artists, 6-8 p.m. opening reception, exhibit through Feb. 10; 317 Main Street, Yarmouth, sponsored by Yarmouth Arts and 317 Main Street, 846-6264.
“Say Goodbye and Other Emotions,” encaustic and oil paintings by Julie Vohs, 6:30- 8 artist’s opening, followed by Swing Dance with the Delta Knights, hosted by DJPJ, Northstar Music Cafe, 225 Congress St., Portland, 699-2994.
Addison Woolley at Studio 203A, Artful Gifts, artwork by Addison Woolley artists, The Peregrine Press and Bakery Building studio artists, exhibit and sale through Dec. 11, The Bakery Building, 61 Pleasant St., 203A, Portland, 450-8499, www.addisonwoolley.com.
Artist & Craftsman Supply, “View from a Paintbrush,” artwork by Jansen Hairsine, through December, 540 Deering Ave., Portland, 772-7272, www.artistcraftsman.com.
Aucocisco Gallery, “December Trifecta,” artwork by Scott Davis, Ken Greenleaf, Richard Van Buren, through Dec. 26; 89 Exchange St., Portland, 775-2222 or www.aucocisco.com.
Cygnet Gallery, “Affordable Art” Holiday Show, 568 Congress St., Portland, 251-9925.
Elizabeth Moss Gallery, 27 Gorham Road, Scarborough; 251 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth, 781-2620, www.elizabethmossgalleries.com.
Falmouth Memorial Library, Historic Portland Photography Exhibit by Richard D. Bicknell, through Dec. 28; 5 Lunt Road, Falmouth, 781-2351.
Fore River Gallery, “The Gift of Art,” affordable artwork by local artists, through Dec. 28; 613 Congress St., Portland, 252-6728.
Gleason Fine Art Portland, two exhibits, “The Figure,” by Don Justin Meserve, “Into Winter,” by by contemporary and estate artists, through Dec. 31; 545 Congress St., Portland, 699-5599 info@gleasonfineart.com.
Greenhut Galleries, “Above & Below,” through Jan. 10; 146 Middle St., Portland, 772-2693.
Haitian Photo Exhibit, through Dec. 23, Portland City Hall, first floor rotunda, 389 Congress St., Portland, hosted by Konbit Sante, www.healthyhaiti.org.
June Fitzpatrick Gallery at MECA, 11th annual exhibit of studio pottery, through Dec. 19; 522 Congress St., Portland, 699-5083.
June Fitzpatrick Gallery, 112 High St., Portland, 772-1961, www.JuneFitzpatrickGallery.com.
The Maine Potters Market, Special Edition Ornaments, by 15 Maine potters, through Dec. 24; 376 Fore St., Portland, Anne Samson, 774-1633.
“Maine Women: Living on the Land,” photography by Lauren Shaw, open house times 12-7 p.m., through Dec. 18, Coastal Studies for Girls, 308 Wolfe’s Neck Road, Freeport, 865-9700, www.coastalstudiesforgirls.org.
Merrill Memorial Library, “Mostly Maine Meanderings,” watercolors by Happy Marsh, through Jan. 2; 215 Main St., Yarmouth, 846-4763.
Thomas Memorial Library, “Painting The Town,” paintings of Cape Elizabeth by Emily Keith and Bill Barton, through December, Scott Dyer Road, Cape Elizabeth.
“Christmas at Victoria Mansion,” daily self-guided tours 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., through Jan. 3, $15 adult/ $13 senior or AAA/ $7 mansion members/ $5 ages 6-17/ $35 family ticket, Victoria Mansion, 109 Danforth St., Portland, 772-4841, www.victoriamansion.org.
Portland Museum of Art, “Evolution: Five Decades of Printmaking by David C. Driskell,” on view through Jan. 17, 2010; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; and 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday; free on Fridays 5-9 p.m., Seven Congress Square, Portland, 775-6148 ext. 3244 or www.portlandmuseum.org.
New York Night Train SOUL CLAP Dance-Off and Soul Party!, Space Gallery, 9 p.m., $5; 538 Congress St., Portland, tickets, Bull Moose Music locations and www.space538.org.
Portland Public Schools Orchestra Winter Concert, 7 p.m., free and open to public, Portland High School, John Ford Auditorium, 284 Cumberland Ave., Portland, Julianne Eberl, 615-1244.
Darol Anger’s Yulegrass: A Winter Party, with seasonal music, traditional refreshments, 8 p.m., $22 advance/ $25 door, One Longfellow Square, 181 State St., Portland, 761-1757, www.onelongfellowsquare.com.
Holiday Concert, performance by Musica de Filia Girlchoir and Women’s Choir, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, $10 adults/ $5 students or seniors, South Portland High School auditorium, 139 Highland Ave., South Portland, advance tickets, Starbird Music, Portland, Nonesuch Books, Millcreek, South Portland, 807-2158.
“Hodie,” seasonal concert by St. Mary Schola, 4 p.m., $20, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth, tickets, stmaryschola.org, 781-3366.
“Annual Messiah Sing-Along,” a concert by Choral Art Society, 7:30 p.m., suggested donation $5/ non-perishable food item to benefit Project FEED, St. Patrick’s Church, 1342 Congress St., Portland, 828-0043, www.choralart.org.
Company of Thieves, with Annuals, 7 p.m., $10 advance/ $12 door, VIP seated $20, 21+, Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland, www.portcitymusichall.com.
Holiday Concert, Greely High School Chorus and Madrigal Chorus, 7 p.m., free/donations accepted, Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main St., Yarmouth, 829-4805.
“Sing Along with Robert Russell and Choral Arts Members,” Noonday Concerts, 12:15 p.m., free and open to the public, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress St., Portland, presented by Portland Conservatory of Music, 775-3356.
“Christmas at Holy Grounds,” Christmas carols with Justin Havu, Randsomed from The Rock Church, Danielle from The Vinyard, 6:30 p.m., Church of the Holy Spirit, 1047 Congress St., Portland, Deborah King, 799-5357.
“Christmas with Renaissance Voices,” 8 p.m., $15 door/ $12 advance tickets at Starbird Music in Portland, Books Etc. in Falmouth, or www.RenaissanceVoices.org, free for students; reception to follow concert, Cathedral of St. Luke, 143 State St., Portland, 729-4958.
“Les Sorciers Perdus” with Mark Tipton, Working Artist’s Studio “The Awesome Treehouse,” 8 p.m., $7 door, 107 Hanover St., Portland.
“A Winter Concert” by Wescustogo Youth Chorale, 4 p.m., $10 adult/ $5 senior or student, Freeport Performing Arts Center, Holbrook St., Freeport, Leigh Palmer, 846-0705 or www.wescustago.org.
“A Christmas Carol,” presented by Old Port Playhouse, 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. matinee Saturdays and Sundays; Dec. 3-20, $18/$15, Old Port Playhouse, 19 Temple St., Portland, 773-0333, www.oldportplayhouse.com.
“PSO’s Magic of Christmas,” a Portland Symphony Orchestra production, Dec. 11-13; Dec. 18-20; 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays; extra show Dec. 18 at 2 p.m., $25 and up, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland, tickets, www.porttix.com, box office at 20 Myrtle St., Portland, 842-0800.
“The Nutcracker Burlesque,” presented by Vivid Motion Inc., 8 p.m., Thursday – Monday, Dec. 17-21, $12, adults only, The St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress St., Portland, tickets, www.nutcrackerburlesque.com and at Bull Moose Music locations.
Portland International Folk Dance, 7-9 p.m., $5 adult/ $3 child, Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave., Portland, bring holiday snacks to share, 856-6415, 774-7119.
Randy Spencer, author of “Where Cool Waters Flow: Four Seasons with a Master Maine Guide,” 3-5 p.m., Gulf of Maine Book Shop, 134 Maine St., Brunswick.
“Troubled Water,” TGIF film series, Norwegian with English subtitles, 1:30 p.m., Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St., Bath, 443-5141.
“Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders LIVE with Elizabeth Vargas,” documentary film, 7:30 p.m., $12.50, Regal-Brunswick 10, 19 Gurnet Rd, Brunswick, advance tickets, www.FathomEvents.com/doctorswithoutborders.
Just Framing, “Winter Show,” by Maine 10 artist collective, through December, 149 Front St., Bath.
Maine Maritime Museum, open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., 243 Washington St., Bath, 443-1316 or www.mainemaritimemuseum.org.
Bellamafia Holiday Concert, a cappella group, 7 p.m., free, Bowdoin Chapel, Bowdoin College, 725-3375.
“A Ceremony of Lessons and Carols,” presented by St. Cecilia Chamber Choir, 3 p.m., $10 advance/ $12 door, free for students and children, Bowdoin College Chapel, Brunswick, www.ceciliachoir.org, Linda Blanchard, 380-2768.
“Mistletoe Madness, A Holiday Cabaret,” with Lynne McGhee and pianist Barbara Cook, to benefit The Coastal Humane Society, 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, $10 advance/ $15 door, The Harpswell Merriconeag Grange, U.S. Rt. 123, Harpswell, tickets, 833-6436.
The Coastal Youth Orchestra Annual Winter Concert, 7 p.m., free and open to the public, donations accepted, Orion Performing Arts Center, Topsham, Nancy Roderick, 729-5156 or nancyrod@gwi.net.
Solstice and Seasonal Music with Castlebay, 7:30 p.m., $10, Unitarian Universalist Church, 15 Pleasant St., Brunswick, www.castlebay.net, 729-8515.
Holiday Classical Guitar Concert, with Brian Cullen and David Bullard, 8 p.m., $10 advance/ $10 door, Frontier Cafe, 14 Main St., Brunswick, 725-5222.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” presented by The Theater Project, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 11-20, by donation, suggested price $6, The Theater Project, 14 School St., Brunswick, www.theaterproject.com, 729-8584.
“Scrooge the Musical,” presented by Studio Theatre of Bath, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday; through Dec. 13, Chocolate Church, Washington St., Bath, tickets, 442-8455, chocolatechurcharts.org.
“Scrooge the Musical,” presented by Studio Theatre of Bath, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 13, Chocolate Church, Washington St., Bath, tickets, 442-8455, chocolatechurcharts.org.