Monday
The Free Street Taverna, at 128 Free Street in Portland, presents a free hip-hop open mic night hosted by Boondox. Sign up is at 8 p.m., and the rapping commences shortly thereafter. Ages 21 and over are welcome. Call 772-5483 for more information.
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Tuesday
Theatre
The USM Theatre Department presents two student-written one act plays at the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center, 76 Congress Street, Portland, Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. “Ghosting” by Michael Toth and “Goin’ to Graceland” by M. Calien Lewis will be performed back-to-back with an intermission. Each play runs about 45 minutes. Tickets are $5 for students, $7 for seniors, and $10 for the general public. For reservations and information, call the USM theater box office at 780-5151.
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Wednesday
Lecture
Cheryl Harrington speaks on “Maine Energy Matters” as part of the USM Muskie School’s “Changing Maine” lecture series, in the Moot Courtroom on the first floor of the law school building, Portland campus. Her lecture begins at 7 p.m. Call 780-4150 for more information.
Theatre
Portland Stage Company presents “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens at 25A Forest Ave. at 7:30 p.m. The production runs through Dec. 24. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for children, and student discounts are available. For more information call 775-0465.
Music
Acoustic duo Cactus Highway play at Pot de Fleur, 265 Main St. in Biddeford, at 6 p.m. For information call 294-3322.
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Thursday
Stress
Gorham Events Board presents Stress Relief Night in the Brooks Student Center, Gorham campus, from 8 to 11 p.m. Providing the relief will be psychics, psychic mediums, massage therapists, a reflexologist, an acupuncturist, and an acupressure massage therapist. For more information call Gorham Events Board at 780-5155.
Music
Scottish singer/fiddle-player Johnny Cunningham joins Irish singer Susan McKeown to perform “A Winter Talisman,” a musical celebration of the darkest days of the year. They will play rollicking drinking songs interspersed with love songs at the Center for Cultural Exchange, Longfellow Square, Portland. Tickets are $20 in advance ($17 with student ID). Call 761-0591 for more information.
Music
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe performs at the State Theater, 609 Congress Street, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17. Call 780-8265 for more information.
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Friday
Portland Symphony Orchestra presents “The Magic of Christmas” at 7:30 p.m. in Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street, Portland. Ticket prices range from $11 to $49. Call 842-0800 for more information.
WMPG presents a hip-hop DJ contest at the Center for Cultural Exchange, Longfellow Square, Portland at 8 p.m. The winner will receive a cash prize of $200. All ages are welcome, and admission is $7. To sign up or for more information call 780-4943 or email [email protected].
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Saturday
The Laurie Jones Band, a folk-rock group, perform at Free Street Taverna, 128 Free Street in Portland, at 10 p.m. Call 772-5483 for more information.
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Sunday
Mainblend, a Portland a cappella vocal group, perform at the Anglican Cathedral of Saint Paul, 279 Congress Street, Portland, at 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Jazz-pop singer and USM student Rachel Griffin sings originals and covers at the piano in Bull Feeney’s, 375 Fore St, Portland. Her weekly performance begins at 7:30 p.m. For information call 773-7210.