March 17
If you’re feeling especially brave and/or crazy this St. Patrick’s Day, and would like to take a 5:30 a.m. swim to wake yourself up, head down to the East End Beach in Portland for the St. Paddy’s Day Plunge. All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Burn Unit and Portland Firefighters. If hypothermia isn’t your thing, you can still hear live Irish music all day at the Ri-Ra Irish Pub, 8 a.m. to 1 a.m./ 72 Commercial St., Portland/ 761-4446
March 18
Head down to the Gorham Grind for their weekly Spoken Word Night. Have some great coffee, listen to others, or sign up to read something of your own. Students get 10% off on drinks during all events. 6 to 8 p.m./ 18 South Street, Gorham/ 839-3003
March 19
The Somali Narrative Project is a reader’s theater that presents different aspects of Somali life as experienced in both Maine and Somalia. Come learn about different facets of Somali culture such as poetry, songs, memoirs, and oral histories. Free and open to the public/ 7 to 8:30 p.m./ University Special Events Room, Glickman Library, Portland/ 780-4270
March 20
Interested in learning a little more about regional culture? The next topic in the American & New England Studies Lecture Series will be presented by Blake Harrison. The title of this talk is “The View from Vermont: Tourism and the Making of an American Rural Landscape.” Free and open to the public/ 7 to 9 p.m./ University Events Room, Glickman Library, Portland/ 780-4920
March 21
No matter what your skill level, you can come swing dancing at the North Deering Grange Hall tonight. You don’t even need to bring your partner, unless you want to. $8/ Lesson 8 p.m., dancing 9 to midnight/ 1408 Washington Ave, Portland/ fmi: [email protected]
March 22
The seventh annual Maine Short Play Festival by Acorn Productions will be held at the St. Lawrence Arts and Community Center, performing 12 new plays by local playwrights, shown on a rotating basis. The plays will span two performances on Saturday night – come for one, or both. $10/$12/ 5 p.m. and 8 p.m./ 76 Congress St., Portland/ 775-5568
March 23
The Portland Players present “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” directed by Barbara Buck. This is a story of crime, insanity, and injustice, and will certainly provide ample food for thought after Easter Dinner. $15 for students with ID/ 2 p.m./ 420 Cottage Road, South Portland/ 799-7337