Northward Over the Great Ice: Robert E. Peary and the Quest for the North Pole
Bowdoin College -- Brunswick
Now through December 31, 2010
Robert Peary, of the Bowdoin College Class of 1877, gave his alma mater many of the artifacts used during his historic expedition. Those items and others on loan from the likes of the National Geographic Society are part of a celebratory expedition, Northward Over the Great Ice: Robert E. Peary and the Quest for the North Pole. Location: Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, Bowdoin College, 3900 College Station. Time: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 2 to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays. Information: 207-725-3964.

View the Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel
Peabody Essex Museum -- Salem
Now through February 7, 2010
View the Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel featuring more than 80 unique and dramatic ensembles created by legendary style icon Iris Apfel, then take in Valerie Belin: Made Up, whose photos explore perceptions of beauty and identity through images that blur the line between fashion models and mannequins. Location: Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday and holiday Mondays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: Adults, $15; seniors, $13; students, $11; youth age 16 and younger and Salem residents, free. Information: 978-745-9500 or visit www.pem.org

Making Her Way: Mill Girls of Saco and Biddeford
Saco Museum -- Saco
Now through December 30, 2009
Designed to evoke the interior of a factory girl boardinghouse bedroom from the 1840s, this exhibit provides a glimpse into the lives of the early 19th-century factory girls with artifacts ranging from period furniture, textiles, and loom shuttles to letters, photographs, and sensational fiction. The bedchamber also features a dress-up trunk, allowing visitors to experience the factory girl fashion of the 1840s and 1850s. Making Her Way is a preview of the Saco Museum’s new, upcoming permanent exhibition, Making History: Art and Industry in the Saco River Valley, which opens May 29, 2010. Location: The Dyer Library/Saco Museum, 371 Main Street (Route 1). Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, noon-4 p.m.; Friday, noon-8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Information: 207-283-3861, ext. 114 or visit www.dyerlibrarysacomuseum.org

Arlo Guthrie & Family --Portland
November 20, 2009
The first family of American folk music - featuring Arlo Guthrie and children Abe, Cathy, Annie and Sarah Lee with Johnny Irion - join in a festive evening of music from the songbooks of Woody and Arlo. Arlo’s grandkids join in on selected songs in a night of joyous sounds reaching back across four generations to Woody, the legendary poet, political activist, and patriarch of the Guthrie clan. Location: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $44, $38, $32. Information: 207-842-0800 or visit http://portlandovations.org/

Artfull Gifts Gift Show – Camden-Belfast
November 20, 2009 to November 22, 2009
Maine’s premier invitational show for fine Maine-made holiday gifts. Gala opening on Friday, November 20, 5-8 p.m. with cash bar and live jazz. The show continues Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: Artfull Gifts, Route 1 between Camden and Belfast. Cost: Admission for gala and entire weekend, $10; admission for gift show, $3 (guests under age 16 admitted free). Information: 207-763-3433 or visit www.artfullgifts.com.

Big-Time Vaudeville with Michael Trautman and Michael Menes -- Gardiner
November 21, 2009
The Big-Time Vaudeville Show brings to the stage two incomparable variety performers, Michael Trautman and Michael Menes. Clowning! Juggling! Feats of magic and illusion! Light show! These performers have traveled around the world, wowing audiences with their magical, amazing talents. The show is a perfectly-blended mix of expert juggling, amazing magic, stunning slapstick, eccentric comedy, incredible illusions, and evocative variety-theater. Location: Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center, 280 Water Street. Time: 7:30 pm. Cost: Adults, $16; children under age 13, $10. Seating is limited. Information and reservations: 207-582-7144 or visit www.johnsonhall.org.

Fine Art and Craft Show by Designing Women -- Freeport
November 21, 2009
Two dozen professional fine craftswomen will exhibit their fine hand-crafted pottery, jewelry, handweaving, painting, quilting, hand-bound books, hand-bags, and more. Refreshments, luncheon and baked goods will be available. Location: Merriconeag Waldorf School, 57 Desert Road. Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 207-833-5556 or visit www.designingwomen.org

Pianist Peter Serkin -- Portland
November 22, 2009
An artist of great passion, integrity, and intelligence, the preeminent American pianist Peter Serkin performs works by Chopin, Debussy, Schoenberg and more. Location: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street. Time: 3 p.m. Cost: $40; students, $20.. Information: 207-842-0800 or visit http://portlandovations.org/

Local Craft & Wares Fair – Bethel
November 27, 2009
Lots of local crafters including handmade baskets, paintings, photography, knit items, handmade jewelry, jams, jellies pickles, soaps, lotions, quilted items, wooden ware products, and lots more. Free horse-drawn carriage rides. Location: Bethel Inn Resort Conference Center, Bethel Common, Broad Street. Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 207-824-2282 or visit www.bethelmaine.com

Maine Indian Basketmakers Sale and Demonstration -- Orono
December 5, 2009
This event features Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot basketmakers selling hand-made, ash splint and sweet grass basketry. Work baskets, fancy baskets, strawberry- and blueberry-shaped baskets, curly bowls, quill jewelry, wood carvings, and birch bark work. Traditional foods served up by the Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club (hull corn soup, fry bread, blueberry desserts), music, demonstrations of brown ash pounding and basket making as well as traditional drumming and dancing will also be presented. Location: Hudson Museum, Collins Center for the Arts, the University of Maine. Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: 207-581-1904 or visit www.umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum.

Christmas Market at the Maine Botanical Gardens-- Boothbay
December 12, 2009
Traditional and romantic Christmas Market (inspired by the famous German Kris Kindle Markets) will feature more than a dozen vendors of Maine-made products just right for gift giving. All purchases include free gift wrapping. Enjoy complimentary mulled cider and tasty treats while shopping for all those on your list. Lively holiday music, lovely decorations and a cozy fire will warm your spirits. Location: 132 Botanical Gardens Drive. Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: Free. Information: 207-633-4333 or visit www.MaineGardens.org

Mozart’s “Requiem” with the Portland Balley-- Portland
March 30, 2010
Portland Ballet will collaborate with the Choral Art Society and a live orchestra for this celebration of Mozart’s music featuring one of his most famous works and the world premiere of a newly commissioned dance. Location: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street, Portland Information and tickets: 207-842-0800 or visit www.porttix.com

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