April 12, 2009

Open mics, Greendrinks & karaoke nights

If you want to show off your pipes but don't have the cajones to get on stage by yourself, head over to the Wishcamper Center on USM's Portland campus for Sing for the Fun of It from 4:30-5:30 pm. You don't have to have any talent - but it would be appreciated if you could carry a tune - and you can sing along for just a $2 donation.

Or if art's more your thing, make the drive down to McArthur Library (Main Street, Biddeford) for the Thatcher Brook Center Art Show. The Center offers life skills training for people with disabilities and the art on display was created by the program participants. Check out paintings, weaving, drawings and even birdhouses that are all for sale. The show's free to view and the library is open until 8 pm.

Freebies abound on Tuesday, starting with the always popular Greendrinks from 5:30-8 pm. Local green-minded business people will gather at O'Naturals (83 Exchange St., Portland), which is hosting this month's event along with Planned Parenthood. Both the socializing and the local beverages (Peak Organic is always at Greendrinks) are free. Bring your own drinking vessel.

If you want to support a local entrepreneur, visit Port City Music Hall (504 Congress St., Portland) for Ink & Drink, the brainstorm of Local Ink's Mark Ohlson. He's got an original clothing line with designs by artists like Tessa O'Brien and Theodore Bettcher. Meet them and see their work. Entry is free and there will be a cash bar.

For a more educational evening get over to the Abromson Center at USM (88 Bedford St., Portland) for tonight's free author program. The featured writer is Ishmael Beah, a former child soldier who is now a human rights activist. He told his story in "A Long Way Gone: Memoir of a Boy Soldier" and his fascinating talk will be followed by a free screening of the film "Fambul Tok."

Wednesday is tax day and that means one of two things: either you're watching your cash even more closely because you owe, or you're waiting for that fat check from the government to arrive. Let's hope it's the latter but let's be smart with our spending anyway. That means taking advantage of the free karaoke in the city at Shack's Pub (1192 Forest Ave.), Mathew's Lounge (133 Free St.), Old Port Tavern (11 Moulton St.) and Asylum (121 Center St.) all tonight. Don't go too early 'cause the stars show up fashionably late.

Had it up to here with Portland's "Idol" wanna-bes? How about drowning your sorrows in free wine courtesy of Old Port Wine Merchants (432 Fore St, Portland). They'll be serving up tasting samples of some yummy reds and whites from 4-7:30 pm.

When you get to Thursday you're so close to the weekend you can taste it. And it tastes like a delightful pinot noir. You can get that and some hot music at Una (505 Fore St., Portland) where Royal Hammer plays its roots, riddim and reggae music every Thursday starting at 9:30 pm. It's free to listen.

Or if you'd rather roll into the weekend on the heels of doing a good deed, pony up the price of a ticket to the Portland Arts & Technology High School Fashion Show, which starts at 7:30. Part of the proceeds go to the Cancer Community Center in South Portland and you can get your tickets for $5 if you get them in advance (874-8165 ext. 6522). The show features student-designed fashions, music and News Center 6 anchor Cindy Williams as host.