This week it's all about the liquid refreshment

Don't worry, you still have time to revel in the fun. And this week I'm making sure you won't be too thirsty while you're doing it.

Start your work week by escaping from the office early on Monday. The deals start at 3 pm and run until close at Dock Fore. And it's Stella day! Just $1.95 for a 20-ounce Stella Artois draft to get your week started off right. Just know that at that price it may not come in the fancy glass.

After you've had your fill, trot on over to Portland Lobster Co. and grab yourself a seat for music on the deck with Joe Farren. He'll be playing from 6-9 pm and you can listen for free. You maybe should take it easy with the brews though - tomorrow's a work day.

Once the music's done, slide over to Slainte and test your smarts. Trivia Night isn't for the dimwits, but if a bunch of them do show up you'll just look all the smarter. The questioning begins at 9 pm with Jimmy Devine.

So, what to drink on Tuesday? How's about $3 Coronas at Portland Pie (Scarborough, Westbrook and Portland). Get 'em while they're cheap from 3-6 pm and maybe share some of the 50% off apps with a pal.

There's also cheap (but tasty) food to be had at Slice Bar in Portland. From 5-8 pm tonight you can get a small cheese pizza for $5. Believe it or not, the food happy hours go on Mon-Fri.

Over in Gorham, the Gazebo Concert Series has Pan Fried Steel tonight. Dance the night away on the grass from 6:30-8 pm. It's free.

And in Portland, get your free dose of music at Deering Oaks with a bandstand concert by TROUT. The first tune will be played at 7 pm.

Wednesday is opening night for the Fenix Theatre Company's second round of Shakespeare in the Park. The show is The Bard's "Midsummer Night's Dream," but you can bet it won't be acted quite like old Bill had planned. Get to the wading pool and unfold your chair for the 6 pm show.

At 7 tonight, one of Maine's most famous will make an appearance in Portland. Writer Richard Russo, of "Empire Falls" fame, will read from and sign copies of his newest book "That Old Cape Magic," at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist church on Congress Street. You probably can't afford to buy his book (get yourself on the waiting list at your local library) but there's no fee for listening to the man talk.

Tonight's Sunset Folk Series performance will be by Truth About Daisies. You'll need a chair of a blanket, but you can leave your wallet at home. The music's at Western Prom Park starting at 7:30 pm.

And, for your drink special of the night, how about finding a friend and heading to the sports bar at Asylum? The Sox are playing Tampa Bay at 7, and you can get a pitcher of domestic beer for just $7. Just make sure you friend pays half.

First, there's yet another Alive at Five concert to check out in Monument Square. This week's music will come from locals Dominic and the Lucid and the Pete Kilpatrick Band. Sing, dance, enjoy from 5-8 pm. Get a cold one at the Sebago beer garden. And sign up for the MaineToday.com Weekender for your chance to win a guitar signed by the bands.

If you'd rather steer clear of the crowds, get to Cinque Terre early enough to grab a table and get yourself some Prosecco on the Patio. Prosecco and Prosecco cocktails are just $5 tonight from 5-7 pm.

There's an even cheaper option if it's beer you're craving but you have to get through the mall sprawl in SoPo. Famous Dave's in Scarborough is putting on a Hard Times Happy Hour with $2 Miller Lite, Coors Light and Bud Light drafts from 3-7 pm. Rather have a PBR? OK, you only pay $1.50.

And finally this week, if you've had a rough one and you just want to stay in, don't feel like too much of a loser. It's because of people like you that Videoport has it's rent-one, get-one video option on Thursday. I know you've been waiting to get your Beyonce fix and "Obsessed" came out Tuesday.