Another Art Walk and plenty to do

Just so happens that it’s the first Friday in November. That means finding something to do in town tonight should be easier than stumbling into the Christmas decorations on your next trip to Home Depot.

And so … your First Friday Art Walk must-sees for the month:

At the ICA at Maine College of Art (522 Congress St.) tonight, feast your eyes on the work of more than 130 artists in a preview for Saturday’s annual art auction (tix are $40). If you want more info, go to http://auction.meca.edu.

At Cygnet Gallery (568 Congress St.), view an invitational show with oils, acrylics, watercolor and sculpture featuring artists from Ogunquit to Bar Harbor. (There’s bound to be some seascapes involved.)

At Silver Crayon Studios (75 Oak St.), empathize with Sandi Amorello (aka The Irreverent Widow) as she shows that mid-life dating isn’t for sissies. She uses paint, vintage stuff, rotten lumber and words to get her point across. You’ll either laugh or ask her out.

And finally, at Daunis Fine Handmade Art Jewelry & Art (616 Congress St., 3^rd floor), check out Jonathan Dunitz’s show, “Three of a Kind: Trios and Triplets.” It’s a photography exhibit of groupings of three photographs, some of different, yet related, subjects – the Trios – and some of different views of the same subject – the Triplets.

If you’re just not that into art walk, here’s one for you: In “Indefensible Acts” members of the faculty at Acorn Acting Academy show off their improv skits about the controversial ACORN political group. If you want to show your skills, you’ll have a chance near the end of the program. The show is at Acorn Studio Theater at 7:30 p.m. and there’s a suggested donation of $5.

If you just can’t let the politics go – and I sure don’t blame you – be in Monument Square at 5 p.m. tonight for an anti-war rally with activist David Swanson. He and his crowd will then move on to Longfellow Books for a 6 p.m. appearance pimping his new book, “Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union.” Neither one of these events will cost you a cent.

The events get a little more varied and a little more … um, interesting on Saturday. Spend the afternoon with one of the Maine’s most … um, interesting writers, Carolyn Chute, at the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. She and Edie Clark will read their works at a freebie event at 3 p.m. No word on if the 2^nd Maine Militia will show up.

Spend your evening listening to some soothing classical music from the Portland Conservatory of Music’s string faculty, piano faculty and other musicians. Harvest of Harmony is a benefit concert starting at 7 p.m. at Woodfords Congregational Church (202 Woodford St., Portland). Plan to offer up a $5 donation for the listening pleasure.

Spend your late night getting your groove on at Bubba’s Sulky Lounge with “Old School, New School” from DJ Graymatter. The dancing starts at 9 p.m. and can you believe the cover’s just $3? 

If you’re still feeling the music on Sunday, North Star’s the place to spend your afternoon. John Linscott and the Mainestream Jazzmasters will be in the house from 1-4 p.m. for an open jam. Donations are encouraged and you can also feel free to by a cup of tea and a locally-made snack.

If you’re saving up your socializing for the evening hours, head down to Bebe’s Burrito in Biddeford where trivia night starts at 7 p.m. You can play for free and show everyone why your mom thinks you’re a genius.

And here’s your Sunday football suggestion for the week: Asylum is featuring $7 Rolling Rock pitchers and Bud and Bud Light drafts for just $2. The place has the NFL Ticket so you can watch every game. The one you shouldn’t miss is Miami at New England at 1 p.m. Tom and the boys are coming off a bye week and have big plans for keeping that Wildcat offense in check.