Feb. 8: FARMINGTON, a poetry slam will be held at 9 p.m. at UMF Olsen Student Center. Free 778-7346

Feb. 8, 15: PORTLAND, the Comedy Connection Improv Comedy will be held every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at the Comedy Connection, 16 Custom House Wharf. $6 774-2006

Feb. 9, 16: LEWISTON, “Sharing Poetry,” will be held every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Wisdom Center for Women, 97 Blake St. 784-0155

Feb. 10: BRUNSWICK, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, celebrated spoken-word artist, slam poet and choreographer, will perform at 8 p.m. at Bowdoin College Pickard Theater. $5 725-3375

Feb. 10: PORTLAND, a “Comedy Showcase,” with Stephanie Peters, Tammy Pooler and Bob Nixon, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Liquid Blue, 440 Fore St. $5 854-9778

Feb. 10-12: PORTLAND, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party will be held at the Merry Manor Inn, 700 Main St. 934-4090

Feb. 10, 17: PORTLAND, a benefit haddock chowder, lobster roll or ham salad luncheon will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday at North Deering Congregational Church, 1364 Washington Ave. $6.50/$3.75 883-3568

Feb. 10: WINTHROP, a fish chowder luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Winthrop Congregational Church. $6 377-5923

Feb. 11: AUBURN, “Heart to Heart,” an evening of food, fun and fellowship, will be held at 6 p.m. at Court Street Baptist Church, 129 Court St. 784-6661

Feb. 11: BRUNSWICK, the Improvabilities, improv group, will perform at 8 p.m. at Bowdoin College Kresge Auditorium. Free 725-3375

Feb. 11: DIXFIELD, the Blessing of the Sleds will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mt. View Campground. 364-2428

Feb. 11: FARMINGTON, a community beef stew luncheon will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at Old South First Congregational Church. Free 778-0424

Feb. 11: PORTLAND, actor/comedian Bill Cosby will perform at 5 and 8 p.m. at Portland City Hall Merrill Auditorium. 842-0800

Feb. 11: PORTLAND, a “Comedy Showcase,” with Stephanie Peters, Jeremie Remain and Brian Brinegar, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Liquid Blue, 440 Fore St. $5 854-9778

Feb. 11, 12: PORTLAND, the 16th annual Maine Home, Remodeling and Garden Show will be held at Cumberland County Civic Center. Showtimes are Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $7/$5 935-2845

Feb. 11: SOUTH PARIS, a spring bridal show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Four Seasons Function Center, Main Street. 739-2988

Feb. 11: VIENNA, a public breakfast will be held from 6 to 9 a.m. at the Vienna Community Room, Kimball Pond Road. $6/$3

Feb. 12: AUBURN, a public breakfast will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at the VFW Hall, 588 Minot Ave. $3.50/$4.50 784-6883

Feb. 12: HEBRON, the Annual Founders Day community skating party will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Robinson Arena. 966-5266

Feb. 12: N. CONWAY, N.H., Joy Violette Wolf and Nathan Stein will present readings at noon at the Native American Cultural Center. 603-356-5772

Feb. 15: AUGUSTA, Maine Wildlife Appreciation Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the State House in the Hall of Flags. 941-9453

Feb. 15: FARMINGTON, Jim Laulette, Comedy Connection comedian, will perform at 8 p.m. at UMF Olsen Student Center. Free 778-7346

Feb. 16: FARMINGTON, the Lawn Chair Pirates will perform at 9 p.m. at UMF Olsen Student Center. Free 778-7346

Feb. 16: RANGELEY, a ladies breakfast will be held at 7 a.m. at Moosely Bagels. 864-3443

Feb. 17: PORTLAND, a “Comedy Showcase,” with Scott Higgin, Rocco and Joe LaRoche will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Liquid Blue, 440 Fore St. $5 854-9778

Feb. 18: BRUNSWICK, poets Herb Coursen, Bill Watterson and Maggie Finch will present readings at 2 p.m. at Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St. Free 721-0141

Feb. 18, 19: BRYANT POND, a Family Fun Weekend will be held at the Maine Conservation School. $12/$20 665-2068

Feb. 18: KITTERY, a vaudeville fund-raiser will be held at 7 p.m. at the SPACE, 2 Government St. $20/$25 439-6611

Feb. 18: PORTLAND, a “Comedy Showcase,” with Tommy Johnson, Brian Brinegar and Tammy Pooler will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Liquid Blue, 440 Fore St. $5 854-9778

Feb. 19: LISBON, the Maine Music Society wine tasting fund-raiser will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Graziano’s Restaurant, Route 196. $15 782-1403

Feb. 19: POLAND, a pancake breakfast will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. at Poland Community School, Route 26. $5 998-2626