Every Thursday, right here. Entertainment highlights for in town and beyond.

Bluegrass Band

AUBURN – Practiced pickers Jerks of Grass will delight bluegrass fans with a free concert in the park. >>When: Noon today >>Where: Festival Plaza >>FMI: 782-7228 or laarts.org

Mad Music

PORTLAND – The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Pete Kilpatrick and Blues Traveler are just a few of the bands that will play the weekend-long Baystock Music Festival, which benefits Jessie B-C Fund to aid children with cancer. >>When: Saturday and Sunday >>Where: Maine State Pier, Commercial Street >>Tickets: $35 per day or $55 for the weekend >>FMI: or baystockmusicfest.org

Roaring ’20s

LEWISTON – Community Little Theatre wraps up its 66th season with “Mame,” a roaring ’20s-style musical that begins when a 10-year-old orphan goes to live with his rollicking Aunt Mame. >>When: Continuing through Aug. 20 >>Where: Lewiston Middle School >>Tickets: $15 adults, $13 students and seniors >>FMI: Call 783-0958 or visit laclt.com

Actors and Antics

BETHEL – The five-day Maine Performing Arts Festival has begun, filling the downtown streets with mimes, musicians, magicians and jugglers. With two theatrical performances at Gould Academy. >>When: Continuing today through Sunday >>Where: Downtown and at Gould’s Bingham Auditorium >>Tickets: For the performances at Gould, $11-$20 adults, $5-$10 children under 12 >>FMI: Call 824-4436 or visit mainepaf.org

Arts and Crafts

CUMBERLAND – More than 300 in-state artisans come together for the annual United Maine Craftsmen’s Fair at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds. >>When: Today through Sunday >>Where: 169 Blanchard Road, Cumberland >>Tickets: $3, children under 12 free >>FMI: Call 621-2818 or visit unitedmainecraftsmen.com

Also this week

The Itals, Alive at 5 free concert series, 5 p.m. today, Monument Square, Portland >>FMI: 772-6828 or portlandmaine.com

152nd Topsham Fair, continuing through Saturday, Topsham >>FMI: topshamfair.net

Skowhegan State Fair, today through Aug. 19, Skowhegan >>FMI: 474-2947 or skowheganstatefair.com

“Honor the Animals,” Native American event with dancers, crafts, singers and vendors representing several tribes, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Maine Wildlife Park, Gray >>FMI: 657-4977 or [email protected]

“The Incredibles,” rated PG, at dusk Saturday, Festival Plaza, Auburn >>FMI: Auburn Parks & Rec

The Bates Dance Festival winds to a close this week, but not before two performances of “Different Voices,” a series of dances presented by visiting international choreographers at 8 p.m. today and Friday, Schaeffer Theatre, 365 College St. >>FMI: 786-6161 or visit bates.edu

Check out Encore on Fridays for complete event listings.