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

Reading kick

HARRISON – Tai Chi demonstration at the Harrison Village Library. This Tai Chi demonstration will precede the book discussion of “Yeh Yeh’s House,” a memoir by Chinese American Evelina Chao about accompanying her mother to China and meeting her extended family and visiting the land of her parents’ birth. >>When: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 15 >>Where: Harrison Village Library>>Tickets: $5 if you want to buy the book >>FMI: 583-2970

Dreams and desires

PORTLAND – The USM Women’s Studies Program Presents: Kate Bornstein, transgender activist, author, and performance artist in her program “Damned Dreams & Dangerous Desires: The Personal Politics of Sex & Gender.” Tenderly intimate and unapologetically edgy, Kate Bornstein ushers audiences into a world of limitless possibilities by offering a daring re-visioning of gender and a guide to staying alive outside the box. >>When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 >>Where: Talbot Lecture Hall, Luther Bonney Hall, 96 Falmouth St., Portland >>Tickets: Free >>FMI: 780-4289 or [email protected]

More than eating

PORTLAND – Meet, Greet and Eat: Maine Specialty Food Producers is calling all Maine specialty food companies. Join us for an informal evening of networking, idea swapping and warming up with chowder. This is an opportunity to meet other food producers and share your ideas for developing a Maine food producers cluster group. >>When: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 15 >>Where: Morrison’s Maine Course, 72 Commercial St. >>Tickets: Free >>FMI: 871-7608 or http://www.morrisonsmaine.com or [email protected]

Laugh away

LISBON FALLS – Lisbon High School drama students wiill present Peter Bloedel’s new one-act play, “The Rules of Comedy.” They will also entertain the audience with a careful examination of what it takes to be funny, including cream pies, spontaneously breaking into song, and Shakespeare’s Hamlet. 45 high-energy minutes. >>When: 7 p.m. Friday, March 16 >>Where: Lisbon Community School, 33 Mill St., Lisbon Falls >>Tickets: $2 adults, $1 students >>FMI: 353-3055 ext. 2802 or [email protected]

Purse show

PARIS – Join McLaughlin Garden in its Garden Gift Shop at the Vera Bradley Preview Tea, a look at the new spring line of Vera Bradley Quilted Bags. 20 percent off everything one day only (except new bags.) Refreshments will be provided. >>When: 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 17 >>Where: The McLaughlin Garden, 97 Main St, South Paris >>Tickets: Free >>FMI: 743-8820

Also this week

AUBURN – “Godspell,” a lively musical, based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew appears at Community Little Theatre Thursday to Sunday, March 15 to 18 at all different times. >>FMI: 783-0958

LEWISTON – “The Contrast” by Royall Tyler will show at Gannett Theater at Bates this Friday to Sunday, March 16 to 18. >>FMI: 786-6255

LEWISTON – Don’t miss the New England premiere of “Miss Witherspoon” at the Public Theatre from Friday to Sunday, March 16 to 18. >>FMI: 782-3200

FARMINGTON – Ladies of the Lake will present lively dance tunes and meditative slow aires from the Celtic tradition at Nordica Auditorium in UMF Merrill Hall at 8 p.m., Friday, March 16. >>FMI: 778-7090