The 2013 Camden Conference
The twenty-sixth annual Camden Conference asks a very big question: The Middle East: What Next? This year’s conference centers around the politics, policies, and perspectives in this region and includes speakers such as Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan. Feb. 22 – 24. $140-$250. Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St. 207-236-2281. camdenconference.org

The Midtown Men
The four stars from the original cast of the Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys come together to perform hits from the sixties. Songs include those from the Beatles, Beach Boys, the Jackson Five, the Mamas and the Papas, and more. Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. $33. 5746 Collins Center of the Arts, Orono. 207-581-1755. collinscenterforthearts.com. Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. $46–$56. Merrill Auditorium. 20 Myrtle St., Portland. 207-842-0800. tickets.porttix.com

Feb. 17
Internationally renowned a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in The Rock captures the sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, hip hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. 8 p.m. $85. 695 Dug Way Rd., Brownfield. 866-227-6523. stonemountainartscenter.com

A Song at Twilight
Noël Coward’s 1966 play chronicles the champagne-sipping upper classes with wit and heartbreak and looks at an aging writer forced to confront his past. Feb. 26 – March 17. The Portland Stage Company, 25A Forest Ave., Portland. 207-774-0465. portlandstage.com


An Active Winter

100 Mile Wilderness Dog Sled Race Feb. 2
Witness dogs and their mushers race through snowy trails of the Mooshead Lake region in this premier race now in its eighth year. 9 a.m. Free. Greenville. 207-695-2421. 100milewildernessrace.org

U.S. National Toboggan Championships 
Feb. 8 – 10
The twenty-third annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships is a light-hearted affair with competitions for the best team spirit and best costumes, along with those for pure, all-out speed. $60-$120. Hosmer Pond, Camden. 207-236-3438. 
camdensnowbowl.com

Maine Home, Remodeling, And Garden Show 
Feb. 16 & 17
Learn everything you need to know about building, buying, financing, remodeling, decorating, and landscaping your home from more than 180 exhibitors. $5-$8. Cumberland County Civic Center, Spring St., Portland. 207-775-3458. theciviccenter.com

Ice Harvest Feb. 17
Learn how ice was harvested in the nineteenth and twentieth century and then cut your own at the Thompson Ice House. (See page 60.) 8 a.m. to mid-afternoon. Free. 12 miles south on Rte. 129, South Bristol. 207-644-8808. thompsonicehouse.com

Moosehead Lake Chocolate Festival Feb. 17
Thirty-five chocolate chefs prepare delicious chocolate delights from truffles to mousse at the ninth annual festival on Maine’s largest lake. For the kids, check out the special corner with games, prizes, and foods. 1 to 4 p.m. $5-$10. Masonic Hall, 281 Pritham Ave., Greenville. 207-695-2702. mooseheadlake.org

“A Wildly funny script.” 
– LA Weekly
The Sugar Bean Sisters by Nathan Sanders is a Southern gothic comedy set in a Florida swamp near Disney World that tells the story of three sisters clinging to seemingly impossible dreams. Jan. 30 – Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. $22. Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. 207-942-3333. penobscottheatre.org