This week has just been ridiculous hasn't it? Everyone will be just plain exhausted by the time the weekend rolls around. Oh wait, it's here. Welcome to the weekend. Hope you have power. If you don't, these places do and it'll take your mind off your troubles and let us all start to get back to normal on the Micoast again.

Thursday, Nov. 6

· As always, the Open Mic at The Highlands Coffee House promises some great talent in the Midcoast and beyond. Drink and food specials. Sign up is at 6 p.m. and goes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

· Artist Eric Hopkins is doing a free talk in Damariscotta called Talking Art in Maine: Intimate Conversations at Lincoln Theater. 7 p.m. Free.

Friday, Nov. 7

·  Two art receptions are happening Friday and all you have to do is decide where you want to be, Rockland or Belfast? Carver Hill Gallery in Rockland will host an opening reception for "Contours,” a benefit show for the Coastal Mountains Land Trust. The work in the show will celebrate one of the Land Trust's properties, Beech Hill Preserve. 5-8 p.m. FMI: click here.

· Or check out the Open Holiday Extravaganza at Åarhus Gallery, on 50 Main St., Belfast with work from more than 70 Maine artists. Goes from 5-8 p.m. Show runs to Dec. 24.

· If you like soul-funk-blues-rock, you’ll really dig The Midnight Riders, playing at The Speakeasy at 8 p.m. With Will Niels on vocals and Owen Cartwright on drums, this is sure to be a power performance. This is their first Rockland performance. No cover.

· It’s a jazzy kinda weekend for Rock City Café as they introduce By The Bay jazz trio, which performs arrangements from the Golden Age of American Song, as well as numerous Latin rhythm standards. Show goes from 7-9 p.m. No cover.

Saturday, Nov. 8

· Sweet! The Appleton Village School will host a Chili and Chocolate Challenge Supper fundraiser for Appleton Library at 5 p.m. Start with meat and veggie chilis made by local cooks, and finish up with a decadent chocolate dessert. Enter your own chili or dessert for a chance to win a prize. $8 per person, $5 under 12, $25 per family. FMI: call 785-5656.

· If you like the blues, Raised By Wolves will be playing at The Speakeasy from 8 p.m.-midnight, with only a $5 cover, which is waived when you dine at the Chowder House.

· Rock City Café  kicks it up a notch with the Aurora Jazz Project, who blend jazz, jam, and funk in ways that keep all three forms moving in new directions. Show goes from 7-9 p.m. No cover.

Sunday, Nov. 9

· Road trip! Stephen King's latest project is a supernatural musical stage production called Ghost Brothers of Darkland County with music by John Mellancamp and T Bone Burnett. (See the accompanying video.). Called “a haunting tale of fraternal love, lust, jealousy and revenge, which will be performed by an ensemble cast of 15 actors and a four-piece live band.” Check out the Sunday matinee (2 p.m.) at the Collins Center in Orono. FMI: get tickets or call 207-581-1755.

· The FOG Bar and Café has Drink and Draw starting at 7 p.m. They supply art materials and there is a different theme each week.

Hey, want to know where to go for happy hour every day of the week? Check out our Guide To Midcoast’s Happy Hours.

If you have an arts and entertainment event that fits within the adult scope of fun and cool things to do for Weekend Picks, contact Kay Stephens at news@penbaypilot.com