This past weekend’s ah-mazing Indian summer had you all fooled, but the changing leaves and cool nights have already signaled it’s time to get adjusted to October. Yep, gotta face it— it’s October now. Winding down with some great wine and cheese events and Whitehall Inn happenings, along with same free art and film offerings, this is your weekend to downshift into fall.

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

Thursday, Oct. 2

· 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 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Worth a drive! The Spruce Point Inn Resort in Boothbay is having a cheese and wine tasting with Eventide, an olive oil and vinegar shop from 4-5 p.m.

Friday Oct. 3

· If you like acoustic material ranging from traditional blues to the Grateful Dead, the Leaky Boot Jug Band plays at Rockland's Sail, Power and Steam Museum at 7:30 p.m.

· The Friends of the Thomaston Public Library has got some seriously subversive free films on tap! They’re showing the original War of the Worlds (1953), the frightening adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel about a Martian invasion, transplanted from 19th-Century England to contemporary USA. Starts at 6:30 p.m. Donations are accepted. Call 354-2453 for more info.

· This is the last day you can get into the Farnsworth Art Museum for free! During First Fridays, the museum will open its galleries free of charge to the public from 5 -8 p.m. You know what’s worth checking out? Edwin Austin Abbey’s Shakespeare exhibit. FMI: visit farnsworthmuseum.org.

· Wine and cheese go together with artists like Gin and Juice. So check it out—the Jackson Memorial Library is having a wine and cheese reception for Sylvia Murdock and Ed Botkin in their JML Gallery starting at 5p.m. with live music provided by By The Bay. A portion of all gallery sales benefits the Jackson Memorial Library.

· Singer-songwriter Brian Patricks will play folk, blues and rock at Rock City Cafe from 7-9 p.m. No cover, but donations are appreciated.

· The Speakeasy hosts the band Tomorrow Morning from 8-11 p.m. No cover. Give them a listen on Reverbnation!

Saturday Oct. 4

· Want to be a volunteer actor at Fright at the Fort's What's Bugging You? Come to Fright orientation at 10 a.m. at the Fort Visitor Center and learn how to be a Haunter, among other roles. For more info on Fright or to find a volunteer form visit fortknox.maineguide.com

· The Whitehall Inn is really shaking it up these days with some interesting theme events.  For their premier Culinary Theatre, they are offering Spanish Flare with paella being made before your eyes. Sip sangria  and enjoying tapas style appetizers. The paella will be traditional seafood and vegetarian, served with unlimited sangria and the option to purchase Spanish cocktails. A traditional belly dance will complete the Spanish inspired feast over dessert. The event runs from 6-9 p.m. at $49.99 per person.  Limited seating available and reservations required. Call 207-236-3391.

Sunday, Oct. 5

· The Whitehall Inn is having a poetry reading and book signing for writer Michael Paul Lund as he recites poems from his book, Quiet Thoughts For a Noisy World, reflecting on the seacoast of Maine and the creative arts. The reading starts at 2 p.m. Cocktails will be available for purchase. Vincent's Pub to open after reading featuring 1/2 price appetizers & drink specials. Psst. Little known local secret. The Whitehall Inn has some of the best Happy Hour specials around.  For more information or to reserve a seat please call 207-236-3391.

· FOG Bar & Cafe hosts Drink & Draw. They supply the art materials and you provide the raw artistic talent! Drink and food specials all night.

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