World Cup Viewings, Book Signing, and Smuttfest

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are a few choice food-related events going on around the city:

1) FIFA World Cup Viewings
When: Thursday, June 12 through Sunday, July 13
Where: Multiple Locations
What: Every four years, a sporting event truly deserving of the "world" modifier takes place. This year's host country, Brazil, is close enough to our own timezone that even casual soccer fans will be able to catch many of the matches, which begin tonight. In order to cultivate community and celebrate diversity, The Parkside Neighborhood Association has been organizing viewings, and has a handy calendar to help you track down bars/restaurants (eg Taco Escobarr, Brian Boru) as well as family-friendly public venues (USM, the Reiche School) showing the games, currently scheduled through the Group Stage. If you know of other great spots to watch the World Cup, shout them out in the comments or share via the tipline.

2) Book Signing with Kate McCarty
When: Saturday, June 4, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m
Where: Books-A-Million, South Portland
What: If you missed her last book signing event, you'll have another opportunity to catch up with Kate McCarty, The Blueberry Files blogger and author of Portland Food: The Culinary Capital of Maine. On Saturday from 2-4 p.m. she'll be at Books-A-Million, just south of "The Culinary Capital of Maine."

3) Smuttfest
When: Saturday, June 14, 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: Novare Res Bier Cafe
What: An annual celebration of New Hampshire's Smuttynose Brewing Company, the event features "unfiltered bier porn of the highest levels including: wild sour situations, big barrel aged beauties, & hoppy nuggets," according to the bombastic poster. Don't forget to set a base for that beer with the following food specials: Damariscotta Oysters with straw-barb kombucha mignonette; Delice de Bourgogne cheese with Smuttynose Gravitation Argodolce (olive, raisin, balsamic); Foie Mousse on toast points with grilled grape; and Satchmo Tart (named for a mushroom beer): wild mushrooms, lardons, tomato jam, arugula and Saba in a tart shell.