Arts & Entertainment

10 Things to Do This Weekend: April 28-29

Clean up around town, tour the library, celebrate diversity, buy some art, have some fun, see some birds, honor Mom and more this weekend in Needham.

It’s Thursday, and the weekend is right around the corner. Patch has your back with a few fun things to do. Check our picks for the activities to hit and some places to explore. Here's what's happening in and around your town.

1.

  • Where/when: parking lot, Rosemary Street and Hillside Avenue, Needham; Saturday, April 28, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Why go: Help clean up parks, fields and trails around town. Volunteers for the town-wide cleanup should meet at the Rosemary Pool parking lot between 8:30 and 9:15 a.m. to pick up trash bags and cleaning assignments. Individuals participating in the trail cleanup should meet at the same spot at 9:30 a.m. Bring work gloves, water and clippers or loppers if you have them. Dress appropriately. Citizens of all ages are welcome. Register online at www.needhamma.gov/parkandrecreation.
  • Pricing: Free; volunteers needed

2.

Find out what's happening in Needhamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Where/when: , 1139 Highland Ave.,Needham; Saturday, April 28, 9:30-10:15 a.m.
  • Why go: Learn the hidden secrets of the Needham Free Public Library by taking a tour of the building, including the third floor that is usually only open to staff. This 45-minute tour will show participants the inner workings of the library. Learn about the library’s rainwater harvesting system and the point where the 1915 library ends and the 21st century library begins and view the artwork displayed in the library including the Wyeth paintings and prints, the ceramic tiles by Needham High School artists, digital photos of giant pansies, and more.
  • Pricing: Free; reserve a spot by sending an e-mail to info@lfnonline.org.

3.

  • Where/when: , 99 School St., Needham; Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Why go: Get rid of old unused and expired medications safely at this collection day at the Needham Police Department.
  • Pricing: Free

4.

Find out what's happening in Needhamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Where/when: , 200 Harris Ave., Needham; Saturday, April 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m
  • Why go: Celebrate the end of , a week-long focus on diversity and tolerance, with this Community Walk and Celebration. Join parents, staff, students and neighbors as they walk from the middle school to and back (a 2-mile route). There will be live entertainment by a local band. The event is open to the entire community.
  • Pricing: Free; refreshments for sale

5.

  • Where/when: , 589 Highland Ave., Needham; Saturday, April 28, 1-4 p.m.
  • Why go: Shop from a variety of framed, original artwork by local artists in multiple mediums, all priced under $150. A percentage of the sales will go toward maintaining the Needham Art Association art scholarship for students.
  • Pricing: Various, $150 and under

6.

  • Where/when: and , Pickering Street and Great Plain Avenue, Needham; Saturday, April 28, 1-3 p.m.
  • Why go: The Charles River YMCA in Needham will join more than 1,900 Ys across the country this Saturday in kicking off a summer full of physical activity and learning. This free, family-friendly event will feature a bounce house, healthy snacks, freeze dance, face painting, relay races, obstacle courses, basketball shootout, specialty class demos and a free swim. For more information, contact the Charles River YMCA at 781-444-6400 or visit ymcaboston.org/healthy-kids-day.
  • Pricing: Free

7.

  • Where/when: Charles River Peninsula, Fisher Street and Russell Road, Needham; Sunday, April 29, 8-9:30 a.m.
  • Why go: Explore the great outdoors and see some Needham’s beautiful parkland at this walk sponsored by Needham Friends of Woods and Waters on the Charles River Peninsula property of the Trustees of Reservations. Peter Oehlkers, who has been studying this land for some years, will lead the walk. Gather at the Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation parking lot at Red Wing Bay off Fisher Avenue. Bring binoculars and shoes that can get wet.
  • Pricing: Free

8.

  • Where/when: Bloomingdale’s, 199 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill; Sunday, April 29, 10 a.m. to noon
  • Why go: Support breast cancer research through the Needham-based Ellie Fund at this fun fashion event hosted by Bloomingdale’s. WCVB-TV Channel 5 Anchorwoman Susan Wornick will emcee this event, which celebrates motherhood and the influence of mothers in the community. The event will include a champagne brunch, prizes, and spring fashions modeled by Wornick and her mother, plus five local families who have all been touched by breast cancer—including Needham resident Heidi Popkin, wife of Ellie Fund founder Jeff Popkin, and her daughter Ellie, 9 months. Along with ticket proceeds, Bloomingdale’s is donating 10 percent of the day’s sales to the Ellie Fund.
  • Pricing: $40, available at www.elliefund.org/mom

9.

  • Where/when: , 1139 Highland Ave., Needham; Sunday, April 29, 1:30 p.m.
  • Why go: Meet Mark Peter Hughes, author of "Lemonade Mouth,” and watch the movie based on his book. Hughes will talk about the characters and story of his award-winning novel, "Lemonade Mouth," and how they were adapted for the Disney Channel movie, "Lemonade Mouth." Refreshments will be served with the movie, which is about 105 minutes long. The program is free to all. Books will be available for sale and autograph.
  • Pricing: Free

10. 34th Annual Seminar of Contemporary Music for the Young

  • Where/when: Bradley Hall at The Rivers School Conservatory, 333 Winter St., Weston; Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29, 1-6 p.m.
  • Why go: Come hear 133 students, including 11 from Needham, perform in six concerts, featuring solo, chamber, choral and orchestral music. All music has been composed within the last 25 years. More than 40 of these students will perform 12 commissioned premieres. Students performing commissioned premieres have been coached by professional Boston-based composers. For a detailed schedule of events or more information about The Rivers School Conservatory, visit www.riversschoolconservatory.org.
  • Pricing: $10 per day for adults; children and students free


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