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. NHS Presents “The Drowsy Chaperone”

• Where/when: Newman Elementary School auditorium, 1155 Central Ave., Needham; Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 18 at 2 p.m.
• Why go: A talented cast of Needham High School students will take the stage this weekend for the annual spring musical. This year’s production,” The Drowsy Chaperone,” is a comical, energetic musical-within-a-musical that features great songs and great dancing. Note: Parking at Newman is limited, so pre-sale ticket-holders who are carpooling will receive parking passes and those getting their tickets at the door should plan to park nearby.
• Pricing: $15 per ticket; available through the NHS Fine and Performing Arts Department or at the door

2. Carter Nursery School Carnival

• Where/when: Carter Memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Highland Ave., Needham; Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Why go: The whole family will enjoy a fun-filled day of circus-themed games, crafts and activities geared toward children ages 2-7 as well as a moon bounce, face painting and a chance to visit with Buzz Lightyear. Pizza, snacks and goodies will be available for purchase at lunchtime. The raffle and silent auction, which offer an amazing selection of biddable items, are geared toward parents.
• Pricing: $10 per child; $30 family maximum; adults and children under one year old get in free

3. P.I.N.E. Origami Lesson

• Where/when: Needham Free Public Library, 1139 Highland Ave., Needham; Saturday, March 17, 11 a.m. to noon
• Why go: The Paperfolders In New England group, or P.I.N.E., leads an origami lesson every third Saturday of the month at the Needham Free Public Library. The program runs from 11:00 a.m. to noon, and all ages are welcome. For a preview of the project they will be working on, check out the bulletin boards in the lobby of the library.
• Pricing: Free

4. Israeli Festival of the Arts: Community Celebration and Dessert Reception

• Where/when: Temple Aliyah, 1664 Central Ave., Needham; Saturday, March 17, 7:45 p.m.
• Why go: More than 100 Israeli artists and 1,500 works of art will be featured at Temple Aliyah’s Israeli Festival of the Arts, March 15-18. The exhibition and sale will include oil paintings, watercolors, lithographs and etchings. A community celebration and dessert reception will be held on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. The exhibit will also be open for free public viewing on Friday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Sunday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. RSVP for the reception by calling 781-444-8522 or e-mailing artshow@templealiyah.com.
• Pricing: $25 per person for the reception

5. Homegrown Coffeehouse Presents The Sweetback Sisters

• Where/when: First Parish in Needham, 23 Dedham Ave., Needham; Saturday, March 17, 8 p.m.
• Why go: St. Patrick’s Day typically means Celtic music, but this year the Homegrown Coffeehouse is switching things up with an “earthy, renegade retro band that mixes up county, swing and honky tonk.” Sweetback Sisters Emily Miller and Zara Bode aren’t actually blood relations, but “their precise, family-style harmonies recall the best of country music from the Everlys to The Judds.” Proceeds from the Homegrown Coffeehouse shows benefit the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Needham.
• Pricing: $17 general admission; $15 students/seniors, available at the door