Friday, Aug. 18

Marvelous Mice and Ice Cream from 5 to 6 p.m. on the patio at Magazine Beach Park Nature Center, 668 Memorial Drive at the river end of Magazine Street, Cambridgeport. Free. Observe live mice “animal ambassadors” and learn what makes them so adaptable to rural and urban landscapes – then eat free ice cream because it’s summer. Information is here. 

Friday meditation, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge (and continuing every Friday). Free, but register to save your spot. Start the weekend feeling fresh and centered during this class unaffiliated with any religion or ideology. Information is here.

Brivele, Levyosn & Levoneh at 6 p.m. at the Café at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. Free. Come hear this Seattle and Boston trio who braid together Yiddish song, anti-fascist and labor balladry, folk-punk and contemporary rabble-rousing in three-part harmony. Information is here.

“RRR” film at 6 p.m. The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Sunday). $14.50. This 2022 Indian blockbuster explodes the big screen with exhilarating music, fantastical special effects and eye-popping, superhuman action sequences as it mythologizes the story of two real-life freedom fighters who helped lead India’s fight for independence from the British Raj. Information is here.

“Nowhere Near” opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gallery 263, 263 Pearl St., Cambridgeport. Free. Artist and filmmaker Lilan Yang’s solo showcase explores the myth of cities and landscapes, ways of seeing and unseeing, and sentiments of remembering and forgetting. Information is here. 

Sol y Canto from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Starlight Square, 84 Bishop Allen Drive, Central Square, Cambridge. Free. Listen to acoustic originals and covers by pan-Latin ensemble Sol y Canto, led by Puerto Rican-Argentine singer and bongo player Rosi Amador and New Mexican guitarist and composer Brian Amador. Information is here.

Festival of One-Act Plays at 8 p.m. at Theatre@First, Unity Somerville, 6 William St., Somerville (continuing through Aug. 26). $20. Eight original short plays by local playwrights exploring the theme of “Myths & Legends,” ranging from ancient prophecies to UFO sightings to monsters that lurk in the dark. Information is here.

Goblin Hole Queer Event at 8 p.m. Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. $20 to $30, 21-plus. Bear witness to bizarre and fantastical drag acts at this queer art party while meeting old friends, bumping into new ones and dancing a little. Costumes and looks are highly encouraged! Information is here.

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Saturday, Aug. 19

Bookstore Romance Day crafting event from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m at Porter Square Books, 25 White St., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. On this day dedicated to romance writers, readers and books, go on a “blind date with a book” and get your “2023 love life prophecy,” complete with a book recommendation. Join a crafting circle at 7 p.m. to learn to crochet a heart envelope book sleeve. Information is here.

“Community Resiliency and Activism” tour from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Cambridgport neighborhood of Cambridge. $10, registration provides meeting location. Join History Cambridge and teen activist Miranda Santiago for a walking tour crash course in architectural and social histories with an emphasis on the stories of longtime residents. Learn what the neighborhood has fought for, and why. (Rain date: 10 a.m. Aug. 26) Information is here.

Morning Writes at Mount Auburn from 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., West Cambridge (also Sept. 16). Free, but registration is required. Jump-start a new creative practice or refresh your writing routine. Bring your necessary writing implements and paper or laptop and write with provided prompts in an inspiring natural space. Information is here.

Boston Women’s Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. between Caffè Nero and Shake Shack at 375 Assembly Row, Assembly Square, Somerville. (also Sept. 16). Free. Thirty women small-business owners, makers and artists sell their works and wares outdoors. Information is here. 

Forest Bathing mindful nature experience from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., West Cambridge. $20, registration is required. Guided by Stefanie Haug, explore the cemetery and experience an innate connection to nature with calmness, curiosity and care. Information is here.

Boston Dance Studios pre-professional dance program showcase from 3:30 to 10 p.m. at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge. $40. Two performances if “Silience” (at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.) by a dozen summer semester dancers featuring guest performances from distinguished Boston arts organizations. All proceeds go toward providing scholarships and future programs. Information is here. 

Intro to DSLR nature photography from 4 to 5 p.m. at Magazine Beach Nature Center, at the river end of Magazine Street, Cambridgeport. Free, but registration is required. Learn the basics of how to use your DSLR camera in manual mode when capturing the natural world and how to get the most out of your equipment. Information is here.

Open hours for the arts: Poetry from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave., near Union Square, Somerville. Free. Join poet Denise Provost in the garden and listen, write or read poems of your own or others. Information is here.

Evolution of Hip Hop Festival from 4 to 8 p.m. at Union Square Plaza, Somerville. Free. This annual ArtsUnion event will feature local and regional rappers, singers, spoken-word poets, dancers and visual artists as well as live art, interactive activities, craft vendors and local community groups. Information is here. 

Outdoor block party and concert from 4 to 10 p.m. at Boynton Yards, 101 South St., Somerville. Free. Chill out with Once Somerville’s event features five performing groups, beer, games, vendor market, crafts and food trucks. Information is here.

Cambridge Through My Eye from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Kendall/MIT Open Space at 292 Main St., Cambridge. Free, but register. Presented by the Adius Arts Initiative, this night of photography includes beats by DJ Cruz, a panel with local photographers, refreshments from Everybody Gotta Eat and a cash bar. Information is here.

Bridgeside Hot Girl Cypher at 7 p.m. at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St., East Cambridge. $10. This hip-hop and R&B community event features 10 local artists who take turns performing in a collaborative and sometimes improvisational style with a live band and includes an open mic for women of all identities. Information is here.

Katee Robert reads from “Cruel Seduction” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. In Robert’s novel, seduction is weaponized as Aphrodite marries the dastardly Hephaestus, keeps him off-balance by seducing his true love Pandora and then is tricked by Hephaestus with her ex, Adonis. Information is here.

The Alive Tour with Thabisa at 7:30 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square, Somerville. Free. Singer-songwriter Thabisa, a South African native and current New Haven resident, gives a dynamic performance of a vibrant and eclectic sound that mixes genres of soul, Afro pop, Afro soul, rock and jazz rooted in an African beat. Information is here.

Summer bird-watching from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Mass Audubon Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport. Free, but limited to ages 14-plus and registration is required. Bring your binoculars (or borrow a pair at the center) to observe the migrating and common birds stopping by Magazine Beach Park’s unique green space oasis. Information is here.

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Sunday, Aug. 20

Mapping feminist Cambridge from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Central Square, Cambridge. Free; registration provides meeting location. A lively and engaging walking tour of feminist Central Square from the 1970s to 1990s led by local educator and community organizer Kimm Topping and sponsored by the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women. Information is here.

Harvard Square Open Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Church Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Find unique items to treasure at this weekly arts and vintage market running through Oct. 29. Information is here.

Monarch release celebration from 2 to 3:30 p.m. behind the main building of the Water Department facility at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, in West Cambridge at Fresh Pond, Cambridge. Free. Watch the ceremonial release of butterflies raised at Fresh Pond Reservation. Information is here.

Poetry reading with Laura Budofsky Wisniewski and Rajiv Mohabir at 3 p.m on the East Lawn of the Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge. Free. These New England authors read from their prize-winning works as part of the Longfellow Summer Arts Festival running through Sept. 3. Information is here.

Mindfulness in Nature from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Magazine Beach Park Nature Center, 668 Memorial Drive at the river end of Magazine Street, Cambridgeport. Free. Guest guide Stefanie Haug leads a mindful walk with sensory activities to deepen appreciation for a special slice of Cambridge. Information is here.

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Monday, Aug. 21

Chess hour at 6 p.m. at Cambridge Library’s Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Ave., Observatory Hill in Neighborhood 9, Cambridge (and continuing every other Monday). Free. Players of all skill levels and ages are welcome. Chess sets provided, or bring your own. Information is here. 

Monday evening short pose drawing session from 7 to 10 p.m. at Vernon Street Studios, 6 Vernon St, Somerville. $15 to $25. All skill levels are welcome to this drawing opportunity involving dynamic short poses by a model, starting with one-minute poses and ending the evening with poses of 20-plus minutes as time permits. Information is here.

Evening Yoga in the Park from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Magazine Beach Park Nature Center, 668 Memorial Drive at the river end of Magazine Street, Cambridgeport (repeats Wednesday). Free. Enjoy nature while emphasizing breath and body. Information is here.

Monday’s Pages Somerville from 8 to 9:45 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville (and continuing every other Monday). Free. Sharpen your skills while you survive the strike: Five writers bring in 10 pages of dialogue-driven scenes from their screenplay, play, television, spec, podcast or video, and actors are casted to read them. Information is here.

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Tuesday, Aug. 22

Bird-watching at Danehy Park from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Danehy Park, 99 Sherman St., in Neighborhood 9 just east of Fresh Pond, Cambridge. Free. Learn bird-watching tips and how to identify an unfamiliar bird at this all-ages session. A limited supply of binoculars will be available. Information is here.

Boudreau Mystery Book Club from noon to 1 p.m. at Cambridge Library’s Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Ave., Observatory Hill in Neighborhood 9. Free. August’s title: “Cover Her Face” by P.D. James. Information is here.

Summer nights paddling from 4:45 to 8 p.m. at the Mass Audubon Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport (also on Aug. 29). Free, but limited to ages 12-plus and registration is needed. This guided ecotour by kayak welcomes paddlers of all abilities. All gear is provided, and the program begins with beginner paddler instruction. Information is here.

Cardio Kickboxing at 5:30 p.m. at 650 E. Kendall St., East Cambridge (and continuing the second and fourth Tuesdays through Oct. 24). Free, but register. Work the upper body, lower body and core while moving to the music’s beat. For all ages and fitness levels. Information is here.

Adult Read-Alouds from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave., near Union Square, Somerville. Free. For this experimental series, join a variety of hosts in the garden for an hour of reading aloud from books such as “Braiding Sweetgrass,” “Black Earth Wisdom” and “Nature’s Best Hope.” Information is here. 

Christy Cashman discusses “The Truth About Horses” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Cashman – actor and author of “The Not-So-Average Monkey of Kilkea Castle” and “Petri’s Next Things” is joined in conversation about her debut YA novel by Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress Jane Seymour. Information is here.

This Music Next Gen at 7:30 at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $15. A performance by a string trio of up-and-coming jazz and new music improvisers: Gabe Boyarin (guitar), Marie Carroll (koto) and Diego Martinez (bass). Information is here. 

The Moth Story Slam at 7:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. $15. This monthly open-mic storytelling competition is open to anyone who can share a five-minute tale on the night’s theme – this time, “Lessons,” about getting schooled and your “aha!” moment. Information is here.

Laugh Giraffe Comedy Show at 8 p.m. at Union Tavern, 345 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville (and continues every Tuesday). $10. Stand-up comedy showcase. Info is here.

Fresh Music to the Spotlight at 8 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $20. Anju and Gabriella Simpkins perform songs from their upcoming albums as part of The Folk Collective, the club’s initiative to return folk music to its original diversity. Information is here.

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Wednesday, Aug. 23

Passport to Black-Owned Businesses Pop-up from noon to 6 p.m. at One Brattle Square, Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continuing through Sunday). Free. Support local Black-owned businesses by shopping this pop-up, part of Cambridge’s celebration of Black Business Month. Information is here.

Strummerville Ukulele from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Café at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville, and every fourth Wednesday. A bunch of amateur musicians invites you to join in as they sing and strum the hits. Information is here.

Marcelo Gleiser Reads from “The Dawn of a Mindful Universe” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The professor of natural philosophy, physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College discusses his latest book, subtitled “A Manifesto for Humanity’s Future.” Information is here. 

YA (for Adult Readers) Book Club at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 25 White St., Porter Square, Cambridge (and on the fourth Wednesday of every month). Free, but register. Join the first meeting of this book club to discuss this month’s selection, “Divine Rivals,” by Rebecca Ross. Information is here.

Good Luck Comedy Presents Rallo Boykins from 8 to 10 p.m. at Middlesex Lounge, 315 Massachusetts Ave., near Central Square, Cambridge. Free but 21-plus, and registration is needed to reserve a space. Rallo Boykins from DC Improv is joined by DJ Big Bear. Information is here.

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Thursday, Aug. 24

Green City Growers Pop-up Market from 3 to 8 p.m. at Parcel 6, Third St. and Binney St., East Cambridge. Free. Visit the new communal container garden on this site to see what’s growing, along with the local business pop-ups, which are the focus of this “Community Thursday.” Information is here. 

CX Outdoor Movie Night: “Shrek” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on The Event Lawn at CX (behind Park 151), 100 Morgan Avenue, North Point, Cambridge. Free. Bring your own chair or blanket to a double-feature of family-friendly movies in partnership with The Brattle Theatre and East Cambridge Business Association. One free popcorn and one free water are available with each ticket while supplies last, and food trucks will be selling. (Rain date: Aug. 30.) Information is here.

Dancing Outdoors: Samba with SambaViva from 6 to 7 p.m. at Joan Lorentz Park at 457 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge (in front of the Cambridge Main library). Free. A high-energy workout with Dance Complex teaching artists as guides. All levels welcome. Information is here.

“Forgive Us, Gustavito!” from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville. $15 and 18-plus. A three-person play – apparently inspired by bizarre true events around the killing of a hippo – described as equal parts classic noir and outrageous animal madness. Information is here.

Third Annual Ifeanyi Menkiti Memorial Reading from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, 113 Brattle St., West Cambridge. $10, but registration is required. This reading honors the late owner of the Grolier Poetry Book Shop, Wellesley philosophy professor and Nigerian-born poet Ifeanyi Menkiti, and celebrates the launch of his posthumous poetry collection, “Coming to America.” Information is here.

The Emo Night Tour at 7:30 p.m. at Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. $15 to $25 and 18-plus. Bang your head to nostalgic favorites or bang your head that you missed the event, because it heads to Pennsylvania and New York after this. Information is here.

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Friday, Aug. 25

Jean Arp’s Sculptural Process from 11 a.m. to noon at Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free, but register. Join curatorial fellow Clemens Ottenhausen to examine 11 plaster casts and a bronze by Arp, all acquired recently, to pinpoint how he developed and finished his three-dimensional works. Information is here.

Nature in the City Festival from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mass Audubon Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport (repeats on Sept. 23 and Oct. 28). Free. Connect with community while you explore nature, make art, dance to live music, eat and play games as the sun sets over the Charles River. Information is here.

Cycle for Stepping Strong at 5:30 p.m. at The Handle Bar Indoor Cycling Studio at 14 Hampshire St. ($30 for spinning class only) and at 6:15 p.m. at State Park at 15 Hampshire St. Building 300 ($35 for drinks only), Wellington-Harrington, Cambridge. $65 for the full event. Take a spin, enjoy apps and drinks, and support the The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation. Sponsored by the Young Professionals Council. Information is here.

“Forgive Us, Gustavito!” (continued) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville). $15 and 21-plus. Information is here.

“The Triggered Project” podcast from 7 to 9 p.m. at Starlight Square, 84 Bishop Allen Drive, Central Square, Cambridge. Free, but register to reserve a spot. Join Keith Mascoll and Roxann Mascoll, creators and hosts of the podcast “The Triggered Project,” as they talk under the stars about the music they each brought to the other in their relationship. Featuring DJ Moe Wilks. Information is here.

Girl God comedy at 7:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. $27. The comedy team of April Clark and Grace Freud sell out shows across the country with their surreal, interactive performances featuring jokes from their trans and queer perspectives. Presented by Brookline Booksmith. Information is here.

Boston’s Biggest Drag Dunce at 8 p.m. at Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. $15 to $25, 18-plus. It’s a race to the bottom during this one-night comedy competition of drag buffoonery celebrating stupid excellence. As there can be only one campy competitor crowned with the sparkling dunce cap, the contest is sure to be fierce. Information is here.