Friday, Aug. 25

East Branch Book Club, from 11 a.m. to noon at Somerville Public Library East Branch, 115 Broadway. Free. The group discusses “In Vino Duplicitas: The Rise and Fall of a Wine Forger Extraordinaire” by Peter Hellman. Pick up a copy in person or download the audio or e-book copy on Libby and Overdrive. Information is here.

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.

Drop-in at The Hive from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge. Learn about workshops and special programs at the city makerspace known as The Hive and start exploring and making right away. Equipment and studios will be available for limited time slots first-come, first-served. Information is here.

“Tokyo Pop” screens at 3:30 and 9:30 p.m. at The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (also Aug. 26-27). $12.50 to $14.50. Praised by critics in 1988, this film about an American backup singer who flies to Japan on a whim fell into obscurity – never making it to disc or streaming – until it was shown at New York’s Japan Society in 2019, where the director met an enthusiastic film preservationist. The late lead’s mother (Carol Burnett) and her friend (Dolly Parton) financed its restoration. Information is here.

Nature in the City Festival from 4 to 7 p.m. at the 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.

Angel Subero & The Project from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at One Reason Garden Bar, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Venezuelan trombonist and Berklee professor Angel Subero performs salsa Latin at this outdoor venue with beverages, burgers and patio games. Information is here.

Forgive Us, Gustavito! from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville. $15 and 21-plus. A hippo-murder play – apparently inspired by bizarre true events – described as equal parts classic noir and outrageous animal madness. Information is here.

Passim Staff & Board Show at 7 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $15 to $20. A night to celebrate the many performing artists who sell tickets, run sound, answer phones, manage the office, coordinate festivals, wait tables and help Passim to keep going. 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.

Union Comedy Weekend Show at 7:30 p.m. at Union Comedy, 593 Somerville Ave., Somerville (repeating Fridays and Saturdays). $15. This character-driven, narrative-style of improv features rotating teams of local performers. 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.

The 5, 6, 7, 8’s with Sit n’ Spin at 8 p.m. at Sonia, 10 Brookline St., Central Square, Cambridge. $20, 18-plus. This Japanese trio performs original songs and covers drawing from multiple genres of rock from the 1950s through the ’80s, joined by ’90s all-girl garage rockers Sit ’n’ Spin. Information is here.

---

Saturday, Aug. 26

Sculpt That sASS from 10 to 11 a.m. at Dawes Field, 300 Water St., East Cambridge. Free. Alanna Perry teams up with DJ Maverick for a mat-based “sASSy” sculpt class full of high-intensity cardio bursts and working muscles that target your best “ASSet.” (Okay, we get it.) Bring water and a mat (and no shame whatsoever) to this all-levels outdoor session, part of the CX Fit lineup of classes at Cambridge Crossing. Information is here.

Somernova Co-Creating Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Dojo at Somernova, 15 Properzi Way, Somerville. Free. Stop by, meet your neighbors, enjoy local bites and learn about the expansion plans of the Somernova campus, which include the establishment and support of a youth-driven, multigenerational community center. Information is here.

Chasing the Dream Dance Showcase from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Steam Set/Performance Space at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge. Free, but register. Amateur adult dancers bring Chinese tradition and contemporary dance. Information is here.

Gardening Workshop with Green City Growers from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Central Hill (repeats Sept. 16, Oct. 7 and Nov. 4) Free, but register. Join this hands-on class to learn when and what to plant and how to bring in a great harvest. Information is here.

National Dog Day Yappy Hour from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Picnic Grove in front of Lamplighter CX, 110 N. First St., North Point, Cambridge. Free entry and 21-plus. Bring your dog and enjoy treats (human and canine) at this picnic with seating, beers, vegan hot dogs from Fanny’s food truck and Honeycomb Creamery ice cream. Information is here.

Vinyl Jam & Salsa Social from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Starlight Square, 84 Bishop Allen Drive, Central Square, Cambridge. Free. Brush up on your salsa steps (6 p.m.) then mambo, guaguancó, pachanga and more via the vintage sound of vinyl. Wraps up The Dance Complex’s 30th season. Information is here.

Crafts Night with Climable at 7 p.m. at Patagonia, 39 Brattle St., Cambridge. Free. Paint flowerpots, make lanterns and more (supplies included) while learning about the local nonprofit Climable, whose mission is to make climate science and clean energy understandable and actionable for everyone. Information is here.

---

Sunday, Aug. 27

Somerville Flea from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 52 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville, and every Sunday through October. Free. This vintage and artisan flea market includes a farm stand. Information is here.

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

Prince and Michael Jackson Drag Brunch at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Summer Shack, 149 Alewife Brook Parkway, North Cambridge. Have a meal and enjoy this themed dance party hosted by Neon Calypso. Information is here.

Berklee Summer in the City Concert Series 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. Flutist and singer Jailene Michelle combines a formal classical background with inspiration from her Caribbean roots, particularly the sounds and syncopations of rumba and plena. Information is here.

Lacto Fermentation Workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave., near Union Square, Somerville. Free. Spencer Albin demonstrates how to make your own sauerkraut while explaining the fundamentals behind this food preservation method. Information is here.

Bachata by the River from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mass Audubon Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport. Free. An introductory class (6 p.m.) on this easy-to-learn partner dance, applicable to many music genres, followed by another hour of dancing. No need to bring a partner. Information is here.

Cafe Raqs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Cafe at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville (repeats the fourth Sunday of every month). $10 suggested donation. A legion of regional belly dancers performs, including longtimers and up-and-coming stars. Information is here.

Madds Buckley performs at 8 p.m. at Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. $15 to $20, all ages. Inspired by various series and video games, the 22-year-old Buckley makes music for anime fans that’s meant to be enjoyed by everyone. Information is here.

---

Monday, Aug. 28

Fresh Pond Nature Walk from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., meeting at the courtyard of the Cambridge Public Library Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Ave., West Cambridge. Free. During this relaxing walk of Fresh Pond, Ranger Tim Puopolo shares insights about what’s growing, changing and blooming in the neighborhood. Information is here.

Deep Dive Tour: Washington Reexamined at 2:30 p.m. at Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge (repeating on Mondays through Oct. 30). Free. While in Cambridge, George Washington, a lifelong enslaver, took the national stage in the fight for American liberty. This tour explores Washington’s apparent contradictions and the lives of enslaved and free people at Headquarters. Information is here.

Open Mic Night 7 to 9 p.m. at The Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge (repeating Mondays). Free and 21-plus. Music acts with an indie-folk vibe sign up to perform. Information is here.

The Fringe at 10:30 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge, and every Monday. $10 to $15. Remaining members of The Fringe (formed in 1971), tenor-saxophonist George Garzone and bassist John Lockwood perform contemporary jazz. Information is here.

---

Tuesday, Aug. 29

Sit ’n’ Knit from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge (and continuing every Tuesday). Free. Bring your fiber project and enjoy the company of other crafters at this informal group. Refreshments provided. Information is here.

Summer Nights Paddling from 4:45 to 8 p.m. at the Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport (also on Aug. 29). Free and 12-plus, but register. This guided ecotour by kayak welcomes paddlers of all abilities. Gear is provided, and the program begins with beginner paddler instruction. Information is here.

Collins Branch Book Group from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Cambridge Public Library Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Ave., West Cambridge. Free, but register. This group enjoys fiction and nonfiction titles from a variety of authors, genres and decades. This month’s title: “Interior Chinatown” by Charles Yu. 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. Information is here.

---

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Food Trucks and Outdoor Games from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m. at Kendall/MIT Open Space at 292 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Enjoy lunch with Zaaki Mediterranean and Tenoch Mexican food trucks, perhaps with some live music, or stop by later for all-ages lawn games and free use of a cart full of chalk, musical instruments, bouncy balls, giant checkers and more. Information is here.

“Blue Women: To Draw or Not to Draw Dutch Female Nudes from Life?” Gallery Talk from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free, but register. Curatorial fellow Talitha Maria G. Schepers gives a gallery walk and talk that explores why 17th century Dutch artists decided to draw female nudes from life, the conventions they broke while doing so and why they used blue paper. Information is here.

Artists Talk: Inspiration Finds One Working from 2 to 4 p.m. at the CAA@Canal Gallery, 650 E. Kendall St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free. A diverse group of Cambridge Art Association creators join Cathleen Daley in conversation about the momentum of making and sustaining a studio practice. Information is here.

CelebriTea Book Club from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the community room of the Somerville Public Library West Branch, 40 College Ave., near Davis Square. Free. Bring a favorite mug or teacup and discuss a tell-all celebrity memoir while drinking tea (provided). This month: “Mean Baby” by Selma Blair. Information is here.

QuICK Climbing Meet-up from 7 to 9 p.m. at Central Rock Gym, 20 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (repeats every other Wednesday). $20 (includes gear). A community of LGBTQ climbers who want make friends while climbing. Information is here.

Drag Night from 8 to 10 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square, Somerville. $15, 21-plus. Dykelangelo hosts local returning Queens Coleslaw and Severity Stone alongside newcomers Pristine Christine and JM. Information is here.

---

Thursday, Aug. 31

Hive Safety Training from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Fab Lab of The Hive at the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge. Free. This workshop familiarizes you with The Hive makerspace and shows how to use its resources and keep safe. Completion of safety training is the entry point to using the space. Information is here.

Harvard Art Museums at Night from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Calderwood Courtyard at Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Wander the galleries and browse the shop while enjoying sounds from DJ C-Zone, snacks from Somerville’s Carolicious (serving up Venezuelan food) and beverages from Notch Brewing. Information is here.

Dancing Outdoors: Afro Fusion Dance Class from 6 to 7 p.m. at Joan Lorentz Park at 457 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge (in front of the Cambridge Main library). Free. Dance Complex teaching artist Mcebisi Xotenyi explores similarities of African and modern dance. All levels welcome. Information is here.

Lili Latin Dance Presents: Summer Bachata Bash from 6 to 9 p.m. at Starlight Square, 84 Bishop Allen Drive, Central Square, Cambridge. Free. An introductory class (6 p.m.) on this easy-to-learn partner dance, applicable to many music genres, followed by dancing to bachata and salsa music. No need to bring a partner. Information is here.

E.G. Condé reads at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 25 White St., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free, but register. The author, a queer diasporic Boricua writer of speculative fiction and fantasy, reads from his new climate change novella “Sordidez” and talks with Afrosurreal-futurist storyteller Shingai Njeri Kagunda. Information is here.

Bipoc/PGM Climbing Meet-up from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Central Rock Gym, 20 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (repeats every month’s last Thursday). Free to $20 (includes gear). Find climbing partners and new friends at an event sponsored by Arc’teryx Boston. The acronym and initialism are “Black, indigenous and people of color” and “People of the Global Majority.” All levels welcome. Information is here.

---

Friday, Sept. 1

Multicultural Arts Center Block Party from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Centanni Park outside the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St., East Cambridge. Free. A dance battle headlined by Boston hip-hop icon Megatron featuring top local dancers competing in all styles, pumped by the beats of DJ Take Flyte. Information is here.

Sip & Sew Workshop: Creative Patches and Embroidery at 7 p.m. at Patagonia, 39 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $20 donation goes to a Ghanian fashion- and ecology focused nonprofit. Led by local textile artist, Jessamy Shay, whose work focuses on sustainability and handcrafting. Includes supplies, beverages and snacks. Information is here.