Special events

Flower Power, April 2 through 5, Attleboro Art Museum, Attleboro. $3 adults, children under 9 free. Includes floral and landscape installations, kids activities, live easel paintings, books, plants, raffles, demos, workshops, and family entertainment. On Saturday there will be a Flower Power After Hours at 7 p.m. with Andy Solberg and Similar Jones. Includes beer, wine, and food. Tickers for After Hours is $25, $30 at door. 508-222-2644 or attleboroartsmuseum.org.

Sturbridge Village honors actress Laura Linney, April 3, 7:30 p.m., Crowne-Plaza Boston - Natick. Documentary film maker Ken Burns presents the actress at a dinner to benefit Sturbridge Village. Reservations required. $150. 508-347-0210 or osv.org.

Easter activities, April 4, Patriot Place, Foxboro. SATURDAY, Easter Bunny and egg hunt, 10 a.m., free; Final Four Part at CBS Scene, 6 p.m.; Revolution First Kick, 7:30 p.m., $20.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats, April 4, 8 p.m., Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Sq., Woonsocket. Contortionists, tumblers, and jugglers perform spectacular exploits with everything from balls to umbrellas using not only their hands, but their feet. $31, $26, $21. 401-762-4545. Big Apple Circus: Play On!, April 4 through May 3, City Hall Plaza, Boston. One ring circus. $20 to $65. 888-541-3750 or bigapplecircus.org.

Fowl Play, April 4, 7 to 11 p.m., Reebok World Headquarters, Canton. Gala to benefit Mass Audubon Visual Arts Center. Enjoy live jazz and Latin music by The Jazz Marauders, a sake tasting table. Auctioneer will be Stephen Fletcher. Silent and live auction includes Red Sox and Patriots tickets, art, get-aways, and more. Honors curator emeritus and former VP of Mass Audubon. $60. www.massaudubon.org/fowlplay or 781-821-8853.

Hope: Celebrating Survivors of Breast Cancer, April 5, 1 to 4 p.m., Second Stage Studio, The Gallery at Second Stage, 1 Angell Rd., Cumberland, RI. Light refreshments. Portion of proceeds from sales benefits the Breast Health Center at Women and Infants Hospital in Rhode Island.

An Evening with David Sedaris, April 6, 8 p.m., Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. Book signing before performance at 6:30 p.m. $33, $43, $50.50, $60.50. ppacri.org or 401-421-ARTS.

Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 7, 6:30 p.m., Roger Williams University of Law. Features Ruth Fishman, survivor of a Dutch concentration camp, and Dr. Albert Silverstein, a Kindertransport survivor. Free. 303-990-4397.

TY KU Cocktail Competition, April 7, 9 p.m., Kartabar, 284 Thayer St., Providence. Rhode Island and Boston bartenders battle it out to create a new cocktail. One winner will be crowned and receive a VIP trip to Boston. Quickwhatsup.com

Women in Music Panel, April 8, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., The Loft, 939 Boylston St., Boston. With Cris Williamson and clip excerpted from the documentary "Radical Harmonies." Free. berklee.edu/events or 617-747-8820.

Fun Easter Activities, April 10, 3 to 7 p.m., April 4, 5, 11, 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bass Pro Schops, One Bass Drive, Patriot Place, Foxboro. Includes scavenger hunt, Geocaching classes, and Easter Egg Hunt. Crafts for kids and free photo with the Easter Bunny. www.basspro.com

6th Annual Luv n' Paws, April 11, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., Ward 5 Club, 29 Winter St., Taunton. Dinner and dance fundraiser. Items for sale, raffle items, information about the shelter and pets. Profits benefit the Taunton Animal Shelter. Featuring country band The Goat Ropers. $15. Available at the Taunton Animal Shelter or Leahy's Liquors.

7th Annual Healing Through the Arts, April 19, 1 to 4 p.m., Community VNA, 10 Emory St., Attleboro. Provides meaningful examples and practical ideas for coping and reducing the stress using a connection with plants. People coping with the loss of a loved one, job, income, relationship, or health welcome. Presented by horticultural therapist Mary Beth Miller. Registration is required. Free. 774-203-1311 or email register@communityvna.com 9th Annual Celebrity and Scholarship Dinner, April 23, Venus de Milo, 75 Grand Army Highway, Swansea. Guest speaker Carlton Fisk. Hosted by UMass Dartmouth. $75 VIP reception, starts at 5 p.m.; $75 dinner tickets starts at 6 p.m. Silent auction of signed items. 508-910-6435 or umassd.edu/cmr.

This American Life - Live!, April 23, 8 p.m., Showcase Cinemas Patriot Place, Foxboro. Live simulcast performance of the hit radio show, originating at the Center for Performing Arts at New York University. Special events include a cartoon by Chris Ware, visuals by Arthur Jones, and musical performance by Joss Whedon, creator of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' Theme of the show is 'Return to the Scene of the Crime.' www.FathomEvents.com.

Strike the Match Fundraiser, April 25, 7 to 11 p.m., Waterplace Restaurant, 1 Finance Way, Providence. $50. waterfite.org./strike. Contact rosa@waterfire.org to buy tickets.

Run of the Charles, April 27. Mark Kish and Matt Shute of Attleboro among early entries. Benefits the Charles River Watershed Association and their efforts to protect health, beauty, and accessibility of the river. Canoe and Kayak race. Finish Line Festival is at DCR's Artesani Park on Soldiers' Field Road in Brighton. Includes Dixieland-style music. 508-698-6810 or visit www.charlesriver.org.

Laughalot, May 2, 7 p.m., Buckley Performing Arts Center, Massasoit Community College, Rte. 27, Brockton. Evening of classic radio and TV recreations, including Ethel and Albert, Fibber McGee and Molly, Our Miss Brooks, and Duffy's Tavern. $17 general, $15 seniors. 508-427-1234

SoWa Antiques Market, May 16, 17, through Oct. 25, every Sun., 540 Harrison Ave., Boston. Held rain or shine. Free. 781-862-4039 or sowaantiques.com

US Air Guitar Championships, May 27, 6 p.m., Paradise Rock Club, Boston. Must be 21 + to enter competition. If entering, bring a 60-second song on CD, with name on it and the desired track and start time clearly labeled. Participants get in free but audience pays fee. Win regional get cash voucher to compete in US Finals Aug. 7 (city to be announced). $20.99. www.usairguitar.com

Professional Bull Riders, June 6, 7 p.m., June 7, 2 p.m., Dunkin' Donuts Center, Providence. $12.50, $25.50, and $35.50. livenation.com or 401-331-2627.

Block Island Race Week, XXIII, June 21-26, Block Island, Rhode Island. Over 180 boarts and 1500 sailors are expected. Running for its 23rd year. Features five days of racing in both handicap and one-design classes. Register by June 1.

WWE World Wrestling Entertainment, Aug. 1, 8 p.m., South Shore Music Circus, 130 Sohier St., Cohasset. $49.25 and $33.25. 781-383-9850 or www.themusiccircus.org.

Lectures

Design as Social Agent, April 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., . Brings together speakers from the fields of design, street art, music, and politics. Frames Shephard Fairey's work. $25, $25 for ICA, AIGA members, and students and seniors. icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

God 101: My Semester at Jerry Falwell's Bible Boot Camp, April 7, 7 p.m., Salomon Teaching Center, Room 001, Brown University. With Kevin Roose speaking about his soon to be released book, "Unlikely Disciple: A Sinner's Guide to America's Holist University." Will sign books after event. C-Span will tape.

Don Giovanni, April 14, 7 to 8 p.m., Rabb Auditorium, Boston Public Library, Copely Sq., Boston. Thomas Connolly explores the character and the legend of Don Juan, who is the inspiration for Don Giovanni. Find out of there really was a Don Juan. Part of the Night at the Opera series. 617-542-4912 x 242.

Justice: The 150th Anniversary of the Superior Court in Bristol County, April 16, 7 p.m., 66 Church Green, Taunton. Talk is by William F. Hanna on history of the court system in Taunton. $4 adults, $2 sweniors and students, free for children under 12. 508-822-1622 or www.oldcolonyhistoricalsociety.org.

Spencer Quinn, April 16, 7:30 p.m., Barnes and Noble, The Walpole Mall, 82 Providence Highway, Walpole. Discussing and signing his new book 'Dog Gone It.' 508-668-6033. Free.

Jack Canfield, April 17, 7 p.m., Stadium Theatre, 28 Monument Sq., Woonsocket, RI. Presents "The Success Principles - How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to be." Participants get motivated and learn the methods, strategies, activities, and excercises to achieve what they want. Book signing follows event. $51 to $99. stadiumtheatre.com or 401-762-4545.

Dalai Lama, May 2, 9:30 a.m., Gillette Stadium, Foxboro. Spiritual leader of Tibet and Nobel Peace Laureate will have two talks, starting at 9:30 with an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism and an afternoon session at 2 p.m. entitled "A Path to Peace and Happiness." Free parking. Funds raised benefit the construction of Heritage Center for the Tibetan Association of Boston. Tickets are for both sessions. $37.50, $75.50, $117.50. Tickets go on sale March 6, 10 a.m. ticktemaster.com or 866-448-7849.

Crucial Waters, May 14, 7 p.m., Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, RI. Presented by National Geographic photographer Brian Skerry. Showcases work from stories published in that months National Geographic magazine, the world's most endangered sea turtles. For ages 16 +. $10 members, $12 nonmembers. asri.org or 401-949-5454.

Former deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and James Carville, May 27, 8 p.m., Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre, Boston. With Charlie Rose interviewing. Question and answer period follows. Part of the Speaker Series: The Minds that Move the World. $38 to $200. speakerseries2009.com or 866-348-9738.

Al Sharpton, June 9, 8 p.m., Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre, Boston. Question and answer period follows. With Lisa Ling and John Quinones; Soledad O'Brien interviewing. Part of the Speaker Series: The Minds that Move the World. $38 to $200. speakerseries2009.com or 866-348-9738.

Craft fairs/festivals

Indoor Yard Sale, April 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., April 25, 9 a.m. to noon, Bradford Lewis Hall, The United Church, 30 Common St., Walpole. Sale features collectibles, books, DVDs, videos, dishes, glassware, and mroe. No clothing or jewelry. Proceeds go to Church building maintenance programs. Free. 508-668-0551.

Annual Giant Flea Market/Crafts, April 25, Parish Center, St. Joseph Church, 1303 Mendon Rd., Cumberland, RI. Refreshments available. Free.

Outdoor/gardens

Bird Fest 2009, April 4, 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Coastal Institute, University of Rhode Island Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI. A day of walks, talks, exhibits, and demonstrations. Activities range from live bird and optics demonstrations to guided walks in search early migrants. Speakers include Marshall Illiff from Cornell, and Scott Comings of The Nature Conservancy. Lunch is included, pre-registration is required. $30 member, $35 nonmember for adults; $20 member, $25 nonmember for children ages 12 through 17. For ages 12 and up. 401-949-5454 x 3041 or email emarks@asri.org or jlewis@asri.org.

Woodcock Walk and Night Hike, April 9, 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk. Observe the aerial displays of the American Woodcock. Walk the trail just before dusk, listening for the unmistakable "peent" call coming from the male Woodcocks. After the woodcock show, participants take to the trails in a guided search for owls. Bring a flashlight. $8 member, $12 nonmember adults; $4 member and $6 nonmembers for children. Ages 6 and up. 401-949-5454 x 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Harbor Seal Walk, April 11, 1 to 3 p.m., John Chafee Wildlife Sanctuary, North Kingstown, RI. Harbor seals are the most common marine mammals in Rhode Island waters. Join Fisherville naturalist Laura Carberry for a visit to the largest haul-out site in the state off Rome Point. Our walk is timed to the low tide, and we could see a hundred seals or more. It's about a one-mile walk each way between the parking lot and the end of Rome Point. Good walking shoes, warm clothes, and binoculars or spotting scopes will be helpful. No dogs. $8 member, $12 nonmember adults; $4 members, $6 nonmembers for children. Ages 8 and up. 401-949-5454 x 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Ponkapoag Mud Stomp, April 11, 1 p.m., Ponkapoag Golf Course, 2167 Washington St., Canton. Stomp through mud and puddles along the pond edge and woodlandson 4 mile trek. Lasts two hours. Ages 8 and up. 617-698-1802 or mass.gov/dcr

Warblers of Southern New England, April 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk. Join an Audubon expert and learn about many aspects of our most colorful group of birds. Identification tips will be covered as well as details of their life history such as preferred habitat, behavior and voice. Meet on the second floor of the Nature Center at Caratunk. $8 members, $12 nonmembers. Ages 16 and up only. 401-949-5454 x 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Blue Hills Skyline Hike, May 3, 9 a.m. Rugged 8 mile trek along Skyline Trail. Must be an experienced hiker. Sturdy hiking boots required. Bring lunch and water bottle. Ages 15 and up, lasts 5 to 6 hours. Free. Registration required. 617-698-1802 or mass.gov/dcr

Spring Wildflower Wander, May 9, 1 p.m., Ponkapoag Golf Course, 2467 Washington St., Canton. Search for woodland flowers as you hike the trails of Blue Hill.s Ages 12 and up, lasts 2 and half hours. Free. 617-698-1802.

Kite Festival, May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., part of the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center open house. Amazing view, history, and fun activities at the oldest continually operating weather observatory in the country. Free. 617-698-0562 or bluehill.org.

Mountain Bike Discovery Day, May 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Houghton's Pond Picnic Site #5, Blue Hills River Road, Milton. Guided rides for all ages and abilities. Skill clinics throughout the day. Bring own bike and helmets are required. Free. 617-698-1802 x 310.

17th Annual Against the Tide, June 20, Hopkinton State Park, Hopkinton. One-mile swim, two-mile kayak, three-mile fitness walk to benefit Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. Participants should raise minimum of $150. Will also be held on Aug. 15 at the Nickerson State Park in Brewster.www.againstthetidembcc.org

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk, 8 to 10:30 a.m., every Tues. Meet at the Charlestown Mini-Super on Route 1-A. Led by Phil Budlong. Free.

Blue Hills Adult Walking Club, 1 p.m., alternating Saturday and Sunday weekly. Walks 2 to 5 miles, and for 16+. Location changes every week. Meeting at: Houghton's Pond, March 15; Donovan School in Randolph March 22; Trailside Museum in Milton, March 28; Shea Rink in Quincy, April 4; Trailside Museum, April 12; Houghton's Pond in Milton, April 18; Ponkapoag Golf Course in Canton, April 26; Houghton's Pond in Milton, May 2; Little Blue Hill in Canton, May 10; Wilson Mountain Reservation on Rte. 135; May 17; Shea Rink in Quincy, May 23; Houghton's Pond in Milton, May 30.

New Dawn Earth Center, 75 Wrentham Rd., Cumberland, RI. 270 acre of wooded open space, wetlands, ponds. 401-333-1341 or newdawnearthcenter.org.

Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Ave., Easton/Sharon line. 508-238-6566 or www.mass.gov/dcr/events.htm.

Arts & crafts

Rag and Bone Bindery Studio Open House, 1088 Main St., Pawtucket. 401-728-0762 or ragandbone.com.

Community Quilting, every Thurs., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck St., Lowell. 978-452-4207 x19.