Go Magazine - Special Events

Upcoming destinations for the Attleboro YMCA ski trips are Loon, Feb. 6; Waterville, Feb. 13; Sunday River, Feb. 17. (Photo from www.SkiNh.com)

Special events

America's Got Talent, through Feb. 7, MGM Grand Theatre, Foxwoods Casino, Conn. Host Jerry Springer. Features season 4 winner Kevin Skinner, Opera singer Barbara Padilla, Explosive Druimmers Recycled Percussion, singing trio The Texas Tenors, comedian Grandma Lee, and more. Shows at 2, 7, and 8 p.m.

Go Red Happy Hour, Feb. 5, 5 to 8 p.m., McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon, 52 Pine St., Providence. Proceeds benefit American Heart Association. Complimentary hord d'oeuvres, a chocolate fountain, and a raffle ticket for a chance to win a Tiffany's Loving Heart Necklace. $10 donation, or $5 if wearing red. www.McFaddensProvidence.com

Eastern Fishing and Outdoor Exposition, Feb. 11-Feb. 14, DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. Sport show with more than 400 exhibitors of fishing, boats, archery, family entertainment, live animals, free seminars, sporting competitions, and more. Thurs., Fri., 12:30 to 9 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $11 adults, $3 children, children under 5 free. 800-227-2067 or www.sportshows.com.

Boat Show, Feb. 13 through Feb. 21, Bass Pro Shops, 1 Bass Pro Dr., Foxboro. Free admission, food, parking, seminars, family activities, and giveaways. Rain gutter boat races and the casting game. www.basspro.com/boatshow.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, Feb. 13 through June 13, Foxwoods Resort Casino, 39 Norwich Westerly Rd., Mashantucket, Conn. Visitors can bring their tickets to the Memorial Gallery and match their pass with a passengers to see if they survived or not. Authentic objects recovered from the ship. Sun.-Thur. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. $20 adults, $18 cardholders, $15 children 3-12. www.foxwoods.com/titanic.aspx.

Over 40 Social Group, Feb. 13, 6 p.m., Hotel Providence, Mathewson St., Providence. Mingling social group hosted by Jewish Family Services, and includes facilitated discussion led by Patricia Raskin of WPRO-AM's Positive Living. Will discuss what activities, group members would like to do. Cold vegetarian and light appetizers, cash bar. RSVP mandatory. Free. 401-331-1244 or email nancy@jfsri.org.

MGM Grand Cash Giveaway, Feb. 14, 15, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Conn. Giving away $5,000 every 30 minutes and two $50,000 chosen at 8 p.m. each day. Open to all Dram Card Holders. 1-800-FOXWOODS or www.foxwoods.com.

Big Sports Card and Autograph Shows, Feb. 15, 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Holiday Inn, Mansfield. More than 45 vendors. Two Providence Bruins players will sign free autographs from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free cake to celebrate 19th birthday. $2, under 12 free after 12:45 p.m. www.cardboardpromotions.com.

Rhode Island Spring Flower and Garden Show, Feb. 18-21, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. Theme this year: "Timeless Gardens." From the roaring 20's to flower power days of the 1960s. $15 advance, $17 door, children under 6 free. www.flowershow.com.

54th New England Boat Show, Feb. 20 through Feb. 28, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston. The 2010 show will have the latest boats, gear, gadgets, and deals. Features free daily fishing and boating seminars, interactive demonstrations led by top experts. $13 adults, $7 youth ages 6-12, children 5 and under free. www.newenglandboatshow.com or 617-472-1442.

New England Cheerleader Auditions, Feb. 20, Dana-Farber Field House, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Women should be at least 18 and have a GED or high school diploma. Candidates will perform designated routines and freestyle combination and will be judged on dance, ability, showmanship, and overall appearance. Finalists will be invited back March 6. Wear aerobics outfit, bring a lunch, resume, and photograph. $20. www.patriots.com/cheerleaders.

Northern Rhode Island Home Show, Feb. 20, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Twin River Event Center, 100 Twin River Rd., Lincoln, RI. Casino chefs will be entertaining the public with cooking demonstrations. Exhibitors include RI Kitchen and Bath, Pools Plus, Bath Fitter, and more. $8, children under 12 free. 800-237-6024.

Winter Chili-Festival, Feb. 27, 11 .m. to 6 p.m., Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. Local charities to benefit. $15 adults, $10 student, seniors, free for children under 12. www.chili-festival.com or 508-889-8113.

A Very Special Evening with Garrison Keillor, March 11, 7:30 p.m., Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. Famous for "A Prairie Home Companion." $32-$67. www.ppacri.org or 401-421-2787.

Home Show, March 11-14, Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. More than 300 exhibitors, how-to seminars, children's entertainment, cooking demonstrations. Rejuvenation Night takes place Thurs., Fri., Sat. 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday is family fun day, kids 12 and under free. Kaleidoscope Theater performs Sat. and Sun. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $3 children 6-12. children under 5 free. ribahomeshow.com

Michael Moschen, March 13, 7:30 p.m., VMA Cultural Center, 1 Avenue for the Arts, Providence. A show of fantastic feats and illusions. Presented by FirstWorks. $18-$32. www.first-works.org or 401-421-2787.

Thin Ice, March 19, 8 p.m., March 21, 7 p.m., MGM Grand at Foxwoods Casino, Conn. New reality competition starring many of the world's greatest professional figure skaters. Broadcast live on ABC from MGM Grand. Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Kurt Browning to host. Additional shows (not being aired) on March 18, 20. www.mgmatfoxwoods.com or 1-866-646-0609.

Harlem Globetrotters, March 29, 7 p.m., Ryan Center, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. Part of the Magical Memories Tour. $17. ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Boston Comic Con, April 10-11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Westin Waterfront, 425 Summer St., South Boston. Includes Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, creator of "Hellboy," Eric Powell, and many more. $15. www.bostoncomiccon.com

Abraham Lincoln Visits the Blackstone Valley, May 15, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Join Lincoln as he travels from Providence to Woonsocket on the Providence and Worcester Railroad. Train leaves Amtrak Station, 100 Gaspee St., Providence for a 4-hour visit to Woonsocket. Passengers encouraged to dress in period costume. Listen to Lincoln's speech, and enjoy music by Heritage String Band. Everyone receives a signed Commemorative Print of Lincoln by Peter Campbell, and ticket includes chance to win original portrait by him valued at $2,000. $74 adults, $65 children under 16. tourblackstone.com or 401-724-2200.

Blackstone Valley Explorer Cruise, every Sunday, departing from Central Falls Landing at the corner of Broad Street and Madeira Avenue. Tours depart on the hour at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Last Sunday of the month is free. $10 adults, $8 seniors, children 12 and under. www.tourblackstone.com or 401-724-2200.

Tell Your Story

Live Bait: True Stories from Real People, Feb. 5, 10 p.m., Perishable Theatre, 95 Empire St., Providence. If you have a story that is related to Feb. theme "Tough Enough" come tell it. $5. 401-331-2695 x 101.

Lectures/books

William Wheat Chocolate Mill, Feb. 4, 7 to 9 p.m., Clube Sport União Madeirense, 46 Madeira Ave., Central Falls, RI. Eric J. Whitacre of the Confectioners Mill Preservation Society and Timothy Walker of the Center for Portuguese Studies and Culture at UMass Dartmouth with speak. There will be a hands-on demonstration of chocolate making in 17th and 18th century America and many artifacts, including chocolate pots, roasters and grinders will be displayed. www.tourblackstone.com/chocolatemill.

The Untold Story: Black Inventors Worldwide, Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Commonwealth College Center Atrium, Bristol Community College. Multimedia presentation that pays tribute to the unsung hero of the black inventor.

Children with Disabilities, Feb. 6 through March 20, 8 to 9 p.m., Maxwell Library, Bridgewater State College. Free. 508-531-1776. PROMOTING YOUR PROFESSION IN A CHANGING WORLD: Using creativity and innovation with Warren Dahlin, Feb. 6; MICROPROCESSOR PROSTHETIC KNEE TECHNOLOGY: The C-Leg by Otto Bock with Jeremy Hines talking, Feb. 13; PLANNING FOR THE FINANCIAL FUTURE NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND DISABILITIES, Feb. 20, with Richard Harwood; ENHANCING FUNCTION OF THOSE WITH DISABILITY THROUGH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, Feb. 27, with Susanne Russell; BARRIERS DISABLED FACE: Accessibility via MBTA Transit System, March 20, with Gary Talbot.

Capron Park Zoo Adult Programs, Feb. 10, 6-7:30 p.m., County Street, Attleboro. Jungle Love. $5 members, $7 non-members. Pre-registration required. 774-203-1843.

Sarah Blake, Feb. 11, noon, Boston Athenæum, 10 1/2 Beacon Street, Boston. Reading from "The Postmistress." Free. www.bostonathenaeum.org or 617-227-0270.

Children's author Jerry Pallotta, Feb. 11, 5 p.m., Dunn Conference Suites, Bridgewater State College. Will discuss his books, writing, researching, working with illustrators, designing, editing, and publishing. Geared towards future teachers. Free.

Stories of Black History, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to noon, Commonwealth College Center Atrium, Bristol Community College. Storyteller Valerie Tutson will tell stories from Black History.

Roni Horn in Conversation with John Waters, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. Artist talk. $20 members, students, seniors, $25 general. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

National African American Read-In, Feb. 18, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Attleboro Center, Bristol Community College. Also in the Jackson Arts Center of the Fall River campus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the in the Campus Center-Room 163 on the New Bedford campus. Features public readings and presentations of several African American writers' works.

Word from the Walk: Emily Dickinson: A Meditation, Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. $5, free for members. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

Brain and Culture: Neurobiology, Ideology, and Social Change, Feb. 23, 2 to 4 p.m., Dunn Conference Suites, Crimson Hall, Burrill Ave., Bridgewater State College. With Dr. Bruce Wexler, from Yale University. Free.

Impacts of War, Feb. 28, 2 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. Diane Levin from Wheelock College to give talk of how wars are affecting US children. Free. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

Women's Summit, March 11, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Bryant University, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI. Titled "New Decade, New Directions." Four guest speakers will offer strategies for professional and personal success. $150, $175 after Feb. 22. wsummit.bryant.edu.

Understanding War, March 14, 2 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. Free. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

Henry Rollins Spoken Word, March 17, 8 p.m., Somerville Theatre, Somerville. $25. livenation.com or 800-745-3000.

Emmet Gowin: A Talk in Honor of Harry and Eleanor Callahan - My Own Life in Photography, March 24, 7 p.m., Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Highlights Gowin's years at a student of Harry Callahan, a photographer. $10 MFA members, seniors, students; $13 nonmembers. 617-369-3306.

Reporting War, March 28, 2 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. With Dan Murphy, a reporter from Bloomberg News Bureau in Jakarta. Free. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

Dickinson on Dickinson, April 11, 2 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. A conversation with Cindy Dickinson, no relation. Free. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

Skin, April 14, 6:30 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. See the tattoo-inspired work of Dr. Lakra from Mexico, then hear from the artist and others whose work brings them in close contact with skin. $10 members, students, seniors, $15 general. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

On Pints and Needles: Tattooing in Massachusetts, April 15, 6 and 7 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. DAt 6 p.m. there is an artist talk in the galleries, free. At 7 there is a panel discussion, $8 members, students, seniors, $10 general. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

Bird is the Word, May 9, 2 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. Look at Roni Horn's portraits of taxidermy with Scott V. Edwards. www.icaboston.org or 617-478-3103.

Outdoors

Owls of Rhode Island, Feb. 4, 7 to 9 p.m., Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol, RI. Members: $8 adults, $4 child, Nonmemers: $10 adults, $5 child. Ages 7 plus. 401-949-5454 x 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Adult Early Morning Owl Prowl, Feb. 6, 5 to 6:30 a.m., Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary, 1417 Park St., Attleboro. Following the hike, warm up by the fire with coffee, tea, bagels, and muffins. Registration required. $8 members, $10 nonmembers. 508-223-3060 or email oakknoll@massaudubon.org.

Fire and Ice Hike, Feb. 6, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Myles Standish State Forest, 194 Cranberry Rd., S. Carver. Explore the area's landscape shaped by glaciers and forest fires. Hike the 3-mile Easthead Reservoir Trail. Cancelled in event of rain, snow, or icy trails. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/mssf.htm or 508-272-9376.

Valentine's Day Hike, Feb. 14, 1 to 3 p.m., Wrentham State Forest. Explore the outdoors. Meet at the gravel parking lot off Taunton Street. Hiking to Minnehaha Falls and other features, both natural and man-made. Appropriate for adults, older children. Hike will be cancelled for inclement weather. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/fgil.htm or 508-543-9084.

Caratunk Owl Prowl, Feb. 18, 7 to 9 p.m., Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk. Evening starts with presentation before hitting the trails. Members: $8 adults, $4 child; Nonmembers: $10 adults, $5 child. Ages 8 plus. 401-949-5454 x 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Frozen Fun, Feb. 21, 2 to 4 p.m., Reilly Memorial Skating Rink, Cleveland Circle, Brighton. Ranger-led family winter hike from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Ice skating 2 to 3:50 p.m. Both free. Skate rentals available for fee. 617-333-7404 x 101.

Winter Bird Identification, Feb. 25, 7 to 9 p.m., Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk. Audubon expert Mike Tucker talks about New England birds. For ages 16 plus. Registration required. $8 member, $10 nonmembers. 401-949-5454 x. 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Canines and Coffee, Feb. 28, 9 a.m., Houghton's Pond, 840 Hillside St., Milton. Team up with your favorite pooch and a cup of joe on this early morning ranger- led stroll around Houghton's Pond. Coffee provided. Dogs must be leashed. Lasts 1.5 hours.

Winter Skate at Patriot Place, through Feb., Patriot Place, Foxboro. Public skating 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. of school weeks, and Fri., Sat., and all school holidays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On-site rentals $4. Concessions, bathrooms available, parking free. Professional maintained. $6 adults, $4 children 12 and under, seniors 65 and older. www.patriot-place.com

Maple Sugar Days, March, first weekend, Blue Hill Reservation. 617-698-1802.

Audubon Great Expeditions: Plum Island and Cape Ann, March 6, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., departs from Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield, RI. Ages 16 plus. Annual van trip looking for the Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Bald Eagle, and more. $50 members, $60 non-members. 401-949-5454 or email programs@asri.org.

Woodcock Walk at Caratunk, March 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Ave., Seekonk. Family program to witness the spectacular aerial courtship display of the American Woodcock. This amazing bird explodes up in a spiraling flight, sings its song hundreds of feet in the air, then plummets quickly to the ground where it all began. Will also search the trails in search of owls. Ages 8 plus. Members: $8 adults, $4 child. Nonmembers: $10 adult, $5 child. 401-949-5454 x. 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Woodcocks and Wine, March 27, 6 to 8 p.m., Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Rd., Exeter, RI. Beings with sampling of RI wine and presentation about woodcocks before heading out on the trail to watch their aerial display. Must be 21 plus. Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather.Advance registration required. $12 members, $16 nonmembers. 401-949-5454 x 3041 or email programs@asri.org.

Ski Trips through the Attleboro YMCA, through April 10. Most by 16 and older. Price includes lift ticket and transportation. $75 for both, $40 if you already have a ticket. Call at least a week in advance to register. Must be 18 plus to rent. Trips for Loon, Okemo, Waterville and Mount Snow leave from Triboro Plaza at 5:45 a.m. and return around 7 p.m. Stowe, Killington, and Sunday River leave at 5:15 a.m., and return around 8:30, 9 p.m. Be there 15 minutes early. 508-222-7422. Schedule: Loon, Feb. 6; Waterville, Feb. 13; Sunday River, Feb. 17; Okemo, Feb. 21; Mount Snow, Feb. 28; Okemo, March 7; Stowe, March 13; Sunday River, March 20; Killington, March 27; Sunday River, April 3; Killington, April 10.

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

Nature Trail and Cranberry Bog, Behind Bass Pro Shops, Patriot Place, Foxboro. Half-mile scenic walking trail open daily from dawn till dusk. Trail features a wide variety and high concentration of wildlife and plant life. Free.

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