PICK OF THE DAY

Hub of creativity

If you’re from Boston, you may have a particular way of saying words like “park” and “car” and “arts.” We make no comment about that, except to say that the ‘ahts’ scene here is wicked good. Celebrate it at (ähts): The Boston Arts Festival, a three-day event featuring more than 60 juried artists and performers. Among them are Sam Cornish, City Stage Company, Love Experiment, Boston Tap Company , Makanda Project, Bearstronaut, and Wambura Mitaru. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings usher in the festivities with a rousing opening night concert on Friday. Sept. 7, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 8-9, noon-6:30 p.m. Free. Christopher Columbus Park, Boston. 617-635-3911, www.cityofboston.gov

THURSDAY

Now hear this Beverly resident KR Glickman, who was born deaf, describes her life this way: “My world is like watching a TV without any sound.” She shares her experiences in “Searching for My Own True Voice — One Deaf Woman’s Story.” Storyteller Judith Black directs the show, presented in American Sign Language with a voice interpreter. Sept. 6-8, 7:30 p.m. $17, $15 advance. Salem Theatre Company, 90 Lafayette St.,
Salem. 978-790-8546, www.salemtheatre.com

Married to art French husband and wife Jorge and Lucy Orta make pieces of art that serve as metaphors for modern issues like biodiversity and climate change. “Food-Water-Life/Lucy+Jorge Orta” features sculptures, drawings, installations, and videos. Sept. 6-
Dec. 16. Tues-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs until 8 p.m.
Reception Sept. 11, 5:30-8 p.m. Tufts University Art Gallery, Aidekman Arts Center, 40 Talbot Ave., Medford.
617-627-3094, artgallery.tufts.edu

FRIDAY

British baddie The new novel by Martin Amis tells the story of a bad guy caretaking his orphaned nephew with bad advice, pit bulls fed on Tabasco sauce, Internet porn, and other questionable undertakings. Amis comes to Cambridge to discuss “Lionel Asbo: State of England.” Sept. 7, 6 p.m. $5. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge. 617-661-1515, www.harvard.com

Trouble in paradise Yum-Yum is engaged to Ko-Ko but loves Nanki-Poo. This doesn’t sit well in Titipu, the setting of “The Mikado.” It’s good fun and good music when Lyric Stage takes on the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta with a cast that includes Leigh Barrett. Sept. 7-Oct. 13. Wed-Thurs 7:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sat-Sun
3 p.m. Matinees 2 p.m. Sept. 12, Oct. 10. $25-$62,
seniors $5 off, $10 student rush. Lyric Stage, 140 Clarendon St., Boston. 617-585-5678, www.lyricstage.com

SATURDAY

Carved in wood Some of New England’s best bird carvers are at the 9th annual Bird Carvers and Wildlife Arts Show. Peruse the artwork, watch carving demonstrations, and bring your own decoys and carvings along for free appraisals. Sept. 8-9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5. Green Briar Nature Center, 6 Discovery Hill Rd., East Sandwich. 508-888-6870, www.thorntonburgess.org

Estate sale An English-style country estate is the setting for the Codman Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. Browse furniture, toys, pottery, jewelry, knitted items, metalware, and more by 100 plus artisans. The event also includes live entertainment, children’s activiti
es, and tours of the 1740 Codman family home. Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5, under 12 free. Rain or shine. Codman Estate, 34 Codman Rd., Lincoln. 617-994-5100, ext. 5514; www.historicnewengland.org