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Boston-area to do list

PICK OF THE DAY

Living in the past

Imagine finding a hidden cave with 972 preserved scrolls that haven’t been seen for 2,000 years? That’s exactly what happened in 1947 to a Bedouin goat herder whom we can thank for “Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times.” The exhibit features 20 fragments from the collection, multimedia presentations, and more than 600 objects including weapons, stone carvings, and jewelry. May 19 (through Oct. 14). Timed tickets are $32, $29 seniors, $27 ages 3-11 (reservations recommended). Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston. 617-723-2500. www. mos.org

SATURDAY

Pulling strings At “Puppet Showplace Slam: Marionette Edition!,” more than 12 puppeteers including the National Marionette Theatre will pull funny, poignant, irreverent, political, and other strings. 8 p.m. $15, $13 students. Puppet Showplace Theatre, 32 Station St., Brookline. 617-731-6400. www.puppetshowplace.org

Changing the order Reggae and spoken word rub elbows in Somerville when author and social philosopher Frances Moore Lappé joins Liquid Revolution at “Believing Is Seeing.” The author of “Diet for a Small Planet” will read from her latest book, “EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think to Create the World We Want.” 9 p.m.
(8 p.m. meet-and-greet, book signing). $15, $18 at the door; $10 students and seniors. 21+. Davis Square Theater, 255 Elm St., Somerville. 617-871-6609. www.believingisseeing.brownpapertickets.com

Hip-hop hooray Hip-hop history has a solid place in the music books thanks, in part, to the three acts performing at the Wilbur Theatre as part of the Cambridge-based Together Festival. Biz Markie has 26 years of hip-hop history; Kool Moe Dee was a member of Treacherous Three; Duo Nice & Smooth is known for catchy hooks and clever rhymes. 8 p.m. $25-$30. The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston. 800-745-3000. www.thewilbur.com

Builders Debussy, Stravinsky, and Schoenberg are considered
“architects of modernism” who provided tools for future composers. The Chameleon Arts Ensemble “mystic moons and dream music” program is Debussy’s “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune,” Stravinsky’s “Le sacre du printemps,” and Arnold Schoenberg’s “Pierrot
Lunaire” Op. 21.8 p.m. (May 19 at 4 p.m.; talks 30 minutes before each concert). $23-$43, $5 student and senior discount. First
Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough St., Boston. 617-427-8200. www.chameleonarts.org

SUNDAY

Capturing his love As a 22-year-old Peace Corps volunteer Paul Theroux was introduced to Africa and his 50-year love affair with the continent. In his new book, “The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari,” Theroux writes about overlooked, impoverished, and neglected western Africa. May 19 at 7 p.m. Free. Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-661-1515. www.harvard.com

It takes a village Every year, artists spend three weeks in Nashua creating outdoor public art while residents provide their meals, travel, and housing. Latino artists from Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela are this year’s guests at the Nashua International Sculpture Symposium. Sculptures showcasing Latino culture at “Celebrate/Celebrar” will be installed in downtown Nashua. May 19 opening at 3 p.m. (through June 8; artists work May 20-June 7 Mon-Fri from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Millyard, 1 Pine St. Extension, Nashua, N.H.). Free. Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua, N.H. www2.cityartsnashua.org