PICK OF THE DAY
It’s easy being green
Whether you’re well informed about environmentally friendly living or have no idea where to start, you’ll get plenty of ideas at Boston GreenFest 2012. Interactive exhibits and presentations help you make your home more energy efficient, teach about the region’s green entrepreneurs, and explore green transportation options of tomorrow. Sustainability wouldn’t be sustainable without fun and entertainment. The long list of performers includes McAlister Drive, the Boston Tap Company, Vaughn Anthony, Zili Misik, and Farah Siraj. Sunday the event coincides with The Movement Festival, offering dance performances and free dance and movement classes. Aug. 16-17, noon-9:45 p.m. Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-9:45 p.m. Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
City Hall Plaza, Boston. www.bostongreenfest.org
THURSDAY
Family band Grasshopper, Jupiter, Mr. Snooze, and Hollywood are nicknames for Phillip, Alvin, Akiba, and Aswad Pickering of Inner Visions. The relationships involved are brother, father, son, and uncle, so get ready to feel the love when they play at Caribbean Reggae Night. Aug. 16, 7-9 p.m. Gates 5 p.m. for picnicking. $30 carload up to six, $5 each additional person; $10 motorcycles; $5 walk-ins. Castle Hill, 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich. 978-356-4351, www.thetrustees.org
Tradition continues Immigrants brought the Fisherman’s Feast to the North End in 1910. Festivities include blessing of the fishing waters, a procession of the Madonna statue with six marching bands, and the “Flight of the Angel,” whereby a little girl soars above the crowd and confetti rains down from the rooftops. Aug. 16, 7-11 p.m. Aug. 17, 5-11 p.m. Aug. 18, 2-11 p.m. Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Free. North, Fleet, and Lewis streets, Boston. www.fishermansfeast.com
Blasts from the past Downtown Newburyport will look like a scene from “Happy Days” when Cadillacs, Thunderbirds, and Impala convertibles roll into town for “Cruisin’ the ’50s,” with more than 100 classic cars and a concert by Lee Lewis & the Doo Wop Allstars. Aug. 16, 5-8 p.m., State, Pleasant, and Inn streets, Newburyport. Concert 7:30 p.m., Market Square stage. Free. Rain date Aug. 23. www.newburyportchamber.org
FRIDAY
Ready for liftoff When Stephen Bowen travels for work, he journeys a long, long way. The astronaut has been to the International Space Station three times. Meet him at Evening With an Astronaut, where he’ll pose for pictures, sign autographs, and discuss “Experiences in Orbit.” Aug. 17, 8 p.m. Free with admission. Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston. www.mos.org
SATURDAY
It’s a feast The Common Thread Coalition’s Haley House SummerFeast features gospel music by Stanley Porter and a jerk chicken cook-off. A panel of judges decides which participating restaurant’s spicy chicken is best, but you get a say in deciding the People’s Choice Award. Aug. 18, 3-7 p.m. $5. Rain date Aug. 19. Haley House Bakery Cafe Parking Lot, 12 Dade St., Roxbury. 617-442-4425, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/
259988
Summer bounty Two of the best things about August are sweet corn and juicy tomatoes. Verrill Farm celebrates the popular crops at its annual Corn & Tomato Festival, featuring tastings of 25 varieties of tomatoes and several kinds of corn, music by Monadnock Blue Grass, hayrides, and pony rides. Aug. 18, 11 a.m.-
3 p.m. $8.50, $4.50 kids under 10. Verrill Farm,
11 Wheeler Road, Concord. 978-369-4494, www.verrill
farm.com