Fundraisers

NIGHT AT SPIRIT OF '76-2. Thursday, Feb. 16, 6 to 8 p.m., 450 Paradise Road, Vinnin Square, Swampscott. The new bookstore will donate a percent of its proceeds to the Friends of the Swampscott Public Library; no coupons necessary. 781-581-7676.

ACUPUNCTURE OPEN HOUSE. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 4 to 7:30 p.m., Coastal Acupuncture, 15 Oak St., Beverly. Educational fundraising outreach event offering complimentary acupuncture treatments to help build awareness of the health benefits of acupuncture. Questions welcome. Donations accepted for Beverly Bootstraps Community Services. Free. 978-922-4111.

Music

DRUM AWAY THE BLUES. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m., Flint Public Library, 1 S. Main St., Middleton. All ages are invited for a fun-filled, multicultural participatory experience. Sponsored by the Curvey Family. www.flintlibrary.org or 978-774-8132.

Presentation

"TELLING TIME IN EARLY NEW ENGLAND," Sunday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m., Gould Barn, 1 Howlett St., Topsfield. As part of Topsfield Historical Society's monthly lecture series, clock expert Bob Frishman presents more than 70 pictures of timekeepers, history of clocks and watches. Also, informal "road show" appraisal for those who bring clocks. Free. Refreshments served. anne.barrett1@verizon.net or 978-887-4024.

Literature and writing

FARMS BRANCH BOOK DISCUSSION. Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Beverly Public Library Farms Branch, 24 Vine St., Beverly Farms. Group will discuss "Lamb in Love" by Carrie Brown. New members welcome. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk. Handicapped-accessible. 978-921-6066.

LITERARY LUNCHEON. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St., Hamilton. Discuss "Lady of the Rivers" by Philippa Gregory. Bring brown-bag lunch; beverages and dessert served. www.hwlibrary.org.

EVENING BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m., Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St., Beverly. Group will discuss "The Desert Queen" by Janet Wallach. New members welcome. Copies available at the circulation desk. Handicapped-accessible. 978-921-6062.

Celebrations

MARDI GRAS PANCAKE SUPPER. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5 to 7 p.m., St. Thomas the Apostle Parish Center, 5 Margin St., Peabody. Supper includes pancakes, sausages and hash browns. $5/person, $20/family. 978-531-0224.

MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 5:30 to 7 p.m., St. Andrew's Church, 135 Lafayette St., Marblehead. Festivities include mask and float making, followed by Mardi Gras parade, marching to Cajun music, Cajun supper (other food options available) and a king cake. Free; goodwill offering accepted. 781-631-4951.

"MELOPOEIA." Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m., The House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby St., Salem. Evening of music and poetry to celebrate the 170th anniversary of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Sophia Peabody's marriage. Event includes poetry reading by poets Rhina Espaillat and Alfred Nicol; Ann Tucker will perform a selection of 18th-century Portuguese love ballads, and John Tavano will accompany on guitar and mandolin. Wedding cake and Italian Champagne served. Reservations recommended; $10/members, $15/nonmembers. 978-744-0991, ext. 130, or Acollachicco@7gables.org.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 1 to 3 p.m., Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St., Hamilton. Celebrate the Lunar New Year, a multicultural celebration; activities include a Lion Dance, martial arts demonstration, brush painting, food activity and craft. www.hwlibrary.org.

Dance and fitness

"TURN IT OFF! TURN IT ON!" Sunday, Feb. 19, 1 to 4 p.m., Salem State University, Ellison Campus Center, 352 Lafayette St. Local kids and families will learn ways to make exercise and eating healthy more fun. Event includes Wii dancing, yoga, basketball, bounce house, dance lessons, nutritious snacks and more. Hosted by the SSU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. http://turnitoffturniton.wordpress.com.

LITURGICAL DANCE PERFORMANCE. Tuesday, Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m., North Shore Community College, Danvers campus cafe, 1 Ferncroft Road, Danvers. M'Kaddesh Dancers perform a spiritual expression of worship to God through movement. Selections include African American spirituals. Black History Month events free and open to the public. mharris@northshore.edu or lmilso@northshore.edu.

Art

ATRIUM ALIVE WEEKEND FESTIVAL: SHAPESHIFTING. Saturday, Feb. 18, and Sunday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex St., Salem. Explore the museum's newest exhibition with a weekend of interactive and engaging programming; song, dance, weaving demonstrations, artist lectures, art making and more. www.pem.org/calendar.

NEW MEMBER EXHIBIT. Exhibit on view through Sunday, Feb. 26, King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead. Exhibit features 22 artist members juried into the Marblehead Arts Association. Exhibit categories include fine arts, photography, graphic arts/printmaking and crafts. First exhibit in Marblehead Art Association's newly painted galleries. Free. www.marbleheadarts.org.

"PICTURE THIS: 90 YEARS OF STORYBOOK ART." On view at the Wenham Museum, 132 Main St. Exhibit exploring how toys have provided inspiration to authors and illustrators since the genre of children's literature began. Exhibit features classic toy stories brought to life in more than 50 original storybook illustrations, the books and the toys themselves. All ages welcome. Museum admission, $7.50/adults, $5.50/children. www.wenhammuseum.org or 978-468-2377.

Competition

SECOND ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIP BIG BEE. Thursday, Feb. 16, 6 to 8 p.m., Northshore Mall, Macy's wing, 210 Andover St., Peabody. Finalists from Higgins Middle School's Spelling Bee Program will compete to identify the winner at each grade level. Event includes a silent auction of artwork created by Higgins students and donated items from stores. Proceeds of silent auction benefit the Peabody Education Foundation. North Shore-area children and families invited. 978-531-3440.

Film

WINTER FILM FESTIVAL. Thursday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m., Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St. Marblehead Festival of Arts sponsors. Doors open at 7 p.m. Eleven films, ranging in length from two to 14 minutes, will be screened. Free. Refreshments served. Parents are encouraged to review the lineup. www.MarbleheadFestival.org.

"BOXFORD GOES TO THE MOVIES." Saturday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m., Boxford Town Library, 10 Elm St., Boxford. Library will screen "Midnight in Paris," nominated for an Oscar in the Best Picture category. Rated PG-13. Popcorn and coffee served. Free. 978-887-7323, ext. 2.

VACATION MOVIE PROGRAM. Library will screen "Dolphin Tale" on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m., and "Lady and the Tramp" on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m. Swampscott Public Library, 61 Burrill St., Swampscott. Free. 781-596-8867.

Art workshop

DECOUPAGE AND STAMPING CLASS. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m., Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St., Peabody. Local crafter Evelyn Rauseo leads hands-on decoupage and stamping workshop. Participants will make bracelets decorated with two techniques. Materials provided. Registration required at 978-531-0100, ext. 10, or www.peabodylibrary.org.

Kids' activities

FUN FRIDAYS. Friday, Feb. 17, 3:15 p.m., Flint Public Library, 1 S. Main St., Middleton. Games and yoga for children in grades three through six. www.flintlibrary.org or 978-774-8132.

DADS AND DONUTS. Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to noon, Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St., Hamilton. Theme for February is "Pirates!" Story time designed especially for dads and children ages 2 and up. Moms always invited. www.hwlibrary.org.

Food

HAM AND BEAN SUPPER. Saturday, Feb. 18, 5 to 6 p.m., Second Congregational Church, 35 Conant St., Beverly. Menu features two kinds of home-baked beans, ham, coleslaw, rolls and beverages. Home-baked pies, $1.50/slice. $7/adults, $6/seniors, $3.50/children. Musical entertainment. Handicapped-accessible. gailgoodell@comcast.net.

Clubs

FINZ SEAFOOD & GRILL. Feb. 16, 8 to 11 p.m., The Zackleys. 76 Wharf St., Pickering Wharf, Salem. 978-744-8485, salem-contact@hipfinz.com.

GULU-GULU. Feb. 16, Fishing the Sky; Feb. 17, DJ Seth; Feb. 18, Dave Simmons' annual theme night; Feb. 21, Mardi Gras party. 247 Essex St., Salem. 978-740-8882.

HARDCOVER RESTAURANT. Lee-Anton featuring Sandra Bishop and Greg Tower, Feb. 17. 15A Newbury St. (Route 1 north), Danvers. 978-774-1223.

HOWLING WOLF TAQUERIA. Feb. 16, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., System Soul; Feb. 17, 9 p.m. to midnight, Carl Johnson & Mik Mersha; Feb. 18, 9 p.m. to midnight, Gracie Curran & Tommy Carroll and High Falutin' Duo; Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m., Steve Spungin. 76 Lafayette St., Salem; www.feedyourwolf.com.

IN A PIG'S EYE. Fiddle Head, Feb. 16; Blues Jam, 4 to 7 p.m., Feb. 17; Sit Down Baby, Feb. 18; Levy, Stubbss, Rivelli Trio, 7 to 10 p.m., Feb. 19; Open mike with Orville Giddings, Feb. 20; Tokyo Tramps, Feb. 22. All times are 9 to 11:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 148 Derby St., Salem. 978-741-4436.

ME&THEE COFFEEHOUSE. Feb. 17, 8 p.m., Amy Black Band; Danielle Miraglia opens. $18/advance, $21/at the door. Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., Marblehead. 781-631-8987 or www.meandthee.org.