Good causes

BOOK SALE. Friends of the Ipswich Public Library book sale, Saturday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 7, 1 to 4 p.m., Collins Room, at the library, 25 N. Main St., Ipswich. Paperback and hardcover titles for adults and children, as well as CDs and DVDs. Proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase a sound system for library programs. 978-356-6648.

ST. ADELAIDE'S CHURCH. Texas Hold 'em Poker Games, Saturday, Feb. 6, doors open at 5:30 p.m., Hold 'em for Dummies class, 6 to 6:30 p.m. (cost $5); registration at 6:30 p.m.; tournament starts at 7 p.m. Cash prizes. Food, beverages and a good time. To benefit church programs. 978-535-3280, 978-535-4893, 978-535-2571 or 978-535-1985.

SCOUTING FOOD DRIVE. Saturday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m., Middleton residents may leave donations of nonperishable food items in a box or plastic bag next to mailboxes for local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from Middleton Pack and Troop 19. Donations will go to the Middleton Food Bank at the Senior Center.

COVEACABANA. Auction and reception, to benefit Friends of Cove Park, Saturday, Feb. 6, 7 to 11 p.m., Vittori-Rocci Post, 143 Brimbal Ave., Beverly. Live entertainment, music and dancing with Grupo Fantasia, auction and reception. To benefit group of volunteer residents refurbishing the Kimball-Haskell "Cove" Park. Cash bar and sneak peek of new park design and play structure. $20 per ticket, available at Super Sub or Casa de Moda, www.friendsofcovepark.org, 978-969-2127.

BLOOD DRIVE. Monday, Feb. 8, 2 to 7 p.m., Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem. For an appointment to donate blood, call 800-733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org.

Food

HEARTS AND FLOWERS CABARET. Wednesday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m., Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School 775 Bay Road, Hamilton. Concert Choir, at the high school "dining room," with linen-clad tables and waitstaff in tuxes and formal gowns, will serve a four-course gourmet meal they have prepared and provide table-side entertainment. Proceeds will go toward the concert choir travel fund. Reservations are required and can be made by phone at 978-468-5300, ext. 4035, or by e-mailing Abby Frost at¬ frosta@hwschools.net.

Books

SALEM STATE COLLEGE. "Dogtown, Death and Enchantment in a New England Ghost Town," Thursday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m., Salem State College, Martin Luther King Jr. Room, Ellison Campus Center, 352 Lafayette St., Salem. Reading by Elyssa East, interlacing a grisly murder tale with the mystical history of the Gloucester area known as Dogtown. Free. 978-542-7890 or www.salemstate.edu/arts.

HAPPY HEARTS STORY HOUR. Harborlight Nursery School Toddler Time, Thursday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m., 221 Cabot St. (in the First Baptist Church), Beverly. Parents and toddlers ages 1 to 3 are invited to story, craft and snack; tour of the school can be arranged with Elly Flowers at 978-927-9030, or e-mail Director@harborlightnurseryschool.org. www.harborlightnurseryschool.org.

CORNERSTONE BOOKS. 45 Lafayette St., Salem, Saturday, Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m., CB Kids presents Sheila Duncan and "Trouble," Marblehead author's simple little pup; 1 p.m., Elyssa East and "Dogtown: Death and Enchantment in a New England Ghost Town." 978-744-1831.

ART CORNER. Saturday, Feb. 6, as part of Salem So Sweet celebration, Art Corner will debut sale of The North Shore Writers Group's story collection "A Reader's Potluck," 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 264 Washington St., Salem. 978-745-9524 or artcornersalem@verizon.net.

"CREATIVE ARTISTS WORKSHOP.SDRq Tuesday, Feb. 9, 4 p.m., Beverly Farms Library, 24 Vine St., Beverly. Visit by children's book illustrator and Salem resident Giles Laroche as part of Beverly Reads, featuring Greg Mortenson's "Three Cups of Tea" and the children's companion book, "Listen to the Wind." Laroche will demonstrate "paper relief" technique for children, drawing, cutting, painting and gluing up to eight layers of paper, giving finished illustrations a three-dimensional quality. To sign up, contact Kate Ingalls at 978-921-6066 or beverlyfarms_library@noblenet.org.

DAWN PAUL. Reading and book signing, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St., Beverly. Local author with new novel, "The Country of Loneliness." Signing to follow. Book sales benefit the library. Refreshments; handicapped-accessible. Free to the public. 978-921-6062.

THERESE BENADE ARMSTRONG. Author's reading, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m., Collins Room, Ipswich Public Library, 25 N. Main St., Ipswich. Ipswich resident's novel "Bluestocking" draws on her native South African heritage. Set in 1880-1927, story has connection to Ipswich Female Seminary. Free. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited. 978-356-6648.

Music

BANGKOK. Feb. 4, DJ Jaymz; Feb. 5, Stickman Mafia; Feb. 6, Our Own Word. Live music, rock, funk, reggae. Jazz jam every Monday night, 7 to 10 p.m. Darq, goth/industrial club night every second and fourth Saturday night. 30 Washington St., Salem. 978-998-1132.

BOSTON ARTISTS ENSEMBLE. Friday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m., East India Marine Hall, Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St., Salem. Quartet plays Kodaly, Schubert, mystery piece: guess composer and win tickets. Tickets at 617-964-6553 or www.BostonArtistsEnsemble.org.

CAPONE'S. Feb. 4, Roundabout; Feb. 5, Hush; Feb. 6, Rage 'n Age. $5 cover, proper dress required. 147 Summit St., Peabody. 978-977-0520.

CHIANTI. Tuscan Restaurant and Jazz Lounge, 285 Cabot St., Beverly. Feb. 5, 9 p.m. to midnight, Roger Brockelbank Trio; Feb. 6, Manami Morita Trio, 9 p.m. to midnight; Feb. 7, 6 to 9 p.m., Whose Muddy Shoes. 978-921-2233.

GULU-GULU. Feb. 4, Leon Rich; Feb. 5, Radio Scotvoid; Feb. 6, Birdface; Feb. 9, Movie Night, Chris Cunningham's Music Videos; Feb. 10, open mic. 247 Essex St., Salem. 978-740-8882.

IN A PIG'S EYE. Feb. 4, Kevin Levesque with Hedge Crickets; Feb. 5, Blues Jam 4:15 to 7 p.m.; Feb. 7, Sunday Jazz, Henley Douglas Jr. and Friends 6 to 9 p.m.; Feb. 8, Open Mic, Lisa Marie; Feb. 10, Dagmar. All shows start at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. No cover charge. 148 Derby St., Salem. 978-741-4436.

NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY GOSPEL CHOIR. Saturday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m., First Church Congregational of Boxford, 4 Middleton Road, Boxford. Concert to celebrate Black History Month, in the church's Family Life Center. Hymns, familiar spirituals and upbeat numbers. Hot fudge sundaes follow. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free. 978-887-5841 or www.FirstChurchBoxford.org.

ROCKAFELLAS. Feb. 4, Audio Acoustic Underground; Feb. 5, The Spinz; Feb. 6, Wildfire; Feb. 7, Elephant Lounge Cool Jazz; Feb. 10, Latin Dance Party. 231 Essex St., Salem, 978-745-2411.

HOT'N FROSTY A CAPPELLA. Saturday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m., Community House of Hamilton and Wenham, 284 Bay Road, Hamilton. Libby Fireside Concert fundraising event hosted by The Works. Ticket donation $10 at the door or by advance purchase. Professional groups and local student groups. Light reception with coffee and tea. 978-468-4818, ext. 12, or www.communityhouse.org.

Lectures

GENEALOGY LOCK-IN. Friday, Feb. 5, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St., Hamilton. To learn about library resources, including Ancestry.com Library Edition, a database that enables you to accesses census, marriage, newspaper and other records. Bring a bag dinner. Spaces are limited, and registration is required. Register at 978-468-5577, ext. 19. For more information, visit www.hwlibrary.org.

THE NATIONAL PARKS ON $50 A DAY. Monday, Feb. 8, 9:30 a.m., Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St., Beverly. Monday Mornings lecture series with Dave and Gayle Overberg, who have mastered trekking across the U.S. in their SUV on a modest daily budget. Coffee and tea served at 9 a.m. Free. No registration is necessary, wheelchair-accessible. 978-921-6062 or flynn@noblenet.org.

"BULLYING PREVENTION." What parents and community should know, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 to 9 p.m., Holten Richmond Middle School, 55 Conant St., Danvers. Featuring author Robin D'Antona, Ed.D. of the Massachussetts Bullying Prevention Program. Sponsored by DanversCares Prevention Coalition, 978-777-8932, ext. 2213.

SALEM HISTORY SOCIETY. "When the Tall Ships Sailed Away," Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Cornerstone Books, 45 Lafayette St., Salem. Presentation and meeting on 1820s decline of Salem's maritime commerce. Everyone interested in Salem and its history is welcome. Led by Robert Booth of the Salem History Society.

"ORGAN DONATION." Sharing awareness about organ and tissue donation, Tuesday, Feb. 9, noon, Herrick House, 89 Herrick St., Beverly, on Beverly Hospital's upper campus. Presentation by Berta Grunbeck from the New England Organ Donor Bank. Space is limited, and lunch will be provided; advance registration is required at 978-922-1999. Directions to The Herrick House are available at www.theherrickhouse.org.

BEES. Seaside Garden Club, February Program on Bees, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Manchester Community Center, 40 Beach St., Manchester. Presentation by beekeeper Jan Brink of Andover. Free to members, guests $5. 978-518-2683.

"SCAM ALERT." What you need to know about local scams, Wednesday, Feb. 10, noon, Beverly Council on Aging, 90 Colon St., Bevelry. Beverly Community Council luncheon meeting featuring Scam Alert, educational program developed by the Beverly Police Department. To attend, call 978-921-6017 or e-mail fwetterl@nhs-healthlink.org; lunch can be bought for $10 or brought.

Theater

"I DON'T KNOW, I JUST DON'T KNOW." Original comedy, scenes developed from student improvisations, at Gordon College, 255 Grapvevine Road, Wenham. On daily questions, like where the car keys are, and more in-depth questions of faith, doubt and politics. Thursday, Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 5, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 6, 4:30 and 8 p.m. Cost: Fridays and Saturdays: $7 students/seniors, $10 adults; Tuesday and Wednesday: pay what you can; Thursday and Saturday matinees: $5 students/seniors, $8 adults. 978-927-2300.

"THE MUSIC MAN." Friday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6, 1 and 7 p.m., Holten Richmond Middle School, 55 Conant St., Danvers. $7, audience members are encouraged to bring an item of canned good for the Danvers People to People Food Pantry, as the school will make a donation after the performances.

"SWEENEY TODD." "...The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m., M. Ruth Norton Auditorium, Salem High School, 77 Willson St., Salem. Reserved seating is $12, general admission seating is $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors. To reserve seats, call 978-740-1136.

Art

CONTEMPORARY COCKTAIL. Friday, Feb. 5, 7 to 9 p.m., Montserrat College of Art, Hardie Building, 23 Essex St., Beverly. Photographers Zoe Strauss and Daniel Cheek, Montserrat professor Ron DiRito, on work in "America Now" exhibit. Free. With refreshments. Events hot line 978-921-4242, option 3.

PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM. Celebrate closing weekend of "Rare Bird of Fashion: The Irreverent Iris Apfel," with extended hours, music, film, shopping, refreshments. Friday, Feb. 5, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., $10, free to Salem residents and museums members. 866-745-1876, www.pem.org.

MARBLEHEAD ARTS ASSOCIATION. Opening reception, February exhibits, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2 to 4 p.m., 8 Hooper St., Marblehead. Featuring "ArcWorks: A Different Vision, Changing Lives and Perceptions," "Fran Gardino: Down by the Riverside" and "Robert Hanlon: Furniture, Figures and Landscapes." 781-631-2608.

Etc.

WINTER SOCIAL. Salem Public Schools Alumni Association, Friday, Feb. 5, 6 p.m., Salem High School main floor, 77 Willson St., Salem. All Salem alumni are invited to gather for refreshments followed by an evening of activities, including a 7 p.m. Salem High boys basketball game vs. Peabody, or a 7:30 p.m. Salem High Drama Club performance of "Sweeney Todd." Current and former faculty welcome.

SALEM'S SO SWEET. Salem's So Sweet, Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival, Chocolate and Wine Tasting, Friday, Feb. 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut St., Salem. Chocolate and wine tasting kicks off weekend of ice sculptures and discounts, Feb. 6 and 7, downtown and on Pickering Wharf, promotions, events, window decorating Feb. 6 to 14. Tickets are $20 from Salem Chamber of Commerce, 265 Essex St., or at Hamilton Hall at the event.

CAMP FAIR. Archery, hiking, swimming, canoeing and the camps where kids enjoy them can be explored at "Summerscape," a free camp fair for everyone on Saturday, Feb. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Glen Urquhart School, 74 Hart St., Beverly. Featuring 80 day and overnight summer programs, as nearby as the North Shore and as far away as programs abroad, for youth and teens. The building is handicapped-accessible. Snow date is Sunday, Feb. 7. 978-927-1064 or www.gus.org.

PHILIPS HOUSE. Salem So Sweet celebration, Saturday, Feb. 6, and Sunday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 34 Chestnut St., Salem. A cup of cocoa in Stevie's playroom, two-for-one admission for regular tours on the half hour, and ice sculptures on display. (Regularly scheduled Winter Weekends program will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday only at $5 for Historic New England members, $8 nonmembers, $7 students or seniors, $6 children. Advance registration suggested. Light refreshments including hot cocoa and cookies provided.) 978-744-0440 or jarrison@historicnewengland.org.

BEAVER MEADOWS IN THE WOODS. Sunday, Feb. 7, 1 to 4 p.m. Meet 12:55 p.m. on North Liberty Street, Middleton, 1.4 miles north of junction of Liberty and School streets; or 2.7 miles north of Maple Street (Route 62). Drive up North Liberty (an extension of Liberty Street) or down from Sharpners Pond Road (about 0.6 mile) and look for parked cars. Middle Stream Team hike to see treeless lowlands created by beavers. StreamTeam@comcast.net or 978-777-4584.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE, IPSWICH DAY. Sunday, Feb. 7, 2 to 4 p.m., Ipswich Historical Society, 54 S. Main St., Ipswich. Free admission for Ipswich residents to winter exhibit from society's collections specific to different trades: photography, ice cutting, shoe making, art, cooking, carpentry, clam digging, lace making and haying. Special demonstrations occur each week. First-floor rooms open for viewing. Nonmembers $5. 978-356-2811 or www.ipswichmuseum.org.

VALENTINE CRAFT. A valentine-making workshop will be held Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for ages 3 to 5 (must be accompanied by adult), and 3 to 4:30 p.m. for ages 5 to 10, at Marblehead Museum, 170 Washington St., Marblehead. $10 per child includes materials, snacks and story. Make reservations at 781-631-1768.