Your Boston Weekend, April 9 — 11

With the torrential rains of the last few weeks (hopefully) in the past, spring has arrived in full force.

Spring
SpringFest 2010

Carnival games, a charity raffle and plenty of food and entertainment will be on hand, sponsored by Berkland Baptist Church and supporting Food for the Hungry and China Nest of Hope.

Patriot's Day Celebrations

Patriot's Day isn't officially celebrated until Monday, April 19, but Lexington and Concord get into the revolutionary spirit a week early. At 1 p.m., the Concord Independent Battery remember the Battle at Meriam's Corner. At 3 p.m., the Lincoln Minute Men reenact the historic capture of Paul Revere in Lincoln. Check out a full calendar of Independence-related events this month.

Games and Sport for Good Causes
Samuel Adams Bowl For Boston Cares

Samuel Adams sponsors the 2010 Bowl for Boston Cares event. Each bowler must raise $75 minimum in sponsorships to participate. Everyone bowling receives complimentary beer, soda, pizza, lanes and shoes. Prizes will be awarded to top fundraisers.

5th Annual Walk For Change

Now in its fifth year, the Walk For Change raises money for the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, the only provider of comprehensive rape crisis services in Greater Boston. The 5K walk follows the Charles River Basin pathways.

Food
Second Annual Revels Cook-Off

Watch the fun and taste the entrees of more than 30 amateur cooks aim to take home the top prize at the Revels-sponsored cooking competition. Dishes will be judged by a panel of local celebrities and personalities, including WBUR's David Boeri, and there will be a silent auction and a cookbook sale.

Chef Louie Night

At Chef Louie's culinary party, guests vote on the theme and ingredients for the evening and the chef and his cohorts whip up a meal accordingly. Featuring 1920s-style Haitian drinks, oysters, a Very Large Pig and a surefire good time.

Drink
Organic Wines For Spring Tasting

The oenophiles at South End Formaggio have pulled a selection of organic wines that are perfect for pairing with spring cooking and spring weather.

Wine Wars

A trivia game for wine geeks and wannabes, "Wine Wars" were created by Joyce Lock, a graduate of Boston University's MLA program in gastronomy. Test your knowledge of wine against opposing teams while enjoying snacks and, of course, wine.

19th Century Pub Crawl

The Nineteenth Century Society of New York has put together an olden pub crawl. Revelers wind their way through Eastern Standard, Red Hat Café, Union Oyster House, (the country's oldest continually operating bar), the Bell in Hand and finally end at the aptly named Drink.

Music
Festival 21: New Music From America

A festival of new guitar music featuring Gyan Riley with events, performances and other presentations of new American guitar compositions.

Chanticleer

One of America's premier all-vocal groups, Chanticleer, the San Francisco-based ensemble of 12 men, comes to Jordan Hall as part of the New England Conservatory celebrity concert series.

Art and Film
Art And Design Of The 20th & 21st Centuries And The Boston Print Art Fair

Two art shows featuring more than 50 exhibitors bringing two shows together to create one large exhibit and sale.

3rd Annual Lowell Film Festival

This year's festival showcases "Ten Cent Entertainment During Difficult Times," the films that Americans turned to for escape during the Great Depression. Local diners will feature breakfast meal deals and Prohibition-themed cocktails in honor of the festival.

Readings and Signings
Chelsea Handler's "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang"

The host of "Chelsea Lately" signs copies of her new book, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang.

Michael McLure's "Mysteriosos And Other Poems"

Poet, playwright and essayist Michael McClure reads from his new collection of poems, "Mysteriosos and Other Poems."

Technology
Down2Earth

For the "first annual celebration that explores how robots impact society," the Museum of Science has a calendar full of presentations and exhibits all week long.

Did you attend one of our recommended events last week? Have a suggestion for next week’s calendar? Leave us a comment or send your suggestion to glevy@wbur.org.