5 things to do this weekend, including ArtBeat 2022 and a Federico Fellini film screening

We’ve made it through another hot summer week. If you’re wanting to get out of the house this weekend, look no further. There’s a little something for everyone happening in Boston this weekend. The classical music festival, Aston Magna, continues with an all-Handel arrangement and if you’re looking to do arts and crafts or listen to spoken word, the ArtBeat festival is happening on Saturday. A Suite Talk performance on rising beyond racism will take place at Copley Square Thursday. All of that, and more, below.

ArtBeat is back this year with the theme of “rise,” as summer is underway and things seem to be looking up given the last two challenging pandemic years. There will be around 100 craft, community and food vendors to explore. At the Somerville Theatre, you can catch live music and dance performances all day long. Between parades, art tutorials and other interactive activities, the festival will be a positive way to spend the day with the entire family.

This Saturday, catch an outdoor performance celebrating different cultures across the Asian diaspora. The event will take place at the “YEAR OF THE TIGER” installation by Cheryl Wing-Zi Wong. "Our Past and Present" features performance art from Boston-based artists Cynthia Lin, Lani Asuncion, Subdrift Boston and Adobo-Fish-Sauce.

Catch a classical music performance at the Aston Magna Music Festival this Thursday in Waltham. The all Handel live show will feature compositions of “Armida abbandonata” and “Gloria,” performed by soprano Dominique Labelle and an ensemble. The festival is directed by violinist Daniel Stepner. This is the second to last opportunity to attend the festival. Don't miss it! [Check out more classical music festivals in our summer arts guide here.]

On the Copley Square Green, join Suite Talk for a performance of dance and spoken word. Suite Talk is an arts initiative working to combat racism through the exploration of the arts. The performance on Thursday explores themes of the other, mutual respect and empathy. The show will be followed by a community discussion about overcoming fear to create societal changes. This event is free to attend.

There will be a special showing of the classic film “Variety Lights” at the Harvard Film Archive this Friday as part of the retrospective "The Complete Federico Fellini," which runs through Aug. 15. The 1950 movie is based in Italy and follows a woman who joins a traveling troupe of vaudevillians. The film inspired later Fellini productions, including "La Strada" and La Dolce Vita. The showing could provide a perfect Friday activity for those who want to get out of the heat. [Read more about "The Complete Federico Fellini" retrospective at the Harvard Film Archive here.]