5 things to do this weekend, including a May Stevens exhibit and the New England Farm & Fiber Festival

I love the month of February. It can be cold, but it’s one of the last truly wintery months of the year. Speaking of the cold, there are reports that this weekend will be historically frigid. So, no judgment if you want to stay in this weekend. But if you are someone who plans on venturing out, look no further. We’ve got events to fill your days, including dance performances, new art exhibitions and even a fiber festival. Read below for more details.

New York Times best-selling graphic novel “The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage,” by Sydney Padua, will take to the stage this weekend at MIT's Building W97. Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Royce Vavrek adapted the book, and the story tells the tale of Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, the little-known inventors of the first computer. In this operatic rendition, presented by MIT CAST and Guerilla Opera, the two use their invention to fight crime in an alternate universe. On Friday afternoon, you can catch a lecture from the graphic novelist followed by a discussion between composer Elena Ruehr and Vavrek on the creation of the opera. (Note: The Friday night performance is sold out.)

Directed by Yasujiro Ozu, the 1958 film "Equinox Flower" tells the story of a tyrannical and stubborn father (Shin Saburi) and his daughter who bucks tradition and chooses her own spouse rather than following through with an arranged marriage. The film screens as part of the Harvard Film Archive's program "Kinuyo Tanaka — Actress, Director, Pioneer," celebrating a legend of Japanese film and an "unsung pioneer of feminist cinema." In this movie, Tanaka plays the wife of the obstinate character Saburi portrays. The series runs through February, and showcases Tanaka's wide range of talents both in front of and behind the camera.

May Stevens was a prolific artist, a leading voice for women’s rights and a champion of the Civil Rights Movement. The MassArt alum saw artmaking as an extension of ideas, and her politics were intertwined with her art. “My Mothers” is an exploration of her personal life and ideals in works that juxtapose her birth mother with Marxist revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg. On view at MAAM, Stevens' work is meaningful, thoughtful and not to be missed. [Want more art exhibit recommendations? Check out our winter arts guide.]

BalletX is a premiere contemporary ballet company hailing from Philadelphia, and this weekend, you can see them perform at Global Arts Live's Winter Dance Fest. The troupe is the last performance of the festival and will bring their classic style of athleticism, grace and brilliance to the stage. The performance will take place at Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, and no balcony seats are available, so get your tickets while they last.

The New England Farm & Fiber Festival was born out of a desire to highlight small farms that raise fiber animals around the region, sell local food and spread the message of replacing synthetics with natural, sustainable fibers. This year is the fourth rendition of the festival and vendors from all across New England will be participating, selling wool, yarn, felt and more at Boston Public Market. There will also be tutorials throughout the day covering topics like natural dying and felting.