5 things to do this weekend, including the Revere sand sculpting festival and a poetry slam

I’ve never lived in a region that appreciates a summer day the way people do in New England. They bask in the sun like lizards, absorbing the warmth like they may never experience it again. I think there are certain key components that encapsulate an ideal summer weekend. I need an activity that gets me outdoors, maybe tromping through a forest or admiring a sunset over the ocean. I need to find a way to experience visual art, some music, and if you know me, I always search for a pinch of poetry. Although I’m known to be an extrovert, I don’t need a crowd. So here I’ve collected a few options that could have you rollerskating in bell bottoms, learning how to turn a phrase at a poetry slam, dancing salsa and maybe even appreciating sand sculpting in Revere.

One of the most well-known North Shore traditions, the International Sand Sculpting Festival is back on Revere Beach celebrating its 20th year. Visitors get to watch more than a dozen master sculptors from all over the world compete at creating fantastical and large-scale sculptures along the shoreline all of Friday and part of Saturday. Judging starts Saturday afternoon along with the People’s Choice vote. Awards are presented that evening at 6 p.m. Last year’s winner was Slavian Borecki of Poland for his piece “Neptune's Morning Coffee,” which features Neptune, god of the sea, reflecting over a fresh cup. Second place went to Hanneke Supply’s abstract piece called “Trapped in your own mind the way out is through your heart.” The schedule includes a fireworks extravaganza on Saturday evening at 9 p.m., live music throughout the weekend, a beer garden and a performance by magician/mentalist Ryan Lally on Sunday.

For lovers of retro, vintage and far-out experiences, a pop-up roller disco rink on Kendall Common in Cambridge will have vendors selling wares, collectibles and nostalgia. The location is close to the Red Line and you’ll find free roller skating and free rentals.  DJs Jason Thornton and Cheap Heat will play a mix of boogie, classic disco and music to roller dance to all afternoon. Not able to make it this weekend? There will be another opportunity to lace up your skates on Saturday, Aug. 10.

I love a good poetry slam and the NorthBeast Regional Poetry Slam and Festival has a bit for everyone. Come out to the Foundry in Cambridge where 16 teams attempt to make it to the final round on Sunday. There will be poets local to Cambridge as well as those traveling in from Providence, Lowell, Manchester, New Hampshire and even Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sunday features workshops where you can learn to write haikus, liberation poetry and love poems without the word love.

A long beloved music festival that began in 1973, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción has made another line-up with artists from across the Caribbean and South America, including salsa singer Charlie Aponte as well as the award-winning salsa and timba group Pirulo y La Tribu. The day-long celebration of Latinx culture with food trucks, parades and family activities kicks off at noon in Plaza Betances in the South End. The event is free and open to the public.

One of the Bard’s lesser-known plays, “The Winter’s Tale” deals with accusations, renewal and redemption as a king puts his wife on trial for suspected adultery. You can view it any night at 8 p.m. at The Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common through Sunday, Aug. 4. In WBUR contributor Shira Laucharoen’s preview of the production, director Bryn Boice said, “It’s one of those that begs to be performed and seen, versus read… It’s almost inscrutable when you read it, but when you put it on its feet, it’s powerful, it’s beautiful, it’s funny, it’s tragic, it’s everything.” The show runs for two and a half hours with one 15-minute intermission.