5 things to do this Patriots' Day weekend

We’re swiftly approaching the semi-quincentennial (say that three times fast), or 250th anniversary, of the American Revolution. Naturally, the people of Massachusetts have a lot to say about it and many events to celebrate the occasion. This week is the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride, but if that’s just a Noah Kahan song to you, there’s plenty more arts events happening in Greater Boston this weekend.

The Museum of Science and Perkins School for the Blind will present the importance of end-to-end accessibility for civic participation and how democracy is a disability issue. The conversation will include discussions of how systems might and should empower people with disabilities. For example, they will tackle how people with blindness and low vision should be accommodated to be able to interact with political information presented in maps and data visualizations. The event is free with pre-registration online.

On Friday, there will be a costumed reading of “Revolution’s Edge,” an original play commissioned by Old North Illuminated and written by Patrick Gabridge. The 45-minute play takes place hours before a re-enactment of Paul Revere’s ride. The play follows an imagined conversation between Old North’s Loyalist rector, the Rev. Dr. Mather Byles Jr., who is forced to resign, Cato — a Black man enslaved by Byles, and Capt. John Pulling Jr. — a congregation member and friend of Revere. Their conversation encourages audiences to think about how race, class and experience shape our thoughts about the Revolutionary War era. The performance will take place on Paul Revere Mall in the North End. Mayor Michelle Wu will give remarks followed by a lantern lighting reenactment and Boston 250 Drone Show over the harbor. This event is free, and tickets are not required.

A bonus mid-week event: Filmmaker Ken Burns will receive the Third Lantern Award from Old North Church on Wednesday. The award is presented every year to an individual who exemplifies the values of “leadership, courage, hope, tenacity and active citizenship.” Those interested in attending can join the waitlist on the church’s website.

Cherry blossoms aren’t just blooming in Washington, D.C. There are beautiful florals to check out right here in Massachusetts. The Arnold Arboretum will celebrate the cherry blossoms and Japanese culture this Saturday. From 2 to 3 p.m., guests can play Japanese games and learn calligraphy. Assistant Curator Miles Sax will also be available to provide information on the blossoms, and there will be family activities with Arboretum Youth Education. Showa Boston Institute will perform traditional Japanese dance at 3 p.m. Odaiko New England will present taiko (Japanese drumming) starting at  3:15 p.m. The afternoon will be spent on the grass, so the arboretum recommends bringing lawn chairs and blankets. Guests can register for the waitlist online. If guests aren’t able to snag a ticket, the arboretum is still worth a visit to enjoy the spring flowers.

The Boston Progressive Jazz Festival will return to Arts at the Armory in Somerville for the second year this weekend. There will be two nights of music with performances by 11 groups and artists. Some of the musicians include Caio e Jess, a jazz, rock-pop and Brazilian music duo Caio Afiune and Jessica Curran, and Voodoo Baby Aliens, a 12-piece Boston-based post-rock group. Tickets are $25 for one evening and $40 for both.

Arts Arlington presents “People, Plants & Revolution,” a multimedia public art project celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Banners throughout Arlington’s town center will be paired with an audio guide to educate visitors on the importance of plants in colonial life in 1775. Artists Suzanne Moseley and Liz Shepherd created the banners, which feature plants utilized at the time. They used plant images from Harvard University Herbaria along with depictions of colonial life. “People, Plants & Revolution” runs through Saturday, May 31.

For a laid-back Saturday afternoon, visitors can check out the Menotomy Beer Hall at Arlington Town Hall. There will be beer, local eats and live music. And on Sunday, the city will host a re-enactment of the Battle of Menotomy. The Menotomy Minutemen and other reenactors will start at Massachusetts Avenue and Grove Street and end at Mystic Street, about a mile away. They will engage in key parts of the battle while spectators observe. The Battle of Menotomy happened on April 19, 1775, and 3,800 minutemen from surrounding towns fought with British troops as they fled Concord and Lexington; 40 British and 25 colonials died. The re-enactment will begin at 2 p.m.