5 things to do this weekend, including a global film fest and a puppet slam

This weekend’s things-to-do list really is for everyone. There’s quite a range of events, from a global film festival to a puppet slam. Check out the listings below to learn more about your potential plans starting on Friday.

Lexington-raised comedian Eugene Mirman will film his new stand-up special at the Crystal Ballroom in Somerville this Friday. He will also be featured at The WBUR Festival later this month. Mirman is known as the voice of Gene Belcher on “Bob’s Burgers,” and he has appeared on  “Flight of the Conchords,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and many other TV shows. He also co-founded comedy label Pretty Good Friends Records in Boston. General admission tickets for his 7 p.m. show are sold out, but are available for his 9:30 p.m. show, and they are $37.75 each.

Global Cinema Film Festival of Boston is dedicated to screening “films that make us care.” This year marks the festival’s 10th anniversary of celebrating independent movies that engage audiences around the world. The festival will screen 14 documentary features and shorts, including the North American East Coast premiere of “Beirut Forever.” Directed by Patrick Hasso Kohl, the film follows four refugees living in Beirut over four years. It explores the complicated emotions of leaving home and finding safety but also feeling trapped. All screenings will take place at West Newton Cinema. Single screenings are $15, and all access passes are $79.99.

On the hunt for a summer read or hoping to hear from local authors? The American City Coalition is hosting the third annual Greater Roxbury Book Fair this Saturday. The fair will include panels, author signings, storytimes for the little ones, an outdoor market and more at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library. Some of the events include a memoir workshop by Lisa Braxton Reid, author of “Dancing Between the Raindrops,” and a Haitian American poetry celebration with authors Marjorie Salvodon, Enzo Silon Surin and Patrick Sylvaine, including a tribute to former Boston Poet Laureate Danielle Legros Georges. The fair is free to attend.

Puppet Showplace Theater has been in Brookline for 50 years. To celebrate the anniversary, it’s hosting an adult-friendly puppet slam, a night of short-form puppetry acts, at Suffolk University’s Modern Theatre in Boston. Some of the performers include resident artist Sarah Nolen and incubator artist Tanya Nixon-Silberg. Tickets range from $45 to $125.

Elissa Ely and David Leisner will lead a meditative night of reflection at First Parish of Arlington on Saturday and the Concord Free Library on Sunday. Participants will experience readings and music related to themes of kindness, sadness and steadfastness. The event description states, “The hope is that through shining light on these experiences, we can find mutual comfort and strength.” Ely created WBUR’s “The Remembrance Project,” and she was a community psychologist and op-ed columnist at The Boston Globe. Leisner is head of the guitar department at Manhattan School of Music. The events are free.