5 things to do this weekend, including tap dancing in the park and a Somerville arts festival

When the weather is warm, I find it exciting to get outside, meet friends, and soak in the incredible talent and culture that is brimming in Greater Boston. This weekend, there are many opportunities to do just that — whether you’re looking for a festival or block party, or if you’re craving live music and theater that makes you consider the world we live in.

Visit The Strand Theatre in Dorchester to watch Company One kick off its world premiere production of “The Meeting Tree,” a new play by Boston writer B. Elle Borders. Directed by Summer L. Williams, the show revolves around Sofia Langton, a woman striving to recover the rights to the Alabama farm where her family had been enslaved generations ago. The narrative grapples with themes of displacement, racism, healing, ancestry and trauma as Sofia works to repair a painful history. The production is produced in partnership with Front Porch Arts Collective and the City of Boston’s Office of Arts and Culture, and “The Meeting Tree” is Borders’ first play. The show runs through Aug. 9 and tickets are pay-what-you-want.

A delightful comedy comes to the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center for this weekend only. Cambridge Chamber Ensemble will stage Thomas Arne’s 18th-century chamber opera “Thomas & Sally,” a family-friendly musical work that will deliver mirth and laughter. The plot centers around two lovers, Thomas and Sally, who will be separated as Thomas, a sailor, prepares to take to the sea. A wealthy local squire, encouraged by the meddling “village busybody” Dorcas, believes he can court Sally, with Thomas no longer in the picture. Audiences will have the chance to observe how this love triangle unfolds. General admission tickets purchased in advance are $45 and $50 for tickets purchased at the door.

Hosted by the Somerville Arts Council and Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, ArtBeat is a multicultural arts festival, and it returns to Somerville streets this Saturday. The event, now in its 39th year, will draw inspiration from the theme “Freeze,” featuring spectacular dances, ice age-inspired photo booths, roaming entertainers, two stages of music, and more. Expect international bites, including snacks from Nibble Kitchen incubator businesses, as well as performances from Senegalese artist Mamadou, Boston-based musician Layzi and songwriter Thea Hopkins. You’ll also see appearances from Jo-Mé Dance, craft vendors, flamenco dancer Clara Ramona, and so much more. The fun starts at noon, and to attend, there is a suggested donation of $3.

According to multitalented artist Jenny Herzog, it’s impossible to tap and feel unhappy. That truism served as the inspiration behind Tap for Joy, an outdoor tap dance program that she started during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s been on pause for the past three years, the class returns this Saturday at Riverbend Park in Cambridge (across from 40 Willard St.). Handmade tap dance boards and shoes will be provided, and Herzog will lead both an open-level session at 1 p.m. and an intermediate-level course at 2 p.m. Tap for Joy is free, although donations are welcome, and Herzog said that she hopes getting outside and dancing will help produce some welcome endorphins.

On Saturday, take a water taxi to visit the ICA Watershed in East Boston, where there will be a free block party for art enthusiasts of all ages. Visitors will enjoy music provided by Sonido Social and food from Aloe Natural Açai & Coffee Shop. There will also be dance performances and face painting courtesy of Veronica Robles Cultural Center, and attendees can participate in an art-making activity. Games and activities like corn hole and sidewalk chalk make for a laid-back and relaxing afternoon while you take in views of the harbor.