5 things to do this weekend, including Young Artists Comics Fest and We Black Folk Showcase

This weekend is forecast to bring some rain, so finding indoor events will be good planning. A We Black Folk concert in Somerville shares the artistry of acclaimed Black musicians who live in the worlds of folk and roots music. There’s also a comics festival for young artists at Ashland Public Library, and an early Trans Day of Visibility celebration, with conversations and a market. These events and more, below.

Now in its 25th year, the Boston Turkish Film & Music Festival is being produced in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, celebrating the works of both emerging and established Turkish filmmakers. It begins this Friday, with an opening night piano performance from musician Hyun Sook Tekin, who will play works by Franz Schubert, as well as film music from features such as “Pride and Prejudice” (showcasing the work of Dario Marianelli and Henry Purcell) and “Romeo and Juliet” (sharing themes from Nino Rota and Sergei Prokofiev). Also on opening night, director Fatih Akin’s “Amrum” screens. The film follows 12-year-old Nanning, who lives on Amrum Island during the final days of World War II hunting seals, fishing and supporting his mother by working at a nearby farm. Entry to the recital is free, with the purchase of tickets to “Amrum,” which cost $12 for MFA members and $15 for nonmembers. [Check out our spring film festival guide for more screenings.]

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The Center for Arts at the Armory in Somerville hosts We Black Folk Showcase as part of its Spotlight Series. The concert will bring together Black artists who specialize in folk and roots music, while also incorporating poetry and storytelling. Expect to see musicians such as Cliff Notez, whose lyrical work melds together hip-hop, folk and experimental soundscapes. Also performing is 2022 NPR Tiny Desk Contest winner Alisa Amador, bringing a blend of Latin folk, jazz and pop. Tyler Donkoh-Halm, Tim Hall, Gabriella Simpkins and 2023 WBUR Maker Dzidzor will take the stage, as well. The show begins at 7 p.m., and general admission tickets are $35.

Boston Comics Arts Foundation is hosting its second annual Young Artists Comics Fest at the Ashland Public Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will bring together local creators and young cartoonists ages 8-18 and their families for programs such as a Science Comics Workshop, where artists Jerel Dye and Caroline Hu will guide participants in learning about how to draw animals. Lincoln Pierce, who dreamed up “Big Nate” and “Max & the Midknights,” will teach attendees about the heroes that influenced his work. There will also be a “Draw-Off!” competition between several illustrators, a make-your-own-comics session and a chance to practice drawing dinosaurs. The festival is free, and advanced registration is encouraged.

In advance of Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, The Theater Offensive and LGBTQ Elders of Color are partnering for a tribute at Boston Center for the Arts. From noon to 2 p.m., the organizations are hosting a mutual aid market where visitors can stock up on hygiene products, non-perishable food items, school supplies and more. From 2 to 4 p.m. in the Plaza Theatre, The Theater Offensive's executive and artistic director Giselle Byrd, community relationship specialist for the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQAI2S+ Advancement Justice Williams and performer/advocate Teasha Purdy will participate in a moderated conversation about “good, the bad, and all in between” of their journeys. Entry is free.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus offers a concert recognizing the voices and artistry of trailblazing women. During these performances at the Huntington Theatre, audiences can expect to hear the music of female composers, pop anthems, texts from political figures and more, while honoring the perspectives of women who “refused to be silent,” according to a press release. Composer Judith Clurman’s “Washington Women” is a centerpiece of the program, paying homage to courageous individuals who have made a mark on the American political world with progressivism and strength. Tickets start at $37.