Take a seat and it’s always story time

The library recruited 10 area artists to transform the chairs into storybook-themed works that little readers can sit on. Many pack charming surprises, like a puzzle or an image on their underside. On display through April 10, these one-of-a-kind chairs are in the library gallery alongside additional works by the artists. All are also up for silent auction, running through April 8, to benefit the library. Interest has topped all expectations.

“People are really enthusiastic about the chairs. I’ve gotten more comments about this show than I’ve ever gotten for any show because people think the chairs are adorable,’’ said the library gallery’s curator, Deborah Santoro. “This has been really fun and interactive for the community because even if people don’t bid on the chairs, they can vote on best chair.’’

The chairs hail from the library’s old children’s reading room. After the library expanded in 1999, the vintage seats didn’t fit the new look. But the artists have given them colorful new life.

“Honestly, I was copying what’s been done before,’’ said Smith Shuman. “We’ve seen others paint lobsters and cows and whatever, and we have a lot of artists in the Groton area. So, we thought, why not ask them to paint our chairs?’’

Virginia Fitzgerald of Natick was one artist who answered the call. She adorned her chair with a grinning frog prince, a royal redo of the same frog she painted onto the seat of a chair she created for the gift store at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Other chairs pack charming surprises. Artist Janice Toth of Dunstable depicts a sunny scene from the “Farmer in the Dell’’ nursery rhyme on her chair seat. But peek on the underside and you’ll spot a painting of the rhyme’s infamous cheese, because as the line painted above it says, “The cheese stands alone.’’

Children’s author and illustrator Sharon Wooding of Groton created a chair based on her book “The Painter’s Cat,’’ with a cute two-dimensional likeness of the cat slinking across the back. Erin Mullins, a senior at Parker Charter School in Groton, did more than present a stylized version of “The Gingerbread Man’’ folktale. She painted an “I Spy’’-style search game onto the chair, so children can hunt for details in the pictures. Groton painter Martha Oldham who taught for years at the Danforth Museum School in Framingham, painted a swirling sea scene. Then she seated a stuffed, bespectacled octopus in the chair. He’s reading a tiny hand-painted book called “Gardening for Mollusks.’’

“The chairs came out so wonderfully and the artists all donated their time. We gave them $25 for supplies only,’’ said Smith Shuman. “These chairs are a labor of love.’’

Other participating artists included Susan Marion, Katharine Bell, and Don Torgersen, all of Groton, and Jill Pottle of Lunenburg. Bidding starts at $100 per chair, with a buy-it-now price of $500. Funds raised will go to the library endowment for special programs, including concerts, performances, and its Teen Summer Reading program, which last summer attracted more than 900 participants.

“Once Upon a Chair’’ runs through April 10 at the Groton Public Library, 99 Main St., with bids accepted at the library through April 8, when an artists reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. The chairs can be seen on the library’s website, www.gpl.org. 978-448-1167.

In Arlington, the first lady of Celtic music, Moya Brennan, performs Sunday at the Regent Theatre. Brennan’s shimmering vocals led Celtic band Clannad to international stardom and a Grammy. Catch her solo act; it won’t be soon forgotten.

In Milford, have fun introducing the children to the sounds of the symphony during Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra’s “Play Nice With Others!’’ concert on Sunday. The program does more than feature family favorite “Tubby the Tuba.’’ Conductor Paul Surapine will take the audience on a sound tour of the sections of the orchestra, and everyone can get hands-on time at the instrument petting zoo.

John Carter Cash, son of music legends Johnny Cash and June Carter, has a raft of Grammys, and he’s bringing all that talent to Lexington on Sunday to pay tribute to his musical legacy. Carter Cash and his wife, fiddler and vocalist Laura Cash, will perform the music of his forebears with Lexington’s Family Folk Chorale. The chorale believes in sharing the fun, so everyone will be invited to sing along.

As goes the hit TV show “Glee,’’ about a high school vocal troupe, so goes a cappella music. The popularity of both is rising, just like those high notes the “Glee’’ troupe hits so easily. Get in on the vocal fun this weekend in Needham when top of the crop a cappella groups Duke’s Men of Yale and Duwende of New York perform with three local high school ensembles: Fermata Nowhere, Subway Dwarves, and Treble Rebels.

Needham students organized the concert, “Vocal Support,’’ as a benefit for the homeless. Proceeds will go to Housing Families Inc., and donations of new and wrapped socks, underwear, and baby clothes are being sought for Circle of Hope, which will distribute them to families in area shelters.

“Vocal Support’’ starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Needham High School, 609 Webster St. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $15, students $12 . rejndrup@rcn.com, www.ncacweb.com. “Family Concert: Play Nice with Others!’’ is 3 p.m. Sunday at Milford Town Hall, 52 Main St., Milford. Tickets: $8; children, seniors $5. 508-478-5924, www.claflinhill.org. “The Legacy of Johnny Cash and the Carter Family’’ is 3 p.m. Sunday, Cary Memorial Hall, 1605 Mass. Ave., Lexington. Tickets: $15; seniors, children 12 and younger $ 12. www.familyfolkchorale.org. Moya Brennan performs 8 p.m. Sunday in the Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. Tickets: $28-$38; $5 discount for members. 781-646-4849, www.regenttheatre.com.

We want to hear about upcoming events. Please contact westarts@globe.com.