Improv, art, and cookie decorating

Theater and fine food will be a two fer April 5 at the 12th annual Banned in Boston musical revue. Theatergoers will be served goat cheese vegetable tarts, smoked salmon, and smoked pork sausage with sweet pepper salsa as part of the benefit. Chefs such as Todd English of Olives, Jasper White of the Summer Shacks, and others will participate in the event, which benefits Urban Improv, a violence prevention program for youths that involves improvisational theater. The revue, which begins at 7:30 p.m. will be held at Avalon. Tickets range from $75 to $150. For information, go to urbanimprov.org .

You know spring is here when the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum sports its bright orange nasturtium vines in the interior courtyard. Because the flowers are edible, the Gardner Cafe matches the courtyard display with a special menu featuring nasturtiums and other edible flowers. Zucchini carpaccio with fried blossoms and mint will be featured, along with spring pea and nasturtium soup. The display opens April 3 and will run up to a month -- as will the menu. For information on the cafe, call 617-566-1088 or go to gardnermuseum.org.

Verrill Farm in Concord celebrates Easter and the first stirrings of spring with a free cookie decorating class on April 7. Children can make bunnies, eggs, and other shapes. On April 17, a Tex-Mex cooking class is offered for grades 1 to 3; on April 19 for grades 4 to 6. Verrill's chef, Kevin Carey, will help children make burritos, quesadillas, and salsa. Cost is $15 each. Call 978-369-4494 or go to verrillfarm.com. -- ALISON ARNETT