GALLERIES
Bridgewater: Mariette Pathy Allen's interest in photography began in 1968. A decade later, she was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and happened to be staying in the same hotel with a group of cross dressers. Her photos and interviews became "Transformations: Crossdressers and Those Who Love Them." Since then, her photographs have been exhibited widely and are in the permanent collections of major museums. "Beyond the Gender Frontier" opens Monday and runs through Dec. 19 at the Anderson Wallace Gallery at Bridgewater State College. Allen will discuss her work at the opening reception Nov. 28, 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 508-531-1359.
FAMILY FARE
Stoughton: Striar Jewish Community Center is hosting a "Make Music with Mendel" story hour and brunch Sunday at 11 a.m., at the center at 445 Central St. The program includes a story with Heidi Smith Hyde, author of "Mendel's Accordion: The Story of Klezmorim," making an instrument, and songs with Klezmer musician Barry Shapiro. The free event is open to all. 781-341-2016, ext. 271.
LECTURE
Hingham: Every newspaper needs smart and skilled photographers. Newspapers in this area have quite a few. On Nov. 29, photographer Jim Mahoney will discuss his 25-year career at the Boston Herald. Director of photography there since 2002, Mahoney will talk about his career and offer behind-the-scenes information about how news photographers work. He'll also bring along a selection of his photos, including a few from Northern Ireland. The 3 p.m. lecture is at Linden Ponds, 203 Linden Ponds Way. Admission is free, but reservations are required. 800-832-5319.
MUSIC
Hingham: Fiddles and violins may start out the same, but with minor adjustments as to the height of the bridge, the tune, and the performer, the two produce distinctly unique sounds. On Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., South Shore Conservatory fiddling instructor Eden MacAdam-Somer and her students will perform American, Celtic, and Eastern European tunes for listening and dancing. Caller Chrissy Fowler will lead participants through the dance steps. Tickets for this family program are $8, $4 for children, with a $15 family maximum, and may be ordered online. 781-749-7565, ext. 19, southshoreconservatory.org.
MUSEUMS
Plymouth: Considering how many people are probably in Plymouth today, many visiting Pilgrim Hall Museum, the folks at the oldest US museum in continuous operation surely deserve a post-holiday break. And they soon will get one - sort of. On Dec. 2, the museum will close for several months of modifications and renovations. The annual Holiday House Tour helps defray some of the costs of those upgrades. This year, the tour will be held Dec. 1 and 2, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and include a number of area architectural treasures, B&Bs, and homes at The Pinehills. (The locations will be revealed when you pick up your map at the museum.) Lunch at the White Cliffs Country Club is included. Tickets for the tour are $35 before tomorrow and $40 thereafter. Also, a preview party will be held at The Pinehills, Nov. 30, 6-8 p.m. Tickets for the preview are $40, or $60 for preview and tour, and may be ordered online at pilgrimhall.org or picked up at the museum at 75 Court St. 508-746-1620.
NATURE
Norwell: Bob, the green iguana, and his pals at the South Shore Natural Science Center will be showing off their stuff tomorrow at 10 a.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Each session teaches visitors about animal habitats, habits, and other fun stuff. For outdoor enthusiasts, naturalist Melissa Kurkoski will lead a "Turley Talk and Trot" in search of turkey tracks and perhaps the holiday fowl himself. Tomorrow's family-oriented foray along the center's trails starts at 2 p.m. Programs are free with general admission of $3-$5; ages 2 and younger free. The center, at 48 Jacobs Lane, is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 781-659-2559, ssnsc.org.
Calendar and Best Bets items should be sent, three weeks in advance, to Miele@globe.com. Include date, time, location, price, phone contact.
