THEATER
Boylston: Calliope Productions opens its run of "Too Marvelous for Words" 8 p.m. Thursday, followed by shows Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through May 18, at Calliope Theatre, 150 Main St. $15, $12 students and seniors. 508-869-6887, calliopeproductions.org.
HAPPENINGS
Framingham: Workshop with clarinetist Billy Novick on "Improvising in a Variety of Musical Styles" on Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m., at the Amazing Firehouse, 160 Hollis St. $25. 508-405-2787, amazingthings.org.
Watertown: The fund-raising New Repertory Theatre Gala on Tuesday starts with a dinner at 6 p.m., followed by live and silent auctions and a benefit performance by Rachel York, at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St. 617-923-8487, newrep.org.
MUSIC
Natick: The Center for Arts, 14 Summer St., hosts an open mike with Curt Bessette tomorrow at 8 p.m., $5. Chris Trapper performs Friday, 8 p.m.; $16. 508-647-0097, natickarts.org.
Southborough: Five O'Clock Shadow performs an a cappella show Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at Steeple Coffeehouse, Pilgrim Church, Southborough Common. 508-485-4847, steeplecoffeehouse.org.
FAMILY
Framingham: Ben Rudnick and Friends (below) perform Saturday, 11 a.m., at the Amazing Firehouse, 160 Hollis St. $8. 508-405-2787, amazingthings.org.
LITERARY
Waltham: Historical romance author Emily Bryan will deliver a talk, "Neurotica: The Secret Life of a Romance Author," on Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., at the Waltham Public Library, 735 Main St. Free. 781-314-3425, ext. 2.
Wellesley: Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series, appears Saturday, 3 p.m., at Wellesley Middle School, 50 Kingsbury St. 781-431-1160.
Send Best Bets items three weeks in advance to Globe West, 111 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, or e-mail westarts@globe.com.
