Weekend event picks, Sept. 7-9

Making plans? Short on ideas? No worries. See Nicole Cammorata, Milva DiDomizio, and June Wulff's picks for the top things to do around the Hub this weekend.

FRIDAY

TROUBLE IN PARADISE Yum-Yum is engaged to Ko-Ko but loves Nanki-Poo. This doesn’t sit well in Titipu, the fictional setting of “The Mikado.” It’s good fun and good music when Lyric Stage takes on the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta with a solid cast that includes one of our favorite local theater divas, Leigh Barrett. Sept. 7-Oct. 13. Wed-Thurs 7:30 p.m., Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sat-Sun 3 p.m. Matinees 2 p.m. Sept. 12, Oct. 10. $25-$62, seniors $5 off, $10 student rush. Lyric Stage, 140 Clarendon St., Boston. 617-585-5678, www.lyricstage.com

COURTING THE GRAPES Given the venue, don’t imbibe too heavily at Bottlenotes Around the World in 80 Sips. The tasting party includes vino from Italy, France, and New Zealand. Cleanse your palette with artisanal cheeses. 8-10 p.m. (7-8 p.m. VIP) $75, $125 (VIP). John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Way, Boston. www.bottlenotes.com

SATURDAY

SPOKES 2012 Bring your two-wheeler to a festival celebrating Somerville’s bicycle culture. The event features bike maintenance workshops, bike paraphernalia, bike art, and bike activism information. In the evening, spread a blanket for a bike-in movie screening of “PeeWee’s Big Adventure.” The festivities conclude with a night ride through the city. Sept. 8, 5-7:30 p.m. vendors, workshops, art. 7:30-9 p.m., movie. Free. Union Square Plaza, Somerville. Rain date Sept. 9. www.somervilleartscouncil.org

FRIENDS FOR HAITI The Island Creek Oysters Foundation supports its collaboration with Haitian tilapia-farming project Caribbean Harvest at an event that includes beachside food, music, and beverages. Enjoy unlimited oysters, a cheese station, signature cocktails, and a cigar lounge. Interactive food stations feature culinary creations by chefs from Boston and New York paired with craft beers and boutique wines. Sept. 8, 6:30-11 p.m. $250. Duxbury Beach. www.islandcreekfoundation.org

EWWW! GWOSS! COOKING LOCAL VEGGIES WITH YOUR CHILDREN You want your kids to love broccoli and brussels sprouts, right? At local chef and mom JJ Gonson’s workshop, learn how cooking with your children can help them want to eat their greens. Sept. 8, 10 a.m.-noon. $50, registration required. Kitchen Inc., 201 Somerville Ave., Somerville. www.nofamass.org

JP MUSIC LICKS More than 1,000 people attended last year’s freshman JP Music Festival. At this year’s sophomore event, take in the sounds of musicians who live or work in Jamaica Plain. More than two dozen acts will play funk, jazz, classical, hip-hop, and more. Noon-7 p.m. Free. Pinebank Field, beside the Jamaicaway on Perkins Street, Jamaica Plain. www.jpmusicfestival.com

CALLING ALL ANGELS Thank MIX 104.1 for the power-packed line-up at Saturday’s MIXFest. Let’s start with Train, the Grammy-winning band responsible for “Calling All Angels” and “Hey Soul Sister.” More? How about Berklee College of Music alum Gavin DeGraw. Let’s add Andy Grammer and his hit “Keep Your Head Up.” 4 p.m., rain or shine. Free. DCR Hatch Memorial Shell along the Esplanade, Boston. 617-931-2000. www.mix1041.com

SUNDAY

CAMBRIDGE CARNIVAL This Mardi Gras-style festival features costumed revelers dancing in the streets to Caribbean beats, three performance stages, and a kid fest. Styles of music represented include Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, calypso, reggae, and salsa. Sept. 9, 12:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Kendall Square, Cambridge. www.cambridgecarnival.org

SHORT ORDER THANKS You might be more familiar with this late-night eaterie in the middle of the night, but Sunday’s South Street Diner Customer Appreciation Day takes place during sunlight. Owner Sol Sidell meets, greets, and serves free burgers, dogs, and activities (pony rides, cartoonists, and more) inside and outside the 1947-built iconic spot. Sept. 9 from 2-6 p.m. Free. South Street Diner, 178 Kneeland St., Boston. 617-350-0028. www.southstreetdiner.com