Books & Cooks

Some of the books from Books & Cooks

A good book has no ending.  ~R.D. Cumming


Seven years ago Paul and I started a book/dinner club we aptly named Books & Cooks. Once a month we get together with a diverse group of friends and family to discuss our recent pick over dinner. This time together has become very special to me as we agree, disagree, debate, laugh (a lot!), cry (a little), and share our perspectives with each other. As is often the case with great conversations, one subject leads to another and sometimes we end the night with barely a nod to the book we’ve read. Other times we could go on for days discussing the book, never running out of things to say.

I thought it would be fun to share the books we’ve read with you. I know I’ve forgotten a few, but here are the ones I remember.

Please feel free to suggest ones we should add to our list!

1.    A Drinking Life by Peter Hamil

2.    All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remaque

3.    American Assassin by Vince Flynn

4.    An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

5.    Away by Amy Bloom

6.    Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

7.    Consent to Kill by Vince Flynn

8.    Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

9.    Defending Jacob by William Landay

10.Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey

11.Feast of Love by Charles Baxter

12.Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

13.Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo

14.Inferno by Dan Brown

15.Ireland by Frank Delaney

16.Life of Pi by Yann Martel

17.Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

18.Look Again by Lisa Scottoline

19.Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

20.Manhunt The Search for Lincoln’s Killer by James Swanson

21.Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards

22.Mephisto by Tess Gerritson

23.Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder

24.My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme

25.My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Piccoult

26.Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

27.Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult

28.Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

29.The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

30.The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness by Joel Ben Izzy

31.The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

32.The Cave by Jose Saramago

33.The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

34.The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jeremy Leggatt

35.The Gilder by Kathryn Kay

36.The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi Durrow

37.The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

38.The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

39.The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by

40.The Help by Kathryn Stockett

41.The Keeper’s Son by Homer Hickam

42.The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

43.The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant

44.The Measure of a Man by Sydney Poitier

45.The Naked Now by Fr. Richard Rohr

46.The Places in Between by Rory Stewart

47.The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay

48.The Road by Cormac McCarthy

49.The Secret Life of Bees By Sue Monk Kidd

50.The Shack by Wm. Paul Young

51.The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

52.The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

53.The Time of our Lives by Tom Brokaw

54.The Widow’s War by Sally Gunning

55.Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

56.Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

57.Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut

58.Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Robert Pirsig

July Events

Here are some fun events happening throughout the month of July

6 Saturday 12:30pm. Fourth of July Celebration in Pepperell. Parade starts at 12:30 from Town Hall to VFW Post 3291, followed by music and food at 4 pm, and fireworks at dusk. Visit pepperell4thofjuly.org for updated details.

6 Saturday 6pm-8pm. Groton Sumer Concert Series presents Gary Wilson Blues Project: Hard-hitting blues. Enough said! Weather permitting at the town gazebo behind the Library. Refreshments are available from Main Street Cafe. For more information, visit mainstreetcafegroton.com/summer-music-2013.html.

6 Saturday 7:30pm. Outside the Wire, the life-changing impact of war–on returning soldiers and their families–is explored in a play featuring Fitchburg State students and alumni that is headed for a prestigious national theater festival in July. Local showing at the WESTON AUDITORIUM, 353 North St. Admission is $15 for the public and free for veterans.

6 Saturday 3pm. Ayer’s Fourth of July celebration, with a traditional parade on Main Street, starting at 3 pm. Call David Maher, 978-772-8206 weekdays.

6 Saturday 9pm. Fireworks at Pirone Park, School Street in Ayer. The Fourth of July celebration ends with a spectacular fireworks display starting at dusk, approximately 9 pm.

7 Sunday 4pm-6pm. Opening Reception. Natural Connections: Clay and Landscape: Ceramics by Joan Sinatra Hathaway. Petersham Art Center. All welcome. Meet the artist, enjoy fine art, delicious refreshments. On exhibit July 7-August 15. 8 North Street, a short distance from Petersham Common.

7 Sunday 7:30pm. Petersham Brass Band Concert on Petersham Common. Hotdogs, baked goods. All welcome. Free.

8 Monday 6pm-8pm. Sterling's Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park on Cross St. WACHUSETT COMMUNITY BAND: This band has been playing in Sterling’s summer concerts for the past 9 years. The band has 25 plus musicians from the Wachusett Area.  They play a variety of marches, show tunes, & more. For more information, visit www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Recreation/concerts.

8 Monday 9:30pm. Groton Fireworks 99 Main Street.

9 Tuesday 7:30pm. Leominster Colonial Band Concert at Leominster’s historic Carter Park on Main Street. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in City Hall, 25 West Street.

10 Wednesday 1pm-4pm. Museum of Russian Icons presents Matryoshka Nesting Doll Workshop. Traditional Russian artist and lecturer Marina Forbes offers a unique three-hour workshop on the rich Russian folk tradition of nested doll painting. For more information, visit museumofrussianicons.org.

10 Wednesday 6pm.  Concert on the Upper Common, Main Street, Fitchburg. Enjoy various performers in this free concert. Rain date: August 21.

10 Wednesday 6pm-8pm. Sterling's Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park on Cross St. MOONSHINE: Moonshine serves up the best mix of new country, blues, and rock music in Central MA.  The band features Melissa Perkins on vocals covering songs by Adele, Pink, Grace Potter, Gretchen Wilson, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, and more!! For more information, visit www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Recreation/concerts.

10 Wednesday 7pm. Meet Native Amphibians Frogs & Salamanders. Petersham Memorial Library. Join Chris Eaton of MassAudubon for this up close and personal program with the wonderful world of amphibians. 23 Common Street on Petersham Common. All welcome. Free.

11 Thursday 2pm. Digging To New York at the Fitchburg Public Library. Learn how Fitchburg helped build the Hoosac Tunnel. For more information, visit fitchburgpubliclibrary.org. 

11 Thursday 3pm-5pm. Fruitlands presents HIVE. HIVE is an ever-evolving community art piece that explores the chemistry between people when they work together. During meetings with several diverse groups of participants - aluminum screen chambers are stitched together with steel wire. Later they’re assembled into a sculpture that grows organically as a representation of community effort and time spent together. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. No experience necessary – come one and all. FREE with Admission. For more information, visitwww.fruitlands.org.

11 Thursday 7:15pm. Fruitlands Summer Concert Series presents The Concord Band. Join the Concord Band as they grace Fruitlands hillside for the 28th year. Bring a picnic, grandma, the kids and the dog and settle in for old fashioned Americana music on a summer evening. The July 4th concert will have our famous picnic contest. Judges will pick the most elaborate picnic setup to win a special prize. So break out the candelabra and the good linens. Gates open at 5:30 for picnics, concerts begin at 7:15. This is an outdoor venue so please bring a blanket or chairs (chairs are for sale at the Museum Store) and dress appropriately. Handicapped seating is available under the tent. For more information, visit http://fruitlands.org/summerconcerts.

11 Thursday 7:30pm. The Twangbusters with Paula Bradley. Blues and bop with a heapin' helpin' of twang. $10. 1794 Meetinghouse: North Quabbin's Center for the Performing Arts, 26 South Main St. New Salem. For more information, visit www.1794meetinghouse.org.

12 Friday. Westminster Farmers' Market presents How Does Your Garden Grow: Basic Gardening Q&A for Midway Through the Growing Season. For more information, email hertel@mapleheightsfarm.com.

12 Friday 3pm–6:30pm. Joe Reidy performs at the Westminster Farmers Market, Academy Hill, Westminster. 

12 Friday 6pm-7:30pm. Riverfront Children's Theater's FUN FRIDAY Summer Theatre Workshop FOR 10 & UP, $15. VISIT: www.riverfrontkids.blogspot.com or EMAIL:sallycragin@verizon.net.

12 Friday 8pm. Roy Book Binder. Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.

12 Friday 8pm-10pm. Black Diamond Summer Music Series at Wachusett Mountain. FREE music outside under the tent by Rainy Day Activities. A BBQ will be available outside as will a bar both inside and out. Great for the whole family! For more information, visit www.wachusett.com/?TabId=115.

13-14 Saturday-Sunday. Worcester JCC Presents Circus Smirkus at Wachusett Mountain. Grab your Ruby Slippers and click your heels together, as Circus Smirkus goes "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with a new spin on the Wizard of Oz. It will take acrobatic thinking, highwire hearts, and courageous clowns to embark on this Emerald City adventure! This time it's all flying monkey business as we cartwheel down the yellow brick road to a new twist in the tale. Pull back the curtain and discover fun for the whole family (and your little dog, too,) as Circus Smirkus presents Oz Incorporated. For more information, visitwww.worcesterjcc.org/smirkus.

13-14 Saturday & Sunday 11am–3pm. Birds of Prey at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Road, Sterling. Have you ever wanted to see a bald eagle up close? At Davis Farmland we are giving you that chance! Meet eagles, hawks, owls, and more! You can’t miss this unbelievable chance! This is one show you will never forget! Show times are at 11 and 2 Saturday and Sunday. Call 978-422-MOOO.

13 Saturday. Annual Congregational Church Fair. Petersham Common. Special events, food, attic treasures, lunch galore, music, raffles, and more throughout the day. Huge live Auction on the Bandstand. Drew Paton 1940s Hit Parade on the Bandstand - sponsored by Petersham Cultural Council.

13 Saturday 8am-10am. Orange Historical Society BREAKFAST ON THE PORCH 41 North Main Street Orange. Menu: Quiche, French Toast, Pancakes, Waffles, Donuts, Beverages. Cost: $6.00.

13 Saturday 8am–3pm. Royalston Church Fair on the Common, Royalston. Food, live music, attic treasures, games, face painting.

13 Saturday 9am-2pm. Tower Hill The World Up Close: Exploring Macro Photogrraphy. Non-members $60., Members $50. Instructor: Steve McGrath. Spring, summer, winter, or fall, macro photography opens the door to a wonderful new world of photo opportunities. With instructor Steve McGrath as your guide, this beginner to intermediate level course will show you ways to use your existing camera gear to make spectacular macro photographs. The close-up world is a magical place full of pattern, color, and abstract imagery. Flowers become abstract works of art; rusty doors become textured canvasses; stones become polished gems; butterflies and other insects can become sci-fi monsters! After a short lecture, this class will move outside to practice technique in the gardens, and end with review of student work.For more information, e-mail registrar@towerhillbg.org or call 508-869-6111x124 or visitwww.towerhillbg.org.

13 Saturday 9am-5pm. Tower Hill Lily Show. Included with admission to garden, $12 adult, $9 senior, $7 children 6-18. New England Lily Society presents 54TH ANNUAL LILY SHOW at Tower Hill Botanical Garden off Routes 290 & 70 in Boylston, MA. Exhibits of Oriental, Asiatic, Orientpet and other hybrid lily stems will be enhanced by bouquets of flowers featuring lilies in classical and ikebana styles of flower arranging. Sponsored by: New England Lily Society

For more information, e-mail thbg@towerhillbg.org or visit www.towerhillbg.org.

13 Saturday 1pm-5pm. Lifefest at Coolidge Park! Free food, music, games, petting zoo, and more.

13 Saturday 6pm. Gardner Concert in the Park Presents: Rhythm. Monument Park Community Bandstand Contemporary, Pops, Blues & Country. Rain Date: July 17.

13 Saturday 6pm-8pm. Groton Sumer Concert Series presents Very original trio Trusting Fate. Energetic  Weather permitting at the town gazebo behind the Library. Refreshments are available from Main Street Cafe. For more information, visit mainstreetcafegroton.com/summer-music-2013.html.

13 Saturday 7:30pm. The Jolly Beggars. The Jolly Beggars add a dimension to Celtic Music that's unique and welcome. Their harmonies are delightful and soothing to the soul and every show is a feast for both eyes and ears. $10. 1794 Meetinghouse: North Quabbin's Center for the Performing Arts, 26 South Main St. New Salem. For more information, visit www.1794meetinghouse.org.

13 Saturday 8pm. Donna the Buffalo. Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.

14 Sunday 9am-4:30pm. Tower Hill Lily Show. Included with admission to the garden, $12 adult, $9 senior, $7 children 6-18. New England Lily Society presents 54TH ANNUAL LILY SHOW at Tower Hill Botanical Garden off Routes 290 & 70 in Boylston, MA. Exhibits of Oriental, Asiatic, Orientpet and other hybrid lily stems will be enhanced by bouquets of flowers featuring lilies in classical and ikebana styles of flower arranging. Sponsored by: New England Lily Society. For more information, e-mail thbg@towerhillbg.org or visitwww.towerhillbg.org.

14 Sunday 2pm. Concert in Coggshall Park, off Electric Avenue, Fitchburg. Enjoy live entertainment on the shores of Mirror Lake. Rain date, July 28. Free admission.

14 Sunday 3-5pm. Artists' Town Meeting at the Fitchburg Art Museum. For more information, visit www.fitchburgartmuseum.org.

14 Sunday 4pm. Natraj. Indian classical music, West African traditional music, and jazz. $15. 1794 Meetinghouse: North Quabbin's Center for the Performing Arts, 26 South Main St. New Salem. For more information, visit www.1794meetinghouse.org.

15 Monday 2pm. Mini-Beast Menagerie at the Fitchburg Public Library.

Real little animals that creep and crawl.  For more information, visit fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.

15 Monday 6pm-8pm. Sterling's Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park on Cross St. SOUTH CENTRAL: The acoustic duo of Neil Lucey and Ron Stacy. Their music selection ranges from the 60’s to today’s hits and includes many of those one-hit-wonders you’ve heard many times before, but just can’t remember the name! Guests enjoy interacting with the band by trying to guess the names of these forgotten artists and those of more well known artists. With their wide variety of music and rich acoustic sound, a great listening experience is guaranteed for all. For more information, visit www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Recreation/concerts.

16 Tuesday 7:30pm. Leominster Colonial Band Concert at Leominster’s historic Carter Park on Main Street. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in City Hall, 25 West Street.

17 Wednesday 6pm.  Concert on the Upper Common, Main Street, Fitchburg. Enjoy various performers in this free concert. Rain date August 21.

17 Wednesday 6pm-8pm. Sterling's Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park on Cross St. THE ILLUSIONS: Play music from the 60’s, 70’s, & 80’s including contemporary top 40’s and across all genres, Country, Pop, Rock, etc. They get audiences of all ages involved. For more information, visit www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Recreation/concerts.

18 Thursday 5:15pm-7pm. Museum of Russian Icons presents SnapShot Gallery Talks. SnapShot tours are a series of short in-depth talks given by our volunteer tour guides. Free with Museum admission. For more information, visit museumofrussianicons.org.

18 Thursday 7:15pm. Fruitlands Summer Concert Series presents The Concord Band. Join the Concord Band as they grace Fruitlands hillside for the 28th year. Bring a picnic, grandma, the kids and the dog and settle in for old fashioned Americana music on a summer evening. The July 4th concert will have our famous picnic contest. Judges will pick the most elaborate picnic setup to win a special prize. So break out the candelabra and the good linens. Gates open at 5:30 for picnics, concerts begin at 7:15. This is an outdoor venue so please bring a blanket or chairs (chairs are for sale at the Museum Store) and dress appropriately. Handicapped seating is available under the tent. For more information, visit http://fruitlands.org/summerconcerts.

18 Thursday 7:30pm. Alasdair Roberts | Sam Moss. Lively Scottish ballads. | Pre-war American country, blues, and folk. $12. 1794 Meetinghouse: North Quabbin's Center for the Performing Arts, 26 South Main St. New Salem. For more information, visit www.1794meetinghouse.org.

20 Saturday. Sleepover at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Road, Sterling. This fun-filled, two day adventure includes an all-you-can-eat cookout, hayride, campfire sing-a-long, and s’mores! Wake up to breakfast on the grill. Reservations required, space fills quickly. Call 978-422-MOOO (6666).

20 Saturday 9am-4:30pm. Tower Hill Daylily Show. Included with admission to the garden, $12 adult, $9 senoir, $7 Children 6-18. The Daylily Exhibition is open to the public. Come see hundreds of the finest daylilies grown in New England, featuring Speakers, Flower Arranging Demonstration, Flower arrangements featuring lilies, and Potted lilies for sale. Judged Divisions include Extra Large 7+, Large, Small, Miniature, Double, Polymerous, Spider, and Unusual Form. The Exhibition presents a wonderful opportunity to view the incredible diversity of daylilies, the most popular and easiest to grow perennial. Sponsored by: New England Daylily Society. For more information, e-mail thbg@towerhillbg.org or visit www.towerhillbg.org.

20 Saturday 10am–3pm. Summer Festival and Chicken BBQ at the Otter River Sportsman’s Club, Lord Road, Otter River. St. Martin’s Church celebrates summer with a festival featuring raffles, games of chance and skill, free games and craft activities for children, and a wonderful chicken dinner served from noon – 1 pm. For dinner reservations (recommended), call 978-939-5588.

20 Saturday 5pm. The Rafters at Groton Gazebo. 70's Night! Groton Summer Concert Series, Gazebo at the Groton Town Field (behind Library). Price: free! Teaming up with Elizabeth Lorrey to go Back to the 70's!! A great outdoor concert series with food & snacks provided by Main Street Cafe.Downtown Groton, Massachusetts.

20 Saturday 6pm. Gardner Concert in the Park Presents: Riverboat Stompers. Monument Park Community Bandstand. Jazz Band. Rain Date: July 24.

20 Saturday 6pm-8pm. Groton Sumer Concert Series presents Elizabeth Lorre, The Rafters, and Back to the Garden: That 70s Show…! Weather permitting at the town gazebo behind the Library. Refreshments are available from Main Street Cafe. For more information, visit mainstreetcafegroton.com/summer-music-2013.html.

21 Sunday 1pm. Fruitland's An Herbal Walk and Wildcrafting. Cost...  Free with admission. Search for wild herbs with botanist and herbalist, Rachel Ross and learn about the practice of wildcrafting. Herbalist Angie Adams will present information on when and what parts of the plant to harvest, the drying process and much more. A brief meeting of the Herbal Community of Central Mass. will precede the program. All are welcome to attend.

21 Sunday 4pm. Ecology of Sound. Presenting RICARDO FROTA. African, Native American, indigenous people's, South American, and Brazilian music. $10. 1794 Meetinghouse: North Quabbin's Center for the Performing Arts, 26 South Main St. New Salem. For more information, visit www.1794meetinghouse.org.

22 Monday 2pm. Ed the Wizard at the Fitchburg Public Library. Reading is Magic!  For more information, visit fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.

22 Monday 6pm-8pm. Sterling's Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park on Cross St. WORCESTER COUNTY BLUEGRASS ALL STARS Paul Della Valle and the Worcester County Bluegrass All Stars are Sterling songwriter Paul Della Valle backed up by some of the best acoustic musicians in the area.  They include the legendary Walter Crockett on guitar, Fran McConville and Dave DiBiasio of Slo-Grass on mandolin and banjo, and Bob Dick of the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band on base. For more information, visit www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Recreation/concerts.

23 Tuesday 7:30pm. Leominster Colonial Band Concert at Leominster’s historic Carter Park on Main Street. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in City Hall, 25 West Street.

24 Wednesday 6pm.  Concert on the Upper Common, Main Street, Fitchburg. Enjoy various performers in this free concert. Rain date August 21.

24 Wednesday 6pm-8pm. Sterling's Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park on Cross St. RAMPAGE TRIO: The Rampage Trio is a high energy, blues-rock boogie, dance band featuring singer-songwriter-guitarist, Brian Owens, singer-bassist, Iain Perry and singer-harmonica player-drummer, Kevin Crowley.  They have five CD’s to their credit and have shared the stage with the Edgar Winter Band, Mountain, Joe Bonamassa, James Cotton, Candye Kane, Otis Clay, Buckwheat Zydeco, Big Sandy, and others. For more information, visit www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Recreation/concerts.

24 Wednesday 7:30pm. Soapmaking. Contact North Country Sustainability Center for more info. Email Pat@northcountrysustain.org or call (978) 827-1305.

24 Wednesday 7:30pm. Fitchburg Art Museum's Launch an Artists' Critique/Coaching Group. Ready to take your artwork to the next level? Looking for support and constructive feedback? Attend this meeting to learn about the value of artist critique/coaching groups, different models for organizing one, and guidelines for conducting a group critique. $5M, $10NM. If a group develops out of this meeting, the Museum will help launch it by providing meeting space for the first three meetings for a small fee.  For more information, visitwww.fitchburgartmuseum.org.

25 Thursday 11am. Fruitland's Simply Shaker Summer Storytime. Cost...  Free with admission. Reconnect with traditions of the past during this hour-long story and craft program. Learn about the daily lives of Shaker children and try your hand at one of the chores that children had to master: buttermaking! Materials provided. Limited to 30 children. RSVP requested. Email education@fruitlands.org or call 978.456.3924 x239.

25 Thursday 3pm-5pm. Fruitlands presents HIVE. HIVE is an ever-evolving community art piece that explores the chemistry between people when they work together. During meetings with several diverse groups of participants - aluminum screen chambers are stitched together with steel wire. Later they’re assembled into a sculpture that grows organically as a representation of community effort and time spent together. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. No experience necessary – come one and all. FREE with Admission. For more information, visitwww.fruitlands.org.

25 Thursday 5:15pm-7pm. Museum of Russian Icons presents SnapShot Gallery Talks. SnapShot tours are a series of short in-depth talks given by our volunteer tour guides. Free with Museum admission. For more information, visit museumofrussianicons.org.

25 Thursday 6pm-8pm. The Golden Road Band. A country band. Performing at Carter Park in downtown Leominster. Free admission.

25 Thursday 7:15pm. Fruitlands Summer Concert Series presents The Concord Band. Join the Concord Band as they grace Fruitlands hillside for the 28th year. Bring a picnic, grandma, the kids and the dog and settle in for old fashioned Americana music on a summer evening. The July 4th concert will have our famous picnic contest. Judges will pick the most elaborate picnic setup to win a special prize. So break out the candelabra and the good linens. Gates open at 5:30 for picnics, concerts begin at 7:15. This is an outdoor venue so please bring a blanket or chairs (chairs are for sale at the Museum Store) and dress appropriately. Handicapped seating is available under the tent. For more information, visit http://fruitlands.org/summerconcerts.

25 Thursday 7:30pm. Tall Heights. A new and lasting fixture in Boston's Folk/Rock scene. $10. 1794 Meetinghouse: North Quabbin's Center for the Performing Arts, 26 South Main St. New Salem. For more information, visit www.1794meetinghouse.org.

26 Friday 8pm. North Shore A Cappella. Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.

27-28 Saturday & Sunday 11am–3pm.  Mike the Music Man at Davis Farmland, 145 Redstone Hill Road, Sterling. Sing, Dance at Davis Farmland with Mike the Music Man and his friends Snappy the Alligator and Smelly the Skunk perform silly versions of kid’s favorite songs and some of their own original songs like Ducky Rock and Roll. Show times are Saturday and Sundays 11 and 2. 

27 Saturday. Petersham Mountain Bike Fun Ride. Registration 7:30 am -12:00 noon. Petersham Common. All loops start at the Common in the center of town Loops will be marked for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. Cost: $15 donation to the John Jenkins Memorial Fund (under 16 - free). Supported by the Petersham Lions Club. 

27 Saturday 8am–10:30am.  Breakfast at the Finnish Center at Saima Park , 61 Scott Rd. , Fitchburg. Finnish oven pancake, bacon, sausage, fruit, juice, coffee, Finnish coffee bread. $6. For more information call Maija 978-582-7717 or email ldsulin@verizon.net. 

27 Saturday 6pm. Gardner Concert in the Park Presents: Boothill Express. Monument Park Community Bandstand. Country, Folk, Southern Rock. Rain Date: July 31.

27 Saturday 6pm-8pm. Groton Sumer Concert Series presents Groton’s own Blue Taxi: Groove jazz, blues, Latin, and funk. Weather permitting at the town gazebo behind the Library. Refreshments are available from Main Street Cafe. For more information, visit mainstreetcafegroton.com/summer-music-2013.html.

27 Saturday 7:30pm. Patty Larkin. Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter. An urban folk/pop music phenomenon! $15. CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION PRECEDING CONCERT 1794 Meetinghouse: North Quabbin's Center for the Performing Arts, 26 South Main St. New Salem. For more information, visit www.1794meetinghouse.org.

27 Saturday 8pm. Trampled Under Foot. Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA.

28 Sunday. Blues Barbecue - Roomful of Blues at Tower Hill. With a special guest opening act Bruce Bears and threadbarefynn. With their masterful combination of jumpy, horn-heavy, hard-edged blues and R&B, it’s no wonder Count Basie called Roomful of Blues “the hottest blues band I’ve ever heard.” With a non-stop performance schedule for over 40 years, Roomful of Blues has earned critical, popular and radio success and a legion of fans around the globe. They have always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world. They have never sounded fresher or stronger than with their current line-up. A barbecue meal by BT's Smokehouse will be available for purchase from 5 pm-6:30 pm. The concert will begin at 5:30 pm. Tickets: Nonmembers $40, Members $35, Students $29 (with ID). $3 Surcharge for tickets purchased on the day of the concert. For more information, visit www.towerhillbg.org.

29 Monday 6pm-8pm. Sterling's Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park on Cross St. HELP WANTED: This exciting group consists of some of the industries finest, award winning artists. Individually each is multi-talented but together they create a high-energy show that is a brand of country all their own. A mix of rockin' country, rhythm and blues combined with a lot of class. For more information, visit www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Recreation/concerts.

29 Monday 6:30pm. Games & Stories around the Campfire with Todd Goodwin at the Fitchburg Public Library.  For more information, visit fitchburgpubliclibrary.org.

30 Tuesday 7:30pm. Leominster Colonial Band Concert at Leominster’s historic Carter Park on Main Street. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be held in City Hall, 25 West Street.

31 Wednesday 6pm.  Concert on the Upper Common, Main Street, Fitchburg. Enjoy various performers in this free concert. Rain date August 21.

31 Wednesday 6pm-8pm. Sterling's Summer Concert Series at Memorial Park on Cross St. THE NOWHEREMEN:  Boston’s feistiest Beatles band who will have you dancing and singing. Each Nowhere Man is a powerful singer capable of leading the song or blending in harmony. The quartet remains faithful to the fab four’s concept of three guitars up front with cuddly drummer in back.  For more information, visit www.sterling-ma.gov/Pages/SterlingMA_Recreation/concerts.