The Weekend: Latin Jazz, Celebrate Melrose and Shop Local, and More

No plans yet for this weekend? Check out these local events coming on Thursday through Sunday this week—and our pick for kids' event of the weekend.

To find more events (and add your own) check out our calendar.

When/Where: Thursday, April 26, 7 p.m. and Friday, April 27 at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. / , 350 Lynn Fells Parkway, Melrose, MA | Get Directions »

Why Go: The Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Drama Club competes in the Massachusetts Middle School Drama Fest on Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m. at the Blanchard Middle School in Westford. The Drama Club will perform an original adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women," which MVMMS drama advisor Brent Bueno wrote specifically for the competition. The play is directed by Allison Colby and technically directed by David McCall.

Price: General admission $5.

When/Where: Friday, April 27, 7 p.m. (Opening Party), Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29, 11-6 a.m. / , 590 Main St., Melrose, MA | Get Directions »

Why Go: for the annual Arts Festival features jazz by the Bruce Gertz Trio, cash bar and complimentary snacks. Local watercolor artist Tom Sutherland will give a live art performance. The three day festival is a juried show featuring original fine art and fine craft by 44 artist exhibitors from Melrose and surrounding areas. Each artist has a separate booth filled with a variety of their work for exhibition and for sale. All proceeds help fund the efforts of Melrose Arts.

Price: $10 admission to Friday night opening party, free on Saturday and Sunday.

When/Where: Saturday, April 28, 2012, All day / Various shops around Melrose (see below)

Why Go: The Melrose Chamber of Commerce Merchants’ Group will host a shopping event on Saturday. Visit any participating retailer for specials and sales that day, and a portion of the days’ proceeds will be donated to the PTOs of Melrose Public Schools. Balloons will indicate which stores are participating, and all shops involved will have a sign in the window saying "Shop Locally! Shop Melrose!" 

Among the stores involved in the day are: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Sit n Knit; and . Addresses for all these stores can be found at www.melrosechamber.org.

To further “celebrate” Melrose, the Chamber of Commerce will sponsor entertainment on Main Street, including DJ Jeff Mate who will play from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and Daisy the Clown, who will perform from 12-1 p.m. outside of the Melrose Y. Please check www.melrosechamber.org for more details or email joan@melrosechamber.org

Price: Free.

When/Where: Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. / Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, 350 Lynn Fells Pkwy, Melrose, MA | Get Directions »

Why Go: The annual fair will feature pop stars, the largest Spinning® event that Massachusetts has ever seen, at noon, smoothies and snacks, free give aways, Kidz Fun with Theresa and experts in the fitness, nutrition and wellness industry to answer all your questions.

Price: Free.

When/Where: Saturday, April 28, 7 p.m. / Temple Beth Shalom, 21 East Foster St., Melrose, MA | Get Directions »

Why Go: Café Jazz @ TBS is calling this concert a "Latin Jazz Tap Dance Party with Mark Kross & Friends." Café Jazz regular Kross will be joined by vocalist Natalia Bernal, guitarist Jason Ennis and tap dancer Max Pollak. NYC-based Bernal Natalia was born in the desert of Atacama in Chile and sings a mélange of original songs along with jazz and Latin Standards in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Jason Ennis is also based in the Big Apple and is co-leader of the Bernal/Eckroth/Ennis Trio, with Natalia. Max Pollak was named one of "25 Artists to Watch in 2007" by Dance Magazine. He is one of the most prestigious names on the international tap scene today and is recognized worldwide for his superior musicianship.

Price: $20. Tickets can be purchased at , 458 Main St. and , 132 West Emerson St. in Melrose. Seats can be reserved by emailing robzrob@aol.com or calling 781-665-3766.