5 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 9-11

It’s Thursday, and the weekend is right around the corner. Patch has your back with a few fun things to do. Check our picks for the activities to hit and some places to explore. Here's what's happening in and around your town.

1.

• Where/when: , 609 Webster St.; Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
• Why go: The NHS Theater Arts class and Theater Arts Society’s fall play, “Spoon River Anthology,” is a series of dramatic monologues from beyond the grave, spoken by the deceased inhabitants of the fictional town of Spoon River. With carefully chosen music separating each piece and a beautiful moonlit set, the play—though not at all a comedy—should speak to the audience with themes of life, death and love. (Look for interviews with a few of the actors and director Friday on Needham Patch.)
• Pricing: Tickets cost $5 and are available at the door

2.

• Where/when: , 1139 Highland Ave.; Saturday, Dec. 10 at 3:00 p.m.
• Why go: See birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, falcons and owls up close and learn about each bird—how they hunt, what they eat and about their amazing vision, hearing and feathers. This program is sponsored by the Library Foundation of Needham.
• Pricing: Free

3.

• Where/when: , 23 Dedham Ave.; Saturday, Dec. 10 at 8:00 p.m.
• Why go: This celebration of the mid-winter season has become one of the Homegrown Coffeehouse’s most popular shows, presenting tunes from the little known Kilmore carols of Wexford to the Irish-American vaudeville stage, from Winter Solstice traditions to Christian to pagan. Join musicians Robbie O'Connell, Aoife Clancy, and George Keith for this special Celtic Christmas concert. Proceeds from all Coffeehouse events benefit the church.
• Pricing: $18 adults/$15 students and seniors, available at the door

4.

• Where/when: , 1139 Highland Ave.; Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m.
• Why go: Go back to 1960s New York City with Needham residents Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin, who co-authored "The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook.” Find out why Don Draper and Roger Sterling frequented The Grand Central Oyster Bar, how to make an old-fashioned the way Don liked it, and other secrets from the kitchens, restaurants and bars featured on the hit show “Mad Men.” Books will be available for purchase and to be autographed. Refreshments will be served.
• Pricing: Free

5.

• Where/when: , 1147 Central Ave.; Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2:00 p.m.
• Why go: Come celebrate the holidays with the folks at the Needham Historical Society. Check out the building all decked out for the season and enjoy good company and refreshments. Looking for a special gift for a Needhamite? Peruse the Historical Society’s selection of Needham postcards and other items for sale in their gift shop.
• Pricing: Free

Bonus: Ready to hear the sounds of the season? Look for our list of upcoming holiday and winter concerts Friday on Needham Patch.