Five Things You Need to Know Today: May 19

1. Hoops for Our Troops. Newton Mayor Setti Warren will welcome a number of local sports celebrities and veterans to a  basketball game and veterans services fair today. The event kicks off at 12:30 p.m. at .

2. The Beauty of Brahms. The New Philharmonia Orchestra will perform a concert today titled featuring Music Director Ronald Knudsen in collaboration with the New World Chorale, directed by Holly Krafka. The concert will be held at the in Newton and starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10-$30.

3. Relay for Life. The Relay for Life Newton/Brookline will take place today at in Newton. The 12-hour event will run from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. and raises money for the American Cancer Society. 

4. Birds & Bugs. The annual will kick off today at 11 a.m. at . The event will include nature inspired arts & crafts, self-guided bird walks, bug hunts and rentals from Charles River Canoe & Kayak. Admission is free!

5. Spring Open Studios. Roughly 180 artists will open their studios and put their work on display this weekend as part of the annual Spring Open Studios event. There will be more than 50 locations across Newton to view the artwork, all for free. For more information and a printable map, or the Newton Open Studios website.