FLOWER POWER Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston greets the depths of midwinter with “Winter in Bloom.’’ Each weekend through March 4 and 5 will feature a different flower show as well as activities for all ages. Come in from the cold to enjoy Tower Hill’s two towering conservatories filled with lush green plants, many in bloom and some with ripening fruit, all of whose rich colors and fragrances serve as a reminder that spring will return once again. On Saturday, Feb. 25, join artist Jenine Sheroes for a reception celebrating her photography exhibit “Thaw,’’ featuring brightly hued photos of frozen plant and flower specimens taken at Jamaica Pond. The reception takes place from 5 to 7 p.m.; the exhibition of Sheroes’s work will be on view through March 8. For hours, admission fees, and more information, go to towerhillbg.org or call 508-869-6111. Tower Hill Botanic Garden is located at 11 French Drive in Boylston.
HAPPY 200TH, THOREAU The Concord Museum is honoring the bicentennial of the birth of Henry David Thoreau with a yearlong initiative called “Be Thoreau,’’ a series of special programming including workshops, gallery talks, and children’s activities throughout the upcoming year. The first of these special events is an exhibit now on view called “Walden: Four Views’’ by photographer Abelardo Morell. Guided and inspired by Thoreau’s journals and his seminal work “Walden,’’ Morell has made panoramic photographic works that suggest a new perspective from which to look at Walden Pond. The exhibit is open now through Aug. 20. Also ongoing throughout the bicentennial is “The Anatomy of a Desk: Writing with Thoreau and Emerson,’’ an interactive exhibit at which visitors are invited to sit at reproductions of Thoreau’s and Emerson’s desks and share their own creative writings and drawings. The Concord Museum is located at 200 Lexington Rd., Concord. For hours, admission fees, and more information, call 978-369-9763 or go to www.concordmuseum.org.
A BIT OF MAGIC The Amazing Max brings his crowd-pleasing live magic show to the Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center on Monday, Feb. 20, for shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Known for his visual magic, comedy, and loads of audience participation, magician Max Darwin makes objects appear out of thin air, defies the laws of physics, and performs miracles inches from spectators’ faces. Tickets can be purchased online ($15 members; $18 nonmembers) at bostonjcc.org/magicark or by calling 617-965-5226. The LSJCC is located at 333 Nahanton St., Newton.
ON STAGE New Repertory Theatre in Watertown continues its production of “Natasha’s Dream’’ by the Arlekin Players with performances on Feb. 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown. Translated into English from Russian by John Freedman, “Natasha’s Dream’’ tells the story of a young girl’s life in a small-town orphanage and her desire to be free as the heroine speaks of her dreams of love, family, acceptance, adjusting, and her future. Tickets are $19 to $35 and may be purchased by calling the New Rep box office at 617-923- 8487 or visiting www.newrep.org.
IDEAS AND STORIES Historic Newton presents “Frederick Douglass’s America,’’ a talk by Harvard University scholar and author John Stauffer focusing on the significance of Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the 4th of July’’ address, both at the time he delivered it in 1852, and how and why it continues to resonate today. A former slave and leading abolitionist in the 19th century, Douglass inspired antislavery activists in Newton and throughout the nation — and his influence continues. This speech contributed to his stature as one of the nation’s greatest writers and orators, who converted countless readers and listeners to the antislavery cause. The talk will be held Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St., Newton. Admission is free. Find information at 617-796-1450 or www.historicnewton.org.
Professional story-teller and author Elisa Pearmain takes the stage at Expresso Yourself Coffeehouse on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m., where the theme will be “Dancing with Our Demons.’’ Following Pearmain’s performance will be an open mike session in which audience members are invited to do five minutes of story-telling in prose, poetry, or song. Teens and adults welcome. The Expresso Yourself Coffeehouse is held the last Saturday of every month at First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 26 North St., Medfield. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 603-918-0848 or e-mail lindainwinthrop@gmail.com.
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