CLASSES
Lightsaber Combat
If the once-notorious “Star Wars Kid” had taken this class, maybe he wouldn’t have embarrassed himself as much. But then again, he’d never have amused us so much. The group Boston Jedi will instruct you in “Star Wars”-style stage combat at this class. They won’t teach you Jedi mind tricks though, because you know very well you’re up to no good. March 25, 1-3 p.m., Boston Center for Adult Education, 122 Arlington St., Boston, Free, bcae.org
TALKS
Claudia Rankine: On Whiteness
Rather than distracting us with visions of an ideal, perfectly equal society, contemporary sociopolitical discourse on race exposes the inequality that exists now. A big part of that is awakening white people to their privileged status. That’s author and MacArthur genius Claudia Rankine’s topic here. You may think you’re on board, but go listen and see if you learn something new. March 24, 6 p.m., Cutler Majestic Theater, 219 Tremont St., Boston, Free, artsemerson.org
THEATER
“Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower: A Concert Performance”
Running the gamut of African-American musical history, this performance brings science fiction author Octavia E. Butler’s novel “The Parable of the Sower” to life. Adapted by daughter-mother team Toshi and Bernice Johnson Reagon, it imagines a near-future in which climate change has devastated society. In this vicious world, a new religion emerges, founded on the intriguing principle that “God is change.” March 23-26, Paramount Center, 559 Washington St., Boston, $10-$90, artsemerson.org
“Franklin”
This drama by Samantha Noble tells two stories, that of the doomed 1845 Franklin expedition to the North Pole, and of a modern researcher trying to learn more about the events of the tragic mission, which took the lives of all involved. The story has captivated the public imagination ever since — Noble’s is one in a long line of tellings. March 23-April 2, Boston Playwrights’ Theater, 949 Comm. Ave., Boston, $10-$30, bu.edu/bpt
COMEDY
Pride and Premises
At this experimental stand-up show, local comics test out new material before panel of fellow comedians known as the Lion’s Den, who’ll riff off the good stuff and rip on the bad. Comics Matt Miller, Jordan Handren-Seavey, John Paul Rivera, Dylan Krasinski, Maylin Pavletic, Mariel Cabral, Kindra Lansburg, Jeff Medoff and Elisha Siegel will be thrown to the lions. March 23, 7 p.m.,Comicazi, 407 Highland Ave., Somerville, $7-$10, bit.ly/2mIvM41
CONVENTIONS
Boston Flower We know — you grow the best tomatoes. You’re proud of your tomatoes. You check on how the friends you gave them to used them. Well, maybe you’ll find a way to grow them even better at this gardeners convention. Spring is here, and knowledge is power. Oh, and there’s a whole lot of pretty flowers to see here. PERFORMANCE
Tyaphaka
Castle of our Skins presents this unique work of African-American performance, combining dance, music and visual art. Its title comes from a long, creaturelike sculpture by South African artist Nicholas Hlobo, made of inner tubing and ribbons. For the piece’s debut in Sydney, Hlobo insisted that half of it be submerged in the harbor, where it collected algae and bird droppings. March 24, 7:30 p.m.,Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St., Roxbury, $10-$15, bit.ly/2nOvDh1
“Sherlock Holmes and the Sapphire Night”
Presented by the New Haven troupe Cirqularity, this is a feminist-themed Sherlock Holmes story told with a mostly female cast and the use of circus arts, including Spanish web, Chinese pole, lyra, contortion, hand balancing, diabolo, acrobatics and more. If that’s something you’ve seen before, we’d be impressed. March 25 and 26, Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland St., Somerville, $20-$35, cirqularity.com/sapphire-night
and Garden Show
Through Sunday,Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston, $20, bostonflowershow.com
Free Lightsaber Combat classes to be offered at the BCAE
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
