“True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Stride Toward Freedom

Hopefully you’re enjoying the mild air this week, because it’s going away this weekend and the cold of winter is returning. There’s a chance it will snow, too. That could be rain in Newton, though. Fortunately, Newton’s vibrant music and performing arts scene is prepared for all weather.

This weekend, there’s a screening of a movie for the kids, there’s a performance of Our Town and a sing-along folk music event. And on Monday, the community will gather to celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., born 97 years ago this month.

Here are seven things to do in Newton this weekend.

Friday, Jan. 16

At 8 p.m.: The Newton Theatre Company’s performance of Our Town, Thornton Wilder’s 1938 play about Grover’s Corner, New Hampshire, at 96 Otis St. Additional performances include Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2 and 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2 and 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

Saturday, Jan. 17

From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Belmont World Film’s Family Festival will screen “Billy the Cowboy Hamster” at West Newton Cinema. This film, in French with English subtitles, is about a hamster named Billy who sets out on an adventure to explore the wild west with his friends. The event is for young kids and is sponsored by the British International School of Boston and supported by a grant from Spark Newton.

From 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Sing and play along to folk music with Newton Folk Music at the Newton Free Library at 330 Homer St. This event is meant for adults.

From 7 to 9 p.m.: Rock Voices, Newton’s community rock choir, will perform a concert of some of modern music’s greatest hits at Newton South High School. Tickets range from $10 to $20.

Sunday, Jan. 18

From 3 to 5 p.m.: conductor Conner Gray Covington will lead the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra in an animal-themed concert at the War Memorial at City Hall. Songs include Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s zippy Flight of the Bumblebee, Camille Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals, and more. Admission is free, but registration is required.

Monday, Jan. 19

At 9 a.m.: Join the Harmony Foundation in Celebrating the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, 1326 Washington St. There will be music, a speaker, and children’s programming. Free, but registration required.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: the Wells Avenue YMCA will host its MLK Day of Service: Share Joy Through Letters event. Participants will write letters for seniors in local nursing homes who may feel disconnected and lonely. All supplies will be provided. If you can’t attend, you can drop off your letters at either West Suburban YMCA branch in Newton by Friday, Jan. 23.

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You can find more events or submit your own on our Events Page.

And the city has an ongoing list of arts-related events on the Newton Arts Calendar.