So you're looking for something different to do without the children and with a group of friends. Why not head towards Princeton and take a hike - literally. Wachusett Mountain, located on Mountain Rd., Princeton, is a great place to start. A group of friends and I hike regularly as a way to keep in shape, escape the demands of family for a while, and to commune with nature. The hikes can be fairly quick and simple, or longer and more challenging, the choice is yours. Our favorite trek starts at the Visitor's Center. We enter from the Mountain Road parking lot and head up the hill to the …

TIFFANY GASSETTWhere/When: Pejamajo Cafe, 770 Washington St., Holliston, Friday, April 22  from 8 to 11 p.m.Why Go: Tiffany's back to share her acoustic originals and covers Pricing: Free, food menu available. PAUL COMBS' POCKET BIG BAND Where/When: Amazing Things Arts Center, 160 Hollis St, Framingham. Saturday April 23, 8 p.m.Why Go: Paul Combs' Pocket Big Band is now in its tenth year of delighting audiences with exciting modern jazz. "This is a nine-piece powerhouse," wrote Ted Belastock in Quarter Notes Magazine. The band's repertoire includes both engaging arrangements of well-known …

FOLK BLUES WITH JIM KWESKIN Where/When: Amazing Things Arts Center, 160 Hollis St., Framingham. Friday April 15 at 8 p.m.Why Go: Famed 1960s folk revival heroes, the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, parlayed their good-time music at venues from Cambridge coffee houses to the Newport Folk Festival to the psychedelic ballrooms of San Francisco, where they shared billing with the likes of Big Brother and the Holding Company and the Doors. Jim led the band on guitar and vocals, shaping its good-humored mix of old-time folk, jazz, blues, and 1920s and '30s "whoopie music." Although disbanded in 1968, the …

COMEDY NIGHT Where/When: Woodville Rod & Gun Club, 252 Wood St., Hopkinton, Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 7 p.m.Why Go: Come hear some of the local area's best comedians.Pricing: $20 includes meal. FETCH! – STACK 'EM UP! Where/When: The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 10.Why Go: A cup isn’t very tall. But what about a lot of cups? Your challenge is to build a tower just made out of cups. How high can you go? Remember, the sky’s the limit! Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank, with additional support from Red Hat, Inc. © 2011 WGBH Educational FoundationPricing: …

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST Where/When: HCAM Studios, 77 Main St., Hopkinton. Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.Why Go: Presented by Enter Stage Left Pricing: $17; $13 for members, students and seniors. FETCH! – SCREAMING STRING THING Where/When: The Discovery Museums, 177 Main Street, Acton. Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 10 a.m.Why Go: What a racket! Turn an ordinary cup and string into a screeching, squawking sound machine. Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank, with additional support from Red Hat, Inc.Pricing: Free, with the price of admission.PITI THEATRE PRESENTS: TIME…

FRAMINGHAM COMMUNITY THEATER'S 'HEIRS & ERRORS' MYSTERY DINNER THEATER Where/When:Village Hall, 2 Oak St., Framingham, Friday, March 25, 2011 at 7 p.m.Why Go:The fabulous Danforth Diamond has been stolen. And what does the family curse have to do with it? The audience will solve the mystery. Come dressed to attend a wedding, and you may win a door prize. Written and directed by Emily C.A. Snyder. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Not currently handicapped accessible.Pricing: Ticket includes the show and three-course catered meal; $39 -$42 per person or a table of 10 for $390 BACKPAGESWhere/…

ST. PATRICK'S COMEDY NIGHT Where/When: First Parish, 24 Vernon St., Framingham at 8 p.m.Why Go: We are hosting a St Patrick's night Comedy Fundraiser on Friday, March 18, at 8 p.m. The fundraier will benefit Team Hoyt, the father-son duo of Dick and Rick Hoyt who run the Boston Marathon every year, with Dick pushing Rick in a wheelchair. What better way to say goodbye to winter and hello spring than a night of fun, laughter and great company?Even if you cannot make it, please consider making a donation. All donations are fully tax deductible.Pricing: Free. Donations suggested.TRADER JAMS BAND…

TIGERLILLY Where/When: The Chicken Bone, 358 Waverly St.. Friday, March 11, from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.Why Go: Classic and modern rock covers sung by one of the best cover bands we've ever heard. Pricing: $6 in advance, $7 at the door SOUTHERN REVELATION Where/When: O'Connell's Pub, 700 Worcester Road, Framingham. Friday, March 11, 2011 from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.Why Go: Southern Revelation is a southern rock cover band. Southern Revelation will be playing their style of southern rock ... Skynyrd, Allman's, ZZ Top, Blackfoot ... and more!Pricing: Free, no cover charge. Menu available. CHOWDER…

RUSSIAN FOOD FESTIVAL AND FOLK SHOW - MASLENITSAWhere/When: First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Framingham, 24 Vernon St., Framingham, Friday, March 4, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.Why Go: Come to celebrate Maslenitsa with us!Maslenitsa - Pancake Week (so called because it is the last week for rich foods before Lent) is the oldest surviving holiday in Russia. Maslenitsa signals the exit of winter and heralds the coming of spring. Folk songs, old country jingles and popular Russian melodies arranged for balalaika and accordion. Games, prizes, food, bring your own wine!Pricing: $10.00…

LE PIANE WINEMAKER DINNER Where/When: Panzano, 154 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA. Friday, February 25, 2011. Wine Tasting starts at 5:00 P.M. Dinner will be held at 7:30 P.M.Why Go: Christoph Kunzli of Le Piane will host a wine tasting and dinner. The cost is $80, plus tax and gratuity for the dinner at Tomasso. A complimentary wine tasting held 5 to 7 p.m. at Panzano. Christoph Kunzli of Le Piane will host a wine tasting and dinner. The cost is $80, plus tax and gratuity for the dinner at Tomasso. A complimentary wine tasting held 5 to 7 p.m. at Panzano.Pricing: $80.00 plus gratuity THE …

JOE VAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL  Where/When: Sheraton Hotel, 1657 Worcester Road, Framingham MA, Friday, February 18, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.Why Go: The Joe Val Bluegrass Festival returns this year with an amazing lineup: Grascals, Boxcars, JD Crowe, The Whites, Northern Lights, Della Mae, and many, many more. Also: Master classes, jamming, vendors, Showcase Stage, and fun for the whole family. Under 12 free. Check the schedule online.Pricing: $30.00-$90.00SARA LEVECQUE BAND Where/When: Pejamajo Cafe', 770 Washington Street, Holliston, MA. Friday February 18, 2011 from 8:00 P.M. To 11:00 P.M.Why Go: …

  1. GIRL'S NIGHT OUT Where/When: O'Connell's Pub, 700 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA. Friday, February 11, 2011 starts at 9:00 P.M.Why Go: Grab the girls and come on by for some Karaoke from 9:00 P.M. To 11:00 Then P.M. D.J. Scotty takes control from 11:00 P.M. To 1:00 A.M.Pricing: Free, no cover charge. Menu available.  2. 3RD ANNUAL TASTE OF ASHLAND FOOD & WINE PAIRINGWhere/When: Ashland Fish and Game, 3 Ponderosa Road, Ashland, MA. Saturday February 12, 2011 from 3:00 P.M. To 6:00 P.M.Why Go: Join co-hosts Senator Karen Spilka, Representative Tom Sannicandro, Congressman Jim McGovern, …

1. JOHN NEAL SING ALONG (http://www.pejamajo.com)Where/When: Pejamajo Cafe, 770 Washington Street, Holliston, MA 01746. Friday, February 4, 2011 from 8:00 P.M. To 11:00 P.M.Why Go: Sing along with a local Holliston favorite. John will play all your favorites!Pricing: Free, no cover charge.  2. XRB BAND PERFORMS (http://www.oconnellspubonline.com)Where/When: O'Connell's Pub, 700 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA . Friday, February 4, 2011 at 9:00 P.M.Why Go: Great local band to listen to while you get together with your friends.Pricing: No cover charge. Food and Drink menu available. 3. WINTER …