PEACH WEEKENDER

Special Events: This Week 5-15

13th Claire's Day to celebrate reading

5/15/2014

■ Book lovers, authors, and illustrators will gather Saturday at the Maumee Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library for the 13th annual Claire's Day, in memory of Claire Lynsey Rubini, who died in 2000 of a heart condition at age 10. The free family book festival, which honors her love for reading and storytelling, will feature celebrity readers, book signings, fun art projects, food, and music. In addition, the C.A.R.E. Awards for most improved reading will be presented to 450 students. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: clairesday.org.

■ Actor, writer, comedian, and television host Tom Arnold is getting back on the stage. Arnold, largely known for his marriage to comedienne Roseanne Barr, starred in the movie True Lies in 1994 and hosted The Best Damn Sports Show Period for five years. In 2008, he took on the role of hosting CMT's show My Big Redneck Wedding. This weekend, he will perform four shows at the Toledo Funny Bone. Shows are at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, and 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $28 and can be purchased online at funnybone.com or by calling 419-931-3474.

■ Former American Idol contestant Josh Gracin will headline the sixth annual Hamler Country Fest on Saturday. Gracin, a Westland, Mich., native, finished in fourth place on the second season of the singing competition on the Fox Network. After his elimination, he completed his Marine Corps service with an honorable discharge, and then went on to release his first self-titled album, which included the No.1 single Nothin' to Lose. Other acts slated for that night include Nashville Crush, Breaking Tradition, Eric Sowers, Sean Williams and the Acoustic Jam Band, Joey Vasquez, and the Country Showdown, in which contestants will compete in a national contest to win $100,000. Other festivities include the beer olympics, "redneck games" put on by the local fire departments, kiddie and adult pedal tractor pulls, and a corn hole tournament. Information: hamlercountryfest.com.

■ Kaleidoscope, the Toledo School for the Arts' annual end-of-year finale performance, will be presented Friday at the Valentine Theatre. Now in its 15th year, Kaleidoscope boasts a routine sell-out of 900 seats per performance. The two-hour show features the best work by each of TSA's studios, plus students who have independently rehearsed and auditioned solos and small ensembles. One hour prior to each performance, the Valentine lobby will open for TSA's juried Kaleidoscope Arts Exhibition of student works. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $28, $18, and $12. For information or tickets, call the Valentine box office at 419-242-2787.