50 things to do this spring

B.O.M.B. Fest
Hartford, Connecticut is a relatively short ride by bus (unlike, say, Los Angeles), so why not bounce down there to see Weezer, Snoop Dog, George Clinton, Holy Fuck plus some local bands on May 28 and 29? The B.O.M.B. moniker might sound ominous, but don’t worry—it only stands for “Bring Our Music Back.” (bombfest.com)

Boston Beer Summit
Every year around this time, the Boston Beer Summit presents its annual beer-lovers’ fantasy island. This year the celebration is at the Park Plaza Castle on April 15 and 16, and features more than 50 brewers from around the world, over 200 different brews, live music, and hearty food (you’ll need it!). This is one of the four yearly events that the Beer Summit sponsors, along with Oktoberfest, Winter Jubilee and Harvest Fest, and is, safe to say, the most raucous thanks to the overwhelming elation at the newly-warm weather.

Indulge your inner nerd
Mad scientist/math geek enclave Sprout is where you can get hands-on with science in a casual atmosphere. The org offers workshops on everything from lock-picking to bicycle creation, plus the chance to just hang out and swap ideas with a zany cast of characters. Sprout also has free spaghetti dinners once a month with a guest speaker.

Toss the ball around
Although the crowds and landscaping make many of Boston parks unfit for full-on sprinting or slo-mo dives for the frisbee, there are a few good open spaces. They’re mostly in the western half of the city, like the Cassidy Playground at Cleveland Circle, Rogers Park in Brighton, Danehy Park in Cambridge, and Joseph Lee Playground in Boston. If you’re solo and looking for pick-up games, basketball matches are easiest to find; there’s even a website for it. Check out nofouls.com for game times, courts, and directions. (mass.gov/dcr)

Franklin Park Zoo
Baby chicks are the eternal signifier of spring, but what about a baby gorilla? Franklin Park Zoo brings the cute when it kicks off the busy season in April with its newest arrival: baby gorilla Kambiri. Kambiri isn’t the only reason to go to the zoo though; it’s the perfect excuse to be outside while not having to do any strenuous activities. You can spend the day looking at exotic animals (giraffes!) in, essentially, your backyard. Also, the Franklin Park Zoo is a member of the Species Survival Plan, and is non-profit to boot. So by spending a day there you’re not only supporting the zoo, but helping to conserve wildlife and ensure its future survival. Oh yeah, and they have tigers. In Dorchester. Where else in Dorchester are you going to see a tiger?

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
From May 14 to 15, join legions of survivors and supporters in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. In the course of this weekend-long event, walkers traverse 26.2 miles on Saturday and 13.1 miles on Sunday. The route goes all the way from UMass Boston to Reebok World Headquarters in Canton and back. It’s mostly sidewalks and city streets, with occasional chances to crisscross parks and hiking trails.