There’s nothing more exciting than seeing students hone their artistic talents in a school production. Tonight and this weekend, local schools Karns City, Allegheny-Clarion Valley, Mars and Knoch will open their spring musicals after COVID hiatuses.

During my experiences performing in school and community productions, it was the compliments from community attendees that stuck with me, more so than praise from my family. The community taking the time to support arts in the schools, something that had an impact on me during my education, meant the world. So, if you can, support students and their hard work and dedication to these shows. And to the students: Break a leg!

Alongside the high school plays, Butler Little Theatre’s “The 39 Steps” will open at 8 p.m. Friday. Masking is optional for attendees, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidelines.

If you’re hoping to get involved in a local community theater, BLT is hosting auditions for its next production, “Broadway Bound,” on Sunday and Monday. Information about what to expect can be found at butlerlittletheatre.com.

Slippery Rock University will host its second annual festival of French films starting Thursday. The university’s French Club and department of modern languages and cultures has collaborated to present various films in person and via Zoom until April 14. For a complete film list, visit sru.edu/news.

Starting Friday, the Cranberry Artists Network begins its new exhibit, “A View from Above or Below,” at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Road. A reception for the show will be held Wednesday.

Time is running out to experience the exhibit “Tapping the Invisible: Pastel Drawings and Photographs” by Michael J. Changnon, a former SRU art professor, at the Martha Gault Art Gallery at SRU. The show, featuring multiple large-scale pastel pieces, can be viewed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at the gallery, 108 Maltby Ave. The show closes March 10.

Feeling lucky? On Saturday, the Shamrock Run 5k returns to Cranberry Township’s Graham Park, 260 Graham Park Drive, from 9 a.m. to noon. Racers are encouraged to wear green or an appropriate costume and can sign up to compete virtually or in person. Those interested in participating can sign up online at runsignup.com/Race/PA/CranberryTownship/ShamrockRunCranberry.

Butler County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse will have its first spaghetti dinner fundraiser from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at American Legion Post 778, 150 Legion Memorial Lane. Adult tickets are $10 and children’s are $5, with funds going toward the support of the posse.

If you can finish your dinner in time to see the Butler County Symphony’s concert “Tchaikovsky’s Fifth” at Butler Intermediate High School auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, you should. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a pre-show lecture by the conductor, and the performance will feature the recognition of young student artists of all ages.

Bowl for the Kids, a Butler YMCA support campaign fundraiser, invites bowlers of all ages to Family Bowlaway, 540 Fairground Hill Road, from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Day-of registration begins at 11 a.m. Sunday, and includes games in the BackAlley, food and drink, and opportunities to participate in a silent auction and 50/50 raffle.