The Butler County Historical Society's annual meeting features the program “Belle Boyd, Confederate Spy” May 3 at the YWCA, 120 W. Cunningham St.

A buffet dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by a brief business meeting and the program.

Belle Boyd was 16 years old when she began spying for her “beloved Confederacy.” Sue Thomas portrays a mature Belle reminiscing about the “Glory Days.”

Sue's sister, Virginia Fitch, portrays Dr. Mary Walker, Union surgeon and the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor.

Tickets are $10 for society members or $15 for non-members. For reservations, call 724-283-8116 or visit www.butlerhistory.com.

VALENCIA — A murder-mystery dinner show to benefit the Knoch Fine Arts Department is planned for May 6 at Glade Run United Presbyterian Church, 1091 Pittsburgh Road.“Suspect Hollywood” begins at 6 p.m. Dinner guests can try to guess the identity of the murderer and win prizes.Cost for the catered dinner is $20.Earlier the same day, there will be an art show by Knoch High School students, and high school musicians will perform.Proceeds benefit the school's fine arts department in the form of four $500 student scholarships.

ZELIENOPLE — The Strand Theater Initiative's silent film festival will return for a full weekend.Silent Film Fest 5 starts at 7:30 p.m. April 29 and 30 and 4 p.m. May 1.April 29 and 30 will feature live piano accompaniment, just as it was done at the historic theater when it first opened in 1914. On May 1, the films will be accompanied by musical soundtracks.The films will pay tribute to the masters of physical comedy, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton, including “Steamboat Bill Jr.,” “Grandma's Boy” and “The General,” among other movies.Prepaid ticket orders will be taken through April 28. Any unsold tickets will be available at the door.General admission tickets are $7, with no passes or discounts available.Call 724-742-0400 or visit www.thestrandtheater.org.

A concert and dinner will benefit Evans City native Aaron Smith, 19, a victim of a motorcycle accident that left him with a brain injury and partial amputation of his left leg.The concert will begin at 6 p.m. April 30 at the Callery Fire Hall, Main Street, Callery. Bands will include Dizzy Woosh, Eugene and the Nightcrawlers and the Bootleg Band.A potluck buffet will be held from 8 to 10 p.m. Other activities include games, door prizes and an auction.Tickets are $10; children younger than 10 are admitted free. Half off the ticket price is offered to those arriving on motorcycles.For information, call Nicole Smith at 724-713-1469.

FRAZER TWP — May star parties are planned by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh.They will start at 8:20 p.m. May 6 and 7, weather permitting, at Wagman Observatory, Deer Lakes Regional Park. Admission is free. Donations are accepted to help cover the costs. Call 724-224-2510 or visit www.3ap.org.

PITTSBURGH — Salsa band Bio Ritmo appears as part of Salsa Fridays at 10:30 p.m. April 29 at the Cabaret at Theater Square, 655 Penn Ave.This performance follows the Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District.Tickets are $20.75 and are available by calling 412-456-6666 or by visiting www.pgharts.org.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra presents a New World Symphony free concert at 2 p.m. May 1 at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave.This is the final concert for the 95 members of the Youth Symphony season before they embark on their concert tour of Italy.The concert is free, but tickets are required. To download free tickets, visit www.pyso.us.

PITTSBURGH — Phipps Garden Center, 1059 Shady Ave., will be transformed into an auction house filled with trees, shrubs, perennials and a variety of garden-related accessories April 29.The auction benefits Phipps' education programs and is supported by garden centers and businesses as well as specialty mail-order nurseries.A silent auction will be at 6 p.m. and the live auction at 7:30 p.m.Cost is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Admission includes wine and hors d'oeuvres. Reservations are recommended by calling 412-441-4442, Ext. 3925.

FRANKLIN — The Taste of Talent vocal competition is open to individual soloists age 16 and older.The contest will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesdays from June 29 to July 27 in Franklin’s Bandstand Park.The finals will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 6 and 4 p.m. Aug. 7. The winner will receive $1,000.Registration is due by April 30.Information is available at www.franklinpa.gov and www.tasteoftalent.com, or call 814 437-1619.The contest is sponsored by the Franklin Fine Arts Council.