If We Were You

wed 4.30

The Earth Wins at TREC

This is your last chance to catch The Earth Wins, playing on the Tom Ridge Environmental Center's Big Green Screen. The film explores the wonders of our planet, from climate change to natural disasters, and was shot completely from the air in four continents. If watching a fascinating educational film on a 4-story-high, 45-foot-wide green screen appeals to you — and we think it might — you'll want to check it out. Also showing are Mysteries of the Unseen World and Titans of the Ice Age.

2 p.m. & 5 p.m. // 301 Peninsula Drive // trecpi.org

thurs 5.01

Big Sean and Chevy Woods at Behrend

Big Sean — the Grammy-nominated Detroit rapper credited with having fast-talked his way onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart by bluffing his way into a radio interview seat next to Kanye West — brings his skills to Penn State Behrend's Junker Center tonight. Taylor Gang recording artist Chevy Woods opens. Tickets are $20 for Behrend students, and $30 for everyone else.

8 p.m. // 5103 Station Road // estore.psu.edu // 898.6171

fri  5.02

Tyler Smilo

Local singer-songwriter Tyler Smilo doesn't need fancy tricks to reach listeners. No, Smilo sticks with a simple formula of honest, heartfelt lyrics and stirring compositions that poke and prod at you until you feel something. Get a dose of the Smilo experience when he takes the stage at The King's Rook this Friday.

9:30 p.m. // 1921 Peach St. // facebook.com/kingsrookclub

All An Act Theatre presents Smoking Section

There is a lot of laughter in life, whether you're laughing at someone or someone is laughing at you. In Erie's premiere of Smoking Section, you'll find this and more when four couples get their worlds upturned with the assistance of one absent-minded waiter as they meet for a dinner they will not soon forget at a stylish Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. Tickets are just $12.

7:30 p.m. // 652 W. 17th St. // allanact.net

sat 5.03

Gears to Beers

Some people may treat themselves after a good workout, but with Gears to Beers, the reward is part of the goal. WQLN and Sprague Farm and Brew Works team up for two sets bicycle tours - one lasting 25 miles and the other 40 miles - with both paths leading to the wonderful brews at the Sprague Farm. Make sure to register for a day full of bikes and beers.

10 or 11 a.m. // 22113 U.S. 6 or 8425 Peach St. // 864.3001, wqln.org

Thomas Rhett

Country singer Thomas Rhett burst onto the music scene last year when the title track off of his debut album It Goes Like This went platinum. Now the 24-year-old Rhett, who has already co-written songs for country superstars Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line, will travel up to Edinboro University to entertain students and Erie County country fans alike.

7 p.m. // 455 Scotland Road, Edinboro //

edinborotickets.com

Erie Philharmonic - A Tribute to Motown

Relive the classic sounds and dance moves of the rocking '60s and '70s that changed America. Backed by the Erie Philharmonic orchestra, Motown hits like "My Girl," "Stand by Me," and "Under the Boardwalk" come to life and may have you dancing in the aisles. Featured guest artist is Spectrum.

8 p.m. //  Warner Theatre, 811 State St. // 455.1375

Art in the Woods

Experience over 100 beautiful pieces of art ranging from pottery, fiber, painting, and woodwork to jewelry, photography, and much more. Contributions will come from local, regional, and student artists who offer their work as a fundraiser for the school. Participate in the silent art auction, hear live music including Lisa Stahlbaum and Seann Clark, taste a variety of appetizers, enjoy local wine and beer tasting, and bid on additional gift certificates and baskets. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

4 to 8 p.m. // 1390 W. Townhall Road // 866.3760

sun 5.04

Mercyhurst Langer Series presents August: Osage County

August: Osage County tells the story of an unusually warm August in Pawhuska, Oklahoma and a family crisis that brings a dysfunctional family back to the house they grew up in — and to the woman who raised them. Originally a play that debuted on Broadway in 2007, the film stars Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Juliette Lewis, and more. Tickets are $6 at the Taylor Little Theatre.

2 p.m. // 501 E. 38th St. // maic.mercyhurst.edu

Raw Edges: A Celebration of 20/40 Years

The Mercyhurst Dancers and returning alumni celebrate 40 years of dance at Mercyhurst University and 20 years of choreography by artistic director Tauna Hunter and production manager/resident designer Michael Gleason. Performances will be held at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center.

2 p.m. // 501 E. 38th St. // 824.3000

mon 5.05

Buck Night: Erie SeaWolves vs. Akron Aeros

Going to see the SeaWolves play is plenty fun, but when you add in specially-priced Smith's hot dogs, draft beers, soft drinks, and popcorn, it can brighten even the most dour of Mondays. The hometown team will take on Cleveland Indians AA-affiliate Akron Aeros on Buck Night, starting off a three-game home series at The Uht.

7:05 p.m. // 110 E. 10th St. // 456.1300

tues 5.06

Jefferson in Paris: The Women

During the five years that Thomas Jefferson spent as our ambassador to France from 1784-1789, he interacted with two women that changed his life forever. Historians, for years, generally believed that he had an affair with Maria Cosway, wife of a celebrated English miniaturist, but they also argued that no such relationship arose between Jefferson and Sally Hemings, his fourteen year-old slave who accompanied his youngest daughter to Paris in 1787. This lecture, however, will demonstrate that both assumptions were wrong. Lecturer: Barry Grossman, J.D.

7 p.m. // 3207 State St. // 459.8000

wed 5.07

'All Things That Fly' 

Artwork from the Natural Impressions 3rd Annual Mixed Media Student Art Competition — from the colorful imaginations of area students from first grade through college — is on display all month at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. For this year's competition, participating young artists were encouraged to submit artwork that best reflects the theme "All Things That Fly." The free exhibit, running through May 28, is open daily during regular TREC hours.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily // 301 Peninsula Drive// trecpi.org

thurs 5.08

BLOOM Collaborative Open Studio

It's always exciting to share an event that gives Erieites a great opportunity to make something beautiful. BLOOM Collaborative's Open Studios lets you explore or even discover your creativity with the outlet of your choosing, from fused glass and sculpture to painting and drawing, whether you're an experienced artist or whether you're partial to stick figures. Open studios are every Thursday evening. Cost is just $10, including all materials.

6 to 8 p.m. // 138 East 26th St. // 878.3688

fri 5.09

Smackdab and Digital Dave

Docksiders will gets a taste of both Western New York and Pittsburgh when two different genres come together this Friday. Funky soul band Smackdab from Jamestown will lead off the night with groovy jams, while DJ Dave Lander will make the trip upstate to keep the beat moving well into the night for the State Street crowd.

7 p.m. // 1015 State St. // 459.0099

Festival of the Birds at Presque Isle

With field trips to Presque Isle's hottest birding spots, all manners of interesting workshops on birds, all manners of interesting talks about birds, and much more on and for all things winged in and around beautiful Erie, Presque Isle Audubon's Festival of the Birds takes flight today. The festival continues through Sunday at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and various locations around gorgeous-in-the-spring Presque Isle. The event is presented in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Pre-registration is encouraged. Full-weekend ticket costs range from $40 to $50 for children; $80 to $100 for students with valid ID; and $120 to $145 for adults. Event-specific passes are available, too, so check the registration info on presqueisleaudubon.org for further ticketing details.

Friday to Sunday // TREC, various locations around Presque Isle // presqueisleaudubon.org

sat 5.10

Jerry Gaff

After a year full of fingerpicked bluesy folk songs, Jerry Gaff was rewarded for his impressive fretwork with a Blue Pike Award nomination for his intriguing six-string compositions. Check and see Gaff's nimble fingers for yourself when he performs at the Pie-in-the-Sky Cafe this Saturday evening.

5:30 p.m. // 463 W. Eighth St. // 459.8638

Viva La Rummage Sale

The Erie Art Museum is bringing back the coolest rummage sale in Erie! Find new treasures and support the art museum by shopping at the Old Customs house for gently used household items- furniture, glass, pottery, art & clothing. All sales proceeds benefit Museum programming.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. // 411 State St. // 459.5477

Meadville Community Theatre presents On Golden Pond

On Golden Pond is a love story of Norman and Ethel Thayer, a couple who return to their summer home on Golden Pond for the 48th year. When their daughter and her fiancé visit, they leave her fiancé's teenager with Norman and Ethel for the summer, bringing the couple even closer together as the child quickly becomes the grandchild they have always wanted. Tickets are just $10.

8 p.m. // 400 N. Main St., Meadville // 333.1773

sun 5.11

Erie Playhouse Youtheatre presents A Little Princess

When young Sarah Crewe's father leaves for India, Sarah is sent to a London boarding school where she is resented by the headmistress for her cleverness, yet treated well because of her father's wealth. When things go awry, Sarah finds herself in dire straits but remains good-natured while using her imagination to escape her harsh circumstances.

2 p.m. // 13 W. 10th St. // erieplayhouse.org

mon 5.12

Blasco presents Presque Isle Flute Choir

The Presque Isle Flute Choir presents its annual Spring Concert — part of the ongoing Blasco Concert Series — tonight at Hirt Auditorium. The highlight performance (that happens to be about smackdab in the middle of this year's Blasco series, which kicked off in late April and continues through mid-June) is free and open to the public. So go and hear the sound of music.

7 p.m. // 160 E. Front St. // 451-7320