1) Free Comic Book Day

Comic books still wield plenty of power in Hollywood, but there are still a lot of people not hip to the original source material inspiring blockbuster film franchises such as “The Avengers” and “Batman” and television programs such as AMC’s “The Walking Dead” and the CW’s “Arrow.” That disconnect sparked the comic book industry to band together in 2002 for the first Free Comic Book Day. The annual, international, industry-wide promotion, returns to participating dealers on Saturday. Local specialty shops celebrate the annual international holiday with free special edition issues and sales on back issues and new releases.

2) First Friday Art Hop

For people still under the impression there is nothing going on in Dayton, the First Friday Art Hop is the perfect myth-busting experience. The monthly citywide celebration of arts, culture, local commerce and more, which returns to various indoor and outdoor locations downtown at 5 p.m. Friday, is an easy, user-friendly way to investigate new and established businesses. Visit galleries such as The Collaboratory, 48 High Street Gallery and CADC, dine at restaurants as diverse at the Trolley Stop, Jay’s Seafood, Dublin Pub and Thai 9, or shop at ReCreate, Clash Consignment Co., Peace on Fifth and Feathers. Along the way attendees can take in roaming entertainers, busking musicians and other street performers. Cost: free. Call (937) 224-1518 or visit www.downtowndayton.org.

3) Ekoostik Hookah

The members of Ekoostik Hookah never need an excuse to get on stage and perform. However, with a hot new studio album, the beloved Ohio-based jam band is taking its live show to the people with a newfound vigor. Ekoostik Hookah returns to Canal Street Tavern, 308 E. First St., in Dayton at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 8 p.m. Cost: $13. Call (937) 461-9343 or visit www.canalstreettavern.com.

4) “Next to Normal”

The theater has always been a place for playwrights to tackle difficult social issues, something creators Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt took to heart with “Next to Normal.” The groundbreaking Broadway rock musical won both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for its delicate handling of topics such as bipolar disorder, family dysfunction, grief and psychiatric ethics. The Victoria Theatre Association Broadway Series presents “Next to Normal” at Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton. The play, which opens Tuesday, runs through May 19. Show times are 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays and Sundays, and special 7:30 p.m. Sunday performances. No shows presented on Mondays. Cost: $40 to $76 weeknights and $47 to $86 weekends. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

5) Art on the Playground

Hands-on art stations, a large-scale collaborative piece and an art scavenger hunt are just some of the activities on tap when Rosewood Arts Center presents Art on the Playground. The interactive festival geared toward children will be held outside at Indian Riffle Elementary School, 3090 Glengarry Drive, Kettering, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Art activity centers include caricature drawing, mask-making, origami, relief printing and papermaking. Cost: free. Call (937) 296-0294.

6) John Pizzarelli

John Pizzarelli has had an eclectic career, ranging from traditional jazz to Latin music, but the jazz singer and guitarist always finds himself returning to masters such as Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra. Those musical touchstones provide the cornerstones of “American Songbook With John Pizzarelli,” which is being presented by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra at the Schuster Cente at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This is the sixth and final concert in the DPO’s 2012-2013 Imagine Season’s Kettering Health Network SuperPops Series. Cost: $21-$76. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit www.ticketcenterstage.com.

7) Great Stuff Yard Sale

Whether you’re in the market for a few bargain-scoring thrills or are simply on the hunt for a unique knickknack to accentuate your living space, you owe yourself a trip to the eighth annual Glen Helen Great Stuff Yard Sale. This massive event returns to Glen Helen, 405 Corry St., Yellow Springs, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Past sales have featured everything from original art, antiques and collectibles to appliances, automobiles and tractors. Cost: free. Proceeds benefit Glen Helen. Call (937) 767-7648 or visit http://glen.antiochcollege.org.

8) Miamisburg Art Gallery

Members of Miamisburg Art Gallery, 15 N. Main St., Miamisburg, open a new spring exhibition on Saturday. The work ranges from oils, watercolors, pen and ink, acrylics and colored pencil to wooden bowls, miniature paintings, note cards, origami, sculpture and jewelry. Gallery hours are 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The show is on display through June 2. Cost: free. Call (937) 866-3891 or visit www.miamisburgartgallery.com.

9) Dixie Peach

Many local music fans remember Dixie Peach as the Dayton-based, Allman Brothers-inspired act that recorded and gigged locally for several years in the early 1970s. However, the local blue-rock act has been active since reforming more than a decade ago. Dixie Peach celebrates the release of the smoking new album “Blues With Friends” at Gilly’s, 132 S. Jefferson St., Dayton, at 8 p.m. Saturday. The Scotty Bratcher Band will open the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cost: $7. Call (937) 228-8414 or visit www.gillysjazz.com. 

10) Mayfair 2013

This season’s erratic weather has derailed gardening plans for plenty of Daytonians, but it’s not too late to beautify the landscape — and MayFair 2013 is here to help. Shop for rare and unusual varieties of plants and get personal advice from horticulturists and master gardeners during the annual event at Wegerzyn Gardens, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., in Dayton on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5. MayFair 2013 runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: free. Call (937) 277-6545 or visit www.wegerzyngardensfoundation.org.