THE WEEKENDER: Nights planned for games, science and comedy

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you have something going on in southwest Montana that you would like to share, send an email to editor@mtstandard.com.

—New York Times bestselling writer Kate Quinn will be featured in a virtual author talk titled “Book Portals and Journeys of Literary Magic” at 5 p.m. on Thursday at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library, 226 W. Broadway St. Registration is required. For more details or help with registering, call the library at 406-792-1080 or visit www.buttepubliclibrary.info.

—The Covellite Theatre at 215 W. Broadway St., will have Game Night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday and is for all ages. The event is hosted by Jeff Hunt.  No outside drinks allowed.

—The Mining City Family Science Night, to be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at the Science Mine, 36 E. Granite St., promises to be a “shamrockin' good time.” The special St. Patrick's Day-themed evening is a family-friendly, alcohol-free, positive way to celebrate the holiday.

—Dan Mitchem and his troupe return to at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Covellite Theatre, 215 W. Broadway St., for a fast-paced night of sketch comedy filled with wild characters and sharp, unexpected turns. The evening also features musical guests and Covellite favorites Jack and Grant, bringing live energy between the laughs. For tickets, got to https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/the-covellite/69976e35525e4f173e25c054/about

—The Butte Community Winter Market will be hosted from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Elks Lodge, 206 W. Galena St.

—The Jefferson Valley Sportsmen’s Association will have its annual fundraising banquet from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Whitehall Community Center, 11 N. Division St., Whitehall. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be obtained by calling Paul Larsen at 406-560-9975 or Nicky Edwards, 406-565-8243.

—A St. Patrick’s dinner and dance will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday at the Philipsburg Volunteer Fire Hall. The event will benefit the Senior Community Center. The menu includes steak with scalloped potatoes and Caesar salad for $40 or corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots for $30. Dinner is at 6 p.m., with a DJ playing dance music at 7 p.m. For more details, call 406-859-3595.

—Divide Grange #142 will be hosting a bingo party to support the Mary A. Lindlief Scholarship Fund at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Divide Grange Hall, 105 Schoolhouse Road, Divide.

—The free movie, “Marie Antoinette,” released in 2006, starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Covellite Theatre, 215 W. Broadway St.

—The Butte Public Library’s weekly “Cooking the Books” class on Thursday, March 19, will be “Basics for Teens.” Held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., the class is on the library’s third floor at 226 W. Broadway St. On the menu is macaroni and cheese. No registration is needed. For more details, call the library at 406-792-1080.

—The Mining City Astronomy Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at the Butte Public Library (third floor). The meeting is led by astronomers from the Cottontail Observatory near Twin Bridges.

—The Butte Public Library will host a Library Trivia Night at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, in the Cavalier Lounge at the Finlen Hotel, 100 E. Broadway St. Entry fees are $5 per person, and refreshments are available for purchase. Prizes are awarded to the highest-scoring teams. All proceeds benefit the library’s collections and programs. For more details, call the library at 406-792-1080.

—The French Family Band, a Nashville-based group that hails from Australia and New Zealand, is part of the Butte Community Concert Series. The group will perform at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at the Mother Lode Theatre, 316 W. Park St. General admission tickets are $45.