English Country Dance. Dances will be called and taught by Mary Jones.  Admission is $12 at the door, $10 members. 2 to 5 p.m. Dance 1:30 p.m. Introductory workshop, Channing Hall at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 405 Washington Avenue, Albany 12206. More info: www.danceflurry.org/capital-english or 477-5684

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater.  It's a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy of Gregory Popovich and the talents of his furry costars, as part of the 12th Annual Russian Winter Festival. Admission: $30, children 3 years and below free. Free registration and more info: www.newrussiacenter.org/upcoming-events/popovich-pet-comedy-show. 3 to 4:30 p.m. at New Russia Cultural Center’s home at 1550 Broadway, Rensselaer.

Winter Walk at Thacher Nature Center. Join us on a winter walk through woods and fields on Nature Center trails. We’ll explore a variety of habitats and look for signs of wildlife. Bring your snowshoes or rent a pair of ours. If we don’t have snow, we’ll take a winter walk. Call 518-872-0800 to register, reserve snowshoes, and check conditions. Starts at 10 a.m. at 87 Nature Center Way Voorheesville, 12186.

First Monday Free Spaghetti Dinner. Join us for dinner in the ARC Fellowship Hall. Menu: spaghetti with meatballs (or meatless sauce), bread, salad, and dessert. Serving from 5 to 7 p.m. (last seating 6:30 p.m.), at Altamont Reformed Church, 129 Lincoln Avenue, Altamont, 12009.

New DNA Technology Reveals the Evolutionary History of Birds. Dr. Jeremy Kirchman, the State Museum’s curator of birds, will explain how a new revolution in DNA laboratory methods has changed what we know about bird evolution. A 20-minute talk at The State Museum, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m., in the Huxley Theater, 222 Madison Avenue Albany, 12230. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch.

Hilltowns Players Spring Show Auditions. For Spring Show: “Everyone Loves Opal written by John Patrick and offered through Dramatists Play Service. Feb 5 and Feb 7, 7 p.m. at the Thompson’s Lake Reformed Church, 1212 Thatcher Park Road, East Berne. 

Stories of Creation From Around the World. Creation Stories honor the birth of Mother Earth and explore the origins of the Cosmos. From 7 to 9 p.m. Niskayuna Reformed Church, 3041 Troy-Schenectady Road (Route 7), Schenectady, 12309. More info: 518-374-0637 or visit the website www.withourvoice.org/ifsc.

Winter’s Eve Nature Journaling. Reservations required; 518-456-0655. From 6 to 8 p.m. at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY

Strengthening Families Program. A program for youth ages 12+ and their parents/caregivers. Registration: 518-765-3559 or

Invasive species. The Helderview Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting featuring Kristopher Williams from the Partnership for Invasive Species Management, who will give an overview of invasive species and how they are affecting our gardens and forests. 6:45 p.m. at the Albany County Cooperative Extension, 24 Martin Rd, Voorheesville, 12186.