All Winners Concert and Awards.  The winners of the 12th Annual Russian Winter Festival's Tchaikovsky Music Competition and Russian Poetry Recital Contest. Free registration and more info at:  www.newrussiacenter.org/winter/festival-events/all-winners-concert. 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at New Russia Cultural Center’s home at 1550 Broadway, Rensselaer 12144.

Winter Festival at the Huyck Preserve Research Center.  Free event will feature sledding, ice skating (bring your own skates!), live rescue demonstrations, crafts, local vendors, food, rescued animals, and a guided hike. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Huyck Research Station, 284 Pond Hill Road, Rensselaerville, 12147

Ellen's Italian Night. All homemade by member Ellen Dorato. 5 to 8 p.m. at the Guilderland Elks Lodge. 3867 Carman Rd. Schenectady, 12303. All proceeds benefit major projects and the Elks National Foundation. Call (518)355-2480 with a number of people coming.

Jhumpa Lahiri, The Creative Life: A conversation series. Join us for a conversation (in English) with one of the best-known writers of her generation. 7 p.m. at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the University at Albany’s main campus, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, 12206

Russian Poetry Recital Contest.  Dedicated to learning, preserving and sharing the art of Russian poetry, as part of the 12th Annual Russian Winter Festival. Free registration and more info at: www.newrussiacenter.org/upcoming-events/poetry-recital-contest. 1 to 2 p.m. at the New Russia Cultural Center’s home at 1550 Broadway, Rensselaer.

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.

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.

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

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.