What’s happening

An Evening with Jared Diamond: The World Until Yesterday Talk about his popular book “The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn From Traditional Societies?” He provides a picture of the human past as it had been for millions of years – a past that has mostly vanished – and considers what the differences between that past and our present mean for our lives today. He draws extensively from his decades of field work in the Pacific islands, as well as evidence from Inuit, Amazonian Indians, Kalahari San people and others. Thursday, 7 p.m., Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. $15 general; students admitted free. (509) 359-6081.

Post Falls Community Business Fair More than 90 businesses and service groups under one roof. Play bingo to win fabulous prizes. Bring your business cards to enter in all the drawings. Free goodie bags and refreshments. Wednesday, 4 p.m., Greyhound Park and Events Center, 5100 W. Riverbend Road, Post Falls. Free admission and parking. (208) 773-5016.

“Idaho 124: Wilderness to Statehood” Regional historian Robert Singletary, of the Museum of North Idaho, presents a 10-part series that continues through Nov. 12. Programs begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, Fur Trade; May 28, Missions; June 25, Trails and Roads; July 23, Gold and Silver; Aug. 27, Indian Wars; Sept. 24, Railroads; Oct. 22, Settlements and Towns; Nov. 12, Statehood. Coeur d’Alene Library, Community Room, 702 E. Front Ave., Coeur d’Alene. Free. (208) 769-2315.

Women of Compassion: An Evening with Sandi Patty Doors open at 6 p.m. for desserts and coffee in the foyer followed by a concert of song and testimony beginning at 7 p.m. to support the ministry of Life Services. Thursday, 7 p.m., Turning Point Open Bible Church, 11911 N. Division St. $25. (509) 327-0701.

Shadle Park Craft and Vintage Show Sponsored by the Shadle Park Booster Club. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Shadle Park High School, 4327 N. Ash St. Free admission. (509) 869-7534.

Benefit for Gabe Tesch A barbecue dinner and silent and live auctions to benefit a sixth-grader at Freeman Middle School with brain cancer. Performance by Brenna Yaeger, a Spokane contestant from “The Voice.” Tickets available at www.GabesAvengers.com. Dinner begins at 5 p.m., the auction at 8 p.m. Saturday, Freeman High School, 14626 S. Jackson Road (south of Highway 27), Rockford. BBQ Dinner: $15/advance, $20/door; children: $8/advance, $10/door; admission to the auction and performance by donation. (509) 290-9625.

Japan Week

Free Family Saturday at the MAC Celebrate the opening day of Japan Week, sponsored by STCU. Lots of hands-on family fun: try gyotaku fish printing, origami, Japanese name writing and a 1,000 cranes activity. Bonsai display and demos, Inland Empire Water Garden & Koi Society information booth, children’s festival with KuroNekoCon in cosplay costumes, chopstick games, storytelling, paper lantern-making and more. There will be exciting martial arts demonstrations, the big sound of the Spokane Taiko drummers and short films will be playing in the theater. Visit www.northwestmuseum.org. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave. Free. (509) 456-5349.

Harumatsuri Japanese Food Festival Menu items include: chicken or tofu teriyaki bento boxes, a variety of sushi and Japanese desserts. Dine-in or take-out. Visit www.SpokaneBuddhistTemple.org or call to preorder. There will also be tours of the temple. Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. $4-$12. (509) 534-7954.

Japan Day at the Library Activities include kamishibai, origami and bookmark making. Monday, 4-5 p.m., North Spokane Library, 44 E. Hawthorne Road. Free.

A Lesson in Manga Meet local young artists, and bring your own manga to swap with other fans. Mention Japan Week for discount in store. Monday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Comic Book Shop, NorthTown Mall, second floor. Free. (509) 468-7652.

Family Festival Activities include origami, shodo (Japanese calligraphy), trying on yukata and toys. Tuesday, 3-5 p.m., Mukogawa Commons, 4320 W. Owens Ridge Road. Free admission, some activities $1. (509) 328-2971.

SFCC Bento and Sushi Sale Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Spokane Falls Community College, Student Union Building Lounges, A, B, C, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. $6-$8. (509) 533-3367.

KuroNekocon Cosplay Fashion Show and Neon Nyan Dance Party Suzanku Takio (dynamic drumming) will play 6:30-7 p.m. Come to the dance dressed in your best Cosplay costume. Pre-entry at www.KuroNekoCon.com. April 24, 6:30-10 p.m., Woman’s Club of Spokane, 1428 W. Ninth Ave. $5. (509) 533-3367.

Nuido: The Way of Embroidery Public viewing of artwork. April 24, 1-3 p.m., Spokane Buddhist Temple, 927 S. Perry St. Free. (509) 230-2073.