To-do list: 12 April events, exhibits and more in Bellaire-Meyerland-West University

From gardening events and Earth Day to a startup showcase, here are some of the events to check out in April in the Bellaire-Meyerland-West University area in April.

April

07: Plague & Perspective series

The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center offers a virtual program series about the plagues the Jewish people have experienced throughout history. University of Connecticut professor Susan Einbinder will explore the Black Death of 1348-50, as well as the Jewish responses to the plague across the European continent. 12:30 p.m. $8.50. 713-595-8163. www.erjcchouston.org

11: Sustainable Food Gardening

The Hana and Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center hosts an interactive presentation about eco-friendly, sustainable gardening in the Greater Houston area. Participants will be able to learn information ranging from how to start a garden to tips and tricks for experienced gardeners that will take their patch to the next level. The program is offered in collaboration with the city of Bellaire’s April Planting Palooza, a citywide effort to renew and grow horticulture. 10-11:30 a.m. or 2-3:30 p.m. Free. Registration required. Limited to 15 participants per session. 713-667-6550. www.naturediscoverycenter.org

14: Planet Now! Conversation

Rice University will host a webinar about environmental health. Joining the conversation are Heather Houser, an associate professor of English at The University of Texas, and Alexis Shotwell, a professor of sociology and anthropology at Carleton University. The Planet Now! Conversation in Environmental Studies series is organized by the Center for Environmental Studies. 6 p.m. Free. Registration required. 713-348-0000. www.rice.edu

17: Earth Day celebration

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center hosts a celebratory event for all ages to mark Earth Day with informative booths, nature hikes, displays in the Discovery Room and Earth-friendly take-home activities. Masks are required in the Nature Center building and encouraged when visiting outdoor booths. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston. 713-681-8433. www.houstonarboretum.org

Through April 18: Stories of Survival

The Holocaust Museum Houston’s “Stories of Survival” exhibition showcases more than 60 personal artifacts from survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides. The exhibition explores the relationship between objects, their meaning to their original owner and their subsequent significance. The exhibition is a project of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center and photographer Jim Lommasson. Free (members and children up to 18 years old), $19 (nonmember adults), $15 (nonmember seniors). 713-942-8000. www.hmh.org

20: Conversation with author Shari Lapena

Murder By The Book hosts an online conversation for fans of Shari Lapena, the bestselling author of “The Couple Next Door,” “A Stranger in the House,” “An Unwanted Guest” and other thriller novels. Joining Lapena for the conversation is fellow author Will Dean, author of “Dark Pines.” The event will be broadcast live on the Murder By The Book YouTube and Facebook pages. 1 p.m. Free. 713-524-8597. www.murderbooks.com

20: Butterfly Gardens

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the Harris County Master Gardeners and the Harris County Public Library System host an online lecture for both beginner or experienced gardeners on butterfly gardens. The lecture is part of the Green Thumb Gardening Series and is steamed via Facebook. Free. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. https://hcmga.tamu.edu

23: BYOBard

Main Street Theater hosts BYOBard, virtual Shakespeare readings from local, professional actors celebrating the birthday of the venerated playwright, who was born in April 1564. Actors will virtually share personally selected monologues or passages.

7 p.m. Free. Registration required. www.mainstreettheater.com

25: Bellaire Open Air HTX Market

The Bellaire Open Air market has made a return to Evelyn’s Park, at 4400 Bellaire Boulevard, Bellaire, allowing visitors the opportunity for an outdoor shopping experience, with goodies from local artisans and small businesses for the whole family. All vendors and guests are required to wear masks and social distance. 12-4 p.m. Free. 281-946-9372. www.evelynspark.org

28: Houston Startup Showcase

Get a taste of what the future holds in Houston’s startup ecosystem when The Ion hosts an online startup showcase, allowing developing companies to receive feedback from experts and showcase their successes thus far. The event is a yearlong series of monthly pitch competitions and results in a final winner to close the series in November. 6 p.m. Free. www.ionhouston.com

28: ‘The Red Book’ Panel

An online webinar panel with Texas Southern University professors will delve into “The Red Book of Houston: An Early 20th Century Black Proclamation,” examining the importance of the book, the history surrounding its publication, and applications for the datasets provided in the book. The panel will also discuss the history of the Fourth Ward, African Americans in Houston City Council’s District B, and African American migration to Houston. 5:30 p.m. Free. Registration required. 713-348-0000. www.rice.edu

Through May 19: Gear Up

The Health Museum has on display a collection of historic and peculiar bicycles as well as stations that explore the science behind this mode of transportation. Visitors can learn about the history and evolution of bikes, the technology behind them and how they have affected culture. Free (members and children under 3 years old), $8 (seniors and children ages 3-12), $10 (adults). 1515 Hermann Drive, Houston. 713-521-1515. www.thehealthmuseum.org