It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend.

Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and new bars/restaurants/shops to explore.

1. GREAT AMERICAN TAVERN RESTAURANT OPENING

Where/When: Great American Tavern, 303 Main St., North Reading. Live music March 3-5 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Restaurant hours are 11:30 a.m. to midnight, daily. 

Why Go: Celebrate the grand opening of the Great American Tavern during its weekend celebration. Three bands will kick things off — RainDog on March 3, Pulse on March 4, and Onset on March 5. The bands will play from 9 p.m. to midnight. Last call is 12:30 a.m. on these three nights, 11:30 p.m. all other nights

2. PRESENTATION BY LAWRENCE CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL GUARD

Where/When: March 3, 7 p.m., Flint Memorial Library, 147 Park St., North Reading.

Why Go: Members of the Lawrence Civil War Memorial Guard will visit the Flint Memorial Library Thursday at 7 p.m. to talk about the involvement of local communities in the Civil War. This living history group represents and portrays the 6th Regiment Company of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, also known as the Lawrence Light Infantry. The regiment was made up of men from the mill towns and farmland of the Merrimack Valley.

Pricing: Free and open to the public.

3. CHILDREN’S SPRING DANCE

Where/When: March 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m., J. Turner Hood Elementary School, 298 Haverhill St., North Reading.

Why Go: Kids, invite your favorite adult to this popular night out for family fun. There will be music by Johnny Ray, with songs, dancing, party games and favors. 

To register, call 978-357-5216 or visit www.northreadingma.gov/recreation and follow to on-line registration.

Pricing: $15 per family (pre-registered) or $18 per family at the door.

4. SHAPE N’ RACE DERBY 2011

Where/When: March 4, 6-8 p.m., Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill St., North Reading.

Why Go: Students, families and friends are invited to Trinity Evangelical Church Speedway, a free evening of pinewood derby car racing with lots of food and snacks. No registration is required. Contact rayml@verizon.net with questions.

Pricing: Free, open to all.

5. FREE INTO TO TAI CHI WORKSHOP

Where/When: March 6 or March 7 at 8 p.m., Yang’s Fitness and Wellness Center, 5 Dundee Park, Andover.

Why Go: Come and find out if this ancient Chinese exercise is right for you.

Pricing: Free

And still you want more? Check out our family-friendly Grab & Go Kids Planner, refreshed every Wednesday.

We know you have your favorites that we missed. So share the goodness in our comment box below.