Nearby things to do this week in Malverne, West Hempstead

A night of improv
Get ready to laugh and lounge with the Malverne Community Theatre at Lucky Bar 13 in Franklin Square on Thursday, June 28, from 8 to 9 p.m. The MCT will host Improv Night featuring Mike Pagano, Joe DiGirolamo and John Ortiz. The trio plans to work off audience suggestions for their on-the-spot skits. No reservations needed. Just show up, grab a drink and enjoy the show. Donations are always welcome. Also, Thursday is Ladies Night at Lucky Bar 13. Info: info@malvernetheatre.org.

Sharpen your BBQ skills
Join the Lakeview Public Library on Saturday, June 30, from 12 to 1 p.m. for Tips, Techniques, and Tastings with Sean. What better way to prepare for summer night BBQs than a class with the community? Please register at least three days prior to the program. All programs are subject to cancellation with insufficient registration. For more info call: (516) 536-3071.

Walk to Run
Meet with the West Hempstead Public Library for this year’s Walk to Run on Monday, July 2, from 7 to 8 a.m. This is a basic couch potato to 5K running plan, so to get into shape for the summer, slip on sneakers every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from July 2 through Aug 13, and join the group at 7 a.m. at Hempstead Lake State Park. They will use parking lot 1 (there is no fee before 8 a.m.) Info: (516) 481-6591.

Playing with plants
Learn all about the life cycle of plants with an outdoor educator at Planting Fields Arboretum, who will lead families on a multi-sensory adventure, Sunday, July 1, 12-1:30 p.m. Listen as The Cat in the Hat explains how seeds grow. Explore colors, textures, smells, tastes and sounds; then later paint a ceramic pot and plant a seedling. Info: (516) 922-8668 or www.plantingfields.org.

Back in the saddle
Catch a glimpse of the Wild West at Old Bethpage Village in an ode to those days when cowboys ruled. Experience the excitement of that long ago era at a reenactment of historic shooting events held at Wild West shows in the late 19th century, on Sunday, July 1, at 11 a.m.  Witness this fast action event in which costumed “cowboys” race their horses through several different courses while shooting. Info: (516) 572-8400 or www.obvr.nassau.com.