photo by: Contributed Photos

From left: Alvin the speckled kingsnake at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, pianist Addison Frei, Shaw Davis and the Black Ties.

Alvin, a speckled kingsnake, might possibly sway the minds of those who dislike snakes with his sweet nature.

As one of the ambassadors at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, Alvin will be greeting visitors at Sunday’s “Meet the Critters” event along with Simon, an eastern tiger salamander, and Theodore, an ornate box turtle. These animals are native to the wetlands, which encompasses 927 acres of wildlife habitat.

The good news is Alvin doesn’t bite, though he might tickle you with his tongue if you dare to get that close, said Morgan Glade, the center’s education and outreach specialist. While attendees aren’t allowed to pick the animals up at the event, they are allowed to pet them.

photo by: Contributed photo

Alvin, a speckled kingsnake, is an ambassador at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center. He is wrapped around the hand of Morgan Glade, Education and Outreach Specialist at the Discovery Center. Together they will be greeting visitors during a 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. program Sunday at the center, located at 1365 N 1250 Rd, Lawrence.

photo by: Contributed photo

Alvin, a speckled kingsnake, will be greeting visitors on Sunday along with Simon, an eastern tiger salamander, and Theodore, an ornate box turtle, at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center.

“I do like the snakes,” said Glade. She said Alvin likes to hang on her arm, wrap himself in her hair and sometimes explore inside her sleeve.

There will be two sessions at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday at the center, 1365 North 1250 Road. The program is free, but registration is required. You can register by emailing morgan.glade@bakeru.edu or calling 785-594-4703.

Shaw Davis & the Black Ties at the Bottleneck

Shaw Davis & the Black Ties will be performing their own brand of psychedelic blues and rock on Saturday night at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.

The show is part of the band’s tour to promote its second album, “Tales From The West,” which was released late last year.

photo by: Janine Mangini

Guitarist-vocalist Shaw Davis, backed by bassist Patrick Stevenson and drummer Bobby Van Stone, make up the band Shaw Davis and The Black Ties. They will be performing at 9 p.m. Saturday night at the Bottleneck.

Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday and the show begins at 9 p.m. at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit thebottlenecklive.com.

Pianist returns home to perform

Lawrence native and award-winning jazz pianist Addison Frei will perform Thursday at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St., at 7:30 p.m.

When Addison Frei was just 10, growing up in Lawrence, he began playing the piano in local restaurants. Now the New York-based pianist currently holds the piano chair in the Juilliard Jazz Artist Diploma Ensemble, regularly performing and touring with the conservatory’s flagship jazz ensemble, according to his webpage.

Frei will be playing solo piano in the lobby of the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St., at 7:30 p.m. Monday. A suggested $10 donation will be accepted at the door. The event, a fundraiser for Lawrence Friends of Jazz, will also feature a cash bar, and attendees can also bid on artwork to benefit the Arts Center.