This Week’s Forecast: 5.13.10

HIGHER ED
5/15-5/16 GRADUATION SPEAKERS
While marquee graduation speakers may inspire cynicism among students, they offer serious buzz potential for both school and speaker alike. Here’s a roundup of some of the big names sharing wisdom with our local graduates this month.
CURT SCHILLING AT WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC ISTITUTE (5/15) The former Sox ace gets a chance to address hundreds of geek recruits for his Maynard video-game development company, 38 Studios. RACHEL MADDOW AT SMITH (5/16) It’s a short trip — physically and philosophically — for the Northampton resident and MSMBC anchor, who brings her progressive punditry to one of the more liberal of liberal arts colleges. DEVAL PATRICK AT FRAMINGHAM STATE (5/16) Is it a bad omen for a governor kicking off a reelection campaign that Martha Coakley gave the school’s commencement speech last year?

5/15-5/16 NEWTON OPEN STUDIOS 2010
175 emerging and established artists and craftspeople invite you into their homes and studios at locations all across Newton. Find paintings, jewelry, pottery, sculpture, photography, watercolor, and much more. newtonopenstudios.org/index.php

5/15-5/16 SoWa OPEN MARKET OPENING WEEKEND
The market hosts a wide variety of vendors, featuring hand-crafted accessories, original art, indie designer clothing and fresh food. southendopenmarket

5/15 JAY MOHR
Jay Mohr, who first received fame on Saturday Night Live doing impressions of Christopher Walken, Dick Vitale and Sean Penn, moved on to land a breakthrough role as a sports agent in a little film called “Jerry Maguire”. thewilburtheatre.com

5/17 PEARL JAM
After almost two decades in the music business, the Seattle rockers are still playing. They return to Boston at the TD Garden to promote their latest album, Backspacer. tdbanknorthgarden.com

5/19 OPENING DAY OF THE NANTUCKET WINE FESTIVAL
Whether you’re a certified oenophile of just thirsting for knowledge, here’s your chance to attend seminars, luncheons, wine tastings, and other events without ever having an empty glass in hand. nantucketwinefestival.com

5/19 PRESIDENTS AT POPS
Presidents at Pops, traditionally a corporate event, will be available for sale to the public in celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Pops. bso.org