Thursday (19th)
Book signing, discussion with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stephen Kurkjian, who will be on hand to talk about his new book about the Gardner Museum heist, “Master Thieves,” 6-8 p.m. at the Banshee, 934 Dorchester Ave. Books will be available for purchase. Sponsored by the Dorchester Reporter.

Saturday (21st)
Cheer on 26 Boston youth from across the city as they compete in Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) annual Citywide Spelling Bee at 10:30 a.m. at the BCYF Mildred Avenue Community Center/School in Mattapan. The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in May.

Sunday (22nd)
• Dorchester Historical Society program “Urban Religion and the Origins of Addiction Recovery” starts at 2 p.m. at the William Clapp House. Eoin Cannon, aide to Mayor Martin J. Walsh and author of “The Saloon and the Mission,” will be the speaker.

• Dorchester Chili Cook-Off returns for its ninth year of competition and entertainment from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the IBEW Local 103 Hall, 259 Freeport St., Dorchester. Admission is $20 for individuals and $30 for families of up to four ($5 for an additional child). There is also a cash bar for beverages. Ashmont Adams Neighborhood Association organizes the event.

• A public forum on “Municipal Strategies for Financial Empowerment” will feature Boston’s Mayor Walsh and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray as panelists, and an audience question and answer period. The event is from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Campus Center at UMass Boston.

Monday (23rd)
Adams Street Branch of the BPL screens the film “DamNation” at 6:30 p.m. 690 Adams St., Dorchester.

Tuesday (24th)
The Dorchester Day Parade Committee meets at 7 p.m. in the Breakfast Room at the Ramada Inn, 800 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester. Applications for the Mayor of Dorchester contest will be accepted.

Thursday (26th)
Dorchester Day Parade Committee’s annual Kick-off Meatloaf Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. at First Parish Church, 10 Parish St., Dorchester. Tickets $15 at the door; $7 for children; $30 for family of 4.

Friday (27th)
Cold Night, Hot Stove fundraiser for All Dorchester Sports League. This event is a disco party, so come prepared to dance! The event will feature a raffle for a flat screen TV, iPad, and tickets to a Red Sox game. 7 p.m. top 11 p.m. at International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 4, 50 Park St., Dorchester.