Mother's Day is an occasion to take Mom out do dinner or a show as a token of appreciation for everything she does.

Mothers' Day brunch or dinner is a favorite around the Attleboro area, and in a few places the waffles, ham steak and shrimp come with a musical or other entertainment twist.

At the Holiday Inn in Mansfield, for instance, Mom can be serenaded by a pianist in the courtyard or a violinist in the ballroom, not to mention an audience with Spot The Dog and a collection of clowns.

The Dixie Diehards Jazz Band entertains during brunch in the foyer of the Taunton Holiday Inn with their style of traditional New Orleans Jazz from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Of course, there are other alternatives to entertaining mom on her day. Spirit of Boston cruises offers Mother's Day brunch and dinner cruises leaving Boston's Rowe's Wharf at noon and 4:30 p.m. The cruises include a narrated tour, live music and a DJ for dancing. Visit www.spiritofboston.com.

How about something a little racy? Raynham Park is cooking up a Mother's Day meal at noon complete with a card of dog, throughbred and harness racing. For details, see www.raynhamparkfun.com. Classically inclined? The New Piano Quartet will play works from Ries, D'Indy and Bridge 7 p.m. Sunday at the New School of Music, 25 Lowell St., Cambridge.

Looking for a comfortable way to close out a swinging Mother's Day? Third Shift rolls out a collection of jazz standards and jazz-pop ranging from Sting to Dave Brubeck 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Steve's Backstage Pass. It's a mere $6, although the adjacent Dragon Lady restaurant is offering a dinner/show package with the jazz for $25 per person. Visit www.stevesbackstagepass.com.

Other places, other faces:

Stone Soup Coffeehouse features singer-songwriter Geoff Muldaur at 8 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul's Church, 50 Park Place, Pawtucket. Admission is $15.

Chan's, 267 Main St., Woonsocket, hosts a show by 70-year-old jazz vocalist Jean McKenna at 8 p.m. Friday. Mike Renzi will accompany on piano. Bluesman Chris Duarte moves in with two shows at 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $17 and $12.

Blues legend Ken Lyon and Tombstone "unplugged" takes over the Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad St., Cumberland, R.I. on Saturday with an 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.