IN FOCUS: JOHN SINGER SARGENT The Addison, an under-the-radar trove of American art gems, never fails to deliver. In this pocket-size exhibition, it pays homage on the 100th anniversary of his death to the best impulses of Sargent, an inveterate people-pleaser whose desire to remain in the inner circles of a cross-Atlantic elite seems to have won out over his enormous talents. But when Sargent is good, he’s one of the best; and the Addison display promises that, with a selection of works made not on commission or obligation but when the painter was free to let loose. Through Dec. 31. Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy, 3 Chapel Ave., Andover. 978-749-4015, addison.andover.edu – Murray Whyte
ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM The museum’s handsome Calderwood Hall remains one of the city’s most uniquely intimate and acoustically stunning venues; autumn events include the complete Brandenburg concertos with Baroque band ACRONYM (Sept. 13 and 14), an all-John Zorn program from the Junction Trio (Sept. 21), Rachel Barton Pine performing on both the violin and the museum’s own viola d’amore (Oct. 26), and flutist Claire Chase mixing up Baroque and 20th- and 21st-century repertoire with the help of special guests such as Handel and Haydn Society concertmaster Aisslinn Nosky (Nov. 2). Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. 617-278-5127, gardnermuseum.org – A.Z. Madonna
ANDREW GN: FASHIONING THE WORLD Singaporean-born Andrew Gn founded his Paris Atelier in 1995, when he was not quite 30, and in the 30 years since, he’s been a dressmaker for such high-profile clients as Emma Stone, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and the Princess of Wales. This exhibition of nearly 100 of his pieces helps situate his work in a cross-cultural current between east and west, as his aesthetic philosophy draws from both. Sept. 13-Feb. 16. Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St., Salem. 978-745-9500, pem.org – MW
KALI UCHIS Blending blissed-out dream-pop with beats borrowed from the Latin diaspora, this Virginia-born musician continues to carve out a singular presence in pop with her up-to-date album, “Sincerely,” — and her live shows are immersive celebrations of her vision. Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. TD Garden. 617-624-1000, tdgarden.com – Maura Johnston
REGIONAL YARD SALE AND FAMILY CONCERT Anyone can participate in selling (with pre-registration) and shopping at the city-and-suburb-wide yard sale in the park surrounding the Paul Revere Museum in Canton from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids can enjoy activities like giant Jenga and Connect Four on the lawn and bookmark making. Kids can learn to code with computer coding games and activities from Code Ninjas. Food vendors will sell hot dogs, grilled cheese, ice cream, and snow cones are just some of the food that families can snack on from food vendors such as Migs Dogs and Ice Cream Emergency. Then, finish off the day on the lawn with a musical performance from local kids band Toe Jam and the Puppet Band. No ticket is required. Sept. 14. 4 Rolling Mill Way, Canton. paulreveremuseum.org/yardsaleconcert2025 – Isabella Bernstein
CMAT The Dublin-born singer-songwriter, whose just-released full-length album “Euro-Country” came out late last month, pairs hooky, folk-inspired pop with cheekily incisive commentary on modern life’s rubbish heap. Sept. 17, 8 p.m. Paradise Rock Club. 617-562-8800, crossroadspresents.com – MJ
MOLLY TUTTLE It’s a new Molly this time around; she’s replaced her band, Golden Highway, with an entirely new lineup, all of whom happen to be women. And while previously she had stretched the confines of bluegrass beat, on her new album, “So Long Little Miss Sunshine,” she’s blasted right through them. Sept. 17, 8 p.m. Royale, Boston. 888-929-7849, axs.com – Stuart Munro
MARY HALVORSON The up-to-date iteration of guitarist and composer Halvorson’s sextet, Amaryllis, is marbled with young and youngish next-level trailblazers: trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, trombonist Jacob Garchik, vibraphonist Patricia Brennan, bassist Nick Dunston, and drummer Tomas Fujiwara. Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. Regattabar, Cambridge. 617-661-5099, regattabarjazz.com – Jon Garelick
ROSE CITY BAND The beat Rose City Band makes is a very different breed of cat from the noisy psychedelica offered by the other outfits (Moon Duo, Wooden Shjips) in which band leader Ripley Johnson has been involved. Here, the inspiration is vintage, pedal steel-slathered SoCal country rock. Sept. 18, 8 p.m. Deep Cuts, Medford. 781-219-3815, deepcuts.rocks – SM
THE MOUNTAINTOP This early work by Katori Hall, whose “The Hot Wing King” won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, unfolds on the last night of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, right after the legendary civil rights leader has delivered his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. King (Dominic Carter) engages in a wide-ranging conversation with Camae (Kiera Prusmack), a housekeeper at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, that is punctuated by flash-forwards, giving King a chance to weigh his life’s work and his legacy. Directed by Maurice Emmanuel Parent. Sept. 19-Oct. 12. Front Porch Arts Collective. At Modern Theatre at Suffolk University, Boston. frontporcharts.org – Don Aucoin
OUR TOWN A stellar cast has been assembled for Thornton Wilder’s deceptively tranquil meditation on community, family, mortality, and other big stuff, unfolding within and around the seemingly mundane doings of residents in the fictional New Hampshire town of Grover’s Corners. It’s always good news when Will McGarrahan is in the cast; here he plays the Stage Manager, who serves as narrator. Josephine Moshiri Elwood — who’s been on a roll the last few seasons — is Emily, and Dan Garcia is George. The cast also includes such stalwarts of the Boston stage as John Kuntz, De’Lon Grant, Kathy St. George, Thomika Marie Bridwell, and Amanda Collins. Directed by Courtney O’Connor. Lyric Stage Boston. Sept. 19-Oct. 19. 617-585-5678, lyricstage.com – DA
SHORELINE MAFIA This Los Angeles rap act perfectly encapsulated West Coast event vibes with their 2017 debut mixtape, “ShorelineDoThat[Expletive].” Their current “Back In Bidness” tour capitalizes on their Coachella reunion and is the group’s first concert run in more than five years. Shoreline Mafia’s onstage chemistry is sure to be worth the wait. Sept. 21, 7 p.m. House of Blues. 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com/boston – Candace McDuffie
CAMBRIDGE SCIENCE CARNIVAL Kids can play and learn at this free STEAM-themed playground at the Kendall/MIT Open Space from noon to 4 p.m. The carnival, founded by the MIT Museum, features more than 100 booths with science and art based activities and demonstrations, including a bracelet-making craft that teaches about genetics, and a chance to learn about the science behind soccer. Children of all ages and their families can listen to live, interactive beat from the MIT physics department, or play with robots, Legos, and more at the Robot Petting Zoo. Enjoy bites from food trucks stationed around the carnival, like Moyzilla Food Truck. Sept. 21. 292 Main St., Cambridge. cambridgesciencecarnival.org/about – IB
KIDSFEST AT WACHUSETT MOUNTAIN Wachusett Mountain’s 33rd annual KidsFest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. includes live performances such as the Flying High Dogs’ frisbee show, and magic and circus shows from local magicians Steve Charette and Troy Wunderle. Kids can enjoy inflatable lawn games, balloon animals, and more with sunny mountain views. Saturday is Dino Day, with a chance to meet and pet some scaly reptiles from Animal Adventures Family Zoo & Rescue Center. Sunday is Princess and Pirate Day, with a visit from princess Elsa and Captain Jack Sparrow. Tickets start at $6 and are free for children under age 6. Sept. 21-22. 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. wachusett.com/kidsfest-2024/ – IB
ASHMONT HILL CHAMBER beat This Dorchester-based chamber series continues to give beat lovers a reason to ride the Red Line to its terminus. The Secret Trio offers up its special brand of Balkan chamber beat (Sept. 21), the young bass-baritone Joseph Parrish sings beat by composers connected to the United States in various ways (Oct. 5); then, the Bach Project (founded by All Saints organist and master of choristers Andrew Sheranian) presents Bach and Telemann concerti featuring the acclaimed local baroque violinist Susanna Ogata (Nov. 23). Peabody Hall, All Saints Church, Dorchester. ahchambermusic.org – AZM
ODDISEE Oddisee’s career has spanned decades and he has worked with The Roots, De La Soul, and Little Brother. He considers himself a student of hip-hop’s golden age, but possesses enough lyrical dexterity to modernize the era’s influence when it comes to his sound. Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m. Sonia, Cambridge. 617-864-3278, mideastclub.com/sonia – CM
DEAN JOHNSON A singer/songwriter attracting wider attention after honing his craft and tending bar for years in Seattle, Johnson marries a country-folk sound to darkly incisive lyrics and a high-lonesome singing voice. He’s touring behind his sophomore record “I Hope We Can Still Be Friends” and will play this show solo. Sept. 23, 7 p.m. Club Passim, Cambridge. 617-492-7679, passim.org – SM
SLEEP TOKEN This mystery-shrouded English prog-metal outfit — whose masked core members are known as Vessel and II — grapples with fame and contorts balladry into arena-size rock songs on its 2025 album “Even in Arcadia.” Sept. 23, 8 p.m. DCU Center, Worcester. 508-755-6800, dcucenter.com – MJ
THE BEACHES Last year, these Toronto rockers had a left-field anthem with “Blame Brett,” which wraps ex-inspired spite in bubblegum-y hooks; their third album “No Hard Feelings,” which came out at the end of August, tackles relationships and neuroses with uptempo rhythms and car-radio-ready choruses. Sept. 24, 8 p.m. Roadrunner. axs.com – MJ
MATT SHORE DOES SONGS AT YOU Musical comedian Shore is a one-man band, accompanying himself on guitar and keyboard with loops, and battling his nemesis, the Anxiety Possum, with songs about nerve-racking everyday situations like people talking loudly on their phones in public and being afraid of turkeys. Sept. 24, 8 p.m. $32.22. Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston. 617-725-2844, laughboston.com – Nick A. Zaino III
HAYES CARLL “We’re only human,” sings Carll, and the singer/songwriter sets out on his new album of the same name to unpack that phrase in regard to both himself and the rest of us, doing it with his usual mix of sly wit and wry empathy. Sept. 25, 8 p.m. Brighton beat Hall, Boston. 800-745-3000, crossroadspresents.com – SM
WHITE SNAKE PRODUCTIONS The social justice-minded opera company presents the world premiere of “White Raven, Black Dove,” a new science fiction postapocalyptic drama with beat by New York City-based composer Jacinthe Greywoode and libretto by White Snake impresario Cerise Lim Jacobs. Strand Theatre, Dorchester. Sept. 26-28. whitesnakeprojects.org – AZM
IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE Peruvian-American rapper Immortal Technique became a sensation with his debut album, 2001’s “Revolutionary Vol. 1.” He has never shied away from political matters with his lyricism, and has stated that his Harlem upbringing undoubtedly shaped his art. Sept. 27, 7 p.m. The Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge. 617-354-8238, mideastclub.com – CM
MARTIN PURYEAR: NEXUS Puryear represented the United States at the Venice Biennale in 2019 with a display of enigmatic sculptural works that, taken together, echoed the fractious unease of a country at war with itself, confronting old ghosts thought long laid to rest. So, what immediately? “Nexus,” not quite so pointed — it spans several decades of the musician’s 50-plus-year career, the first long-view survey in almost two decades — but it isn’t afraid to connect the obvious dots. Included in this show is “A Column for Sally Hemings,” made for that 2019 Venice display, which pays homage to the enslaved woman who bore Thomas Jefferson five children; in it, an iron rod topped with a leg shackle embeds in a fluted classical column, an emblem of a fire that never seems to go out. Sept. 27–Feb. 8. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Ave. 617-267-9300, mfa.org – MW
NBA YOUNGBOY NBA YoungBoy’s first headlining tour feels like a long overdue victory lap for the 25-year-old star. His most recent offering alongside DJ Khaled, “DESHAWN,” still contains YoungBoy’s infectious fervor while sounding more polished than ever before. Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. TD Garden. 617-624-1000, tdgarden.com – CM
LOS ÁNGELES AZULES This is a chance to see cumbia royalty; Mexico’s Los Ángeles Azules has become the leading exponent of Mexico cumbia, mixing in ranchera and electronic beat as well as an abiding proclivity for collaborating with other artists both within and outside of the genre along the way. Sept. 28, 8 p.m. Hanover Theatre, Worcester. 508-471-1783, thehanovertheatre.org – SM
BACH BEETHOVEN AND BRAHMS SOCIETY Under the direction of founder Steven Lipsitt, BB&B kicks off its 10th anniversary season with “German Glow,” featuring the ensemble’s first-ever Brahms symphony and largest orchestral roster ever as well as a rare opportunity to hear a piece by the 19th-century composer Emilie Mayer (Sept. 28). Next up, favorites by Bach and Barber share a program with the local premiere of Boston-based composer Howard Frazin’s “Peace Cantata” (Nov. 16). United Parish, Brookline. 617-991-8721, bbbsociety.org – AZM
ADAM SANDLER: YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND TOUR The former “Saturday Night Live” star returned to stand-up around 2018 with his “100% Fresh” Netflix special, a refreshing reminder of why people fell in love with this goofball in the first place. Seven years later, his tours are only getting bigger. Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m. $99-$584.10. TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston. tdgarden.com – NZ
MURRAY HILL It is virtually impossible to be unhappy in the presence of Hill, who played the affable Fred on Bridget Everett’s much-missed show “Somebody Somewhere,” and hosts “King of Drag” on the Revry network. A night of wisecracks, crooning, and crowd work backed by Jordan Katz & The Rimshot Revue. Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m. $25-$50. City Winery, 80 Beverly St., Boston. 617-933-8047, citywinery.com/boston – NZ
October
KEVIN GATES When Kevin Gates isn’t sharing NSFW anecdotes online, the Baton Rouge musician is delivering bangers after nearly two decades in the game. The “Stutter” rapper is as skilled as he is ferocious, with his talent remaining undeniable this far into his career. Oct. 1, 8 p.m. MGM beat Hall at Fenway. 617-488-7540, crossroadspresents.com – CM
300 PAINTINGS Four years ago, Australian stand-up comic Sam Kissajukian threw himself into painting — an art form in which he had little prior experience. Working at a torrid pace in an abandoned cake factory, Kissajukian created 300 large-scale paintings over the course of six months, in what was later determined to be a manic episode. Without realizing it, Kissajukian said on a podcast, “I was transcribing my mental state.” His solo show, laced with humor, is his account of that strange journey, and of the ties between creativity and mental health. Oct. 1-19. American Repertory Theater. At Farkas Hall, Cambridge. 617-547-8300, americanrepertorytheater.org – DA
MATT MITCHELL AND SARA SERPA With this free show at NEC, singer Serpa and pianist Mitchell anticipate the Nov. 7 release of a beguiling, free-ranging duo album (“End of Something”) including settings of texts by Sonia Sanchez and Virginia Woolf, and a bit of Messiaen. Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m. Williams Hall, New England Conservatory, Boston. 617-585-1260, necmusic.edu – JGarelick
RENEÉ RAPP “BITE ME,” the second solo full-length from the 2024 “Mean Girls” reboot’s Regina George, showcases her acrobatic voice and let-it-all-hang-out persona, with tracks like the sprawling “Shy” simultaneously channeling Kesha and Alanis Morissette to thrilling effect. Oct. 2, 8 p.m. TD Garden. 617-624-1000, tdgarden.com – MJ
MACBETH Omar Robinson and Brooke Hardman, who traded barbs as the sharp-witted Benedick and Beatrice in Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s 2018 production of “Much Ado About Nothing,” are reunited in the Scottish play as a couple whose relationship is even more … let’s say complicated. (Robinson won an Elliot Norton Award this year from the Boston Theater Critics Association for his performance in ASP’s first-rate production of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson.”) Immersed in the paranoid atmosphere of the Cold War, this “Macbeth” is directed by Christopher V. Edwards and features Jesse Hinson as Banquo and Dennis Trainor Jr. as Duncan. Oct. 2-26. Actors’ Shakespeare Project. At Mosesian Center for the Arts, Watertown. 617-241-2200, actorsshakespeareproject.org – DA
HEW LOCKE: PASSAGES Boston audiences will remember Locke from “The Procession,” an enormous still life parade of figures at the ICA’s Watershed last summer, mirroring the mass of diverse humanity that’s crisscrossed the globe since the advent of colonialism almost four centuries ago. This exhibition promises to both strengthen and clarify that movement, and its frequent injustices, as a lifelong theme for the Guyanese-British musician, as it draws on a quarter century of his work, right up to immediately. Oct. 2-Jan. 11. Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St., New Haven. 877-274-8278, britishart.yale.edu – MW
BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT The comedian/actor/director got his start in rooms like the Comedy Studio that took chances on his offbeat stand-up like his. Though he’s long since dropped his wilder stage affectation, he remains a pointed satirist and storyteller. With host Tamar Rubin. Oct. 3-4, 7:30 p.m. $35. The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge. thecomedystudio.com – NZ
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY H+H’s biggest upcoming date is for sure Thanksgiving weekend’s traditional “Messiah,” but don’t sleep on October’s two programs. Artistic director Jonathan Cohen leads Handel’s dramatic oratorio “Saul” with bass-baritone Neal Davies as the title character (Oct. 3 & 5), and Raphaël Pichon conducts a potpourri of Rameau alongside Beethoven’s powerful Symphony No. 7 (Oct. 24 and 25). Symphony Hall. 617-262-1815, handelandhaydn.org – AZM
TOPSFIELD FAIR The historic Topsfield Fair returns in October with fall festivities for the whole family. The fair, which began in 1818, offers a variety of live performances, such as a pumpkin carving, a moto-stunt show, and the painted pony championship rodeo. Popular fair rides and roller coasters, along with a Ferris wheel and fair games, await visitors at the Midway section of the fair. Kids can also compete in a variety of contests with pre-registration, such as the open youth horse show and the junior king and queen pageant. Tickets start at $18 and do not include rides in the Midway. Oct. 3-13. 207 Boston St., Topsfield. topsfieldfair.org – IB
ANTHONY GERACI A mainstay of the New England blues scene for decades, the eloquent pianist leads a band with guitarist Barrett Anderson, bassist Tom Terry, and drummer Jeff Armstrong at the snazzy new Harvard Square supper club, Lou’s. Oct. 4, 7 p.m. Lou’s, Cambridge. 857-706-1100, wearelou’s.com – JGarelick
BRENNEN LEIGH A triple-threat singer, player, and songwriter, Leigh is a torchbearer for traditional forms of honky-tonk and western swing, and she does it with elan, both as a solo musician and as a member of the band Wonder Women of Country. She’ll be playing with a full band and highlighting material from a new record, “Don’t You Ever Give Up On Love,” which arrives the day before this show. Oct. 4, 8 p.m. Crossroads beat Series, North Andover. crossroadsmusicseries.org – SM
CHANCE THE RAPPER From the inescapable success of 2013’s “Acid Rap” to the surprising infamy of 2019’s “The Big Day,” Chicago darling Chance The Rapper has survived all of his past iterations enough to still keep fans wanting more. His up-to-date project, “Star Line,” is a proud reclamation of his roots and one of his most powerful statements yet. Oct. 4, 8 p.m. MGM beat Hall at Fenway. 617-488-7540, crossroadspresents.com – CM
TALISK AND THE GARDINER BROTHERS: “UNLEASHED” Rescheduled from February, this beat-and-dance event pairs Scottish folk band Talisk with Irish stepdancing brothers Michael and Matthew Gardiner. Talisk formed in 2015 as a guitar-fiddle-and-concertina trio who write their own instrumental songs. The Gardiner brothers were born in Denver to Irish parents and were stepdancing even before the family moved back to Ireland. They’ve won more than 40 competitions and were part of Riverdance’s 25th-anniversary tour. Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. $34. Berklee Performance Center. globalartslive.org – Jeffery Gantz
JOAN JONAS: AN ISLAND DEPARTURE WITH NANCY HOLT AND ROBERT SMITHSON Jonas, an eminence grise of American conceptual art (she will be 90 next year) is best known for haunting video and performance pieces, often focused on the human imprint on nature. This display of all-new works uses another medium in drawing to remain on theme: Jonas traveled to Little Fort Island off the Maine coast, purchased in 1971 by Nancy Holt and Robert Smithson, pioneers of the large scale “land art” movement of the 1960s that literally altered the Earth’s surface. Once there, Jonas’s wry interrogation of land, ownership, and perspective took on a momentum of its own, leaving tracks on paper for all to see. Oct.4-March 1. Farnsworth Art Museum, 16 Museum St., Rockland, Maine. 207-596-6457, farnsworthmuseum.org – MW
AMINÉ The innovative “Caroline” rapper has admirably carved out his own lane in hip-hop. His third studio album, “13 Months of Sunshine,” was released in May and was a lighthearted romp that experimented with genres while flaunting blistering confidence. Oct. 8, 8 p.m. MGM beat Hall at Fenway. 617-488-7540, crossroadspresents.com – CM
HANG TIME In this drama by Zora Howard, three lynched Black men hanging from an old tree engage in a wide-ranging conversation that amounts to a journey through “the great loves and bitter blues of Black men in America.” Featuring Kamal Bolden, Brian D. Coats, and Bryce Foley, “Hang Time” is directed by the playwright. Oct. 9-12. ArtsEmerson. At Jackie Liebergott Black Box in Emerson Paramount Center, Boston. 617-824-8400, artsemerson.org – DA
IMPROV ASYLUM GRAND REOPENING After closing for repairs because of flood damage in March, Improv Asylum is back at its North End black box. They kick things off with a champagne toast and the new mainstage show, “The North End Justifies the Means.” The show runs all weekend, and there’s a Friday after-event with the theme “Back to 1998,” a reference to the year the theater first opened, and its late-night show “Raunch” returns on Saturday. Oct. 9-13. Check improvasylum.com for times and ticket prices. Improv Asylum, 216 Hanover St., Boston. – NZ
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Autumn at Symphony Hall includes a handful of concerts conducted by BSO beat director Andris Nelsons celebrating the 125th anniversary of Symphony Hall, including performances of Beethoven’s grand “Missa solemnis,” which inaugurated the building in 1900 (Oct. 9-11). Violinist Augustin Hadelich, the orchestra’s musician-in-residence, performs both with Nelsons and BSO (John Adams’s Violin Concerto, Oct. 16-18) and solo at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Oct. 19). Further intriguing programs: reliably superb visiting conductor Dima Slobodeniouk helms a program that juxtaposes the beat of Brahms and the Caribbean, featuring saxophonist James Carter in Roberto Sierra’s Concerto for Saxophones and Orchestra (Nov. 13-15); violinist Joshua Bell takes center stage in Ukrainian composer Thomas de Hartmann’s 1943 Violin Concerto, which was composed amid the Nazi occupation of Ukraine (Nov. 20-22). Symphony Hall. 877-266-1200, bso.org – AZM
CELEBRITY SERIES OF BOSTON Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges opens the autumn season with a recital at Groton Hill beat Center (Oct. 9); subsequent events include a Jordan Hall recital of late Schubert with baritone Matthias Goerne and pianist Daniil Trifonov (Oct. 24); the return of the free-spirited Nordic folk trio Dreamers’ Circus (featuring Danish String Quartet violinist Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen) (Oct. 26); the local debut of Finnish string quartet Meta4 (Nov. 2); and Yo-Yo Ma performing Bach’s complete cello suites at Symphony Hall (Nov. 21). That one is sold out already, so get on the wait list ASAP if you want to experience it. Various venues. 617-482-2595, celebrityseries.org – AZM
AN INDIGENOUS PRESENT For a long time — and until very recently — “Indigenous” and “present” might have been regarded by the broader public as anathema. The dynamic culture of Indigenous peoples has survived years of assault, neglect, and disregard as archeology has risen in recent years to greater and greater prominence, to arrive at a moment when its vibrance is undeniable. This exhibition takes in much of that arc: Spanning 100 years of art made by Indigenous people, it underscores cultural resilience over generations of hardship to arrive on triumph in the here and immediately. Oct. 9-March 8. Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Drive. 617-478-3100, icaboston.org – MW
MANÁ The long-running Mexican rock band — which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year — has stayed ahead of its peers by blending of-the-moment sounds with searing riffs and unmatchable energy. Oct. 10, 8:30 p.m. TD Garden. 617-624-1000, tdgarden.com – MJ
DAMARISCOTTA PUMPKINFEST AND REGATTA Soak up the atmosphere of Damariscotta, Maine, during a weekend filled with the handiwork of masterful pumpkin carvers and artists. Visitors can walk around the towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle to see local artists carve and paint around 75 pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, ghouls, and goblins. On Saturday, large pumpkins get turned into boats on the Damariscotta River for the annual pumpkin regatta. There are pie-eating contests, a soapbox-style pumpkin derby, and more. No ticket required. Oct. 10-13. 40 Main St., Damariscotta, Maine. mainepumpkinfest.com – IB
PHANTOMS BY FIRELIGHT This year is the “grand finale series” of the popular and long-running Phantoms by Firelight festival at Old Sturbridge Village. The outdoor museum, which replicates a rural New England village from the 19th century, hosts the month-long event filled with performances, haunted history walks for older kids, and spooky snacks. Get in the Halloween spirit with circus shows from performers like Cyrkus Vampyr, a supernatural tour around the museum, and fall-themed outdoor games such as a pumpkin ring toss. Tickets start at $16 for non-member kids and $34 for adults; kids under age 3 enter for free. Oct. 10 – 26. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge. osv.org/event/phantoms-by-firelight – IB
GRACE HARTIGAN: THE GIFT OF ATTENTION In 1958, Hartigan was the only woman selected for “The New American Painting” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, the launching pad for Abstract Expressionism as a popular movement and the foundation of the biggest careers in American art history (Jackson Pollock, anyone?). Hartigan enjoyed a few fruitful years of wide acclaim, but her star fell as others became ensconced in the firmament. Why is anyone’s guess, though being a woman was rarely good for one’s career. Hartigan’s restless energy compelled her to stray far stylistically from the tried-and-true AbEx herd, which made her harder to pin down — also not a great career move, perhaps, but ultimately far better for the soul. Oct. 10-Jan. 11. Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland, Maine. 207-775-6148, portlandmuseum.org – MW
FORTUNE FEIMSTER: TAKIN’ CARE OF BISCUITS COMEDY TOUR A versatile performer, Feimster can slash Arnold Schwarzenegger’s butt in Netflix’s “FUBAR,” which just debuted season two, or tell you about her day-to-day life in an uplifting and hilarious manner. Oct. 11, 8 p.m. $48-$154. Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. bochcenter.org – NZ
PILE “Sunshine and Balance Beams,” the up-to-date release from these local heroes, is expansive and explosive, with lead singer Rick Maguire’s wail slicing through the jagged chaos conjured by him and his bandmates. Oct. 11, 8 p.m. The Sinclair, Cambridge. 617-547-5200, sinclaircambridge.com – MJ
MASTERS OF ILLUSION MAGIC SHOW The CW network’s long-running anthem reality magic TV show is coming to the Hanover Theatre. Magicians Farrell Dillon, Greg Gleason, Drexus, and more perform sword swallowing, card tricks, and the classic sawing-a-person-in-half illusion. Sit in the front to be a part of the interactive crowd, or just movie from the audience in the historic theater. Tickets start at $143. Oct. 12, 6 p.m. 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. worcestertheatre.com/shows/hanover-theater/masters-of-illusion – IB
RICO NASTY Over the last few years, Rico Nasty has worked hard to establish herself as the punk-rock princess of rap. From monstrous bars on Doja Cat’s 2019 anthem single “Tia Tamera” to the raucous fury of “Smack A [Expletive]” from nearly a decade ago, Rico has displayed the importance of having fun with your craft. Her new album, “LETHAL,” is as potent as its title implies — and amplifies her angsty evolution. Oct. 14, 7 p.m. House of Blues. 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com/boston – CM
MISERY The endlessly versatile Karen MacDonald plays deranged Annie Wilkes, captor and self-proclaimed “number-one fan” of novelist Paul Sheldon (Tom Coiner). Annie is obsessed with Misery Chastain, the heroine of Sheldon’s series of romance novels, and she’s none too happy when she learns that Paul is killing off Misery. Courtney Sale directs the play by William Goldman, based on Stephen King’s novel. Oct. 15-Nov. 2. Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Lowell. 978-654-4678, mrt.org – DA
SASHA BERLINER The acclaimed rising vibraphone star leads an ensemble of Berklee students in a program that will include (we hope) some of her own fine compositions. Oct. 17, 7 p.m. Red Room at Café 939, Boston. 617-747-2261, berklee.edu/café939 – JGarelick
KATHLEEN EDWARDS It’s been a while since we heard from this Canadian roots-rocker, but she’s back with “Billionaire,” her first album in five years, and the new beat is full of the grit, intensity, and emotional force that have always characterized her work. Oct. 17, 8 p.m. Brighton beat Hall, Boston. 800-745-3000, crossroadspresents.com – SM
beat FROM THE SOLE: “HOUSE IS OPEN, GOING DARK” Brazilian tapper and choreographer Leonardo Sandoval and American musician and composer Gregory Richardson created beat from the Sole as a tap dance and live beat company that celebrates tap’s roots in the African diaspora. The project made its Boston debut in January 2024 with the Carnival-themed “I Didn’t Come to Stay,” a piece that blurred the distinction between beat and dance. immediately beat from the Sole is back with “House Is Open, Going Dark,” which debuted in Worcester last month. Oct. 17 at 8 p.m., Oct. 18 at 2 p.m., Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. $62-$94. Boston Arts Academy Theater. celebrityseries.org – JGantz
BOSTON EARLY beat FESTIVAL Under the direction of viola da gamba player Cristiano Contadin, the period instrument band Opera Prima and soprano Amanda Forsythe take audiences on a tour of songs, sinfonias, and concertos in the elegant mid-18th century Galant style of beat (Oct. 17). The peerless UK-based unaccompanied vocal ensemble Stile Antico hails the 500th anniversary of the birth of foundational Renaissance composer Palestrina (Nov. 7), and Thanksgiving weekend brings a wacky 17th century Italian revenge comedy to the Jordan Hall stage. (Nov. 29 and 30) Various venues. 617-661-1812, bemf.org – AZM
ALEX EDELMAN: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO The Boston native has a track record of thoughtful and hilarious shows going back to his days splitting time between New York, Los Angeles, and London. His profile shot up considerably with “Just For Us,” which was captured in an HBO special last year, and his role in “The Paper,” a spinoff of “The Office” that just debuted on Peacock. Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. $60-$81. The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston. thewilbur.com – NZ
HALLOWEEN AT CIDER HILL FARM Sugar and spice might be the theme for Cider Hill’s Sweet Halloween celebration this October in Amesbury. Weekend festivities are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with their farm store and pumpkin stand open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., where you can grab homemade baked goods, like apple cider donuts and pumpkin whoopie pies, as well as your choice of the plentiful fall apple and pumpkin harvest. Bring the family in costume and trick-or-treat around the farm, take a not-so-scary Halloween hayride, and enjoy snacks from the PitchFORK food truck while listening to live performances from New England musicians such as Lee Biddle, the Woodland Spark Trio, and more. Tickets start at $16. Oct. 18-19, 25-26. 45 Fern Ave., Amesbury. ciderhill.com/sweet-halloween – IB
JIMENA SARNO: RHAPSODY Argentine-born, Los Angeles-based musician Jimena Sarno collaborated with a gamut of artists, teachers, and makers for this exhibition, which weaves filmmaking, sound, and poetry into the tactile experience of traditional craft across the global south. The ravages of colonialism are never far from mind for Sarno, but here, she focuses on repair — what broken cultures need to move forward, and reclaim what’s theirs. Opens Oct. 18. Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, 1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams. 413-662-2111, massmoca.org – MW
DOECHII The “swamp princess” herself is gracing one of Boston’s most coveted stages after having an incredible year. Not only did Doechii make history in February by becoming the third woman in Grammy history to win best rap album, she impressed massive crowds with epic performances at Lollapalooza and Outside Lands. Doechii’s show at MGM beat Hall will ultimately pay reverence to the power of hip-hop. Oct. 19, 8 p.m. MGM beat Hall at Fenway. 617-488-7540, crossroadspresents.com – CM
KING RICHARD’S FAIRE Spend the beginning of fall at King Richard’s Faire on weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dress up as knights, princesses, and fairies to movie dragon jousting, horse shows, and more as you explore the streets of the Renaissance style village at its new location in Carver. Kids can learn archery, take pony rides, and see goats and other animals at the petting zoo. Attendees can enjoy massive turkey legs, fried bloomin’ onions, and desserts galore at the many traditional fair food stands. Tickets start at $29.99 for kids, $51.99 for adults, and are free for kids under age 4. Through Oct. 19. 5 Pine St., Carver. kingrichardsfaire.net – IB
BOSTON PHILHARMONIC It’s season number 47 for Philharmonic founding conductor Benjamin Zander; first up, an all-Brahms program features pianist Alessandro Deljavan in the Piano Concerto No. 1, with Symphony No. 1 in the second half (Oct. 19). Then, the orchestra joins forces with Chorus pro Musica for Verdi’s earthshaking “Requiem,” with soloists Ailyn Perez, Daniela Mack, John Osborn and Maharram Huseynov (Nov. 23). Symphony Hall. 617-236-0999, bostonphil.org – AZM
DISNEY ON ICE: JUMP IN Head to the DCU Center in Worcester for a night of Disney on Ice’s “Jump In!” show. Performances of songs and scenes from “Moana 2″ debut this season, along with appearances from characters such as Joy from “Inside Out,” Buzz Lightyear and Woody from “Toy Story,” and more. Kids can meet Moana and hear her tell the tales of the sea at the character experience before the two-hour skating show. Tickets start at $25.7 p.m., Oct. 23-26. 50 Foster St., Worcester. disneyonice.com/jump-in – IB
ALLAN ROHAN CRITE Two exhibitions celebrate Crite this fall, “Urban Glory” at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and “Griot of Boston” at the Boston Athenaeum. For Crite, who painted Roxbury and the city’s Black community with verve and affection for almost 80 years — he died in 2007, just a few years short of his 100th birthday — it’s about time. Along with it comes the first-ever scholarly text on his work, “Allan Rohan Crite: Neighborhood Liturgy,” from Princeton University Press. Crite was a passionate chronicler of both the trials and triumphs of urban Boston’s diverse and dynamic quarters for much of his life, and his official arrival in the canon is more than due. Oct. 23-Jan. 19 (Gardner) and Oct. 23-Jan. 24 (Athenaeum). Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way. 617-566-1401, isgm.org; Boston Athenaeum, 10½ Beacon St. 617-227-0270, bostonathenaeum.org – MW
ZAHILI ZAMORA This charismatic Cuban-born pianist, composer, singer, and Berklee assistant professor matches virtuoso chops with uncommon emotional breadth. She celebrates the release of a new album, “Overcoming,” with a sextet (plus “surprise guests”). Oct. 24, 7 p.m. Scullers Jazz Club, Boston. 617-562-4111, scullersjazz.com – JGarelick
RYAN LEE CROSBY & TODD ALBRIGHT After putting in an apprenticeship at a legendary Bentonia, Miss., juke joint, the New England-based singer, guitarist, and songwriter Ryan Lee Crosby recorded the gritty, soulful album “At the Blue Front” there. For this show, he’s joined by players from the album, Grant Smith on calabash, and Jay Scheffler on harmonica. They share a bill with Detroit bluesman Todd Albright. Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. City Winery, Boston. 617-933-8047, citywinery.com/boston – JGarelick
BALLET RHODE ISLAND: “OFF THE WALL” For the company’s season opener, Boston Ballet alums Yury Yanowsky, John Lam, and Emily Mistretta create a trio of world premieres inspired by works from the Westerly Museum’s collection of American Impressionism. Yanowsky and Lam are former Boston Ballet principals; Yanowsky is Ballet Rhode Island’s artistic curator and resident choreographer; and Lam immediately has a company of his own, Lam Dance Works, that will perform in Boston this fall. Mistretta retired from Kansas City Ballet in May. Oct. 24 at 7 p.m., Oct. 25 at 1:30 and 7 p.m., Oct. 26 at 1:30 p.m. Woodman Center, Providence, R.I. $42-$72. Balletri.org – JGantz
GARY GULMAN: GRANDILOQUENT Growing up in Peabody, Gulman was the kid who looked like a basketball player and spent a lot of time in his local library. Using words like “grandiloquent” made him stand out as much as his athletic frame, which is a contrast he explores in the new show. Oct. 25, 7 p.m. $53-$418. Boch Center Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston. bochcenter.org – NZ
DEL MCCOURY BAND Del McCoury’s career hearkens back to the original generation of bluegrassers (one of whom, Bill Monroe, he played with), and he’s still on the road decades later, playing trad-leaning bluegrass. Oct. 25, 8 p.m. Groton Hill beat Center, Groton. 978-486-9524, grotonhill.org – SM
LAUFEY Over the past few years, this Icelandic singer-songwriter has gained a fervent following for her mix of Gen Z truth-telling and lushly orchestrated musical motifs. Her third full-length album, “A Matter of Time,” came out in August and tracks the journey from limerence to loathing with wit and grace, as well as a bouquet of catchy melodies. Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m. TD Garden. 617-624-1000, tdgarden.com – MJ
LITTLE SIMZ It’s hard to believe that this gargantuan British emcee almost quit beat before releasing her sixth album, “Lotus,” earlier this year. Little Simz has learned to master vulnerability on wax, with her rapid-fire bars serving as a warning to critics and spectators alike. Oct. 28, 7 p.m. House of Blues. 888-693-2583, houseofblues.com/boston – CM
DAVID RIVERA Y LA BAMBULA Long Live Roxbury Brewery & Taproom’s free Thursday shows have become the da facto Boston epicenter of live Afro-Latin jazz. For this show, David Rivera (a bona fide star in his native Puerto Rico) and his band anthem a cross-section of Afro-Caribbean-infused jazz, bomba, and urban folk. Oct. 30, 6 p.m. Free. Long Live Roxbury Brewery & Taproom. 617-334-5633, longlivebeerworks.com/boston – JGarelick
THE DYBBUK An expressionistic 1920 drama by Russian playwright S. Ansky, directed by Igor Golyak. On her wedding day, a young woman named Leah (Yana Gladkikh) is possessed by a wandering spirit — known in Jewish folklore as a dybbuk and played by Andrey Burkovskiy — who turns out to be to the soul of Khonen, an impoverished young student who was in love with Leah and died after learning she was engaged to another man. When “The Dybbuk” was presented last year, Globe correspondent James Sullivan described the production as “a real corker.” Oct. 30-Nov. 16. -ARLEKIN! At the Vilna Shul, Boston. arlekinplayers.com. – DA
November
CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT The phenomenal 36-year-old singer, songwriter, MacArthur “genius” Fellow, and multi-Grammy winner releases a new album, “Oh Snap,” on Sept. 19. She follows the release with this show, featuring pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and drummer Kyle Poole. Nov. 1, 8 p.m. Berklee Performance Center. 617-482-2595, celebrityseries.org – JGarelick
GIVEON “BELOVED,” the most recent album from this Southern California crooner, is a love letter to ‘70s R&B, with cuts like the sumptuous “I CAN TELL” and the smoldering “STRANGERS” framing his sturdy voice in old-school sonics. Nov. 4, 8 p.m. MGM beat Hall at Fenway. crossroadspresents.com – MJ
LOLA YOUNG Last year this British belter became a viral sensation with “Messy,” a glittery, glumly defiant dispatch from square peg land. Her forthcoming album “I’m Only [Expletive] Myself,” which comes out Sept. 19, chronicles the aftermath of that sudden fame — particularly her dealings with what she calls her “self-sabotage” — on tracks like the taut “Not Like That Anymore.” Nov. 4, 8 p.m. Roadrunner. roadrunnerboston.com – MJ
BOSTON BALLET: “JEWELS” George Balanchine’s 1967 triptych has a fair claim to be the greatest ballet work of the 20th century. “Emeralds,” to beat by Gabriel Fauré, seems to be taking place in an Arthurian French forest; it’s courtly, medieval. “Rubies,” to Stravinsky’s “Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra,” is 42nd Street, all neon lights and Broadway pizzazz. “Diamonds,” to the last four movements of Tchaikovsky’s Third Symphony, is the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, a grand ball in tsarist Russia. Boston Ballet hasn’t presented the piece since 2014; there could hardly be a better way to open a season. Nov. 6-16. $67-$199. Citizens Opera House. bostonballet.org – JGantz
KIM’S CONVENIENCE Written by Ins Choi, “Kim’s Convenience” is a comic drama that focuses on a Korean-Canadian couple who run a convenience store in Toronto: Umma, or Mrs. Kim (Esther Chung), and Appa, or Mr. Kim (portrayed by playwright Choi himself). Kelly J. Seo is their daughter, Janet, and Ryan Jinn plays Jung, their estranged son. The play was the basis for a series that ran for five years on Canadian TV and is currently streaming on Netflix. Playwright Choi has described “Kim’s Convenience” as a “love letter to his parents and to all first-generation immigrants who call Canada their home.” Directed by Weyni Mengesha. Nov. 6-23. The Huntington. At Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts. 617-266-0800, huntingtontheatre.org – DA
SUMMER, 1976 A two-hander by David Auburn (“Proof”) in which two dissimilar women look back on the bicentennial summer when they forged an unlikely friendship in Columbus, Ohio. Diana (Lee Mikeska Gardner) is an art professor and single mother, while Alice (Laura Latreille) is a housewife married to a professor of economics at Ohio State. Directed by Paula Plum. Nov. 6-30. Central Square Theater, Cambridge. 617-576-9278, centralsquaretheater.org – DA
COMICS COME HOME There are some new faces in the lineup for this annual stand-up event to benefit the Cam Neely Foundation for cancer research. Denis Leary is back as host, and regulars Lenny Clarke and Robert Kelly are there, with newcomers Sebastian Maniscalco, Conan O’Brien, Sarah Silverman, Michelle Buteau, and Erin Maguire. Nov. 8, 8 p.m. $93-$218. TD Garden. tdgarden.com – NZ
EL GRAN COMBO When does a band get called a university? When a seemingly endless parade of famous musical artists have developed their careers within it. That’s the case with this famous Puerto Rican salsa orchestra, a.k.a. “La Universidad de la Salsa,” which has been going strong since 1962. Also on the bill: Colombia’s Grupo Niche, a comparative newcomer, since the group only started in 1978. Nov. 8, 8 p.m. Agganis Arena, Boston. 800-745-3000, agganisarena.com – SM
MANDORLA COLLECTIVE This new ensemble project, under the direction of bassist Rick McLaughlin and pianist Jesse Taitt, will devote each season to an important figure in Boston jazz history. This year it’s the late master composer George Russell. Nov. 9, 5 p.m. Parish of All Saints, Dorchester. 617-877-0428, mandorlamusic.net – JGarelick
LEIF VOLLEBEKK Somber folkie Vollebekk is touring behind his up-to-date offering, the fine “Revelation.” But let’s hope his set list has room for his new single, a cover of the Eagles’ “Take It to the Limit” that is jaw-droppingly good. Nov. 12, 8 p.m. Paradise Rock Club, Boston. 800-745-3000. crossroadspresents.com – SM
JANEANE GAROFALO If you want to know what Garofalo, who was part of the ’80s comedy boom in Boston, is up to, your best option is to see her live, since she’s the rare comedian who has no social media accounts. Nov. 13, 7 p.m. $49.50. Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. 617-718-2191, artsatthearmory.org – NZ
BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell (“Educating Rita,” “Shirley Valentine”) wrote the book, beat, and lyrics for this Olivier-winning musical, which explores issues of social class in telling the story of twins Mickey (Michael Mazzone) and Eddie (Zach Fuller), who are separated at birth. (Their mother is played by the estimable Sehnaz Dirik.) Many years later, aware that they have the same birthday but not that they are twins, Mickey and Eddie fall in love with the same woman, Linda (Lauren Casey). Eddie forges a successful career in academia, while Mickey is imprisoned for his role in an armed robbery that ended in murder. Directed by Audrey Seraphin. Nov. 13-23. Theater UnCorked. At BCA Plaza Theatre, Boston. 617-933-8600, – DA
PUERTO RICO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA The San Juan-based ensemble makes its Symphony Hall debut presenting a mostly-Puerto Rican program, including beat by Angelica Negrón, Roberto Sierra, Luis Quintana, and more. Director Maximiano Valdés conducts the evening, which features the young cuatro player and Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborator Luis Sanz. Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. Symphony Hall. Presented by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. 617-266-1200, bso.org – AZM
CAMILLE A. BROWN & DANCERS: “I AM” Camille Brown was last here in 2020, presenting excerpts from “Mr. TOL E. RAncE,” “BLACK shorty: Linguistic Play,” and “ink.” This new hour-long work, which premiered last year at Jacob’s Pillow, builds on that trilogy. Inspired by the “I Am” episode of the HBO sci-fi/horror series “Lovecraft Country,” “I AM” looks to mirror Atticus Freeman’s multidimensional journey of self-discovery as it weaves African diasporic dance styles into what Brown calls “something centered on joy.” Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. $34-$94. Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre. celebrityseries.org – JGantz
LAM DANCE WORKS: “ACT II” After 20 years at Boston Ballet, 10 of them as a principal, John Lam retired, was appointed associate professor of dance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and formed his own company. Lam Dance Works’ debut evening will include a commissioned world premiere by Boston Ballet resident choreographer Jorma Elo and a US premiere from Canadian choreographer Peggy Baker, plus works by Ken Ossola, Val Caniparoli, Yury Yanowsky, and Dwight Roden. Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. $43.50-$153.50. Richard J. Orchard Stage in the Paramount Center. lamdanceworks.org – JGantz
DOUG VARONE AND DANCERS This New York–based company returns to Boston for the first time in eight years with a program of highlights from its 30-year repertory that will include “Lux” (2006), “Home” (1988), and “Restore” (2024). “Lux,” which the company presented here in 2015, is set to Philip Glass’s 24-minute piece “The Light.” The 12-minute duet “Home” is getting its Boston premiere, as is “Restore,” the second half of Varone’s evening-length “To My Arms/Restore,” which debuted last year in Purchase, New York. Nov. 15 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. $66. Institute of Contemporary Art. globalartslive.org – JGantz
ERIN MAGUIRE If you enjoy Maguire’s set at Comics Come Home, see the Arlington native in a venue a tad more intimate than TD Garden. She headlines two shows with her charming and sarcastic style in the Rockwell’s black box theater, which will be recorded for a future release. Nov. 21, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $20-$25. The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Somerville. therockwell.org – NZ
LESLIE CUYJET: “FOR ALL YOUR LIFE” This multimedia 2024 piece from two-time “Bessie” Award winner and 2025 Guggenheim Fellow Leslie Cuyjet explores Black birth, Black death, and everything in between through the unexpected lens of life insurance. The Brooklyn-born performer stars as a variety of hilarious characters in an introductory film, but principally she’s For All Your Life agent Dee, and even after being informed that life-insurance companies sold policies on enslaved individuals, the audience is invited to become For All Your Life member-investors. Nov. 21-22 at 8 p.m. $25-$35. Institute of Contemporary Art. icaboston.org – JGantz
JOHN SCOFIELD One of the deans of modern jazz guitar (along with contemporaries Bill Frisell and Pat Metheny), immediately 73, brings his outstanding long-running trio with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Bill Stewart to Groton. Nov. 22, 8 p.m. Groton Hill beat Center, Groton. 978-486-9524, grotonhill.org/concerts – JGarelick
BEHEARD.WORLD: “HOW WE GO” Anna Myer trained at the Cambridge School of Ballet and danced with Boston Ballet, but the company she founded in 1992, Anna Myer and Dancers, has appeared in an MBTA station and on basketball courts as well as at more traditional venues. In 2007, she teamed with writer and photojournalist Jay Paris to create the social-justice collective beheard.world. Their collaborations have included the hip-hop opera “Hoop Suite”; their up-to-date, “How We Go,” is getting its world premiere at the Dance Complex. Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. $15-$50. The Dance Complex. dancecomplex.org – JGantz
HASAN HATES RONNY: A DEBATE TO THE DEATH Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng don’t really hate each other (we don’t think), but you wouldn’t know it from the barbs they’ve traded in their stand-up. They’ll hash it out, head-to-head, on this new tour. Nov. 28, 7 p.m. $73-$276. MGM beat Hall at Fenway, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston. 617-488-7540, thefenway.com – NZ
December
DECENT DANCE / SEÁN CURRAN Belmont native Seán Curran started out as an Irish-stepdancer before performing with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, winning a “Bessie” Award, and eventually establishing his own New York–based troupe. Tony Guglietti was a founding member of Seán Curran Company, but his current project with his wife, Kristin Wagner, is the Worcester-based Decent Dance, whose performances “dabble in comedy, dramedy, and all things silly, sweet, and true.” Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. $15-$35. The Dance Complex. dancecomplex.org – JGantz
Don Aucoin can be reached at donald.aucoin@globe.com. Follow him @GlobeAucoin. A.Z. Madonna can be reached at az.madonna@globe.com. Follow her @knitandlisten. Murray Whyte can be reached at murray.whyte@globe.com. Follow him @TheMurrayWhyte. Isabella Bernstein can be reached at isabella.bernstein@globe.com.
About the Author
