Thursday, Nov. 7
Infinite Solar System Walking Tour at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the third floor of MIT Building 7, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge (and continuing Nov. 8). Free, but register. Explore MIT’s Infinite Corridor with professor Richard P. Binzel, who guides participants along a model of the solar system and brings to life the immense scale of space. The tour also highlights MIT’s contributions to our understanding of the cosmos. Information is here.
Catalyzing Innovation: Designing with Life from 4 to 6 p.m. at The MIT Museum, 314 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free with museum admission. Experts in medical technology and architecture explore how the use of living organisms in biotechnology and design drives innovation. Co-hosted by MIT MAD and Innovators for Purpose. Information is here.
Gary Samore on “Iran’s nuclear program and its implications for the Middle East” from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Room K262 of the Center for Government and International Studies Knafel Building, 1737 Cambridge St., Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The Brandeis professor and 2009-2013 White House coordinator for arms control in discussion talks with Harvard’s Peyman Asadzade. Information is here.
MIT Composer Forum Series: Patrick Harlin from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Lewis Music Library in the Hayden Library Building at 160 Memorial Drive at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge. Free, but register. The composer’s research in soundscape ecology – understanding ecosystems through sound – has taken him to the Amazon rainforest and the Book Cliffs of Utah. His compositions draw parallels between the sounds of the natural world and those of the concert hall. A Q&A and light reception follow. Information is here.
Martin Puchner on “The Case for Cultural Appropriation” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Room K262 of the Center for Government and International Studies Knafel Building, 1737 Cambridge St., Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The Harvard comparative literature professor argues that, while well-intentioned, the theory of cultural appropriation disregards the fundamental role of exchange in how cultures develop and thrive; he proposes an alternative way of avoiding exploitation, one more in keeping with the history of culture. Information is here.
Stephen Puleo reads from “The Great Abolitionist: Charles Sumner and the Fight for a More Perfect Union” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge. Free, but register. The acclaimed author and historian discusses his groundbreaking biography of a forgotten civil rights hero and close friend of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Information is here.
Lewis Room opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cambridge Public Library Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl St. Free. A reopening celebration with refreshments from S&S Restaurant and entertainment by Somerville soul, R&B and alternative-pop artist Aldra. Information is here.
Laurie Olin on “First We Read, Then We Write” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Gund Hall, 42 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The renowned landscape architect talks about creativity. Information is here.
Eighteenth Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour at 7 p.m. at Patagonia, 39 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free, but register. Films that travel the world, including to the depths of the jungle in search of the massive peacock bass. Information is here.
Serene Khader reads from “Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop” at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. The CUNY philosophy professor discusses her myth-busting, incisive examination of why the pillars of feminism have eroded and argues that women of color, especially in the Global South, are the ones from whom today’s feminists can learn. Information is here.
Poets Darius Atefat-Peckham, Sarah Kearsey and Raisa Tolchinsky from 7 to 8 p.m. at Grolier Poetry Book Shop on 6 Plympton St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $5 to $10, but register. With an introduction by Alex Braslavsky. Information is here.
Authors Tara Tai and Aislinn Brophy from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Side Quest Books & Games in Bow Market at 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville. $10 ($5 redeemable for store credit during event). The authors of the forthcoming romance “Single Player” and the recently published YA romance “Spells to Forget Us” talk about their self-proclaimed “nerdy” novels and the role of RPGs in their writing. Information is here.
Gender Free Scottish Country Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. at the New England Science Fiction Association clubhouse at 504 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville (and also Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 and 19). $5 to $20. Learn and practice in gender-neutral language. A warm-up and lesson in the first hour is followed by an hour of social dancing. Kat Dutton emcees and teaches. Information is here.
Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club presents the musical “Anastasia” from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continuing through Nov. 9.) $10 to $20. Stephen Flaherty (music), Lynn Ahrens (lyrics) and Terrence McNally (book) created this stage adaptation of the 1997 animated film exploring the enduring mystery of the Princess Anastasia Romanov. Information is here.
Paul r. Harding’s Juju Seahorse from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $15 to $20. The Creative Music Series welcomes the New York author and poet with saxophonist Eric Barber bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Michael Wimberly. Information is here.
Hubby Jenkins and Elijah Wald at 8 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $23 to $25. A concert with the Grammy-nominated old-time American music multi-instrumentalist Jenkins and folk blues guitarist Wald, author of “The Mayor of MacDougal Street,” which inspired the Coen Brothers’ movie “Inside Llewyn Davis,” and “Dylan Goes Electric!,” the source material for the new “Complete Unknown” film starring Timothée Chalamet. Information is here.
The MIT Shakespeare Ensemble presents “Macbeth” at 8 p.m. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kresge Little Theater in Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge (and continuing through Saturday). $7 to $12. This production is set 100 years from now when “a deadly fungus has infected the Earth … plunging the world into a catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions. The elite cling on to what little power they have left, fighting over resources that grow scarcer and scarcer.” Information is here.
Upstairs at Bow Comedy Showcase from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Upstairs at Bow, 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville. $15 to $20. Howling Wolf Productions’ comedy show featuring some of the best local comedians. Information is here.
Honeydew U Love Me with Leila Lamb from 10:40 to 11:30 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $15 to $17. The indie-rock foursome out of Berklee College of Music “blends raw alternative energy with introspective lyricism.” Providing support is the artist project of Leila Bahrami, merging “femininity and horror.” Information is here.
Friday, Nov. 8
Infinite Solar System Walking Tour (continued) at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the third floor of MIT Building 7, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Free, but register. Information is here.
“Capturing Myriad Moods of Love in Indian Painting and Dance” seminar from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Art Study Center (fourth floor) at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free, but register. A seminar with curatorial fellow and painting specialist Janet O’Brien and Shriya Srinivasan, a Bharatanatyam dancer and professor of biomedical engineering at Harvard. Information is here.
“Scene Shop Construction Techniques: Flats and Platforms” workshop from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s W97 Theater, 345 Vassar St., Area II, Cambridge. Free. Joseph Lark-Riley familiarizes you with some backstage theater craft. All are welcome and no experience is necessary. Information is here.
Author and women’s health advocate Judy Norsigian lecture and honoring at 6 p.m. at First Parish Cambridge Unitarian Universalist, 3 Church St./1446 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free and donations accepted. The co-founder, past executive director and current board member of “Our Bodies Ourselves,” also known as the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, gets the 18th Robert Coles Call of Service award from Harvard’s Phillips Brooks House Association. Information is here.
“Future Craft” exhibition reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gallery 263, 263 Pearl St., Cambridgeport. Free, but RSVP. This national group exhibition, closing Nov. 10, showcases fiber, ceramics, cyanotypes, mixed media, sculpture, painting, knitwear, drawing, book arts and furniture. We wrote about it here. Information is here.
Harvard Expressions Dance presents “The Explosion” at 6:30 and 9 p.m. at Harvard’s Lowell Lecture Hall, 17 Kirkland St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $12. The student company performs hip-hop dance and its variations including house, jazz funk and contemporary jazz during this hourlong showcase. Information is here.
Artists Beyond the Desk presents “100 years of Broadway!” at 7 p.m. at Killian Hall in the Hayden Library Building at 160 Memorial Drive at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge. Free. MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Amanda Casale and eight vocalists perform a Broadway melody from every decade accompanied by pianist Samantha Prindiville. Includes trivia games for the audience. Information is here.
“Climate Change is a Disability Issue” conversation at 7 p.m. in the blue wing at the Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, on the Cambridge border. Free with preregistration. The Perkins School for the Blind brings educators and policy experts to discuss engaging students with disabilities in Stem education, creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities and involving them in climate policy solutions and practices. Information is here.
The Jar presents “One Nighter with Adobo-Fish-Sauce” at 7 p.m. at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville. $60 for a jar of six tickets, and 21-plus. Anthony Febo and Ricky Orng fuse live cooking and poetry for this interactive storytelling experience (includes finger food samples). Per the “convener model” of this Boston nonprofit, you buy six tickets, two of which you give to people outside of your circle but you’d like to know better. Information is here.
Manan Ahmed Asif reads from “Disrupted City: Walking the Pathways of Memory and History in Lahore” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The Columbia University history professor walked Lahore over many years and joined Sufi study circles, met architects restoring medieval buildings and spoke with storytellers and historians to learn how citizens today live the city’s centuries-old culture. MIT urbanism lecturer Garnette Cadogan joins. Information is here.
American Classics presents “Sun” concert at 7:30 p.m. at Margaret Jewett Hall in First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St., Harvard Square. $25 to $30. The first of three concerts highlighting the terrestrial icons of the sun, moon and stars includes a collection of familiar songs from “the sunny side of the street” and rare finds performed by eight vocalists and pianist Catherine Stornetta. Information is here.
“My Momma Told Me” at 7:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. $25. Comedians Langston Kerman and David Gborie record their podcast that dives into a wide range of Black conspiracy theories. We wrote about it here. Information is here.
“Off the Gnome, an Improvised Musical!” from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Somerville Music Spaces, 1060 Broadway, Suite C101B, Somerville. $10 and 16-plus. From one audience suggestion, Metrognome Improv makes up a completely new Broadway-worthy musical before your eyes. Includes Ayan Zamil on the keys, songs, dance and a Q&A with the eight-member cast at the end. Information is here.
Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club presents the musical “Anastasia” (continued) from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $10 to $20. Information is here.
“Water by the Spoonful” play performance at 8 p.m. at Theatre@First, Unity Somerville, 6 William St., Somerville (and continuing through Nov. 16). $20 to $25. In Quiara Alegría Hudes’ play, Elliot, an Iraq veteran, and his cousin, Yaz, plan their beloved activist aunt’s funeral while Elliot’s mother, a recovering addict, finds hope and purpose. Information is here.
“Roots & Routes” dance performances at 8 pm. at Arrow Street Arts, 2 Arrow Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continues through Nov. 10). $10 to $35. During three evenings Dance Complex companies and artists present movement styles; there’s a Saturday preshow reception fundraiser and a showing of “works in progress” Sunday. Information is here.
The MIT Shakespeare Ensemble presents “Macbeth” (continued) at 8 p.m. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kresge Little Theater in Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge (and continuing through Saturday). $7 to $12. Information is here.
Jeremy Mohney at Boston Swing Central from 8 to 11:45 p.m. at Q Ballroom, 26 New St., Fresh Pond, Cambridge. $13 to $21. The Colorado bandleader and saxophonist brings swing to this social partner dance that begins with a lesson for beginners in the first hour. No partner required; no street shoes allowed. Information is here.
Saturday, Nov. 9
“Community Grafting Project: Science, Art, Social Experiment, Joy” exhibition activities from 10 a.m. to noon at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge. Free. In conjunction with the show on view at Gallery 344 in Mid-Cambridge, watch demos of green woodworking by artist Mitch Ryerson; try an apple-themed treat by chef Nate Phinisee; printing on paper by artists Karyn Brotman and Janet Buck; and mushroom inoculation by Tyler Akabane, forager and owner of Somerville’s The Mushroom Shop. Information is here.
“Dancing Brushstrokes: Exploring Art through Movement with the Anubhava Dance Co.” from 11 a.m. to noon in the Calderwood Courtyard at Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. New works of Indian classical dance inspired by paintings from the South Asian art collection and set to an original musical score. Curatorial fellow Janet O’Brien provides commentary. Information is here.
Foraging for Nuts from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Mass Audubon Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport. Free, but register and adults only. Explore the tree canopy and ground to find out why nuts are so important to the health of a habitat and discover the animals who eat oak acorns, linden nutlets, honey locust pods and more (and which humans can use too). Information is here.
Nature Drawing workshop: animals from 1 to 3 p.m. meeting in Story Chapel at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., West Cambridge. $10 to $15 and ages 10-plus. In the second of four workshops, held indoors, naturalist, author and illustrator Clare Walker Leslie teaches basic ways for drawing nature. Bring a drawing pad, several pencils and an eraser; no drawing experience required. There will be materials provided, as well. Information is here.
Introduction to plant and wildlife monitoring for conservation from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at The Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave., near Union Square, Somerville. Free, but register. Earthwise Aware co-founder Claire O’Neill teaches how to observe and record the plants, insects and animals of the center. No expertise required, but prepare for the event by creating a free account on the iNaturalist app. Information is here.
The Khouri/White Collective performs from 2 to 5 p.m. at Somerville Music Spaces, 1060 Broadway, Suite C101B, Somerville. Free, but RSVP. The 25-piece jazz orchestra – featuring a big band, string quartet, vocalist and Chinese guzheng – is led by and plays compositions and arrangements of Berklee College of Music students Sylvia Khouri and Tyler White, with styles ranging from classical fusion to disco-funk to Basie swing and more. Opening sets from Tyler’s New Quintet, the Giorgio Matteo Aki Oliviero Quartet and Emoji Music. Information is here.
Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club presents the musical “Anastasia” (continued) at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $10 to $20. Information is here.
Hindustani sitar concert at 6 p.m. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Wong Auditorium in Building E-51, also known as the Tang Center, 70 Memorial Drive, Cambridge. $30 to $35. Hindustani sitar player Purbayan Chatterjee is accompanied by tabla player Amit Kavthekar. Information is here.
Somerville Songwriter Sessions at 7 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. $15. Tried and true New England songwriters Jack Byrne, Mark Stepakoff and host Terry Kitchen each play a brief solo set followed by a round robin song swap. Information is here.
West Coast Swing with instructor Anne Fleming from 7 p.m. to midnight at George Dilboy VFW Post 529, 351 Summer St., Davis Square, Somerville. $10 to $30. Two hours of classes (beginner classes start at 8 p.m.) followed by social dancing to DJ music. Sponsored by Dirty Water West Coast Swing. Information is here.
Fuego y Candela Salsa Dance Workshops and Social from 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Dante Alighieri Society Center, 41 Hampshire St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. $20 to $50. Guest artist Frankie Martinez teaches two one-hour workshops (Afro-Latin funk movement and styling; connection and partner work) plus a beginner salsa lesson with Masacote followed by social dancing (salsa, mambo, guaguancó, cha-cha) with music from DJ Condori. Information is here.
“Roots & Routes” dance performances (continued) at 8 pm. at Arrow Street Arts, 2 Arrow Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge. $10 to $35. Information is here.
MIT Concert Choir presents “The World Called” at 8 p.m. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Free to $10. Repertoire includes Anton Bruckner’s “Motets” to celebrate the 200th birthday of the Austrian composer; the New England premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s “The World Called”; and Francis Poulenc’s “Gloria.” Directed by Ryan Turner. Information is here.
“Water by the Spoonful” play performance (continued) at 8 p.m. at Theatre@First, Unity Somerville, 6 William St., Somerville. $20 to $25. Information is here.
The MIT Shakespeare Ensemble presents “Macbeth” (continued) at 8 p.m. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kresge Little Theater in Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. $7 to $12. Information is here.
The Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra from 8 to 10 p.m. at Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy St., near Harvard Square. $25. Student performers and Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra alumni perform John Austin’s “Cross Currents” and Beethoven’s “Violin Concerto” with Calvin Alexander (’27) on the violin and Federico Cortese conducting. Plus, HRO assistant conductor Enoch Li (’26) conducts Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7, and HRO alumni join for “Mars” and “Jupiter” Holst’s “The Planets” suite. Information is here.
Third Annual Worlds Collide Showcase from 8 to 10 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $20. A concert and competition brings together emerging musicians across all genres to create compositions with proceeds going toward charities of their choice. Presented by The Pandora Consort, a new early music ensemble that promotes innovative, interactive reimagining of classical music performance. Information is here.
Swing City Boston Swing Lesson and Dancing plus potluck from 8 p.m. to midnight at the West Cambridge Youth Center, 680 Huron Ave. $20. A one-hour lesson on East Coast/six-step swing followed by social dancing to music from K.S. Sextet, a newer swing band in Boston. An optional free lesson on Charleston footwork, combination steps and styling starts at 6:30 p.m. Bring something for the potluck or just come to dance. Information is here.
Forróloween with accordionist Léo Magalhães from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Lusitania Recreation Club, 44 5th St., East Cambridge. $25 to $30. A belated Halloween costume party with lots of Brazilian forró. Wanderson Terterelho, founder of Os Forrozeiros Dance Group, teaches an all-levels forró class at 8:30 p.m. followed by social dancing with DJ Fantasma at 9:30 p.m. and then Magalhães performing with Beto Camará and Tarciso Alves at 10 p.m. Information is here.
Sunday, Nov. 10
Breakfast Book Club from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at All She Wrote Books, 75 Washington St., Prospect Hill, Somerville. $5, or $19 with book. This month’s title: “Just As You Are” by Camille Kellogg. Coffee and pastries provided. Information is here.
Heart Hive presents “Ecstatic Dance [Fulfillment]” from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 1950 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. $10 to $35 (free for children under 5). A chance to dance without shoes, alcohol or phones. Features DJ Tara Ma. A community singing circle wraps up the event. Information is here.
“Jurassic Park” drag brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Summer Shack, 149 Alewife Brook Parkway, Alewife, Cambridge. $20. Host Kori King and all of your favorite “Jurassic Park” characters will be there (yes, there will be dinosaurs). Information is here.
Boston Public Living Room + Back and Forth Flea from noon to 5 p.m. at Warehouse XI, 11 Sanborn Court, Union Square, Somerville. Free entry. Stop by and connect through crafts, conversation and games and shop 20-plus local vendors of Y2k vintage, jewelry, art, home goods and books. Information is here.
“Roots & Routes” dance performances (continued) at 1 and 4 pm. at Arrow Street Arts, 2 Arrow Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge. $10 to $35. Information is here.
MIT Tournament of Memory Champions from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Kresge Auditorium, 48 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Free, but register. The country’s top 12 “memorizers” compete for a $5,000 prize in four events: long-term memory, words-to-remember, tea party (auditory memory) and double-deck-of-cards. Between events, MIT memory-science faculty experts provide short, entertaining talks and demos on what memory is and isn’t and techniques to improve your own memory. Information is here.
Circus Up 2024 Benefit from 2:15 to 4:45 p.m. at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. $10 to $40. Live performance by the Boston-area circus troupe Kirkos, made up of young people from underserved communities, as well as local artists and dancers. Benefits the Circus Up nonprofit that has provided community-based social circus programs for youth for six years. Includes treats from Moonshine 152, refreshments, a scavenger hunt and a raffle. Information is here.
Seraphim Singers present “Eternal Voices and Sacred Landscapes” at 3 p.m. at the First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden St., Harvard Square. $10 to $25. Listen to works by James Macmillan, Imant Raminsh, Moses Hogan, Arvo Pärt and Kevin Siegfried and explore the nature, faith and culture that illuminate sacred spaces. Daniel Parsley conducts. Information is here.
“Water by the Spoonful” play performance (continued) at 3 p.m. at Theatre@First, Unity Somerville, 6 William St., Somerville. $20 to $25. Information is here.
Lyracle Music presents “At Home in Sweden” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Somerville Music Spaces, 1060 Broadway, Suite C101B, Somerville. $10 to $20. Cozy up with tea and cookies and learn how music from 17th century Europe’s courts, theaters, churches and street corners made its way into Sweden’s living rooms. Featuring Ashley Mulcahy (mezzo-soprano), James Perretta (viol), Julia Bengtsson (baroque dance) and Lindsey Clark (nyckelharpa). Information is here.
“What’s Your Story” from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge (repeats Nov. 17). Free, but register. A storytelling series using art, tech and games to explore human connection: participants of different ages and backgrounds share their memories and experiences from and around Cambridge, contribute to a digital mural of narratives and play games to test their skills in AI literacy, for some reason. Presented by Joint Family in collaboration with local artists, technologists and the Foundry Consortium. Tea and cookies provided. Information is here.
Music of the Jewish World: Turkey, Syria and Brooklyn, New York from 3 to 5 p.m. at Granoff Music Center, Tufts University, 20 Talbot Ave., Medford. Free. The Sunday Concert Series features Beth Bahia Cohen (violin and yayli tanbur); Tev Stevig (oud, tanbur and bendir); Ezgi Kurt (voice); and Stefanos Athinaios (percussion). Information is here.
Brahms, Bax and Puts from 3 to 5 p.m. at Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy St., near Harvard Square. $9 to $68. Eight musicians from the Boston Chamber Music Society perform Johannes Brahms’ Scherzo in C minor from the F-A-E Sonata, WoO 2 (1853); Arnold Bax’s Oboe Quintet, GP 258 (1922); Kevin Puts’ “And Legions Will Rise” (2001); and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Trio No. 2 in C major, Op. 87 (1882). Information is here.
Poets Eliot Cardinaux and James Cook at 4 p.m. at The Press Room at 90 Oxford St., in the Spring Hill neighborhood, Somerville. $5 suggested donation. This time for his Xit the Bear Readings, Michael Franco brings Eliot Cardinaux, who’s founded an independent publishing house for poetry and a record label for jazz and improvised music, and James Cook, poet at large in Gloucester. On the walls, through December, are paintings and drawings by Thorpe Feidt. Information is here.
Movement, Music and Poetry from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s African Orthodox Christian Church, 137 Allston St., Cambridgeport. Free. Dancing, live music and spoken word poetry from Jimena Bermejo, Judson Evans, Sakurako Kanemitsu and Alli Ross. Participation is optional. Sponsored by Black History in Action. Information is here.
Boston’s Biggest Drag Dunce at 8 p.m. at Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. $18 to $30 and 18-plus. It’s a race to the bottom during this one-night comedy competition of drag buffoonery in which illustrious simpletons engage in camp and slapstick and the most stupidly excellent takes the crown (er… the sparkling dunce cap). Information is here.
Pre-Thanksgiving Soul Party from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at La Fábrica Central, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. $15 and 21-plus. DJ Vyper and DJ Knuckz spin a mix of old school and new school hits across R&B, hip-hop, neo-soul, Afro-beats, dancehall, reggaeton and Top 40, from the best of the ’90s to today. Information is here.
Monday, Nov. 11
City of Cambridge Veterans Day observance event at 11 a.m. to noon by the Civil War monument on Cambridge Common, near Harvard Square (rain location: Sheraton Commander Hotel). Retired justice Shannon Frison speaks, followed by an informal gathering and free luncheon from noon to 3 p.m. in the Liberty Revolution Ballroom at the Sheraton Commander Hotel, 16 Garden St., next to Cambridge Common. Information is here.
Central Square Farmers Market from noon to 6 p.m at 76 Bishop Allen Drive, Central Square, Cambridge. This market during Monday holidays is where you can encounter chefs on a rare day off, old friends like you who’ve stayed in town and the ecosystem that is New England harvest crossed with Cambridge’s population diversity. Information is here.
Veteran’s Day Commemoration from 2:30 to 3 p.m. at Milk Row Cemetery, 439 Somerville Ave., near Union Square, Somerville. A ceremony honoring veterans at the 1863 Civil War monument and the gravesite of the unknown British Soldier. Information is here.
“The Science of Brazilian Cuisine” with Alex Atala at 7 p.m. in Hall C at the Harvard Science Center, 1 Oxford St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The Science and Cooking Public Lecture Series brings in the chef and owner of D.O.M. restaurant in São Paulo, rated fourth-best restaurant in the world by the Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2012. Information is here.
Aaron Mahnke reads from “Cabinet of Curiosities” at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. The podcast producer has selected from his show and put into print his favorite tales of the wonderful, astounding and downright bizarre people, places and things throughout history. Writer Christopher Golden joins. Information is here.
Capoeira class from 7 to 8 p.m. at Dance Union, 16 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville (and every Monday). First class free, $15 thereafter. Learn a workout based on the Afro-Brazilian art form that combines dance, music and martial arts. Information is here.
Finom performs at 7:30 p.m. at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville. $15 to $20. The Chicago singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist duo Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart tour with their “Not God” album. Meg Elsier opens. Information is here.
James Vincent McMorrow performs at 8 p.m. at Somerville Theatre’s Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square. $30 to $35. The Irish singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer says his most recent album, “Wide Open, Horses,” is about finding relief from life’s pressure. Young Jesus opens. Information is here.
Poets Spencer Reece and Pablo Medina read from 8 to 9 p.m. at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 56 Brattle St., Harvard Square. $5. Reece’s book is “Acts”; Medina’s is “Sea of Broken Mirrors.” Sponsored by the Blacksmith House Poetry Series. Information is here.
Tuesday, Nov. 12
“Psychedelics in Context” conference from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 101 at Swartz Hall, 45 Francis Ave., Harvard Divinity School, in the Baldwin neighborhood near the Somerville border, Cambridge (and continuing Nov. 13). Free, but register. Eight speakers (four each day) address the topics of “Policies, Philosophies and Science” (Tuesday) and “Politics, Epistemologies and Ethics” (Wednesday) followed by a speaker panel and Q&A. Information is here.
Axel Klausmeier on “35 Years After the Fall of the Wall: The Values of 1989 and Today’s Democratic Challenges” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Adolphus Busch Hall, 27 Kirkland St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The director of the Berlin Wall Foundation discusses the role commemoration plays in facing democratic challenges in regions across Europe where Western values are being called into question and voting for populist parties is on the rise. Information is here.
“The New U.S. Administration and Russia” discussion from 5 to 7 p.m. at Harvard University’s Center for Government and International Studies, South Concourse, S020, 1730 Cambridge St., Harvard Square. Free, but register. Russian investigative journalist, political scientist, author, radio host and visiting scholar Yevgenia Albats asks New Yorker columnist Susan Glasser and senior White House correspondent Peter Baker, co-authors of 2007’s “Kremlin Rising,” their thoughts on the new U.S. administration’s choice of policy toward Russia: “Will it be Reagan’s ‘evil empire’ style or Nixon’s policy of Détente?” Information is here.
“Editing Tolkien” with Wayne G. Hammond & Christina Scull from 5:15 to 6 p.m. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Building 2, also known as The Simons Building, 182 Memorial Drive, Cambridge. Free. The husband-and-wife team behind several essential books in Tolkien studies – and a combined chronology and encyclopedia of his work – discuss editing the writer’s children’s stories and poems during this Ancient & Medieval Studies Colloquium. Information is here.
Greg M. Epstein reads from “Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World’s Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The MIT Museum, 314 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. $5. During this “Write Science” event co-presented by MIT Radius and the MIT Press, the MIT and Harvard humanist chaplain argues we must collectively demand that technology serve humanity. MIT chaplain Thea Keith-Lucas and independent privacy researcher Chris Gilliard join. Information is here.
Climate Designers Meetup from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lamplighter CX, 110 North First St., North Point, Cambridge. Free. The Boston Chapter of Climate Designers is seeking to gather creatives in all industries who are interested in or already involved in climate work. Information is here.
“Epic Read” book club at 6:30 p.m. at Pandemonium Books & Games, 4 Pleasant St., Central Square, Cambridge. $5, and registration required (ticket price redeemable for store credit). This time, 2022’s “Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution” by R.F. Kuang. Information is here.
Architect Sheila O’Donnell on “Conversations with Place” from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Gund Hall, 42 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The co-founder of O’Donnell + Tuomey in Dublin talks. Information is here.
Nigel Hamilton reads from “Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents” at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. From the New York Times bestselling presidential biographer comes a riveting untold story of the Civil War: how two American presidents faced off, militarily, as the fate of the nation hung in the balance – and how Abraham Lincoln came to embrace emancipation as the last, best change to save the Union. Information is here.
Katherine Vaz reads from “Above the Salt: A Novel” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The latest novel of the author of “Saudade” and “Mariana” explores the power of love and the impact of history, religion, culture and migration as it travels from the island of Madeira to Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield, Illinois, and to the outbreak of the Civil War. Associated Press Pulitzer-winning reporter Michael Rezendes joins. Information is here.
“Charles Coe’s Cricket Symphony” at 7:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. $20 to $25. The Boston poet and musician reads from a new collection with musical accompaniment traversing jazz, gospel, pop, Americana, funk and improvisation, including original works by Cambridge composer, saxophonist and flutist Ken Field. Information is here.
Zachariah Hickman’s Power Outage Party at 7:30 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (and also Nov. 13). $40. “No mics, no sound system, no stage lights – just a bunch of your favorite musicians together in the room with you, playing unamplified, with just candles and lanterns to light the way.” And no worries, Salesforce is still up and running to take your ticket order (but hurry, the Friday and Saturday shows sold out fast). Information is here.
Joel Kim Booster’s “Rude Little Pig” at 7:30 p.m. at Somerville Theatre’s Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square. $30. The Chicago-bred, Los Angeles–based stand-up comedian, writer and actor’s first comedy special for Netflix, called “Psychosexual,” was named one of the best comedy specials of 2022 by Variety. He currently plays the role of Nicholas, Maya Rudolph’s quirky assistant, on the Apple TV+ series “Loot.” Information is here.
Point01 Percent contemporary series from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $15. A cross-pollination of area musical improvisers. At 7:30 p.m., Steve Lantner (piano), Allan Chase (sax) and Luther Gray (drums). At 8:30 p.m., Eric Barber (sax), Pandelis Karayorgis (piano), Bruno Raberg (bass) and Eric Rosenthal (drums). Information is here.
Tufts Early Music Ensemble: Banchetto Musicale from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Granoff Music Center, Tufts University, 20 Talbot Ave., Medford. Free. Lieder and instrumental music by Heinrich Isaac, Ludwig Senfl and others for Renaissance ensemble, featuring sackbuts, recorders, dulcian, violas da gamba, harps, harpsichord, lute, chamber organ and voices. Directed by Jane Hershey with guest musician Dan Meyers (recorders, sackbut and percussion). Information is here.
Wednesday, Nov. 13
“Psychedelics in Context” conference (continued) from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 101 at Swartz Hall, 45 Francis Ave., Harvard Divinity School, in the Baldwin neighborhood near the Somerville border, Cambridge. Free, but register. Information is here.
An evening with Jamaican literary laureate Erna Brodber from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s African Orthodox Christian Church, 137 Allston St., Cambridgeport. Free. The novelist, historian and sociologist discusses her novel “Louisiana” and what community organizers here can learn from grassroots movements in Jamaica. Black History in Action director Kris Manjapra joins. Information is here.
“On the Nutritive Soul: Hegel, Goethe and Agnes Arber” with Daniel Carranza from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Center for the Study of World Religions, 42 Francis Ave., in the Baldwin neighborhood near the Somerville border, Cambridge. Free, but register. The Harvard professor compares definitions for the concept of life from traditional and anti-traditional philosophy and from science. Information is here.
Laila Lalami in conversation at 6 p.m. in the Fong Auditorium of Boylston Hall, Harvard Yard, Cambridge. Free. Lalami’s “The Moor’s Account” won the American Book Award and the Arab-American Book Award, among other prizes, and her recent bestselling novel, “The Other Americans,” won the Joyce Carol Oates Prize and was a finalist for the National Book Award in Fiction. Harvard’s James Wood joins. Information is here.
“Forever Is Now: Contemporary Art at the Pyramids of Giza” lecture from 6 to 7 p.m. at Geological Lecture Hall, Harvard Geological Museum, 24 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free, but register. Nadine Abdel Ghaffar, founder of CulturVator|Art D’Égypte, discusses the effect of the large-scale multi-artist exhibit at the 4,500-year-old Unesco World Heritage Site. Information is here.
“N Ap Boule” (Through the Barricades) film screening and panel discussion about maternal health from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge. Free. The award-winning short film tells the heartbreaking story of a pregnant Haitian couple during the “peyilòk,” a sociopolitical movement in Haiti. A discussion about maternal health follows the screening. Information is here.
“Majority Rules” documentary film screening about ranked-choice voting from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Central Hill. Free. Director AJ Schnack’s film about results of Alaska adopting a style of voting like ours. A discussion follows. Information is here.
Hub Comics “Book Clhub” at 7 p.m. at Hub Comics, 19 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville. Free, but bring a copy of the book with you. November’s title: “Here” by Richard McGuire. Information is here.
“Beyond the Final Frontier: Jewish Speculative Fiction” talk with Rabbi Josh Breindel at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. The rabbi of Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley, aka “The Sci-Fi Rabbi,” blends ancient Jewish thought with modern speculative fiction in sermons, articles and an open Jewish fantasy and science fiction book group at Beth El. Information is here.
Julian Zabalbeascoa reads from debut novel “What We Tried to Bury Grows Here” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The novelist “navigates the complexities of Basque Country during the Spanish Civil War.” Information is here.
Poets Kiran Bath, Jen Funk, Sebastian Merrill and Megan Pinto from 7 to 8 p.m. at Grolier Poetry Book Shop on 6 Plympton St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $5 to $10, but register. With an introduction by Katerina Zadé. Information is here.
Comedian Paul Chowdhry at 7:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. $34. We’re the fourth stop on a debut North American tour by the British Indian stand-up comedian, actor and writer. Yes, by all means let New York City, Chicago and Toronto stress test any jokes about our recent election. Happy to oblige! Information is here.
Thandiswa Mazwai performs at 7:30 p.m. at Somerville Theatre’s Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square. $30 to $58. An electrifying performance of compositions that include traditional xhosa music, mbaqanga and jazz from “South Africa’s finest female contemporary singer” (says The Guardian). Information is here.
“Trust the Process: Tim Hall Live” at 7:30 p.m. in the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, on the Cambridge border. $20 and 18-plus. The saxophonist, Berklee College of Music educator, entrepreneur and poet brings neo soul and jazz-influenced music – plus a paramount visual experience. Information is here.
Capella Romana presents “Out of the Ashes of Smyrna: The Legacy of Byzantine Chant from Asia Minor” at 7:30 p.m. at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 29 Central St., Somerville. $40 to $60 (use the code “meleti” for 20 percent off). The Portland, Oregon, ensemble specializing in the sacred vocal music of the East and West, especially of Byzantium, chose the Dormition for their tour for the new acoustics from its renovation, because of its tie-in to the program (it was a place of solace for Greek families after their home villages burned in 1922) and because the ensemble hopes to launch a regular season in the Northeast. Information is here.
Thursday, Nov. 14
“Orwell’s Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the lower level conference room at Adolphus Busch Hall, 27 Kirkland St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. American University professor Laura Beers critiques the ways George Orwell’s writings are used and abused in political debate. Boston University professor Arianne Chernock joins. Information is here.
ArtsThursdays: “The place where the creek goes underground” exhibition talk at 5 p.m. at Fay House at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, 10 Garden Street, west of Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free, but register. Artist Anthony Romero, scholar Deanna Ledezma and artist Josh Rios discuss their collaboration and shared history, including in the region between South-Central Texas and Northern Mexico explored in the exhibition. Includes a launch party for the exhibition’s publication. Information is here.
Mandy Rosengren’s “The 12 Pack” exhibition opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square, Somerville. Free, but RSVP. The Somerville engineer and artist depicts the shift of humans from hunters to shoppers with “reimagined hunters’ trophies” created from wire and (discarded) soda tabs. On display through January 6. Information is here.
Oral History Initiative: On the Fag Rag Collective (1971–1987) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, lower level, 24 Quincy St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Celebrate the radical Boston-based collective, its gay national, gay male political-literary journal and its constellation of poets, writers, activists and anarchists. Writer Raymond Foye moderates. Information is here.
Riverside Naturalists: Readying for Winter from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Mass Audubon Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport (also Nov. 21). Free, but register and adults only. Explore flora, fauna and fungi and the connections between them and us during two guided walks per month: one on the seasonal changes and the other on nature journaling (documenting observations – no art experience required). Information is here.
FoodxClimate Boston Networking Mixer from 6 to 8 p.m. at Remnant Brewing, 2 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville. Free. The intersection of food systems and climate crisis is the background for this first Boston-area event by a national nonprofit. Information is here.
After Dark Series: Junk from 6 to 9 p.m. at The MIT Museum, 314 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. $10 to $20 and 21-plus. The art and science of junk: Rock music performed on bicycles; fashion and design from chopsticks and banana crop waste; a Footwear Collective special installation; and kintsugi-inspired collage making from MIT campus “junk.” Plus, Peter Mui from Fixit Clinic talks about designing for durability. Dumplings from Mei Mei and brews from Aeronaut are available for purchase. Information is here.
Kris Adams with Greg Hopkins and friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at The Mad Monkfish, 524 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. $25. The vocalist performs with the trumpeter and fellow Berklee College of Music educator, supported by other faculty and alums. Information is here.
Union Improv Festival at 7, 8:30 and 10 p.m. at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville (and continuing through Nov. 16). $12 to $15, or $96 for a three-day pass. Improv comedy from Boston, New York City, Chicago, Rhode Island, Florida and more, with a lineup of multiple comics for each time slot. Information is here.
Blues Union November Classes and Dances from 7 to 11 p.m. at Dance Union, 16 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville (and continuing Nov. 21). $10 to $25. This month offers a musicality lesson at 7 p.m. and a beginner lesson at 8 p.m., with two hours of social dancing at 9 p.m. Wear shoes that allow you to pivot; no need to bring a partner. Masks required. Information is here.
JazzBoston presents Jazz All Ways: Rio Night featuring Mark Walker at 7:30 p.m. at Regattabar, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $20 to $30. Special guest vocalist and guitarist Luciano Antonio joins the Grammy- and Latin Grammy–winning drummer, composer, bandleader and educator with Ian Coury (mandolin), Sergio Brandão (guitar), Maxim Lubarsky (piano), Oscar Stagnaro (bass) and Paul Lieberman (flute and sax). Information is here.
“Galileo’s Daughter” at 7:30 p.m. at Central Square Theater, Cambridge, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge (and continuing through Dec. 8). $27 to $103. Jessica Dickey’s play alternates between Tuscany of the present day and the 1600s. A writer on the brink of divorce travels to Florence to research love letters between Galileo and his daughter Marie Celeste. Information is here.
Castalian String Quartet at 7:30 p.m. at the Longy School of Music, 27 Garden St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $72 to $104. In their Celebrity Series debut, this quartet-in-residence at the University of Oxford unveils a diverse repertoire of classical music, including works by Schubert, Kurtág, Coleridge-Taylor and Beethoven. Information is here.
BT ALC Big Band performs at 7:30 at Sally O’Brien’s, 335 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville (and every second Thursday). Free. Make some space for this 18-piece original funk, soul, hip-hop, jazz big band. Information is here.
“Water by the Spoonful” play performance (continued) at 8 p.m. at Theatre@First, Unity Somerville, 6 William St., Somerville. $20 to $25. (Masks are required for this performance.) Information is here.
A stronger
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