In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, The Cantab Lounge reopens in Central Square with the Chicken Slacks on stage, there’s a Christmas tree lighting in Porter Square and plenty of holiday shopping opportunities loaded with music, skating, workshops and other fun – even a petting zoo.

Funny to think that an ice cream shop would be a great place to grab a cocktail, let alone a meatless version of the cheesesteak, a renowned Philly classic, but that’s what Earnest Drinks just north of Kendall Square is all about.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there are holiday shopping markets with art, food, ice skating and workshops; music of the jazz and “chocolate rock” varieties; American Repertory Theater Day of Giving events; and a menorah lighting in Harvard Yard.

The Dirty Bird is a half-chicken that’s dry brined for three days and spice-rubbed with a blend that comes from Christina’s down the block, then served with a spicy aji chili au jus. The long preparation cycle and care shows.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, Niki Luparelli’s David Boobie burlesque returns for its 10th year, there’s gift buying at an East Somerville Holiday Market and Cambridge Arts’ Holiday Art Market, music, film and dance.

Public meetings this week look at bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue; licensing for New Republik, a Barcelona Wine Bar and 286Broadway, a Housing Affordability petition, after-school program busing, an unarmed public safety program, Margaret Fuller House improvements and more.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a swing dance Savoy Night at the Somerville Theatre’s new Crystal Ballroom, songs from Jade Sylvan’s “Beloved King: A Queer Bible Musical,” an MIT water summit, holiday market and plenty of music.

Public meetings this week look at bike lane installation issues, a freeze on labs and offices around Alewife, a new universal playground at Danehy Park, a bunch of potential landmarking and property tear-downs, raising developer linkage fees, redesigning Cambridge Street and much more.

A roadblock for New Republik was cleared this week, accelerating an opening for the relocated, reimagined People’s Republik bar after months of delay.

Public meetings this week look at after-school program problems, big changes in a Kendall Square project, conflict over neighborhood conservation districts, construction on the former East Cambridge courthouse, Subcentral adding dancing in Central Square and more.