In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a Cambridge Black History Project Black Trailblazers event and exhibit, “Life is a Cabernet” show, plenty of readings, comedy and music, a Moth story slam and an intro to Mastodon, the Twitter alternative.

Public meetings this week look at police department protocols, processes and training that might have led to a resident’s death; cannabis sellers; the Volpe parcel in Kendall Square; public school art; charter changes around budgeting; and more.

What’s happening in Cambridge’s kitchens? There’s a vegetable-focused newsletter from Clover and a $35 prix fixe menu for The Lexington, both just for January.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a bunch of New Year’s Eve parties to attend as well as quieter family gatherings, poetry strolls, comedy and traditional music and dance to revel in.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a book on the “Birth of Rock ’n’ Roll” as well as more music to hear, a Poetry Brothel as well as more basic readings, nature walks and museums, labor history and “Lovefool” and holiday happenings from shopping strolls to drag shows.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s plenty of Halloween to be had, including a Peabody Museum “Day of the Dead” event and a Monster Mash on Somerville streets, as well as lots of readings, poetry, dance, music and art. We also learn how an “Emerald Tutu” can help keep us safe from climate change.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s plenty of music (including new Sol Y Canto and Clem Snide) and theater (including the hip-hop musical “Come to Pass” and a production of “Eurydice”), and a return of the Evolution of Hip-Hop Festival, Floor Lords Breakdancing and MIT Swapfest, as well as bubbles and mini-horses.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s the four-day Nice music festival, two-day Cambridge Jazz Festival, dance, poetry, art in a museum (by day and night) and by bike, storytelling, movies and comedy.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a Sidewalk Poetry reception and reading, “Suite Talk’ dance piece, Asian American Playwright Collective Playfest, the annual Salsa Squared event, family-friendly “Yellow Bird Chase” at Starlight Square and plenty more music, poetry, literature and art.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a Bollywood Night in Central Square, a drag queen competition and book clubs from a brewery, free films, readings poetic and political, a Taste of Carnival, a day of roller skating, a live edition of the podcast “Yo, Is This Racist?” and much more.