PICK OF THE DAY
Miata envy
Our hubby drives a Mazda, and it’s just like the Miata except it’s a minivan and looks nothing like a Miata. See the real thing at Miata Day where the beauties will be all over the Great Lawn at the fabulous Larz Anderson Auto Museum. July 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (museum open until 4 p.m.; lunch available for purchase). $10; $5 military, seniors, students, ages 6-12. Larz Anderson Auto Museum, 15 Newton St., Brookline. 617-522-6547. www.larzanderson.org
SATURDAY
Getting to know her Bring a picnic, purchase decadent desserts, and soak up the jazziness of Rebecca Parris. The Saturday and Sunday Maudslay Arts Center Summer Concert Series gets going with the Boston vocalist who has a way with words and a new release titled “You Don’t Know Me.” 7 p.m., rain or shine (indoors if raining). Saturday concerts are $18 (lawn), $20 (patio), free under 13. Maudslay Arts Center, 95 Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport. 978-499-0050.
www.maudslayartscenter.org
Have a nice DayBangor-born, loop-pedal-using pop-rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist Howie Day has a new record. The tenor has said about “Sound the Alarm” that “it’s about tipping your hat to the past, living in the here and now, and looking optimistically toward the future.’’ 8 p.m. $30 (discounts available). The Center for Arts in Natick, 14 Summer St., Natick.
508-647-0097. www.natickarts.org
From beverage to art We toss our used tea bags into the trash, but that’s not what happens to them at the Tea House at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. You’ll hang yours inside a pavilion to dry, and the bags will become part of the architectural installation “Jean Shin and Brian Ripel: Retreat” which opens
Sept. 2. Wed-Sun noon-3 p.m. (Sat and Sun until
2 p.m.; through Aug. 12; Tea House installation through
Dec. 30, weather permitting). $14; $12 seniors; $10 students; free under 13, active military personnel and their families, and for everyone the first Wed of the month. DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum Rappaport Roof Terrace, 51 Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln. 781-259-8355. www.decordova.org
SUNDAY
A hybrid “Double Exposure” is the perfect title for the new release by guitarist John Pizzarelli. The son of jazz guitarist John “Bucky” Pizzarelli takes iconic pop songs by Lennon and McCartney, Neil Young, James Taylor, and others and infuses them with jazz. July 8 at 5 p.m. $41-$61. Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main St., Rockport. 978-546-7391. www.rcmf.org
Soak it all up This local singer-songwriter and guitarist shares her CD release party with singer/guitarist Olinde Mandell and singer/songwriter Matt Nakoa. Bethel Steele’s party celebrates “Of Love and Whiskey,” the alto’s ode to whiskey-soaked one-night stands and thrill seekers. July 8 at 8 p.m. $10 donation. Burren Back Room, 247 Elm St., Somerville. 617-776-6896. www.burren.com
Country-folk and kin folk About 18 years ago, Kevin and Michael Bacon put the Bacon Brothers together for a charity gig in their Philadelphia hometown. Singer/guitarist Kevin has been in a few films (“Diner,” “Footloose,” “JFK”). Singer/guitarist Michael won an Emmy for scoring the documentary “The Kennedys.” July 8 at 2 p.m. $22.20. Indian Ranch, 200 Gore Road, Webster. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com