PICK OF THE DAY

New wave wayback

On the cusp of the ’80s, one band from Britain and another from the USA rode the new wave bandwagon into pop stardom. Squeeze, led by English rockers Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, and American party band the B-52s (pictured) team up for a double bill of classic hits and new music. Squeeze, whose past hits include “Up the Junction” and “Cool for Cats,” released “Spot the Difference” in 2010. The B-52s’ “Funplex” came out in 2008, but we’ll always remember them for good-time tunes like “Planet Claire,” “Rock Lobster,” and (our favorite) “Dance This Mess Around.” July 11, 7:30 p.m. $20-$70. Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston. 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com

WEDNESDAY

Valentine’s night What’s Bobby Valentine doing with a night off during the All-Star break? The Red Sox manager introduces a screening of the film “Ballplayer: Pelotero.” After the movie about Major League Baseball’s recruitment of players in the Dominican Republic, Valentine and fellow executive producer Andrew Muscato stick around for a Q&A. July 11, 7:30 p.m. Film opens Friday. $9.75, $6.75 seniors/children. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 617-734-2500, www.coolidge.org

Steel worship Electric steel guitar driven gospel has been a tradition at the House of God Keith Dominion Church for decades. The Campbell Brothers take it out of the sanctuary and into concert settings in “Sacred Steel.” Boston’s Re-Union choir opens. July 11,
7:30 p.m. (doors open 6 p.m.) $30. Museum of Fine Arts Calderwood Courtyard, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. Rain location: Remis Auditorium. Seating limited; low lawn chairs, blankets recommended. 800-440-6975, www.mfa.org

On a whim When we throw together dinner at the last minute, the ingredients are likely to come from a box in the freezer. That won’t be the case at Whim. Weekly al fresco dining events feature rotating chefs and benefit different charities. Tonight’s meal is prepared by Bridgestreet’s Will Gilson with proceeds to www.servings.org, and includes wood roasted swordfish, summer Greek salad, and lemon curd with berries and spiced meringue. July 11, 7:30 p.m. $65. Wednesdays through Aug. 29. Whim, Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St., North Andover. www.smolakfarms.com/whim

Short and sweet A 10-minute play festival may be just right for the modern attention span. “Moments of Play,” Salem Theatre Company’s juried round-up of short works, features 10 plays chosen from over 800 submissions. Among them are Brett Hursey’s “Kung Foolery” and Suzanne Bailey’s “Operation Sweet Dream.” July 11-15. Wed-Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat-Sun 5 p.m. $15. July 14, 7:30 p.m., playwrights discuss festival plays; free. STC Theater, 90 Lafayette St.,
Salem. 978-790-8546, www.salemtheatre.com

THURSDAY

Carved in dance Sculptor Marc Swanson provides the set that choreographer/performer Jack Ferver inhabits in “Two Alike.” The collaboration explores the effects of abuse. July 12, 8:30 p.m. $25, $20 students. Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. 978-402-2339, www.summerstagesdance.org

Royal reader A devoted young servant reads to Marie Antoinette during the last days of her life in “Farewell, My Queen.” Benoît Jacquot will be on hand for a discussion after the screening of his 2012 film, which opens the Boston French Film Festival. July 12,
7:30 p.m. $15, $12 students and seniors. Festival runs through
July 29. Museum of Fine Arts, Remis Auditorium, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. www.mfa.org/film