PICK OF THE DAY
All aboard
After Boston’s Sinti Rhythm opens with a nod to Django Reinhardt’s jazz, the Ghost Train Orchestra makes a stop at the Elaine and Jerome Rosenfeld Concerts in the Courtyard Summer Series. Travel back to the ’20s with New York and Boston members and their horns, percussion, strings, and original tunes. 6 p.m. doors (Remis Auditorium if raining; series continues through Aug. 29; low chairs or blankets recommended). $30, $24 students and seniors. Museum of Fine Arts Calderwood Courtyard, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.
800-440-6975. www.mfa.org
WEDNESDAY
Mayor’s Motown You didn’t know that Mayuh Menino has his own concert series? The first of three Mayor Menino’s Wednesday Night Concerts is Motown Night, but the mayor lends his name, not his talents. This Wednesday it’s Boston’s 10-piece soul and R&B band Soul City. 7 p.m. (additional concerts Aug. 1 and 8). Free. City Hall Plaza, Boston. 617-635-4505. www.cityofboston.gov/parks
Strange house on the prairie Nurse Dora Hand has gone through three husbands and is now involved with her married milkman. But that’s not all. In Elizabeth Egloff’s “The Swan,” the title character arrives in Hand’s Nebraska home via the living room window and becomes a child-like man. Presented by the Chester Theatre Company. 8 p.m. (through July 29). $22.50-$33. Chester Town Hall, Middlefield Road, Chester. 800-595-4849. www.chestertheatre.org
Blues in the garden We wake up every morning at 4:45 to sounds of the birds. Don’t be jealous, you can relax at the Sounds of the Garden concert presented by Boston Natural Areas Network. Bring a blanket, chair, and the kids and listen to Lloyd Thayer do his blues thing on guitar and harmonica. 6:30 p.m. Free. Southwest Boston Community Garden, corner of Rowe Street and Cummings Highway, Roslindale. 617-542-7696. www.bostonnatural.org
Heavy hitters The 50-plus members of New England Light Opera are celebrating their 10th anniversary, and you have a chance to congratulate the professional operetta and musical theater troupe at its Annual Summer Concert Series. This Wednesday it’s “A Gilbert and Sullivan Extravaganza” of silliness and singing. 7:30 p.m. (Wednesdays through Aug. 8). $12, $10 seniors, $5 students and kids. Hamilton Wenham Community House, 284 Bay Road, Hamilton. 866-811-4111. www.newenglandlightopera.org
The simple life The new record by Ameranouche
has nothing to do with Paris Hilton and everything to do with Gypsy jazz and acoustic world music. Bandleader Shepp Shepherd has said that “like the name implies it is about the simple things in life. Stories of the connective commonalities we all share, family, friends, loves and dreams.” 7:30 p.m. $15 (reservations recommended). Regattabar,
1 Bennett St., Cambridge. 617-395-7757. www.regattabarjazz.com
THURSDAY
Summer school Musicians from the Berklee College of Music play all over the place this summer, and one way to catch their talent is at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston’s HarborWalk Sounds. Jaime Woods gives nods to soul, blues, jazz, and folk. Nick Hakim tips his hat to Curtis Mayfield, the Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. July 19 from 6-8:30 p.m. (Thursdays through Aug. 30; indoors if raining). Free (ICA galleries free Thurs from 5-9 p.m.). Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, 100 Northern Ave., Boston. 617-478-3100. www.icaboston.org