PICK OF THE DAY
Hearts of rock ’n’ roll
With more than 70 combined years of rock and blues music, Joe Cocker (left) and Huey Lewis & The News (right) have filled lots of arenas and recording studios. Cocker’s latest release is “Hard Knocks” which delivers more of a pop sound from the Grammy-winning Englishman. Huey Lewis & The News shows are known for
a cappella versions of early rock ’n’ roll classics including “Under The Boardwalk” and “It’s Alright.” Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m. $25-$75. Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston. 800-745-3000. www.livenation.com
TUESDAY
Dead Head to Newton Jerome John Garcia would have been 70 on Aug. 1, and you can choose to sing your respects or listen to others at Jerry Garcia’s 70th Birthday Open Mic Tribute. If you choose the former, set lengths are three songs and 15 minutes. 8:30-
11:30 p.m. (sign up at 8 p.m.). Free. Tommy Doyle’s of Newton, 349 Watertown St., Newton. 617-795-7201. www.tommydoylesnewton.com
Rome adventure We can thank Federico Fellini for the term paparazzi (plural for paparazzo which means “sparrow” in an Italian dialect). The late director of “La Dolce Vita’’ said that photographers fluttering around celebrities reminded him of sparrows, and in his 1960 film, Paparazzo is the photographer friend of Marcello Mastroianni’s character. The ultra-cool film is the theme of “La Dolce Vita” Party, so put on your little black dress (think Anita Ekberg in Trevi Fountain) and dine on Chef Josh’s buffet of seven deadly sins based on the film. 6:30 p.m. $50 (reservations recommended).
La Morra, 48 Boylston St., Brookline. 617-739-0007. www.lamorra.com
Thumbs up Sam Kean has moved from the periodic table in “The Disappearing Spoon” to DNA in his latest book, “The Violinist’s Thumb.” The author will talk about why some folks have no fingerprints, why Einstein was a genius, and that thumb. 6 p.m. Free. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St., Boston. 617-536-5400. www.bpl.org/central/calendar.htm
All that glitters We’re no expert on the US Senate, but it’s safe to say that the spirit of cooperation is lacking. Ira Shapiro (author of “The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis”) and Tom Daschle (once the majority leader) will discuss achievements and bipartisanship of the legislative body during the 1960s and ’70s at “The Golden Age of the US Senate.” 5:30-7 p.m. Free (reservations recommended). Stephen Smith Hall at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Columbia Point, Boston.
617-514-1643. www.jfklibrary.org
WEDNESDAY
Kay at the Cafe
Singer-songwriter Kay Hanley takes time out from writing songs for
“Doc McStuffins” to perform at Cafe 939. Ryan Schmidt opens. Aug. 1 at
8 p.m. $10, $12 day of show. All ages. Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St., Boston. 617-747-6042. www.cafe939.com
Is there a doctor in the house? The Animal Hospital Ensemble of guitarists, string players, and drummers performs at the Elaine and Jerome Rosenfeld Concerts in the Courtyard Summer Series. Aug. 1 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. (6 p.m. doors; indoors if raining; low lawn chairs and blankets recommended; series through Aug. 29). $20, $16 students and seniors. Museum of Fine Arts Calderwood Courtyard, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. 800-440-6975. www.mfa.org/tickets