PICK OF THE DAY
Thirty funny years
The best way to celebrate an anniversary of a comedy troupe is with comedy, lots of it. It’s ImprovBoston’s 30th, and the Boston Comedy Arts Festival marks the occasion with improv, sketch, and stand-up from all over the world. The Cambridge Footlights (pictured) kick off the laugh fest which continues through Sept. 9 with “RISK!,” Two Man Movie, Joe Wong, and others. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. (through Sept. 9 at ImprovBoston and the Brattle Theatre). Sept. 4 tickets are $25, $20 students. ImprovBoston Main Theater, 40 Prospect St., Cambridge. 617-576-1253. www.bostoncomedyarts.com
TUESDAY
Horsing around The 100-acre campus of the Pingree School is the setting for the “Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit” of 36 pieces by 25 New England artists. The show’s name is taken from the 1931 Flying Horse Farm owned by Sumner Pingree. Daily during daylight hours through Nov. 18 (reception Sept. 23 from 2-4 p.m.). Free. Pingree School, 537 Highland St., South Hamilton. 978-468-4415. www.pingree.org
C’est ci Babar The “King of the Elephants” reigns supreme at this “Histoire de Babar” concert presented in English and French by pianist Damien Luce. The program is Francis Poulenc’s “Histoire de Babar,” Claude Debussy’s “Children’s Corner,” Jacques Ibert’s “Histoires (extraits),” and Jean-Sébastien Bach’s “4e Suite française.” 6:30-8:30 p.m. $15 (RSVP required). The French Cultural Center, 53 Marlborough St., Boston. 617-912-0400. www.frenchculturalcenter.org
Henry’s honky tonk Ten dozen black-and-white photos from 1972-2011 are Henry Horenstein’s tribute to country music. In “Honky Tonk: Portraits of Country Music” you’ll see the venues, fans, and icons including Dolly Parton, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Tammy Wynette. Horenstein is in town to talk about the book. 7 p.m. Free. Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St., Brookline. 617-566-6660. www.brooklinebooksmith.com
For Saint Petersburg’s sake It’s the 80th anniversary of the Saint Petersburg Documentary Film Studio, and the Balagan screening series celebrates three filmmakers from the collective. Screenings are “On the Third Planet From the Sun” by Pavel Medvedev, “Bitch Academy” by Alina Rudnitskaya, and “Factory” by Sergei Loznitsa. 8 p.m. $10, $8 students and seniors. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge. 617-876-6837. www.balaganfilms.com
WEDNESDAY
Sophomore celebration St. Petersburg crops up again in this column, so let’s move to the next nod with “The 30th Meridian: From Cairo to St. Petersburg With Love.” This is the sophomore release by Klezwoods which will be celebrated at Wednesday’s CD release party. Enjoy your trip through the markets of North Africa, kebab stands in Turkey, and St. Petersburg mornings. Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. $15. The Regattabar at the Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. 617-395-7757. www.regattabarjazz.com
Good and evil We should all listen to Alan Wolfe (this means you, politicians). The Boston College political science professor will talk about his book “Political Evil: What It Is and How to Combat It” and explain how change can happen, really. Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. Free. Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-661-1515. www.harvard.com/event/alan_wolfe