PICK OF THE DAY

Meeting of the musicians

Dobet Gnahoré, Manou Gallo, and Kareyce Fotso (pictured) have successful music careers that meld traditional African influences with contemporary styles. In Acoustic Africa: Afropean Women, the singers come together for the first time in a collaborative showcase. Gnahoré lends her vocal talents to melodies in several African languages, and is a dancer
and percussionist, too. Gallo, who was the bassist for Zap Mama, throws blues, funk, and
rock into the mix with African polyrhythms. Fotso enhances her singing with traditional
instruments like the sanza and talking drum. The evening features guitarist Leni Stern
as music director and a band that includes balafonist Aly Keita. Oct. 28, 7 p.m. $28.
Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org

SATURDAY

Hail to the chiefs  Can you name all the presidents? Bad Habit Productions does in “44 Plays for 44 Presidents.” Scenes depicting commanders in chief from Washington to Obama include a Nixon-praising dance number and a mini-musical about dirty campaigning. Oct. 27, 8 p.m., Oct. 28, 2 p.m. Through Nov. 11. $23, $18 advance. Boston Center for the Arts, Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont St., Boston. 617-933-8600, www.bostontheatrescene.com

Interdisciplinary future  When a performing group lasts for more than a century, they must be doing something right. Boston Cecilia opens its 137th season with “Moving Into the Future” featuring works by Corigliano, Vaughan Williams, Lauridsen, and Santore. Joining the vocalists and instrumentalists are Tributary Dance and the winner of Boston Cecilia’s High School Poetry Contest. Oct. 27,
8 p.m. $15-$62. All Saints Church, 1773 Beacon St., Brookline. 617-232-4540, www.bostoncecilia.org

Whole lotta horror  The 12th annual Halloween Horror Movie Marathon starts with a double feature of “The Exorcist” (1973) and “The Thing” (1982). The four frightening flicks that follow are a secret, but expect no shortage of zombies, slashers, and other creepiness. The event also features a costume contest, music by Dream Warrior, and performances by the Betsi Feathers Burlesque Troupe. Oct. 27, midnight until Oct. 28, noon. $20, $15 midnight double
feature only. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. 617-734-2500, www.coolidge.org

SUNDAY

Riverside stroll  We think of the parkland along the Charles as the Esplanade. According to Merriam-Webster, an esplanade is “a level open stretch of paved or grassy ground; especially one designed for walking or driving along a shore.” Join Boston by Foot for “The Esplanade,” a walking tour covering the evolution and history of the Boston treasure. Oct. 28, 2-3:30 p.m. $15. Rain or shine. Meet at
155 Charles St., Boston. 617-367-2345, www.bostonbyfoot.org

Deconstructing Brahms  Rob Kapilow has addressed the question What Makes It Great? in more than 30 performances for the Celebrity Series of Boston. He does it again with pianist Judith Gordon. This time, the pair of pianists tackle Brahms’s Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn. Oct. 28, 3 p.m. From $30. Jordan Hall,
30 Gainsborough St., Boston. 617-482-6661, www.celebrityseries.org

Campaign comedy  We had the empty chair, then Big Bird, malarkey, and those binders full of women. See Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead perform a recap of the 2012 presidential race in “Bang the Dumb Slowly: The Long Road to the White House.” The show combines stand-up, video, and graphics. Oct. 28, 8:30 p.m. $24, $20 advance. Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St., Somerville. 617-776-2004, www.johnnyds.com