PICK OF THE DAY
Dream production
A cup of coffee fuels Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to confront his and the country’s destiny in Katori Hall’s
“The Mountaintop.” After King’s April 3, 1968, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, a maid delivers coffee to Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel. The Underground Railway Theater production celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Pictured: Kami Rushell Smith and Maurice Emmanuel Parent.
8 p.m. (through Feb. 2). $15-$50, $25 students, $15 students under 18, $5 senior discount. Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 866-811-4111. www.centralsquaretheater.org
FRIDAY
Celtic Cambridge
Stay away from Harvard Square if you’re not a fan of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, and other Celtic music and dance, because that’s what Friday and Saturday are all about. The 10th Boston’s Celtic Music Fest kicks off at 7 p.m. with the “New Tunes From Boston” showcase of young, innovative local talent.
Jan. 11 at 7 and 8 p.m. (through Jan. 12; see website for full schedule). $28 (7 p.m.), $15 (8 p.m.). Club Passim (7 p.m.; 47 Palmer St., Cambridge), The Atrium (8 p.m.; 50 Church St., Cambridge). 617-492-7679. www.passim.org/bcmfest
Heads up Winter Panto is a British comedy format combining vaudeville, theater, current events, local references, and good vs. evil. Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is turned on its head (sorry) by the troupe that encourages you to cheer for the good guys and boo for the bad ones.
8 p.m. (through Feb. 2). $20, $15 students and seniors. All ages. Plaza Black Box Theatreat the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston. 617-933-8600. www.bostontheatrescene.com
SATURDAY
He’s back Theo Epstein is back for Hot Stove Cool Music with baseball journalist Peter Gammons. The Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations returns for his Foundation to Be Named Later fund-raiser featuring Tanya Donelly, Parkington Sisters, Boston Music Award winners Christian McNeill & Sea Monsters, and the Chad Hollister Band.
Jan. 12 doors at 6 p.m. $40. Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
www.foundationtobenamedlater.org
Tap tribute
This tapper extraordinaire made his Broadway debut at age 12 in “The Tap Dance Kid.” Movies, “Sesame Street,” and more Broadway followed, and Tony winner Savion Glover is in town with Marshall Davis Jr. to dance a tap tribute titled SoLe Sanctuary.
Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. $40 and up. The Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston. 800-982-2787. www.ticket
master.com
Back in the building Conjuring a 78-year-old Elvis Presley is difficult, but going back in time with Presley-personifier Steve Connolly is easy. The opener at “Spirit of the King: Elvis Birthday Concert” is blues harmonicist James Montgomery.
Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. $45 and $60. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. 617-747-2261. www.berkleebpc.com
SUNDAY
Pet tales Have a real-life pet story you’ve been itching to share? Bark it out at the pet-themed massmouth story slam where you sign up for one of 10 coveted slots to share your five-minute tale. Judges will award prizes based on the story’s narrative arc, presentation, and connection to the theme. Jan. 13 from 6:30-9 p.m. $8, $10 at the door. Doyle’s Cafe, 3484 Washington St.,
Jamaica Plain.
www.massmouth.ning.com