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<b>The Capitol Steps’ “Fiscal Shades of Gray”</b> Richard Termine/The Capitol Steps/The Capitol Steps

PICK OF THE DAY

Black, white, and gray

For more than 30 years, this troupe has poked, prodded, and pulverized our politicians, whether they need it or not. And there’s plenty of poking at The Capitol Steps’ “Fiscal Shades of Gray” starring Obamacare, the government shutdown, and the Mitch McConnell/Harry Reid duet “My Gay.” 5 and 8 p.m. $31-$39, $5 student discount. Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge. 617-496-2222. www.ofa.fas.harvard.edu/boxoffice

SATURDAY

Julie revisited August Strindberg set his late 19th-century drama “Miss Julie” in the kitchen of the Count’s manor house. Yael Farber sets her adaptation, “Mies Julie,” in the kitchen of an estate 18 years after apartheid ended. The South African Baxter Theatre Centre production explores the challenges in contemporary South Africa. 8 p.m. (through Dec. 8). $25-$89. Emerson/Paramount Center Mainstage, 559 Washington St., Boston. 617-824-8400. www.artsemerson.org

Napkin, journal, record When she was in high school, Jamie Lynn Hart jotted down her thoughts on napkins and scraps of paper before moving them into a notebook where they eventually became song lyrics. Soul/rock fusion emerged for the Boston University graduate, who celebrates her new release, “Live at Tupelo.” 9 p.m. $12. 21+. Church, 69 Kilmarnock St., Boston. 617-236-7600. www.churchofboston.com

Symphony swap Our family does a Yankee Swap that makes some members shiver in a corner and others sharpen their fangs. Robert J. Bradshaw’s commissioned piece “Yankee Swap!: White Elephant Gift Exchange” from Suite No. 4 “Cape Ann” won’t have that effect on you at the Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concert, where the symphony hosts its own Yankee Swap. 8 p.m. (Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.). $35, $30 seniors, $20 ages 19-24, free under 19 (you get a Yankee Swap gift when you bring cash or a check for the Philippines Red Cross International Relief). Manchester-Essex High School Auditorium, 36 Lincoln St., Manchester-by-the-Sea. 978-281-0543. www.capeannsymphony.org

SUNDAY

Big sound from a little child During a rebellion of the Tuareg people against the Niger government, relatives of Omara Moctar left behind a guitar. The youngster taught himself to play, joined Haja Bebe’s band, and was nicknamed Bombino (“little child”). The Tuareg guitarist, singer, and songwriter celebrates his release “Nomad” and brings his desert blues to the Sinclair. Dec. 1 doors at 8 p.m. $20, $22 day of show. 18+. The Sinclair, 52 Church St., Cambridge. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com

Ring a ding ding Fourteen members of the New England Ringers and their 28 hands perform “Joy in Bronze” with bells, hand chimes, and mallets. The Schulmerich hand bells and Malmark hand chimes shake out a program of “Come, All Ye Shepherds,” “Silent Night,” “The Joy of Christmas,” and more. Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. $15, $20 at the door; $2 discount for seniors and under 12. Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St., North Andover. (Dec. 7 at Berklee Performance Center). 978-851-3024. www.newengland
ringers.org

Freedom rings During this halfway point of Hanukkah, the Zamir Chorale and Central Reform Temple tell the story of the holiday that started more than 2,000 years ago to celebrate religious freedom at “A Light Through The Ages: A Chanukah Celebration in Story and Song.” Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. Free. Emmanuel Church,
15 Newbury St., Boston. 617-262-1202. www.alight
throughtheages.org


June Wulff can be reached at june.wulff@globe.com.