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Boston area to-do list

Faneuil Hall

PICK OF THE DAY

All together now

Twenty of the best a cappella groups in New England, including representatives from local universities such as Northeastern, Boston University, and MIT, will compete this weekend at the 18th annual Faneuil Hall
A Cappella Competition
. A panel of judges will be present to rate the groups' performances and hand out cash prizes. Oct. 18-19 from noon to 4 p.m. Free. 1 Faneuil Hall Square. 617-523-1300. www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com

FRIDAY

In living color Zany star of stage and screen David Alan Grier will perform his stand-up routine at the Wilbur Theatre. Oct. 17 at 9:55 p.m. $25-$35. The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. 617-248-9700. www.thewilbur.com

NPH in the Hub Whether you know him as Barney Stinson, Dr. Horrible, or Doogie Howser, Neil Patrick Harris is one busy guy. Coming off his Tony Award-winning lead role on Broadway in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” Harris will visit the Brookline Booksmith to promote his new adventure-style autobiography, “Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography.” Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St., Brookline. 617-566-6660. www.brooklinebooksmith.com/events

SATURDAY

Ins and outs of autism Autism Treatment Center of America’s director of global education Raun K. Kaufman will host a lecture at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design for the friends, families, and caregivers of those challenged by autism. The lecture will highlight techniques and recent advances in battling the disorder. Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free, but registration is required. 621 Huntington Ave.. 800-714-2779. www.autismbreakthrough.com/L/boston

Reel fun Start digging through the attic for Home Movie Day at the Harvard Film Archive. Whether your memories be imprinted on 8mm, Super 8, 16mm, VHS, or DVD share the funny and important moments of your past with an audience. Drop off your films a few days before the event, and an archivist will examine them for damage, free of charge. Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. Harvard Film Archive (Room B-04), 24 Quincy St., Cambridge. 617-495-4700. www.hcl.harvard.edu/hfa/films/2014sepoct/hmd.html

SUNDAY

Set in Stone Filmmaker Oliver Stone is turning his attention to history with his most recent project, documentary series “The Untold History of the United States.” The “Born on the Fourth of July” director will join historian and collaborator Peter Kuznick, for a screening of an episode of the series as well as a Q&A. Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. Marran Theater, Lesley University 34 Mellen St., Cambridge. 617-349-8515. www.lesley.edu/oliverstone

Food, fitness, and fund-raising This is not your typical wake-up-and-run 5K. After a 3.1-mile run through Brighton, participants of OAKtoberfest will be treated to live music and free food from Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, The Green Briar, Bangkok Bistro, and more. All proceeds from this event support the Oak Square YMCA. Oct. 19 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. $6.25-$27.25 Oak Square YMCA, 615 Washington St., Brighton. 617-782-3535. www.ymcaboston.org/oaksquare/oaktoberfest
Raffaela Kenny-Cincotta


Raffaela Kenny-Cincotta can be reached at raffaela.kenny-cincotta@globe.com