PICK OF THE DAY
Prine’s prime
We have a nice mailman, but we haven’t heard him sing — yet. Years ago, John Prine penned songs on his route, and his latest release is “The Singing Mailman Delivers.” The recording is two discs of studio and live recordings going back to 1970. The Grammy winner brings his guitar picking and voice to the Bank of America Pavilion with special guest Lucinda Williams. Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. $25-$55. Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston.
800-745-3000. www.livenation.com
SATURDAY
Zoo, chew, and brew Don’t feed the animals, particularly at Saturday’s Brew at the Zoo where local breweries, restaurants, and caterers will feed you. Visit the Tropical Forest Pavilion and “Zoorassic Park” exhibit. 5-9 p.m. $50, $60 at the door (proceeds benefit Franklin Park Zoo). 21+. Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston. 617-541-5466. www.franklinparkzoo.org
All the best If Tony Bennett said it, it’s true. The crooner said of k.d. lang: “She’s the best singer of her generation.” Lera Lynn opens in Lowell for k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang. Bring a blanket or low chair. 7:30 p.m. $50, free under 13. Lowell Summer Music Series, Boarding House Park, 40 French St., Lowell. 978-275-1829. www.lowellsummermusic.org
Have you heard this one before? The latest release by the Canadian band with the funny name is “Stop Us If You’ve Heard This One Before!” Barenaked Ladies continues to mix humor with their folk and pop/rock sound, and for this record they unearthed demos, outtakes, live cuts, and studio B-sides. 7 p.m. $25.50-$75.50. Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston. 800-745-3000. www.livenation.com
Stars and stripes For 32 years, John Williams has had a good “marriage” with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The 80-year-old composer and conductor has also had a long relationship with the film and music industries. At the Boston Pops Orchestra’s “John Williams’s 80th Birthday Celebration,” guests include Keith Lockhart, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, soprano Jessye Norman, violinist Gil Shaham,
pianist Gabriela Montero, and the US Army Herald Trumpets.
Williams will be in attendance. 8:30 p.m. (6 p.m. TMC Prelude Concert in Ozawa Hall on a first-come, first-served basis). $21-$117. Tanglewood Shed, 297 West St., Lenox. 888-266-1200. www.bso.org
Sweet 16 It’s a tough job, but someone has to visit the 16 North Shore restaurants and wine stores participating in North Shore Wine Week. Give it a go and enjoy wine tastings, dinners, wine flights, pairings, and more. Saturday’s free kick-off event is a wine tasting with cuisine from some of the participating chefs. Noon-5 p.m. kick-off (event runs Aug. 19-26 throughout the North Shore). Free kickoff event at the Wine ConneXtion, 117 Main St., North Andover.
978-965-8000. www.northshorewineweek.com
SUNDAY
Eat up It’s a good thing that Restaurant Week Boston is at the end of the summer when it’s time to retire the bikini. You have 12 days to pack on pounds when area restaurants offer two- and three-course lunches and three-course dinners.
Aug. 19-24 and 26-31. $15.12 (two-course lunches), $20.12 (three-course lunches), $33.12 (three-course dinners). Restaurants include Aura at the Seaport Hotel
(1 Seaport Lane, Boston. 617-385-4300) and Nico (417 Hanover St., Boston. 617-742-0404). www.restaurantweekboston.com