PICK OF THE DAY
Seattle sound
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, indie folk band the Head and the Heart formed after the members met through a series of open mike nights at a Seattle pub. Now, they bring their music to House of Blues. Phox opens. 7 p.m. $31-$46. House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St. 888-693-2583. www.houseofblues.com/boston
WEDNESDAY
Takin’ it to the Wilbur Five-time Grammy winner and former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald brings his deep baritone to the stage at Michael McDonald: This Christmas. Expect to hear both holiday music and hits from McDonald’s oeuvre.7:30 p.m. $32-$85. The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St. 617-248-9700. www.thewilbur.com
THURSDAY
Get a clue Your favorite mystery writer might be among the many authors welcoming the public and signing books at the New England Mobile Book Fair’s Gala Mystery Night. The third annual event is hosted by New York Times best-selling crime fiction author Reed Farrel Coleman, and Robin Cook will be celebrated as this year’s recipient of the Robert B. Parker Mystery Award. Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. Free. New England Mobile Book Fair, 82 Needham St., Newton Highlands. 617-527-5817. www.nebookfair.com
Homage to a legend Shelved for more than two decades, Marvin Gaye’s storied album “Vulnerable” was finally released in 1997, 13 years after the Motown musician’s death. Songs from the album will be performed live for the first time at Vulnerable: A Marvin Gaye Tribute. Berklee’s Neo-Soul Ensemble and Contemporary Symphony Orchestra are joined by Aloe Blacc, Bilal, Chris Turner and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. $28-$38. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave. 617-747-2261. www.berklee.edu/events
Prison pageant In the documentary “Captive Beauty,” Boston filmmaker Jared Goodman takes viewers ito Medellin, Colombia, to tell the stories of four inmates participating in a beauty pageant inside a women’s prison. A Q&A with Goodman follows a screening of the film. Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets: $8 for ICA members and students; $12 for nonmembers. Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave. 617-478-3100. www.icaboston.org/programs
Ancient treasures At the lecture “David Gordon Lyon and the Harvard Semitic Museum,” the life and work of Lyon — who held one of the nation’s first Assyriology positions, and worked tirelessly to promote the study of ancient Middle East cultures until his death in 1935 — is explored. Attendees also learn about the museum’s many treasures and ongoing transformations. A museum reception follows. Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. Free. Yenching Auditorium, 2 Divinity Ave., Cambridge. 617-495-4631. www.semiticmuseum.fas.harvard.edu
Art takes action Known for her provocative performance pieces like “The Crystal Quilt, which was broadcast live on PBS and featured 430 women talking about their work as they created a giant quilt-shaped tableau, artist Suzanne Lacy bases her work around the themes of race, class, gender, and urban issues. Lacy speaks about the social issues that inspire her work as part of Lesley University’s Artist Lecture Series. Dec. 4 from 7-9 p.m. Free (pre-registration required online). Lesley University’s Marran Theater, 34 Mellen St., Cambridge. 617-349-8622. www.lesley.edu/suzanne-lacy
Eryn Carlson
Eryn Carlson can be reached at eryn.carlson@globe.com.