This is our pick of the best of the burbs.
Hamilton: Come to the library parking lot for the 14th annual Vehicle Night, a festival of fire engines, emergency trucks, cruisers, snow plows, and a US Customs and Border Patrol K-9 Unit. Brought to you by the Fire, Police, and Public Works departments of Hamilton and Wenham. Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Hamilton-Wenham Public Library, 14 Union St. Free. See hwkidsroom.blogspot.com, and click on “Wow! It’s Wednesday” tab.
Rockport: Grammy-award winning a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo marries the intricate rhythms and harmonies of its native South Africa to the sounds and sentiments of Christian gospel music with a story behind every song and a lot of energetic dancing and humor. Tuesday, 8 p.m. Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main St. $41, $51, $61. 978-546-7391, www.rockportmusic.org.
Somerville: At the Somerville Dance Fest, dancers hailing from Somerville, Boston, Chile, New York, and Ireland, will utilize video projection as a common thread at a free outdoor festival. Dancers and troupes include Alicia Christofi-Walshe, Zoe Dance, Jimena Bermejo-Black, and Ali Ross, Luminarium, Dois Apsaras, Kelley Donovan, Weber Dance Community Group, Marcia Rotondo, Contrapose, James Runner, and more. Friday, 7:30-11 p.m. Union Square Plaza, Somerville Ave. and Washington St. Free. 617-955-0080, www.somervilledancefest.com.
Somerville: Redbones annual Pig Pickin’ fund- raiser for the Somerville Homeless Coalition is a summer street party for all ages. Equipment is fired up in front of the restaurant and whole hogs are smoked for hours. Monday, 6-9 p.m. Redbones BBQ, 55 Chester St. $25, $5 for kids under 5. 617-628-2200, www.redbones.com.