According to the Oxford Dictionary, a dandy is “A man unduly devoted to style, neatness, and fashion in dress and appearance.” But according to the exhibit’s curators, “Artist/Rebel/Dandy: Men of Fashion”
seeks to reexamine the definition of a dandy “from one solely concerned with flamboyance and flash to a figure who is innovative, rebellious, and profound in thought.” Put on your finery and check out the garments, paintings, and works on paper about famous fashionable men including Oscar Wilde and George “Beau” Brummell. Pictured: a detail of a dressing gown worn by artist William Trost Richards, circa 1850. Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Aug. 18 (Thu until 9 p.m.). $12, $10 seniors, $5 college students, $3 ages 5-18, free Sun. Rhode Island School of Design Museum, 224 Benefit St., Providence, 401-454-6500. www.risdmuseum.org
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TUESDAY
Plaza pieces
The Christian Science Plaza is a lovely outdoor spot recently made lovelier by more than two dozen contemporary sculptures from members of Boston Sculptors Gallery. “Convergence,” the group’s first outdoor exhibit of site-specific work, is co-sponsored by the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Through Oct. 31. Free. The Christian Science Plaza, intersection of Massachusetts and Huntington avenues, Boston. 617-482-7781. www.bostonsculptors.com
Back, then forward Can you imagine life without war, political corruption, and ecological disaster? In his book, “Future Primal: How Our Wilderness Origins Show Us the Way Forward,” Louis G. Herman postulates that if we want a sustainable future, we have to look at the past.7 p.m. Free. The Harvard Coop, 1400 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-499-2000. www.thecoop.com
Out of this world
Birmingham Conservatoire
alum Laura Mvula
is a young British talent whose debut album, “Sing to the Moon,” charted over the moon in the United Kingdom. The classically trained soul singer-songwriter performs Nina Simone, George Gershwin, and Björk. 7:30 p.m. doors. $16.50. All ages. The Sinclair, 52 Church St., Cambridge. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com
WEDNESDAY
It’s his turn In 1987, Deric Dyer auditioned for Tina Turner and got the job of playing his saxophone at more than 250 concerts. Joe Cocker recruited him for his “Unchain My Heart World Tour,” and the two recorded “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” for Elton John. Dyer is all about himself at Scullers, where he’ll present “A Rockin’ Hot Evening for Renaissance Man and the Second Step” celebrating his new record, “Renaissance Man.” May 22 at 8 p.m. $26 (fund-raiser for the Second Step). Scullers Jazz Club at Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. 617-562-4111. www.scullersjazz.com
Beef up It’s grilling season when guys cozy up to their fire pits and pound their spatulas. To ensure success, sign up for “Wicked Good Burgers With Andy Husbands” where the Tremont 647 chef will go beyond burger basics. May 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. $70, $15 for materials (registration required). Boston Center for Adult Education, 122 Arlington St., Boston. 617-267-4430. www.bcae.org
Monumental The first documented African-American volunteer regiment was the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, formed after 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. The leader of the 54th was Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, namesake of the Beacon Street memorial. Former Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Kathryn Greenthal will discuss the sculpture at “Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s Shaw Memorial: Its Creation and Its Context.” May 22 at noon. Free. Boston Athenaeum, 10½ Beacon St., Boston. 617-720-7641. www.bostonathenaeum.org
