MUSIC
Rock & Pop
SOLANGE Nearly one year after the release of “A Seat at the Table,” her open-hearted, grippingly honest statement on experiencing the 21st century as a woman of color, the R&B songwriter and performer opens her run of “Orion’s Rise” shows with a concert benefiting Hurricane Harvey relief charities. Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m. $43.50 and up. Orpheum Theatre. 617-482-0106, www.saintheron.com
SAINT ETIENNE The impeccably cool British pop outfit brings its sterling melodies and arch wit to America in support of its ninth album, the sparkling salute to suburbia, “Home Counties.” Sept. 24, 8 p.m. $25 and up. Once Ballroom, Somerville. 617-285-0167, www.oncesomerville.com
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MARISSA NADLER The Jamaica Plain-dwelling composer and artist, whose stunning 2016 album “Strangers” sets stories about solitude to hauntingly beautiful folk-goth, headlines this installment of the 2nd Shift Concert Series at Waltham’s innovation-minded Charles River Museum. Sept. 28, 8 p.m. $20. Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation, Waltham. 781-893-5410, www.charlesrivermuseum.org
Folk & World
CHRIS HILLMAN One of the architects of what came to be known as country rock via his tenure in the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers has just released his first record in 10 years, the aptly named “Bidin’ My Time,” which combines Byrds revisitations and reworkings with brand-new songs. He’s playing with longtime compadres Herb Pedersen and John Jorgenson. Sept. 24, 8 p.m. $30. Hard Rock Café. 615-324-1010. www.citywinery.com
BILLY STRINGS You’ll find a lot of references to metal affinities and psychedelic flourishes in descriptions of the music of young bluegrasser Billy Strings. But listen to songs like “These Memories of You” on his new release, “Turmoil & Tinfoil,” and you’ll swear you’re listening to an old Stanley Brothers record. Strings shares the bill with Whiskey Shivers. Sept. 24, 9:30 p.m. $15. Great Scott. 888-929-7849. www.axs.com
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NEOTOLIA The aim of the Boston-based group headed by Turkish husband and wife Utar Artun and Nazan Nihal is suggested by its name: taking traditional Turkish folk and other music rooted in Anatolia, the crossroads region that makes up most of modern Turkey, and using it to make something new. Sept. 29, 8 p.m. $10. The Lilypad, Cambridge. 617-955-7729. www.lilypadinman.com
Jazz & Blues
RAN BLAKE & CHRISTINE CORREA From his 1962 recorded debut with singer Jeanne Lee until today, an important thread in nonpareil pianist Blake’s career has been a series of spare, film-noir-inflected duets with female singers. He and Correa, who recorded a fine tribute to the great jazz singer and songwriter Abbey Lincoln, continue their collaboration here. Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. $20-$25. Regattabar. 617-395-7757, www.regattabarjazz.com
BILL CUNLIFFE BIG BAND The pianist-composer-arranger and his band celebrate their sparkling new album, “BACHanalia,” featuring jazz interpretations of J.S. Bach, Sergei Prokofiev, and Manuel Falla, plus standards and original compositions. Vocalist Denise Donatelli will guest. Sept. 28, 8:30 p.m. $15. Ryles, 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge,617-876-9330, www.rylesjazz.com
LUTHER “GUITAR JUNIOR” JOHNSON The Mississippi-born singer and guitarist came to Chicago as a young man and later served a stint with Muddy Waters’s band. With his searing, single-note lines punctuated by raucous chords, he’s today’s foremost exponent of the Windy City’s west side blues, in the Otis Rush and Magic Sam tradition. Sept. 30, 6 p.m. $15. Thunder Road, 379 Somerville Ave., Somerville. 617-776- 7623, www.thunderroadclub.com
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Classical
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Andris Nelsons forges ahead with the BSO’s survey of Shostakovich symphonies this week. Next up is the Symphony No. 11 in a pairing with Beethoven’s much-loved Piano Concerto No. 4. Paul Lewis will be the soloist. Sept. 28-Oct. 3, Symphony Hall. 617-266-1200, www.bso.org
BACH, BEETHOVEN, AND BRAHMS SOCIETY Steven Lipsitt kicks off the BB&B Society’s second full season with works by Beethoven, Bernstein, and Amy Beach as well as the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with violinist In Mo Yang. Sept. 24, 3 p.m., Faneuil Hall. 617-991-8721, www.bbbsociety.org
REV. 23 Librettist Cerise Lim Jacobs and composer Julian Wachner have joined forces to create “Rev. 23,” a new opera that press materials describe as “a comic addition to the Book of Revelation.” Lidiya Yankovskaya conducts and Mark Streshinksy directs the premiere. Sept. 29-Oct. 1, John Hancock Theater, www.rev23.org
ARTS
Theater
REVERSIBLE A hypnotically beautiful exploration of the role family history plays in the shaping of individual identity, performed by circus artists whose collective virtuosity is something to see. Written, directed, and choreographed by the immensely gifted Gypsy Snider, “Reversible’’ works on both an aesthetic and emotional level. Through Sept. 24. Production by The 7 Fingers. Presented by ArtsEmerson. At Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston. 617-824-8400, www.artsemerson.org
GYPSY As the deluded but unstoppable Mama Rose, Leigh Barrett carries this production — which is sometimes in need of carrying — with the avidity and assurance of a supremely skilled performer who knows she is tackling one of the juiciest roles in all of musical theater. Directed and choreographed by Rachel Bertone. With a book by Arthur Laurents, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and music by Jule Styne — each of them working at the top of his game. Through Oct. 8. Lyric Stage Company of Boston. 617-585-5678, www.lyricstage.com
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MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Maria Friedman’s production at the Huntington Theatre captures the (broken) heart and (damaged) soul of this elusive, melancholy, funny, and challenging Stephen Sondheim musical about as well as anyone is likely to do. Based on a staging by Friedman in London that was widely acclaimed, “Merrily’’ is toplined by two of the three stars from that West End production and fortified by a crackerjack ensemble. Through Oct. 15. Presented by Huntington Theatre Company. At Huntington Avenue Theatre, Boston. 617-266-0800, www.huntingtontheatre.org
Dance
IPSWICH MOVING COMPANY Since the company got such a positive response to last year’s aerial dance installation over the Ipswich River, the dancers are presenting “When Air Meets Water II” as part of the Ipswich Illuminated Celebration. The mid-air dance features performers suspended from the arches of the Green Street Bridge, to live a cappella music. Sept. 30, 8 p.m. Free. Green and Water Streets, Ipswich. 978-356-5565, www.ipswichmovingco.org
TABULA RASA MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPERIMENT In “Escape,” the dancers, musicians, visual artists, and spoken-word performers of this loosely structured collaborative return to Somerville’s Union Square for an evening of spontaneous creativity. Audience members are invited to join in the improvisation for the evening’s second half. Sept. 28, 8 p.m. $9-$35. Warehouse XI, Somerville. 617-223-7822, www.tabularasa.us
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A CELEBRATION OF LEONARD COHEN IN SONG, DANCE, AND POETRY For this special evening honoring the life and work of the late Leonard Cohen, dancer/choreographer Nicole Pierce (EgoArt, Inc.) created a new solo to Cohen’s melancholy “Gypsy Wife.” Among the impressive throng of other performers is Paul Ostermayer, who played saxophone in the singer/songwriter’s band. Sept. 24, 6 p.m. $15-$50. Center for the Arts at the Armory, Somerville. 617-718-2191, www.artsatthearmory.org
Galleries
CHINESE DREAMS The upheaval of the Cultural Revolution (1966-76) played a formative role for the eight artists in this show. Working in traditional media and conceptual art, their work grapples with chaos, change, and family. Sept. 25-Dec. 2. Bakalar & Paine Galleries, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, 621 Huntington Ave. 617-879-7337, www.massart.edu/galleries/
IMMIGRANCY Samson is closing its brick-and-mortar space. For this last exhibition, the gallery gathers artists who have in some sense migrated, and grappled with the loss and hope of that transition. Artists include Glenn Ligon, Ashley Bickerton, and Ai Weiwei. Through Nov. 11.Samson, 450 Harrison Ave. 617-357-7177, www.samsonprojects.com
RECONFIGURE The goop of paint stands in for the gooiness of identity in the three-dimensional figure paintings of Lavaughan Jenkins and the brisk and haunted gestural figures of Ariel Basson Freiberg, who has a concurrent show at Howard Yezerski Gallery. Through Oct. 1. Abigail Ogilvy Gallery, 460 Harrison Ave. 617-820-5173, www.abigailogilvy.com
Museums
BHARTI KHER: SKETCHBOOKS AND DIARIES Inspired by the Gardner’s collection, Kher made these sly and amusing notations and drawings — including self-portraits in animal masks — exploring motherhood, gestation, and anatomy, during her residency there in 2013. Through Sept. 6, 2018.Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way. 617-566-1401, www.gardnermuseum.org
GYÖRGY KEPES PHOTOGRAPHS FROM BERLIN TO CHICAGO, 1930-1946 This first of two exhibitions celebrating the artist and founder of MIT’s Center for Advanced Visual Studies includes photos from negatives he never printed and other rare images, all made before he came to MIT. Through March 5. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-253-5927, mitmuseum.mit.edu/
CONSTRUCTING REVOLUTION: SOVIET PROPAGANDA POSTERS FROM BETWEEN THE WORLD WARS The 1917 Russian Revolution sparked an upwelling of crisp, urgent, propagandistic graphic design. Call these posters the Facebook memes of their day — they got their message across. Through Feb. 11. Bowdoin College Museum of Art, 245 Maine St., Brunswick, Maine. 207-725-3275, www.bowdoin.edu/art-museum/
EVENTS
Comedy
CORINNE FISHER She is cohost of “Guys We [Expletive]: The Anti Slut-Shaming Podcast” with Krystyna Hutchinson, and the pair will release a book on the same topic next month. She’ll be doing stand-up one night only with James Myers at Laugh Boston. Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. $15-$20. Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston. 617-725-2844, www.laughboston.com
DYLAN MORAN The Irish comedian is sharp and wary, one of the funniest shows you’ll see from beginning to end. He comes to the States on his “Grumbling Mustard Tour.” Sept. 27, 8 p.m. $39.50. The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston. 617-248-9700, www.thewilbur.com
MIKE WHITMAN The local veteran stand-up’s act feels conversational and loose, but Whitman’s jokes are taut and punchy, whether he’s talking about mundane topics like mowing the lawn or the joy of finding a random pill on the ground. Sept. 29-30, 8 p.m. $20. Nick’s Comedy Stop, 100 Warrenton St., Boston. 617-963-6261, www.nickscomedystop.com
Family
TROT FOR SPECIAL TOTS While you’re running in the 5K road race (and raising money for the Professional Center for Child Development in the process), your toddlers can participate in the free Touch-a-Truck event! I don’t think I have to explain what that entails. Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-noon. $25 (for road race). 32 Osgood St., Andover. www.theprofessionalcenter.org/trot-for-tots.html
FALL THEMED TODDLER TUESDAY AT LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER Do kids still love Legos? If you’re not sure, take your 2- to 5-year-old to this event and find out! There’ll be an autumn-themed storytime and Duplo build, and make sure to check out the Lego replica of Boston, Miniland. You can pretend it’s actually Boston and you’re a giant! Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $16. 598 Assembly Row, Somerville. boston.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/whats-inside/events/2017-toddler-tuesdays/
NATURE JOURNALING — SIGNS OF THE SEASON: FALL! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Take a Child Outside Week than introducing your child to the joys of nature journaling and then accompanying them on a stroll through the Great Hill conservation land, can you? Oh, you can? Well maybe you should be writing these blurbs then! Sept. 27, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $12.50. 177 Main St., Acton. discoverymuseums.org/calendar/day/2017-09-27
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Oct. 9 Future Islands at TD Garden www.ticketmaster.com
Oct. 18 Cults at Brighton Music Hall www.ticketmaster.com
Oct. 19 Overcoats at Brighton Music Hall www.ticketmaster.com
Oct. 21 Death From Above at Paradise Rock Club www.ticketmaster.com
Oct. 22 Citizen at Royale www.axs.com
Oct. 22 Guns N’ Roses at TD Garden www.ticketmaster.com
Oct. 24 Lee “Scratch” Perry at Middle East Downstairs www.ticketweb.com
Oct. 27 Fall Out Boy at TD Garden www.ticketmaster.com