If you didn’t see “Manilow on Broadway” on Broadway, the Barry Manilow mountain comes to Manchester, N.H., where you’ll see why the New York concerts sold out. This is the one-year anniversary of the Grammy, Emmy, and Tony winner’s “Live in London” album and his induction into the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame. May 9 at 7:30 p.m. $9.99-$129.99. Verizon Wireless Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester, N.H. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com
WEDNESDAY
Straighten up and . . . Before they switched to flying, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys traveled to gigs on old buses, including a 1950 yellow school bus. Before they left it for dead in Montana, they pulled up to a thrift store where a “confused” kid, according to Big Sandy, asked the band, “Are you guys from the past?” The past is very present for this band, which plays American roots, western swing, rockabilly, and traditional country music. 8 p.m. $15. Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge. 617-492-7679. www.passim.org
Forward thinking Flash Forward Festival Boston gets the word out early about its show of international and New England photography (Fairmont Battery Wharf May 16-19). Several advance shows include “[Photo]gogues: New England,” rarely seen work by faculty from Harvard, Art Institute of Boston, and UMass. Wed-Sat noon- 6 p.m. through May 20 (reception May 11 from 6-8 p.m.). Free. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston. 617-523-1300. www.flashforwardfestival.com
Engaging Craig Taborn shares well. The jazz pianist has said, “I’d much rather engage with the group, always, than have the format be piano adventures with supporting cast.” The Craig Taborn Trio is the namesake, bassist Thomas Morgan, and drummer Gerald Cleaver. 7:30 p.m. $20. Regattabar at the Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. 617-395-7757. www.regattabarjazz.com
THURSDAY
Love fest “Love is the most important thing to me, my relationship with my wife and kids.” So said Mason Jennings, which helps explain why, after his shows, couples tell the singer-songwriter that his music was a strong force when they were falling in love. And the pop-rock musician cites lyrics from “Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor” as “music to stay in love to.” May 9 at 8 p.m. $19. Blue Ocean Music Hall, 4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury Beach. 978-462-5888. www.blueoceanhall.com
Culture shock We mourn the good old days when drivers allowed you into their lane, salesclerks said “you’re welcome,” and folks talked to each other during a meal. Here from a few experts at “Hell in a Handbasket: the Decline of Taboos” presented by Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University and moderated by Robin Abrahams (author of the “Miss Conduct” etiquette column). May 9 from 6:30-8 p.m. Free. C. Walsh Theatre at Suffolk University, 55 Temple St., Boston. 617-557-2007. www.fordhallforum.org
Not a silent Lamb Aly Spaltro thanks 20,000 used DVDs for her first album, “Ripely Pine.” The 20-something electroacoustic singer known as Lady Lamb the Beekeeper got inspiration from customers who dropped off their collections at Bart & Greg’s DVD Explosion in Brunswick, Maine, where she worked. May 9 at 9 p.m. $12. 18+. Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave., Allston. 800-745-3000. www.livenation.com