GERRY BERGSTEIN: SKELETON CREW

In Bergstein’s wry, neurotic, and celebratory trompe l’oeil mixed-media paintings, art is a metaphor for life, messy and fecund; the studio is a site for creation and, with its layers of encrusted paint and history, excavation. Pictured: “Book II, Fragile Sky.’’ Oct. 7-Nov. 5. Gallery NAGA, 67 Newbury St. 617-267-9060, www.gallerynaga.com CATE McQUAID

Pop & Rock

MIRAH Brooklyn-based balladeer Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn crafts soul-crushingly intimate songs that signal emotional left turns in their arrangements. This show, one of many around the country organized to protest the Trans-Pacific Partnership, also features the fierce (and Boston-based) Ethiopian pop act Debo Band. Oct. 7, 6 p.m. Free with RSVP. Spontaneous Celebrations. 617-524-6373, www.rockagainstthe tpp.org/boston-ma

KAYTRANADA Montreal-based genre-blender Kaytranada just picked up Canada’s prestigious Polaris Prize for his stirring debut album “99.9%,’’ which slices and dices musical ideas from all over the world, including his home country of Haiti, before transforming them into a percussion-heavy love letter to the power of beats. Oct. 8, 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. Paradise Rock Club. 617-562-8800, crossroads presents.com

SKYZOO This Brooklyn-based MC’s stirring new collaboration with Detroit-based producer Apollo Brown, “The Easy Truth,’’ pairs his image-heavy, diaristic rhymes about fighting through life with heady beats that call back to classic soul. Oct. 9, 8 p.m. Tickets: $18, $15 advance. Middle East Upstairs. 617-864-EAST, mideast offers.com

MAURA JOHNSTON

Folk & World

LIZ LONGLEY On her sophomore album, “Weightless,’’ Liz Longley says she looked back to the music of her youth for inspiration, citing artists such as Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morissette. The music does indeed bring to mind such 1990s fare, and you could add the hooky country-pop combinations that Kim Richey was crafting at the time as well. Oct. 7, 8 p.m. Tickets: $26. The Center for Arts, Natick. 508-647-0097, www.natickarts.org

KAIA KATER This young, banjo-wielding Canadian of African-Caribbean descent followed an upbringing in a Toronto home that exposed her to the country’s folk scene with collegiate study of the music of Appalachia in West Virginia. She opens for Vance Gilbert Saturday, and returns for another performance on Monday. Oct. 8, 8 p.m. Tickets: $25; Oct. 10, 8 p.m. Tickets: $10. Club Passim, Cambridge. 617-492-7679, www.passim.org

OMARA PORTUONDO With her “85 Tour,’’ the legendary Cuban singer Omara Portuondo combines a birthday celebration with a look back at a lifetime of making music. She brings along a strong supporting cast to assist her in that endeavor in Robert Fonseca, Anat Cohen, and Regina Carter. Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $30-$79. Sanders Theatre, Cambridge. 617-876-4275. www.worldmusic.org

STUART MUNRO

Jazz & Blues

HAL GALPER QUARTET WITH JERRY BERGONZI The piano master first found fame with Chet Baker’s band and has played with the likes of Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley, and many more. He and his trio-mates will be joined by Boston’s own Bergonzi, surely among the greatest tenor saxophonists alive. Oct. 7, 6:45 and 8:45 p.m. Tickets: $15. Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St., Cambridge. 617-395-1393, www.lilypad inman.com

CORY PESATURO QUARTET Astonishing accordion innovator Pesaturo, an NEC graduate on his instrument and the only person to ever win three world championships in acoustic, electronic, and jazz accordion competitions, airs his jazz side with the accompaniment of tenor saxophonist Tucker Antell, bassist Marty Ballou, and drummer Bob Gullotti. Oct. 11, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $10. Jocko’s Jazz at the Sahara Club, 34 Bates St., Methuen. 603-898-1591, www.jockosjazz.com

BOBBY RUSH The award-winning blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player — who’s been called “The King of the Chitlin’ Circuit’’ — celebrates his new Rounder Records release “Porcupine Meat.’’ Oct. 12, 8 p.m. Tickets: $30. Chan's Fine Oriental Dining, 267 Main St., Woonsocket, R.I. 401-765-1900, www.chans eggrollsandjazz.com

KEVIN LOWENTHAL

Classical

RADIUS ENSEMBLE The chamber group is joined by harpist Ina Zdorovetchi for works by Ravel and Fang Man; William Bergsma’s “The Voice of the Coelacanth’’ and Beethoven’s early Clarinet Trio fill out the program. Oct. 8, 8 p.m., Longy School of Music, Pickman Hall, Cambridge. 617.792.7234, www.radiusensemble.org

BORROMEO STRING QUARTET The prized local foursome winds up its Shostakovich-Tchaikovsky series with the Quartet No. 12 by the former composer and, with violist Marcus Thompson and cellist Blaise Déjardin, the sextet “Souvenir de Florence’’ by the latter. Oct. 9, 1:30 p.m., Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. 617-278-5156, www.gardnermuseum .org

DAVID FINCKEL AND WU HAN The husband and wife cello-and-piano duo tackle sonatas by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff. Oct. 9, 3 p.m., Concord Academy Performing Arts Center, Concord. 978-405-0130, www.concordchambermusic.org

DAVID WEININGER

ARTS

Theater

MAN IN SNOW Will Lyman, compelling as ever, stars in this world premiere of Israel Horovitz’s piercing, elegiac drama about a man newly retired from a career in finance and wrestling with questions of life and death as he guides Japanese honeymooners up a mountain. Directed by Horovitz, the play features the tautness of construction and vividness of expression that have long been his hallmarks. Through Oct. 23. Gloucester Stage Company, Gloucester. 978-281-4433, www.gloucester stage.com

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT The brainchild of Eric Idle, this inventive and inspired sendup of the Arthurian legend hijacks the conventions of the Broadway musical for its own subversive purposes. It may be heresy to say so, but “Spamalot’’ is substantially better than the beloved 1975 film on which it’s based, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’’ Directed and choreographed by Billy Sprague, Jr. Through Oct. 9. North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly. 978-232-7200, www.nsmt.org

SIGNIFICANT OTHER In Joshua Harmon’s comically incisive journey across the jagged landscape of 20-something friendship, dating, and love, Greg Maraio delivers a multifaceted performance as Jordan, a single gay man who feels adrift when his three female friends start getting married. Directed by Paul Daigneault. Through Oct. 8. SpeakEasy Stage Company at Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts. 617-933-8600, www.speakeasystage.com

MARJORIE PRIME Jordan Harrison’s slow-building but ultimately intriguing drama, a 2015 Pulitzer Prize finalist, ventures to a future when the boundaries between technology and humanity have become so thoroughly blurred that we entrust our memories to artificial-intelligence programs that have assumed the form of deceased loved ones. Directed by M. Bevin O’Gara. Through Oct. 9. Presented by Nora Theatre Company. A Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Production. At Central Square Theater, Cambridge. 617-576-9278, ext. 1, www.centralsquaretheater .orgDON AUCOIN

Dance

LION’S JAW This new Boston-based experimental dance festival presented by New Movement Collaborative includes five days of classes, workshops, and jams, as well as two public concerts showcasing festival faculty. Performers include Sara Shelton Mann, BodyCartography Project, Miguel Gutierrez, Olivier Besson, Paul Matteson, and Annie Kloppenberg. Oct. 7-8, $20-$25. Green Street Studios, Cambridge. 740-274-9114, www.lionsjaw.com

TWIST & SHOUT BENEFIT CONCERT This annual celebration by OrigiNation, Inc. promises a wide-ranging evening of dance, music, and spoken word. Actor/activist Malik Yoba is the honoree of the evening, which features performances by NIA Dance Troupe plus other ensembles and new works by Levi Marsman and Muadi B. Dibinga. Oct. 8, $50-$100. Roxbury Community College Mainstage Theater, Roxbury. 617-522-3900, www.origi nationinc.org

PANTOS PROJECT Choreographer Kat Pantos’s young troupe presents “Stabilize,’’ an evening of athletically driven choreography that explores how we develop relationships. Dancers include Carolyn Breton, Lisa Cole, Melenie Diarbekirian, Tara Lynch, Kendall Bush, Erica Misilo, Katharina Schier, and Lilly Cryan. Oct. 7-8, $15-$21. Boston University Dance Theater. 617-358-2500, www.katpantos.com

KAREN CAMPBELL

Galleries

SACHIKO AKIYAMA: BETWEEN HERE AND THERE Nina Nielsen and John Baker curated this exhibition of Akiyama’s paintings and sculptures. She’s best known for the latter — painted wooden figurative sculptures that evoke the peculiar magic of fairy tales and dreams. Through Oct. 31. Matter & Light Fine Art, 450 Harrison Ave. 857-990-3931, www.matterlightfine art.com

TORY FAIR: PAPERWEIGHTFair plants items from her life in her sculptures of logs, imbuing them with personal history and creating a channel between nature and domesticity. In her drawing/sculpture hybrids, stones, crystals, and more pop off paper surfaces. Open Saturdays. Through Oct. 22. VERY, 59 Wareham St. 617-922-5447, www.galleryvery.com CATE McQUAID

Museums

SARAH SZE: TIMEKEEPER A site-specific installation by the innovative sculptor who represented the United States at the 2013 Venice Biennale. Through Dec. 11. Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, 415 South St., Waltham. 781-736-3434, www.brandeis.edu/rose

BEYOND WORDS: ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS IN BOSTON COLLECTIONS This three-venue exhibition displays medieval and Renaissance illustrations that appear in rare books held in local libraries and museums. The exhibition, which inaugurates the new home of Boston College’s McMullen Museum of Art’, is also at Harvard’s Houghton Library and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The most extensive selection is at the McMullen, with more than 180 exquisite works on display, many for the first time. Through Dec. 11. (At the Gardner through Jan. 16). McMullen Museum of Art, 2101 Commonwealth Ave. 617-552-8587, artmuseum@bc .edu

UH-OH: FRANCES STARK 1991-2015 A survey of the agile, humorous, and philosophically inclined artist, who makes collages, digital slideshows, video installations, and works involving social media. Through Jan. 29. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave. 617-267-9300. www.mfa.org

SEBASTIAN SMEE

EVENTS

Comedy

THE STUDIO STUDIO SHOW This is the Comedy Studio’s night to let loose and give its comics a chance to explore — even more than usual. A packed lineup, hosted by Niki Luparelli, with Mike Atkinson, Nathan Burke, Andrew Durso, Alex Feldman, Mark Gallagher, James Huessy, Nate Johnson, Riley Knipsel, Katie McCarthy, E.J. Murphy, Nick Ortolani, Jere Pilapil, and Dylan Uscher. Oct. 6, 8 p.m. $10. The Comedy Studio, 1238 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-661-6507, www.thecomedystudio.com

TRUMP TAKES ON . . . BOSTON! A chance for the audience to debate presidential candidate Donald Trump (played by comedian David Carl) in a live setting, with sketch, improv, and music, and guests from Laugh Boston’s sister club, Improv Asylum. Runs weekends and some weekdays through Nov. 8. Oct. 8, 6 p.m. $25. Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston. 617-725-2844, www.laughboston .com

TONY HINCHCLIFFE An up-and-coming roast star, both behind the scenes writing for Comedy Central, and at the podium for live events roasting the likes of Ron Jeremy and wrestling star The Iron Sheik. He released his first comedy special on Netflix in January. Oct. 8, 7 p.m. $25. Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston. 617-248-9700, www.thewilbur.com

NICK A. ZAINO III

Family

Honk! Festival These activist bands may have an agenda, but even the strict environmentalists know better than to try and clean up Somerville’s dirty water brass. Rain or shine, the good times are gonna rock and roll all weekend. Oct. 7-9, 4 p.m.-12:45 a.m. Free. Davis Square, Somerville. 617-470-5867. honkfest.org

Family Fun Free Day October is all about archeology and there’s still plenty left to discover at the Cape Ann Museum. Glove up and take part in a mock excavation or brush up on your artifact analysis. Can you dig it? Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant St., Gloucester. 978-283-0455. www.capeannmuseum.org/events/family-fun-free-day-dig-archaeology

Harry Potter Hearth Dinner In the words of Albus Dumbledore himself, “Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!’’ Cloaks on and wands at the ready. Oct. 9, 6-8 p.m. $10. The Democracy Center, 45 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge. 617-492-8855. www.facebook.com/events/653102751521371

Carly Sitrin

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Oct. 15 Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer at Orpheum Theatre, www.ticketmaster.com

Oct. 18 Sia (below) at TD Garden, www.ticketmaster.com

Oct. 19 Saint Motel at Royale Boston, www.ticketmaster.com

Oct. 25 Colbie Caillat at Wilbur Theatre, www.ticketmaster.com

Oct. 31 Tegan and Sara at House of Blues, concerts.live nation.com

Nov. 1 Foals at House of Blues, concerts.livenation.com

Nov. 1 Mitski at Paradise Rock Club, www1.ticketmaster.com

Nov. 3 Grouplove at House of Blues, concerts.livenation.com

Nov. 4 The Fray and American Authors at Orpheum Theatre, www.ticketmaster.com

Nov. 9 Pentatonix at TD Garden, www.ticketmaster.com

Sonia Rao