TAKING PRIDE “Angels in America,’’ the award-winning play by Tony Kushner, examines life, death, and politics in 1980s America as the county faces the AIDs crisis.

The Salem Theater Company presents “Angels in America: Part One: Millennium Approaches,’’ Thursday, June 9, through June 24.

“Part of our programming is to include one play honoring LGBT people every June during Pride Month,’’ said Catherine Bertrand, executive artistic director of the theater company.

“What I couldn’t have envisioned a year ago was the current political climate taking such a dark turn,’’ she said. “Shameless hatred openly fills the airwaves, inciting intolerance and violence.

“It’s not all that different from the bigotry the LGBT community faced during the AIDS epidemic,’’ Bertrand said. “I would hope that the sensationalism of the current election season serves as a reminder as to why we must know our history and not allow it to repeat itself. By producing ‘Angels’ this year, we aim to give voice to this reminder.’’

Bertrand said the aim is “To support and transform the community by giving voice to narratives that challenge, encourage, and incite its audiences and offer the shared human experience of creative and honest storytelling.’’

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Tickets range from $12 to $25 online and $15 to $28 at the door. There are preview performances, a student night, and a night for the LGBT community.

The theater’s new space is in Shetland Park, 35 Congress St., third floor. Visit salemtheatre.com.

GOOD OLD DAYS Farmhouses and rustic barns, beach towns in the offseason, weathered cottages, and boat shacks are Valerie Isaacs’ nostalgic tribute to a simpler time.

An exhibit of her oil paintings, “Fading American Landscapes,’’ is at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport through June 19.

Isaacs earned a degree in architecture from Pennsylvania State University, but her love of painting — instilled by her mother, landscape colorist Lorene S. Isaacs — endured.

After living abroad, then in South Carolina, she moved to Massachusetts in 1999, settling on Plum Island in 2012.

“I enjoy the array of shapes and geometric opportunity that buildings lend to a landscape painting,’’ Isaacs said. “Older building types, barns in particular, tell stories of a simpler, hands-on American life which is fading away. Preservation of our built history enriches our sense of place and connects us to our past.’’

Call 978-462-7336 or visit firehouse.org.

CONCERT FOR THE MAESTRO The Borromeo String Quartet performs the world premiere of Elena Ruehr’s “The Worlds Revolve’’ at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport Thursday, June 9.

The performance, which also features pianist Donald Berman, is dedicated to David Deveau, the longtime artistic director of the Rockport Chamber Music Festival who is stepping down in 2017. Deveau, a pianist, plans to devote time to performing and recording.

The quartet is known for making challenging contemporary repertoire approachable and enlightening.

It has performed at concert halls and music festivals around the world, and continues to hold longstanding artistic residencies at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and New England Conservatory.

Berman is recognized for his presentations of new works by living composers, as well as overlooked works by 20th century masters.

He directs the Contemporary Music Ensemble at Tufts University and the Summer Piano Institute at the New England Conservatory.

The performance begins at 8 p.m. at 37 Main St., Rockport. Tickets are $19 to $36. Call 978-546-7391 or visit rockportmusic.org.

SQUARE MEALS Now in its 18th year, Taste of Somerville brings more than 60 restaurants, breweries, and local farms into the heart of Davis Square for an outdoor celebration of the city, its chefs, and artisans.

This year’s event is Wednesday, June 8.

Participants include craft beer brewers and some of the city’s newest restaurants.

Taste of Somerville has again partnered with a local charity, Somerville Can. Sponsored by the Community Action Agency of Somerville, groups work together to feed the hungry, train and educate youth, and improve citizens’ health.

Tickets to Taste of Somerville are $50 for general admission, and $75 for VIP, which includes admission to exclusive restaurants and craft cocktails.

The event runs 5:50 to 7:30 p.m. Visit tasteofsomerville.org.

Wendy Killeen

Wendy Killeen can be reached at wdkilleen@gmail.com.