THEATER Dogs
Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.
Brattle Theater
40 Brattle St., Cambridge
$9-$11, 617-876-6837
www.brattlefilm.org
Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Coolidge Corner Theater
290 Harvard St., Brookline
$12, 617-734-2500
www.coolidge.org
Thursday through February 28
Central Square Theater
450 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
$20-$55, 617-576-9278
www.centralsquaretheater.org
Friday through February 27
Calderwood Pavilion
527 Tremont St., Boston
$25-$83, 617-266-0800
www.huntingtontheatre.org
Thursday, 8 p.m.
Davis Square Theater
255 Elm St., Somerville
$10-$15
www.bostoncomedyfest.com
Thursday through March 6
School of the Museum of Fine Arts
230 The Fenway, Boston
Free, 617-369-3718
www.smfa.edu/exactitude-science
Through February 21
Gallery at 249 A Street
249 A St., Boston
Free, 617-778-6822
www.fortpointarts.org
Saturday and Sunday
Cutler Majestic Theater
219 Tremont St., Boston
$35-$68, 617-876-4275
www.worldmusic.org
Saturday, 10 p.m.
Middle East Downstairs
480 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
$10, 18+, 617-864-3278
www.mideastclub.com
Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Harvard Book Store
1256 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
Free, 617-661-1515
www.harvard.com
Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Bartos Theater, MIT
20 Ames St., Bldg E15-070, Cambridge
$5, nightimesunshine@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/ampersandseries/
Thursday, 8 p.m.
Middle East Upstairs
472 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
$10, 18+, 866-777-8932
www.ticketweb.com
Friday, 10 p.m.
Great Scott
1222 Comm. Ave., Allston
$10, 21+, 800-745-3000
www.ticketmaster.com
Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Oberon
2 Arrow St., Cambridge
$8-$15, 617-547-8300
www.americanrepertorytheater.org
So you wanna see Bowie on the big screen?
Stanley Bielecki Movie Collection/Getty Images
MOVIES
“Labyrinth”
In tribute to the Thin White Duke, the Brattle screens Jim Henson’s delightfully weird 1983 fantasy, David Bowie’s most iconic movie role. “Labyrinth” also features a plucky performance from a young Jennifer Connelly, and a virtuoso show of puppetry and pre-CGI effects, surpassed only by its sister film, “The Dark Crystal”. Grab advance tickets — the 7 p.m. show is already sold out.
“Groundhog Day”
Screenwriter Daniel Rubin will appear at this timely screening of the classic 1993 Bill Murray comedy about a TV weatherman stuck repeating the silly same day over and over. The supremely clever scenario works as both a hilarious nightmare and an illustration of how our hang-ups can doom us to repeat the past if we don’t let them go.
“The Convert”
This drama, written by Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead”), takes place in 1895 in what is now Zimbabwe. A young Shona girl, a recent convert to Christianity — her ulterior motive was to escape an arranged marriage — must choose between her native culture and that of the European conquerors toward whom her people are become increasingly hostile.
“Milk Like Sugar”
Simpatico Theater Project presents this play by Kristen Greenidge, about three teenage girls who make a “pregnancy pact”, naively thinking it will improve their already slim chances of a happy life. One, Margie, is pregnant already, but another, Annie, starts to get cold feet, and dreams of going to college to study literature. But will her loyalty to her besties win out?
COMEDY
Roast Battle Boston II
It’s been said that comedy thrives on negativity, and while this isn’t always true, it’s definitely true of the roast. At this event, several pairs of local comics will sling the comic mud at each other; a guest panel will choose the winner. “Nothing is off limits,” promises the Boston Comedy Festival—as it should be.
ART
On Exactitude in Science
Dina Deitsch, former curator of contemporary art at the DeCordova Museum, guest curated this exhibition, inspired by a Jorge Luis Borges story about a kingdom which creates a map of itself so detailed that it rivals the kingdom itself in size. The artists include Jennifer Bornstein, Aslı Çavuşoğlu, Jumana Manna and Elizabeth McAlpine; the media include prints, photographs, sculptures and performances.
More than two dozen artists contributed to this multimedia show with a single, simple theme: dogs. Considering how much cats have taken over the Internet, this only seems necessary for the sake of justice. It’s time the canine got some love—they actually return it on the regular. The opening reception takes place Thursday evening at 5 p.m.
DANCE
Trinity Irish Dance Company
The Trinity Irish Dance Company has won 17 Irish dance world championships as representatives the good old U.S.A. — that’s right, they even beat Ireland. Their progressive approach will make you re-think your notions of Irish dance, especially if all you know is Michael Flatly. Actually, if all you know of Irish dance is Michael Flatly, you definitely need to see them.
GOING OUT
Ashes to Ashes: the HEROES Tribute to David Bowie
When T.T. the Bear’s Place closed, one of the many folks especially bummed out must’ve been DJ Chris Ewen, whose long-running “HEROES” dance night — featuring 80’s pop, punk, goth, new wave and more — took place at the legendary club. Fortunately, he was able to move right down the street to the Middle East, and the balance of the Universe remained intact.
BOOKS
David Greenberg
As media saturation increases, every President has spend more energy justifying his administration’s decisions, both good and bad, before an ever more scandal-ready public. Political historian David Greenberg’s new book, “The Republic of Spin,” chronicles Presidential public relations, from Teddy Roosevelt to the present, and explores the ambivalence of “spin” itself — does it thwart democracy, or can it help protect it?
MUSIC
Nightime Sunshine
The ambient music group Nightime Sunshine will premiere the video for their 23-minute epic “Francis of Assisi” Thursday night, and will perform along with the electronic group Forma. The whole musical-visual matrix created by these blissed-out proceedings will astrally project your soul right into the fifth dimension—don’t worry, it’ll be home in time for bed.
Nice Guys
Local punk act releases a new EP, “WSM,” tonight. For those who haven’t had the pleasure, Nice Guys are straight-ahead, crazy-energetic rock with unhinged lyrical caterwauling and catchy riffs. Some numbers are old school hardcore rave-ups, others are slower garage stompers, but the band always hits that punk sweet spot between aggression and fun. Go and get sweaty.
VHS Collection
New York band VHS Collection’s electronic pop, with its requisite chirping old school synths and panoramic reverb, is distinguished by the full-throated, masculine style of singer James Bohannon, as inspiring as any TED Talk. Despite their nostalgia-bait band name, their music looks toward the future—buzzy single “Lean” talks of surviving the trials of maturation with a little help from your friends.
Thinkin’ Big Band Presents Frank Sinatra’s 100th Birthday
Before the age of rock stars, Frank Sinatra was the Man… Ubiquitous and beloved, he simply exuded cool, so much that no cared that he sort of yelled instead of sang. Take a trip back in time with local 18-piece big band Thinkin’ Big, who’ll perform a tribute to the Chairman of the Board, followed by a set of original tunes.
Club Passim presents two folk groups whose members all met at the New England Conservatory. The three ladies of the Ladles have a sweet sound with excellent vocal harmonies and a variety of tones from song to song. SKiM, meanwhile, is a mixed gender quintet with a more eclectic, energetic sound, drawing in jazz and hip-hop and literary references.
