The outlook

Things to do and places to go

Founding members David Rizzuti, the band's frontman and guitarist, and upright bassist Neil Helme are joined by bandmates Jimmy Ryan on mandolin and mandola, and Jiro Kokubu playing banjo, dobro, and mandolin. Nov. 4 at 8:30 p.m. $8. Johnny D's, 17 Holland St., Somerville. 617-776-2004. www.johnnyds.com

The editor at large of Vanity Fair magazine and former managing editor of the Atlantic will read from his most recent book, "Are We Rome?" Nov. 5 at 6:15 p.m. ("Hosted Wine Hour" from 5 to 6 p.m. with Murphy). Free. Hotel Marlowe, 25 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge. 617-868-8000. www.pen-ne.org

Actors' Shakespeare Project presents William Shakespeare's romantic comedy about a penniless hero, a rich heiress, and that pound of flesh. Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Through Dec. 7. $20-$47. Midway Studios, 15 Channel Center St., Boston. 866-811-4111. www.actorsshakespeareproject.org

Composer Benjamin Britten is the focus of this year's season, starting with Friday's program that includes "A Hymn to the Virgin" and Cantata Misericordium. Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. $22-$56, $17 students and seniors (section C only). Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St., Boston. 617-868-5885. www.cantatasingers.org

Guests and the Dimock Center benefit from the fabulous lineup featuring headliner Lalah Hathaway (above), Andre Ward, Monty Alexander, Julia Nixon, and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. Nov. 8 from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. $200 and $350, $100 seniors. Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, 425 Summer St., Boston. 866-468-7619. www.ticketweb.com

Making meatballs is an art we haven't yet perfected, unlike the Boston chefs who will participate in Chef Dante de Magistris's outdoor meatball cook-off. Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. $20. Restaurant dante, Hotel Sonesta, 40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge. 617-497-4200.

JUNE WULFF