Simply smashing

By Sarah Tomlinson  |  April 23, 2008

Singer-songwriter Magdalen Hsu-Li is proud to identify as both bisexual and Asian-American. But she is, first and foremost, an artist, whether she’s painting or singing. Having studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, she was prompted by a dream to move to Seattle and become a musician. She has since settled in Boston, where she studies at Berklee College of Music. Her sweet, sincere pop songs have earned her accolades and the chance to share a stage with Ani DiFranco and Margaret Cho. Tonight, she celebrates her album, ‘‘Smashing the Ceiling,’’ which showcases her earnest pop ballads. 8 p.m. $10. Salem State College, Veterans Hall, Ellison Campus Center, 352 Lafayette Street, Salem. 978-542-7701. salemstate.edu

Boston College Arts Festival The 10th Annual Boston College Arts Festival spotlights artwork by students and celebrated alumni, including filmmaker and actor Tom McCarthy, who wrote and directed the critically acclaimed 2003 film "The Station Agent." He'll be screening and discussing his new film, "The Visitor," which tackles issues of freedom and justice in post-9/11 America. Other festival highlights include alumnus Mike Lupica, who is a respected sports reporter and young adult novelist, signing copies of his new book, "The Big Field," and current students' Collaborative Sculpture Project and production of "Urinetown." "The Visitor" Screens Fri 8 p.m. Free. Boston College, O'Neill Plaza, Main Tent, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill. bc.edu/artsfestival

UnPOSSESSED The Double Edge Theatre works its magic on Miguel de Cervantes's literary classic "Don Quixote," with a unique production created to celebrate the original work's 400th anniversary. Their reinvention incorporates popular and circus arts, including aerial theater, shadow puppets, stilts, and live music for a performance that is kinetic and cutting edge. 7:30 p.m. Framingham State College, Dwight Performing Arts Center, 100 State St., Framingham. Park at the Maynard Road or the Maple Street lots and take a free shuttle to the show. $5. 508-626-4985. framingham.edu

The Fiery Furnaces There's no sign of sibling rivalry between Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger, the brother-sister team behind Brooklyn-based indie rock duo The Fiery Furnaces. The pair have worked together to become indie rock darlings, thanks to their eclectic, highly literate music, which blends elements of folk, blues, and garage rock, and their tendency toward unlikely collaborations, as on their 2005 album, "Rehearsing My Choir," recorded with help from their grandmother. Expect a quieter set, as bandmate Jason Lowenstein is off playing with his band Sebadoh, and new songs based on items found in the pockets of fans during their last tour. 8 p.m. $15. Berklee College of Music, Café 939, 939 Boylston St. 617-747-2261. berklee.edu/events

Greg Graffin Known to music fans as co-founder of revered political punk band Bad Religion, Greg Graffin also has a lesser-known career as a life sciences professor at UCLA, which earned him the 2008 Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism. The honor, which went to novelist Salman Rushdie last year, acknowledges Graffin's expertise regarding religious belief among scientists, which he discusses in the book "Is Belief in God Good, Bad or Irrelevant?: A Professor and a Punk Rocker Discuss Science, Religion, Naturalism & Christianity," edited by history professor Preston Jones. Graffin will speak about the book and his life in music. 8 p.m. $10; $5 for students. Harvard University, Memorial Church, Harvard Yard, Cambridge. 617-496-2222. harvard.com

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