TODAY
You name it, they play it In 2001, violinist Jeremy Cohen pumped new blood into the string quartet genre by forming Quartet San Francisco. The Grammy-nominated crossover specialists celebrate their new release, “Five by Four,’’ and string you along with jazz, tango, pop, funk, blues, bluegrass, and gypsy swing. 7:30 p.m. $18, $10 students. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 781-646-4849. www.regenttheatre.com
Student union Leon Bronstein claims to be the reincarnation of Leon Trotsky, and when the high school student stages a hunger strike at his father’s clothing factory, dad punishes the lad by sending him to public high school. The coming-of-age comedy “The Trotsky’’ is presented by the New Center for Arts Culture. 8 p.m. Free (pre-register online). The Courtyard at the Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St., Boston. 617-531-4610. www.newcenterboston.org
Starry, starry night After an indoor discussion with Bill Luzader about stars and celestial beings that pop up in Shakespeare’s plays, head to the front lawn (weather permitting) to see wherefore art the stars. The South Shore Astronomical Society of Norwell will set up telescopes at “The Stars That Crossed the Lovers: Shakespeare and the Heavens.’’ 7 p.m. Free. Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., Plymouth. 508-830-4250. www.plymouthpubliclibrary.org
TOMORROW ‘Family’ tradition Tonight he trades his producer’s hat for a singer-songwriter lid. John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, has a new release of country, rock, and folk tunes titled “The Family Secret.’’ The record shows off the songwriting skills of Cash, Tom Paxton, and Loudon Wainwright III. Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. $25. Scullers Jazz Club, Doubletree Guest Suites-Boston, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. 617-562-4111. www.scullersjazz.com
To the nines Urban folk and jazz singer, guitarist, and songwriter KJ Denhert calls nine her “life-path number.’’ “Album No. 9’’ production began Sept. 9, 2009, and finished in nine months with nine musicians and nine tracks. Denhert is at the Cape Cod Jazz Festival tomorrow. Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m., rain or shine. Free (reservations recommended; festival continues Tue and Wed through Aug. 31). Wequassett Resort and Golf Club, Pleasant Bay, Chatham. 800-225-7125. www.wequassett.com/jazz
Layers It takes patience to sift black glass powder onto sheet glass, scrape away the powder to produce the detail, suspend the image between layers of sheet glass, and fire the image in a kiln to fuse the pieces. See the result at “A Lighter Hand: The Glass Drawings of Michael Janis.’’ Aug. 9 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (through Nov. 6). $8, $5 students and seniors, free under 13 and for everyone Wed from 5-9 p.m. Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak St., Brockton. 508-588-6000. www.fullercraft.org 
