Music events

BETTYE LAVETTE This gifted rock and soul survivor probably garnered a whole slew of new fans when she tore up the Who's "Love, Reign O'er Me" as a surprise contributor to the Pete Townshend/Roger Daltrey homage at the recent Kennedy Center Honors. So get your tickets pronto. 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 8. $28. Scullers Jazz Club. 617-562-4111, www.scullersjazz.com

JASON BENNETT AND THE RESISTANCE Get the new year started off on the hotfoot with a fine night of cathartic yet reflective punk rants at a benefit for the Boston Road Devils car club. Also on the bill: Beantown Boozehounds, Dead Friends, Doggfight U.S., Beerdozer. 8 p.m. Jan. 9. $10. Church. 617-236-7600, www.churchofboston.com

HEAD AUTOMATICA These New Yorkers serve up deliciously tart, tuneful post-punk and pop nuggets riddled with cowbell, organ, and acidity. For fans of early Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, and anger set to singable melodies. 9 p.m. Jan. 10. $15. Great Scott. 866-468-7619, www.ticketweb.com

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY If swing's your thing, lindy hop on down to Foxborough to check out this sizzling septet that's still money after all these years. 8 p.m. Jan. 11. $25. Showcase Live. 617-931-2000, www.ticketmaster.com

SARAH RODMAN

GRUPO FANTASMA Bigger is definitely better when it comes to Latin funk bands, and this 11-piece orchestra from Austin, Texas, knows how to get a party started, judging from its show at the MFA this past summer. Grupo Fantasma has picked up some big-name friends in recent years, including Prince and fellow Austin rockers Spoon. 9 p.m. Jan. 8. $12. Middle East Downstairs. 617-864-3278, www.mideastclub.com

CLAUDIA SCHMIDT We haven't heard much from this versatile folk musician in several years, but that's why we've got iTunes, right? A fixture on the Midwestern folk circuit, Schmidt makes a rare stop at Johnny D's on Tuesday, drawing on 30 years of weaving in and out of folk, blues, and jazz. 8:30 p.m. Jan. 13. $12. Johnny D's. 617-776-2004, www.johnnyds.com

THE CHARRED ANGELS Club Passim will channel its inner honky-tonk for a late-night jam session with the Charred Angels, featuring Emma Beaton, Kimber Ludiker, Laura Cortese, Jefferson Hamer, and Neil Cleary. 11 p.m. Jan. 14. $10. Club Passim. 617-492-7679, www.clubpassim.com JAMES REED

REMPIS-GRAHAM-KARAYORGIS-GRAY Scorching alto saxophonist Dave Rempis, best known as a member of the Chicago-based Vandermark 5, swings through town to reunite with three local exemplars of avant-improv: trumpeter Forbes Graham, pianist Pandelis Karayorgis, and drummer Luther Gray. 7 p.m. Jan. 8. $10. The Lily Pad. www.lily-pad.net

MR. NICK'S NORTHEAST HARMONICA SHOWDOWN This blues harp blowout features the cream of regional harmonicists, including "Sugar Ray" Norcia of the Bluetones, Racky Thomas, Brian Templeton of Radio Kings, Ryan Hartt, and "Mr. Nick" David. 9:45 p.m. Jan. 9. $10. Johnny D's. 617-776-2004, www.johnnyds.com

JAMES CARTER ORGAN TRIO The swaggering, Detroit-born saxophonist who plays seemingly every member of the saxophone family from soprano to bass, as well as the flute and the bass clarinet, presents his distinctively contemporary yet historically mindful take on the classic organ trio. 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 9-10. $25. Scullers. 617-562-4111, www.scullersjazz.com

RORY BLOCK The singer and acoustic guitarist, winner of five W.C. Handy Blues Awards, is widely regarded as among the finest living exponents of the Mississippi Delta blues, upholding the tradition of Robert Johnson and Son House, the latter of whom she pays tribute to on her fine new recording, "Blues Walkin' Like a Man."

8 p.m. Jan. 10. $20-$23. Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River. 508-324-1926, www.ncfta.org

KEVIN LOWENTHAL

BOSTON SYMPHONY CHAMBER PLAYERS Principals of the BSO come together for chamber works by Rossini and Brahms as well as a wind quintet by Ingolf Dahl and one by Steven Mackey called "Never Sing Before Breakfast." Jan. 11 at 3 p.m., $18-$32, Jordan Hall, 617-266-1200, www.bso.org.

CONCORD CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY Sunday's ambitious program includes works by Poulenc and Beethoven as well as Messiaen's otherworldly "Quartet for the End of Time." With Wendy Putnam (violin), Thomas Martin (clarinet), Michael Reynolds (cello), and Vytas Baksys (piano). Jan. 11 at 3 p.m., $30-$35, Concord Academy Performing Arts Center, 978-371-9667, www.concordchambermusic.org.

LEON KIRCHNER The distinguished American composer turns 90 this month, and the Gardner Museum celebrates with a wide swath of his chamber music performed by Paula Robison (flute), Corey Cerovsek (violin), Jeremy Denk (piano), Ayano Kataoka (percussion), and the Claremont Trio. Jan. 15 at 7 p.m., $23,

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 617-566-1401, www.gardnermuseum.org

FOUNDATION FOR CHINESE PERFORMING ARTS Bassist DaXun Zhang and pianist Chu-Fang Huang - both winners of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions - each take one half of this recital, presenting Chinese and Western classical works including selections by Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Koussevitzky.

Jan. 10 at 8 p.m., $15-$30, Jordan Hall, 781-259-8195, www.chineseperformingarts.net JEREMY EICHLER

CHEAP COLOGNE Ah, the olfactory memories of middle school dances. Remember grinding to Technotronic's "Pump Up the Jam" and almost choking on your date's offensive Cool Water cologne? Relive these awkward times at Redline tonight as Soul Clap spins pop jams from Bel Biv DeVoe, Rick James, and Eddie Murphy. 21+. 10 p.m. Jan. 8. Free. Redline. 617-491-9851, www.redlinecambridge.com

LATIN THURSDAYS The Fireplace is hot, literally, due to its namesake. But the Washington Square restaurant is also turning up the sizzle with performances by Latin bands every Thursday. Les Fish & the Latin Jazz Cats will get the crowd moving tonight with a mix of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms. 9:30 p.m. Jan. 8. Free. The Fireplace. 617-975-1900, www.fireplacerest.com

GAME NIGHT If you've felt a void in your life since the "Mad Men" season finale aired, why not fill it with Connect Four, Operation, and UNO at the Harvard Square hotspot Noir? (The bar hosted "Mad Men Sundays" during the show's second season.) Create your own drama and escape the cold. Everyone wins. 21+. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Jan. 11. $15 food/drink minimum. Noir. 617-661-8010, www.noir-bar.com

RECESSIONISTA SHOE PARTY If you need a few pointers about staying fabulous on a tight budget, hoof it to Burlington for this Hello Stiletto shindig. "Flirting With Finance" author Gwendolyn Beck will talk about managing money, and a pink carpet walk-off competition will celebrate revelers' best shoe bargains. RSVP required. 21+. 6-9 p.m. Jan. 12. $25, includes appetizers and book. Capital Grille, 10 Wayside Road, Burlington. 781-632-2067, www.shoeclub.us

ROCK . . . PAPER . . . SCISSORS! Bet you didn't know that Sean Sears of Chicopee recently won the national "Rock Paper Scissors" championship in Las Vegas. If you crush all the scissors and cut all the paper at P.A.'s Lounge's first annual tournament this week you won't walk away with $50,000 - Sears's prize money - but you could snag movie tickets or a gift certificate. Game on. 21+. 7 p.m. Jan. 14. $4. P.A.'s Lounge. 617-776-1557, www.paslounge.com COURTNEY HOLLANDS

COMICS FOR A CURE With Nick DiPaolo, Gary Gulman, and Joe List back in town for it, this benefit for the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation could be considered a mini-Comics Come Home. Also on the bill: Boston-based comics Kelly MacFarland and Kevin Knox. 8 p.m. Jan. 9. $55-$100. Cutler Majestic Theatre. 800-233-3123, www.maj.org

SINBAD Sinbad has always been more of a family-friendly comedian than a political one, but he did manage to make a few headlines last year when he disputed Hillary Clinton's story about snipers during a 1996 visit both made to troops in Bosnia. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9. $23-$37. The Wilbur Theatre. 617-931-2000, www.ticketmaster.com

SHAUN BEDGOOD The hip, laid-back Bedgood is hosting Saturday and Sunday at the Comedy Studio, with a particularly good lineup Saturday including Tony Moschetto, the Steamy Bohemians, Ken Reid, and Chris Coxen. 8 p.m. Jan. 10. $10. The Comedy Studio. 617-661-6507, www.thecomedystudio.com

THE ROB CREAN SHOW Crean and company host this talk/variety show the second Tuesday of every month. This month's lineup includes comedians Chris Coxen, MC Mr. Napkins, and Tim Vargulish, a bit of comic Mike Dorval's new one-man show, and electronica act Coralcola. 21+. 9 p.m. Jan. 13. $8. O'Brien's Pub.

617-782-6245, www.greatscottboston.com/obriens

NICK A. ZAINO III

THE CHERRY ORCHARD Annette Miller stars in the Nora Theatre Company's production of the Chekhov classic, newly translated by George Malko. Jan. 8-Feb. 1.

Central Square Theater, Cambridge. 866-811-4111, www.centralsquaretheater.org

THE SEAGULL Karen MacDonald stars in the American Repertory Theatre's Chekhov offering, directed by Janos Szasz. Jan. 10-Feb. 1. Loeb Drama Center, Cambridge. 617-547-8300, www.amrep.org

THE CORN IS GREEN Nicholas Martin returns to the Huntington Theatre Company with the Emlyn Williams heart-warmer he directed in Williamstown, starring Kate Burton. Jan. 9-Feb. 8. Boston University Theatre. 617-266-0800, www.huntingtontheatre.org

A VIEW OF THE HARBOR Richard Dresser's play about the long-buried secrets of an eccentric Maine family makes its regional debut. Jan. 8-Feb. 1. Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Lowell. 978-654-7596,

www.merrimackrep.org

CABARET Wilkommen, bienvenue, etc. to John Kuntz as the Emcee and Aimee Doherty as Sally Bowles. Rick Lombardo directs the New Repertory Theatre's production. Jan. 11-Feb. 1. Arsenal Center for the Arts, Watertown. 617-923-8487, www.newrep.org

LOUISE KENNEDY

SARTORIAL SANCTUARY: CLOTHING AND TRADITION IN THE EASTERN ISLAMIC WORLD A beautiful, lightly informative skate through traditional clothing in the Muslim world, from Indonesia to Morocco. Through April 26. Rhode Island School of Design Museum, Providence. 401-454-6500, www.risdmuseum.org

SEDRICK HUCKABY: A LOVE SUPREME Four massive paintings of hanging quilts by the young Texan painter recall Monet's water-lily paintings, but in an idiom more earthy than ethereal. Each painting is based on a season. Through March 1. Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham. 508-620-0050, www.danforthmuseum.org

STAGE IDOLS, JAPANESE KABUKI THEATER This small but delightful exhibition features rarely seen 19th-century woodblock prints, which are complemented by costumes, sign boards, and photographs, as well as filmed footage of an actual Kabuki play. Through Feb. 16. Peabody Essex Museum, Salem. 978-745-9500, www.pem.org

PHOTOGRAPHIC FIGURES This exhibition from the Museum of Fine Arts' permanent collection inaugurates the Herb Ritts Gallery, the museum's first space dedicated to photography. The theme is the human body; the photographers include Stieglitz, Weston, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and many other great names of the medium. Through May 10. MFA. 617-267-9300. www.mfa.org

SEBASTIAN SMEE

THE WHITE BOX PROJECT Spearheaded and curated by dancer/choreographer Michael Jahoda, this initiative assembles area dancers and musicians for what promises to be a lively improvisatory free-for-all in an unconventional space. Whatever will be, will be. Jan. 11. $10. Middlesex Lounge, Cambridge. 508-360-3332.

BOSTON CELTIC MUSIC FEST'S DANCE SPOTLIGHT Most Celtic music is driven by dance, so for the finale of the festival's sixth annual celebration, dance is front and center, with performers highlighting traditions from Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton, and Appalachia. Don't expect kilts and tunics; they're aiming for a party atmosphere. Jan. 10. $13-$15. First Parish Cambridge Church of Harvard Square, Cambridge. 617-492-7679, www.tickets.passimcenter.org

DIVINE PERFORMING ARTS Known for its lavish production numbers and eye-popping costumes, this company brings together leading dancers, choreographers, and musicians to showcase China's cultural heritage. Expect the high-flying dives, soaring leaps, and dizzying spins that are Chinese dance's most flamboyant trademarks.

Jan. 10-11. $40.50-$122.50. Opera House. 617-848-2996, www.divineshows.com

THE OPEN STAGE Everett Dance Theatre's "Friday Night Live" series presents an open forum for young performers. This one's headlined by hip-hop theater troupe Case Closed and hosted by the dynamic Sokeo Ros. Sit and watch or bring your best moves and sign up for a five-minute slot. Jan. 9. $5. The Carriage House, Providence. 401-831- 9479, www.everett dancetheatre.org

KAREN CAMPBELL

DOUGLAS WEATHERBY: WORKING TITLE: ES INAUGURAL RETROSPECTIVE AND STORAGE LOFT AT THE JUDI ROTENBERG GALLERY Weatherby uses his business, Environmental Services, to transmute labor into performance, detritus into art, and ordinary rooms into installations, all of which he zealously documents. Through Feb. 1. Judi Rotenberg Gallery, 130 Newbury St. 617-437-1518, www.judi rotenberg.com

MUTUAL: ON COLLABORATION Artistic collaboration is like love: Sparks may fly. Samson Projects's Camilo Alvarez teamed with curator Kate McNamara to put together a show of collaborative works, including pieces by Guyton/Walker and Gilbert & George. Through Jan. 31. Samson Projects, 450 Harrison Ave. 617-357-7177. www.samson projects.com

OLIVIA PARKER An Ethiopian book of curses, a child's manuscript, and tribal books from Southeast Asia take center stage as Parker's photographic exploration of still lifes and light continues with a focus on books. Through Feb. 21. Robert Klein Gallery, 38 Newbury St. 617-267-7997, www.robert kleingallery.com

CHRIS FAUST: INLAND Faust's paintings meld realism with abstraction, locating viewers in a landscape, then upending the sense of place as trees and bushes dissolve into fractal patterns meant to convey the primal mystery of the woods. Through Feb. 28. Laconia Gallery, 433 Harrison Ave. 857-222-0333, www.laconia gallery.org CATE McQUAID

DAN GRADY'S MARVELOUS MARIONETTES At the end of the show, audience members can meet the roller skating, tightrope walking, dancing marionettes named Conway Kitty, Humphrey Dumpty, the Dancing Monkees, and more. 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10. $10, $8 kids and seniors. Regent Theatre . 781-646-4849, www.regenttheatre.com

MUSIC BY BEN RUDNCK & FRIENDS The award-winning musician keeps parents and kids entertained with his acoustic blend of country, bluegrass, rock, and New Orleans styles. 10:30 a.m.

Jan. 10. $10, $8 kids and seniors. Coolidge Corner

Theatre . 617-734.2500, www.coolidge.org

STORYTIME AT BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSELLERS These weekly events at the brick-and-mortar chain encourage kids to become readers (and probably consumers). Check online for stores, dates, and times. 11 a.m. Jan. 14. Free. Barnes and Noble Booksellers (Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston.) 617-247-6959,

www.barnesandnoble.com

JUNE WULFF

ELVIS'S 74th BIRTHDAY BASH Your New Year's resolution to diet might be put to the test with the jelly-doughnut-eating contest, but you have to pay tribute to the King, right? Elvis impersonator Dana Z will perform, and you can join the singalong and karaoke contest. 6 p.m. Jan. 8. No cover. Dick's Last Resort. 617-267-8080, www.dickslastresort.com

TOWN FAIR WORLD OF WHEELS Celebrities include more than 300 custom, classic, and collectible vehicles, plus New England Patriots Cheerleaders (Jan. 9 from 5-10 p.m.) and Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson (Jan. 11 from 1-3 p.m.). Jan. 9-11. $15, $5 for ages 6-12. Bayside Expo Center. 617-474-6000, www.world ofwheels.com

NEW STARS FOR YOUNG STARS Justin Masterson makes another appearance, this time for the Jimmy Fund. Other Sox signing autographs: Michael Bowden and Chris Carter. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 10. $150, $250 (includes lunch

for two). Jillian's of Boston. 800-525-4669, www.jimmy fund.org/new-stars

TEA 101 There's more to it than leaves in hot water. Learn from tea sommelier Cynthia Gold, who will launch the first of four classes with instructions on how to steep tea and make Masala Chai. Reservations recommended. 2:15-3 p.m. Jan. 11. Free. Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers,

Swan's Café. 617-654-1906,

www.bostonparkplaza.com

JUNE WULFF