Voice of a black woman

On a lighter note, the “Madam to You’’ poems by Hughes follow a strong woman’s interactions with the census man, the minister, even death. Myers also performs a collection of art songs.

Myers has a master of music degree in voice from Indiana University and a doctor of musical arts degree in voice from the University of Minnesota.

Accompanying Myers is pianist Beverly Soll, an adjunct faculty member at Salem State.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall on Central Campus. Tickets are $10, $5 for students and senior citizens, free to Salem State students with a valid ID.

Call 978-542-7890 or visit www.salemstate.edu/arts.

TWO FOR TEA, OR COFFEE — The Me & Thee Coffeehouse in Marblehead presents Slaid Cleaves and Brendan Hogan on Friday.

Cleaves grew up in Maine, where at an early age he became fascinated with the music of Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, the Beatles, the Everly Brothers, and Woodie Guthrie. He began his career as a busker, singing on the streets of Cork, Ireland, while attending college there in 1985. Returning to the United States, he formed a roots-rock band, Moxie Men, in 1989 and performed extensively throughout New England. He moved to Austin, Texas, in 1991 and the following year won the Kerrville Folk Festival’s New Folk Competition. In 1996, he signed with Rounder Records. He has released several albums, including the most recent “Everything You Love Will Be Taken Away.’’

Hogan, who opens for Cleaves, started his career at Emerson College in 1999, working at the school’s radio station. In 2002, he was hired by the National Public Radio affiliate in Boston, WGBH. His first full-length studio album, “Long Night Coming,’’ features original roots, modern folk, and blues-based songs, as well as two familiar folk and country standards.

The coffeehouse is at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., Marblehead. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Call 781-631-8987 or visit www.meandthee.org.

AUTHOR’S CORNER: Alyssa East will discuss her book, “Dogtown: Death and Enchantment in a New England Ghost Town,’’ at Jabberwocky Bookshop in Newburyport on Friday at 7 p.m. The book is about the strange, dark past of the Dogtown area of Gloucester. The book won the 2010 L.L. Winship/PEN New England Award for nonfiction. . . . Katherine F. Robertson reads from her book, “Life in Violet,’’ at Hamilton-Wenham Public Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The novel is about Violet McKay, a psychotherapist who believes she has buried her early feelings of betrayal and loss. An injury and a sexual obsession with a psychiatrist break open her past and reveal her need for healing.

IN LOCAL GALLERIES: An exhibit of paintings by Michael Ramseur of Amesbury is at the Kensington-Stobart Gallery in Salem through Oct. 31. Early in his career, Ramseur developed a fascination with environments; how people interact with and are defined by their surroundings. Since 1986, a recurring theme in his paintings has been Danvers State Hospital and the people behind its walls. . . . The Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Show, featuring the work of 20 New England artists, is displayed throughout the 100-acre campus of Pingree School in South Hamilton through next Sunday. Sculptors include Chris Williams, George Sherwood, Dale Rogers, Bart Stuyf, Jill Nooney, Richard Duca, Joe Fix, and Beverly Seamans.

Items can be sent to wdkilleen@gmail.com.