Lowell: Thirty recordings and folk singer John McCutcheon's still going and popular as ever. Take a break today and take the family to hear him do what he does so well. He will be performing at 2 p.m. at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell's Durgin Hall, 35 Wilder St. For all ages. $12. uml.edu/centerforarts/discovery.
Medford: Gilbert Kalish has been the pianist of the Boston Symphony Chamber Players since 1969, accompanies Jan DeGaetani and Dawn Upshaw, and has more than 100 recordings to his name. Kalish will inaugurate the Tufts University Granoff Music Center Guest Artist Series at 8 p.m. Saturday with a performance of "Beethoven's Bagatelles," Copland's "Four Piano Blues," Haydn's Sonata No. 47 in D Major, and Ives's "Concord Sonata," for which Kalish's recording received a Grammy nomination. Tickets are $10-$25. 617-627-4042.
North Andover: Classically trained musician Mieka Pauley knows a lot about Harvard, having graduated from the college with a degree in biological anthropology and having played the street corners of Harvard Square. The last several years, she has concentrated on her music and has been rewarded with recognition at the Telluride Festival's Troubadour Competition, multiple Boston Music Award nominations, and sharing the bill with Eric Clapton at the Tweeter Center. And if you don't think fans make a difference, her latest CD, "Elijah Drop Your Gun," was financed completely by her fans. Now, that's an endorsement. She will be performing at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Crossroads Coffeehouse, Old Center Hall, 3 Great Pond Road. $15. 978-687-7948, crossroads-coffeehouse.org.
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