Globe NorthWest Best Bets

It's our pick of the best of the 'burbs. Go to boston.com/northwest for a complete listing of musical events, theaters, galleries, children's activities, and other happenings in Globe NorthWest.

December 2, 2007

Chelmsford: Shlock Rock is a Jewish rock 'n' roll band with a difference. Find out what that means at its 7:30 p.m. concert Saturday at Congregation Shalom, 87 Richardson Road. Led by Lenny Solomon, the four-man band has been parodying rock 'n' roll songs since 1986. Band members have 27 recordings to their credit, and people are clamoring to hear them sing "My Menorrah" to the tune of Richie Valens's "La Bamba." $9-$22. Advance ticket purchase advised. 978-688-0466.

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.

Arlington: What with all the shopping and strain of the holidays, wouldn't it be good to get out and see "A Comedy Tonight"? It certainly would be Erronius to miss the Hysterium of The Arlington Friends of the Drama's production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." Performances of Stephen Sondheim's hit musical are Friday, Saturday, and Dec. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.; and Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. at 22 Academy St. $20. afdtheatre.org, 781-646-5922.

Calendar and Best Bets listings should be sent, three weeks in advance, to epayne@globe.com. High-resolution jpegs welcome.