North Best Bets

Diana Brewer, Cristi Catt, Laurie Monahan, and Daniela Tosic.

MUSIC

Ipswich/Salem: Saturday night is ladies night at Chamber Music by Candlelight. Vocal ensemble Tapestry presents "Faces of a Woman," featuring music by, for, and about women. The singers are Diana Brewer, Cristi Catt, Laurie Monahan, and Daniela Tosic. Shira Kammen plays the vielle, the medieval version of a violin. Presented by Cambridge Society for Early Music 8 p.m. at Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St. $30, $25 seniors, kids free. Program repeated Sunday, 4 p.m. at the Heard House Museum, 54 South Main St. 617-489-2062, www.csem.org.

THEATER

Chelsea: Is the 9 to 5 life getting you down? Then you might relate to "The Thugs," a comedy-drama about the details of office doings. The Apollinaire Theatre Company's production is presented Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., and Sunday, 3 p.m., at Chelsea Theatre Works, 189 Winnisimmet St. Also Nov. 28-29 at 8 p.m. $20, $18 advance, $10 student rush. 617-887-2336, www.apollinairetheatre.com.

Salem: Shakespeare's last play is full of magic, mystery, and the masterful portrayal of human nature for which the Bard is known. Salem State College Theatre Department presents "The Tempest" tonight through Saturday, 8 p.m., at the Mainstage Theatre, 352 Lafayette St. William Cunningham directs. Also Dec. 4-6 at 8 p.m., Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. $15, $10 seniors and students. 978-542-6290, www.salemstate.edu/arts.