LIVES IN LIMBO: REFUGEES AT THE GATES OF EUROPE

Aid worker Leslie Meral Schick helped organize this exhibition of photos, drawings, videos, and more. It spotlights individual refugees in portraits and biographies, and documents life in camps in Greece and elsewhere. Pictured: A detail of “Hope behind shadow of pain!’’ by Salam Noah. Through Jan. 28. Beacon Gallery, 524B Harrison Ave. 617-718-5600, www.beacongallery.com CATE McQUAID

Pop & Rock

THE KILLERS The most theatrical band in the early-’00s “rock is back’’ boomlet is still at it, and even though they’re more grown up — last year’s “Wonderful Wonderful’’ takes on weighty subjects like depression and parenthood — their glossy, left-field update of New Wave remains irresistible, with lead singer Brandon Flowers holding it down as one of rock’s Last Great Frontmen. Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m. $25 and up. TD Garden. 800-745-3000, www.td garden.com

DOROTHY Lye-voiced caterwauler Dorothy Martin leads a scorched-earth blooze stomp that combines metal’s grinding riffs, glam’s storming drums, and soul’s unfettered passion. Jan. 12, 8 p.m. $17.50 and up. Paradise Rock Club. 617-562-8800, www.crossroadspresents.com

LANA DEL REY The millennial icon’s fourth album, “Lust for Life,’’ puts a content, self-aware spin on her Nancy Sinatra-through-an-Instagram-filter aesthetic; it features cameos from spiritual heir Stevie Nicks and hip-hop foil A$AP Rocky, as well as “When the World Was at War We Kept Dancing,’’ a state-of-the-world song that channels dread and romantic hope through swirled vocals and bachata guitars. Jan. 13, 8 p.m. $39.50 and up. TD Garden. 800-745-3000, www.tdgarden.com

MAURA JOHNSTON

Folk & World

WILLIE MASON The Martha’s Vineyard singer-songwriter has carried on a musical career that doesn’t conform to the usual paths or expectations, recording sporadically and engaging in far-flung musical projects that include participation in a staged celebration of the music of Jeff and Tim Buckley, and a performance with five massed choirs as part of an exploration of why we sing. Jan. 7, 9:30 p.m. $10. Atwood’s Tavern, Cambridge. 800-838-3006, www.brown papertickets.com

ARC IRIS Jocie Adams and company bring the acoustic-electric shapeshifting music they make as Arc Iris to this Cambridge hole-in-the-wall for a January residency; this is the second of four weeks. Hang around for the late show, and you can catch some hard-core honky tonk courtesy of Stan Martin. Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. No cover. Toad, Cambridge. 617-497-4950, www.toad cambridge.com

CRACKER/CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN Call it Cracker van Beethoven, or “surrealist absurdist folk’’ meets crunchy alt-country rock; these two David Lowery alter egos have been making a New Year’s stop in Central Square a habit for the past few years, and this January is no exception. Jan. 13, 9 p.m. $22. Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge. 866-777-8932, www.ticketweb.com

STUART MUNRO

Jazz & Blues

PAUL RISHELL & ANNIE RAINES The long-running, W.C. Handy Award-winning duo — finger-style guitar master Rishell and hot harmonica player Raines, both fine singers to boot — re-animte the country blues with their wide-ranging repertoire of original, classic, and lesser-known tunes. Jan. 12, 8 p.m. $25. Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge. 617-492-7679, www.passim.org

5th ANNUAL NARROWS WINTER BLUES FESTIVAL Two nights of hot blues for a frosty weekend. Friday’s featured performers are Carolyn Wonderland, Scott Sherrard, Delta Generators, and Black Cadillac. Saturday’s artists are Anthony Gomes, Damon Fowler, Neal McCarthy Band, and Lois Greco. Jan. 12-13. 8 p.m. $35-$37 Friday; $37-$42 Saturday; $62 both days. Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River. 508-324-1926, www.narrowscenter.org

RUSS GERSHON TRIO We’re used to hearing saxophonist, composer, Ethiopian jazz maven, and Either/Orchestra leader Gershon in the context of larger groups. But his flexible trio featuring bassist Blake Newman and drummer Phil Neighbors allows him more elbow room. Jan. 13, 6 p.m. $15. Third Life Studio, 33 Union Square, Somerville. www.thirdlifestudio.com, www.mandorlamusic.net

KEVIN LOWENTHAL

Classical

BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA For his second week of subscription programs, French conductor Francois-Xavier Roth leads the orchestra in Stravinsky’s “Firebird’’ (complete), Webern’s “Passacaglia,’’ and Bartok’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the formidable soloist Pierre-Laurent Aimard. Jan. 11-13, Symphony Hall. 617-266-1200, www.bso.org 

BOSTON CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY Dohnanyi’s Serenade for String Trio is the rarely spotted gem on a program that also includes works by Debussy and Dvorak. With Yura Lee and Alexi Kenney (violins), Dimitri Murrath and Kim Kashkashian (violas), and Raman Ramakrishnan and Gabriel Cabezas (cellos). Jan 7, 3 p.m., Sanders Theatre. 617-349-0086, www.boston chambermusic.org  

BOSTON ARTISTS ENSEMBLE In a meaty program titled “The Art of the String Quintet,’’ the BAE players gather for two quintets by Mozart along with Brahms’s great G-Major Quintet (Op. 111). Jan. 7 at St. Paul’s Church in Brookline. 617-964-6553, www.bostonartistsensemble.org 

JEREMY EICHLER

ARTS

Theater

MALA Written and performed by Melinda Lopez, inspired by the final year of her mother’s life, this exquisite solo drama (which premiered at ArtsEmerson in 2016) blends the intimacy of a deeply personal story with a universality of experience and emotion that will resonate with anyone who has had to navigate through the final goodbye to a parent. Directed by David Dower. Through Jan. 28. Huntington Theatre Company. At Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts. 617-266-0800, www.huntingtontheatre .org

UNVEILED A one-woman show created by and starring the playwright-actress Rohina Malik. She portrays five Muslim women from different backgrounds who describe the impact on their lives of the stereotyping, discrimination, and Islamophobia they experienced after 9/11. Copresented by New Repertory Theatre and Greater Boston Stage Company. Jan. 10-28 at New Repertory Theatre, Mainstage Theater, Mosesian Center for the Arts, Watertown. 617-923-8487, www.new rep.org. Feb. 7-16 at Greater Boston Stage Company, Stoneham. 781-279-2200, www.greater bostonstage.org

KNYUM World premiere of a semi-autobiographical solo play, written and performed by Vichet Chum, about a man who works the night shift at a New York hotel while spending his days trying to learn the Khmer language, determined to forge a connection with his Cambodian heritage and gain a deeper understanding of his own identity. Directed by KJ Sanchez. Jan. 10-Feb. 4. Merrimack Repertory Theatre. At Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, Lowell. 978-654-4678, www.mrt.org

WINTER PANTO 2018: 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA Kiki Samko portrays Captain Nemo in this family-friendly production, an irreverent take on Jules Verne’s classic novel of sci-fi and underwater adventure. Directed by Matthew Woods and written by Woods and the ensemble. Jan. 13-Feb. 4. Imaginary Beasts. At Charlestown Working Theater, Charlestown. 866-811-4111, www.imaginarybeasts.org

DON AUCOIN

Dance

COMPAGNIE HERVÉ KOUBI This acclaimed, dynamic French/African company returns with two works. The first is a reprise of last year’s sold-out production “Ce que le jour doit à la nuit’’ (What the Day Owes the Night). The second evening, the troupe offers the Boston premiere of “Les nuits barbares ou les premiers matins du monde’’ (The Barbarian Nights or the First Dawns of the World). How to choose? Presented by World Music/CRASHarts. Jan. 12-13. $54-$58. Institute of Contemporary Art. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org

SHANGHAI DANCE THEATRE Presented by China Arts and Entertainment Group, the company makes its Boston debut with the balletic dance drama “Soaring Wings: Journey of the Crested Ibis.’’ With accomplished dancing, eye-catching choreography, and drop-dead gorgeous costumes and sets, the production’s story addresses the impact of humankind on our natural world. Jan. 11-12. $30-$100. Shubert Theatre. 866-348-9738, www.bochcenter.org

MEGAN BASCOM & DANCERS The collaborative New York-based modern dance company offers a promising evening of two works, including the intimate “For Whom,’’ which it began developing last winter during a residency at the Dance Complex. “SAID.I.MEANT’’ examines what gets left behind as we change and grow. Jan. 13-14. $18-$23. Dance Complex, Cambridge. 617-547-9363, www.dancecomplex.org

KAREN CAMPBELL

Galleries

SUSAN SCHWALB: ON POINT Schwalb is a master of the exacting, 600-year-old technique known as metalpoint or silverpoint, executed with a metal-tipped stylus, or metal brushes or pads. She applies these to painted grids, playing shimmery surface against illusionistic depth. Through Feb. 16. Rafius Fane Gallery, 460 Harrison Ave. 508-843-2184, www.rafiusfane gallery.com

NEIL WELLIVER & ALEX KATZ Welliver, who died in 2005, and Katz, now 90, are known for their crisp, reductive realism. This show features a lush Welliver painting and prints by both artists evoking Maine’s woods, lakes, and wildlife. Through Feb. 11. Beth Urdang Gallery, 460 Harrison Ave. 781-264-1121. www.bethurdanggallery.com

CATE McQUAID

Museums

HITO STEYERL: LIQUIDITY INC. The German filmmaker’s installation seats visitors on a wave-shaped platform to view her deft, fast-paced video, which makes water a metaphor for commerce, digital communication, spiritual and athletic discipline, and human consciousness. Through April 22. Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Drive. 617-478-3100, www.icaboston .org

(UN)EXPECTED FAMILIESPhotography has long captured the intimate dynamics of family life. Here 150 years of photos by artists such as Gordon Parks and Diane Arbus explore changing definitions of family and partnership, and more perennial bonds of love and kinship. Through June 17. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave. 617-267-9300, www.mfa.org

KADER ATTIA: REASON’S OXYMORONSAttia investigates the concept of repair. His video installation, composed of 18 monitors in office cubicles, examines how Western and non-Western societies perceive and cope with trauma and healing. Through March 18. Hood Downtown, Hood Museum of Art, 53 Main St., Hanover, N.H. 603-646-2808, hoodmuseum.dartmouth .edu CATE McQUAID

EVENTS

Comedy

ANNIE LEDERMAN The Pennsylvania native is a comedian (“Girl Code,’’ “@Midnight’’), voice-over talent (“Grand Theft Auto V’’), and an artist who posts her sketches and drawings on social media. Jan. 11-12 at 8 p.m., Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. $20-$25. Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston. 617-725-2844, www.laughboston.com

KATHLEEN MADIGAN A sharp, can’t-miss comic, Madigan comes to town on her “Boxed Wine & Bigfoot’’ tour following her “Bothering Jesus’’ Netflix special. Jan. 13, 7 p.m. $32-$39. The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston. 617-248-9700, www.thewilbur .com

JIMMY TINGLE Now a candidate for lieutenant governor, the veteran comedian has more campaign stops than shows on his schedule. He brings his “Where Are We Now?’’ show to Natick. Jan. 13, 8 p.m. $24-$28. The Center for Arts in Natick, 14 Summer St., Natick. 508-647-0097, www.natickarts.org

NICK A. ZAINO

Family

Mirror, Mirror, What Do You See? Any parent will tell you that young kids love asking questions about anything and everything, and there’s no better way to satisfy their curiosity than letting them experiment for themselves. With the chance to play and tinker with mirrors, reflections, and light, a child can let his or her imagination run wild as they further discover the amazing world around them. Jan. 11, 10-11 a.m. Free with admission. The Discovery Museums, 177 Main St., Acton. www.discoverymuseums.org

Salty > Sour SeasScience and art join forces in this interactive exhibit by artist Evelyn Rydz, who made use of trash left in the ocean to create repurposed, artistic treasures. Visitors will be able to make their own recycled creations while learning about what lies above and below Boston Harbor. Jan. 13, noon-4 p.m. Free with admission. Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Drive. www.icaboston.org/events/salty-sour-seas

Robert Steiner

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Jan. 14 Walk the Moon at House of Blues concerts.livenation.com

Jan. 18 The Isley Brothers at Wilbur Theatre www.ticket master.com

Jan. 21 Tennis at Royale Nightclub www.axs.com

Jan. 23 Milky Chance at House of Blues concerts.livenation.com

Jan. 24 Sleigh Bells at Paradise Rock Club www.ticketmaster.com

Jan. 26 Blues Traveler at House of Blues concerts.livenation.com

Feb. 7 First Aid Kit at House of Blues concerts.livenation.com

Feb. 10 Trey Anastasio at Sanders Theater www.stubhub.com

Robert Steiner