IRREGULAR LANDSCAPES
Three terrific Boston painters at the Hynes. Cristi Rinklin juggles styles from art history to digital fantasy in her paintings. Joe Wardwell intertwines lush landscapes with rock lyrics. Sean Downey’s provocative narratives ask more questions than they answer. Pictured: Rinklin’s “Migration 1.’’ Through Feb. 22. Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St. 617-954-2081, www.massconvention.com/community/irregular-landscapes CATE McQUAID
MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES
Boston’s ska-core heroes return for the 19th edition of their Hometown Throwdown, which will showcase acts from all over the globe — including Jamaican ska pioneers the Skatalites and Japan’s hyper-theatrical Peelander-Z — in its opening-act slots. Dec. 28-30, 7 p.m. $26-$39.50. House of Blues. 888-693-2583, www.houseofblues.com/boston MAURA JOHNSTON
Pop & Rock
THE ROOTS Philadelphia’s hardest-hustling hip-hop ensemble flaunts its technical prowess and deep musical knowledge nightly as the house band for “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon’’; their original tracks combine that know-how with bracingly honest lyrics about the state of the world. Dec. 26, 7 p.m. $62- $79.50. House of Blues. 888-693-2583, www.houseofblues.com/boston
KURT VILE AND THE VIOLATORS This Philadelphia strummer exists at the forefront of slacker-pop’s new wave, combining hopelessly catchy tunes with fluid riffs inspired by psych’s expanse and indie rock’s crunch. Dec. 29, 8 p.m. $30, $27 advance. Royale. 617-338-7699, www.royaleboston.com; Dec. 30, 7 p.m. $30. The Sinclair, Cambridge. 617-547-5200,www.sinclair cambridge.com
MAURA JOHNSTON
Folk & World
NATHAN BOWLES “Deconstructivist tradition-bearer’’ Bowles plays his banjo by his lonesome on this visit, with an emphasis on the Appalachian excursions of his recent release, “Whole & Cloven.’’ Make some noise to hear that record’s epic, 11-plus minute instrumental lament, “I Miss My Dog.’’ Bowles is opening for Kurt Vile. Dec. 29, 8 p.m. $27. Royale. 888-929-7849. www.axs.com
HAYES CARLL It took him over five years to make “Lovers and Leavers,’’ and Carll thinks his latest effort comes closer than any other record he’s made to reflecting what he is: a singer-songwriter. He sings and plays ’em Friday, accompanied by significant other Allison Moorer. Dec. 30, 9 p.m. Tickets: $22. 3S Artspace, Portsmouth, N.H. 603-766-3330. www.3sarts.org
ELLIS PAUL Paul has been doing this for a while — not only performing, but marking the end of another year with a run of Passim shows. As 2016 winds down, the folksinger celebrates a quarter-century of doing both with his “The World Ain’t Slowin’ Down’’ tour. Dec. 30- 31, 7 and 10 p.m. $40 (Dec. 30), $50 (Dec. 31). Club Passim, Cambridge. 617-492-7679. www.passim.org
STUART MUNRO
Jazz & Blues
CHARLIE KOHLHASE’S EXPLORER’S CLUB The alto, tenor, and baritone saxophonist’s intrepid band can vary in size and membership, but invariably they lead audiences on adventurous journeys through Kohlhases’s engaging and intricate compositions, as well as interpretations of pieces by the likes of Thelonious Monk and John Tchicai. Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m. $10. Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St., Cambridge. 617-395-1393, www.lilypad inman.com
JEB BISHOP, STEVE LANTNER, DAMON SMITH, & MICHAEL EVANS For the first in a series of concerts featuring the music of trombonist Bishop and bassist Smith, they’ll be joined by fellow Bostonian Lantner on piano, and acclaimed New York City-based percussionist Evans for an evening of improvisations for quartet. Dec. 29, 8 p.m. $10. Outpost 186, 186½ Hampshire St., Cambridge. www.outpost186.com
MATTHEW STUBBS & THE ANTIGUAS Stubbs specializes in soul-soaked, bluesy guitar instrumentals. When not leading his own band, he’s touring with the legendary Charlie Musselwhite, as well as performing and recording with numerous other blues, roots, and R&B luminaries. DiCenso/Clark Expedition opens. Dec. 30, 9 p.m. $10. Ryles, 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge. 617-876-9330, www.ryles.com
KEVIN LOWENTHAL
Classical
BOSTON POPS The Pops celebrates the 30th anniversary of “Back to the Future’’ with a screening of the film and live performance of Alan Silvestri’s score, now updated with about 20 minutes of new music added especially for these performances. Dec. 30-31, 12 p.m., Symphony Hall. 888-266-1200, www.bso.org
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY The Society and the Museum of African American History’s fifth annual freedom-themed First Night Jubilee Day Concert includes excerpts from Mendelssohn’s “Elijah’’ and Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeaus,’’ as well as “Battle Hymn of the Republic’’ and “Life Ev’ry Voice and Sing.’’ Scott Allen Jarrett conducts. Dec. 31, 1:30 p.m., Boston Public Library. 617-262-1815, www.handelandhaydn.org
BOSTON BAROQUE The ensemble’s annual New Year’s Day concerts under music director Martin Pearlman include Handel’s “Music for the Royal Fireworks,’’ Corelli’s “Christmas’’ Concerto, and Bach’s Violin Concerto in A Minor, the latter featuring its superb concertmaster, Christina Day Martinson. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, Sanders Theatre. 617-585-1260, www.bostonbaroque.org
David Weininger
ARTS
Theater
THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS A remount of a production that I considered one of the top 10 shows of 2016. Director Paul Daigneault has reunited his entire original cast, including De’Lon Grant, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, and Brandon G. Green, for Kander & Ebb’s musical about one of the more infamous episodes of racial injustice in the nation’s history. Dec. 30-Jan. 22. SpeakEasy Stage Company, at Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts. 617-933-8600, www.speakeasystage.com
MATCHLESS & THE HAPPY PRINCE In “Matchless,’’ an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s poignant “The Little Match Girl’’ by Gregory Maguire of “Wicked’’ fame, the young boy who finds one of the girl’s slippers becomes the protagonist of a new story. In Oscar Wilde’s “The Happy Prince,’’ a statue of a prince makes friends with a swallow; both ultimately sacrifice themselves to help the poor. Directed by Debra Wise. Through Dec. 31. Underground Railway Theater, Central Square Theater, Cambridge. 617-576-9278 ext. 1, www.centralsquaretheater.org
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Austin Pendleton, who was in the original 1964 Broadway cast of “Fiddler,’’ directs a vibrantly alive production that adds up to one of the most rewarding theatrical experiences of the year. Jeremiah Kissel gives it everything he’s got — and that’s a lot — as Tevye, a Jewish dairyman in an early 20th-century shtetl, sweating and struggling to cope with convulsive change in every corner of his life and his world. Through Jan. 1. New Repertory Theatre, Mainstage Theater, Mosesian Center for the Arts, Watertown. 617-923-8487, www.newrep.org
DON AUCOIN
Dance
2016 WINTER WONDER DANCE FESTIVAL This Dance Complex intensive includes three performances of “Gumdrops & the Funny Uncle,’’ which Peter DiMuro’s Public Displays of Motion calls “an alternative family Nutcracker for families of choice.’’ Created in collaboration with the Theater Offensive and the School of Classical Ballet, the show features performances and repertoire by festival artists including David Parker & the Bang Group. Dec. 28-30, $12-$33. Dance Complex, Cambridge. 617-547-9363, www.dancecomplex.org
NEW YEAR’S EVE NUTCRACKER Boston Ballet celebrates New Year’s Eve with a special performance of “The Nutcracker’’ to close out the holiday season. It includes all the choreographic fireworks and grand spectacle we’ve come to expect, plus some unique twists, including a super-size all-star cast and surprise special appearances. Go early for the pre-show brass quintet playing holiday favorites. Dec. 31, $45–$199. Boston Opera House. 617-695-6955, www.boston ballet.org
FIRST NIGHT FIRST DAY This treasured annual celebration includes a variety of free dance offerings, from mini-lessons and participatory events to family-friendly performances. Participants over the course of the celebration include OrigiNation, Chu Ling Dance Academy, Melody Dance Troupe, O’Shea Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance, Lil’ Phunk, and Phunk Phenomenon. Dec. 31, Free. Various Locations. 617-439-7700
KAREN CAMPBELL
Galleries
NEW POTS|UTILITY2 Linda Christianson and Jan McKeachie-Johnston go back to pottery’s beginning in their use of labor-intensive wood-firing — a field rare for women. McKeachie-Johnston’s rough, fluted vessels look ritualistic; Christianson marks her quieter plates and cups with broad stripes and dots. Through Jan. 7. Lacoste Gallery, 25 Main St., Concord. 978-369-0278, www.lacostegallery.com
EDIE BRESLER: WE SOLD A WINNER Nowhere is hope more naked than in the purchase of a lottery ticket. This photographer visited small, family-run stores around America that have sold big winning tickets. Her exhibition reflects on community, hard work, and poor odds. Through Jan. 14. Gallery Kayafas, 450 Harrison Ave. 617-482-0411, www.gallerykayafas.com
CATE McQUAID
Museums
CHRISTIAN MARCLAY: THE CLOCK A masterpiece of our time, Marclay’s 24-hour montage of clips from film and television is its own timepiece: Almost every clip contains some reference to the actual time as you watch it. Unmissable. Through Jan. 29. Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave. 617-267-9300. www.mfa.org
GESTURAL ENGINEERING: THE SCULPTURE OF ARTHUR GANSON A gallery devoted to the ever-popular maker of poetic kinetic sculptures has been reopened after a major upgrade. Many sculptures have been restored, new controls added to make it easier to activate the works, and a new display allows viewers to touch some of the work. MIT Museum, 265 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-253-5927, mitmuseum.mit.edu
INVENTING IMPRESSIONISM Many rarely seen works on paper have been pulled out of storage for this exhibition of works from the RISD Museum collection by Berthe Morisot, Paul Cezanne, Camille Pissarro, Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, and Edouard Manet, among others. Through June 11. 20 North Main St., Providence. 401 454 6400, www.risd museum.org
SEBASTIAN SMEE
EVENTS
Comedy
COMPETITIVE EROTIC FAN FICTION WITH BRYAN COOK Comedians wax erotic on their favorite fictional universes in Cook’s show. He’ll host the competition in the early show and then headline the late show. Dec. 28. Fan fiction at 7 p.m., $10-$12. Bryan Cook at 10 p.m, $5 (or free with ticket to early show). Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston. 617-566-9014, www.greatscottboston .com
A TOAST TO DON GAVIN Gavin has been one of Boston’s funniest standups for decades, so this is a fitting tribute from his peers Tony V and Jimmy Dunn. Proceeds from the event will go to Nahant SWIM, which helps clean up the water around Nahant, where Gavin currently resides. Dec. 28, 8 p.m. $25. Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston. 617-725-2844, www.laughboston.com
DRUNK WITH LAUGHTER Boston standup veterans Joey Carroll and Jack Lynch top the bill at these alcohol-free New Year’s Eve shows. All foolishness will be done sober. Dec. 31, 7 and 9 p.m. $20. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 781-646-4849, www.regenttheatre.com
NICK A. ZAINO III
Family
Family Friendly Comedy End 2016 with a laugh at Improv Boston where a talented team of goofballs are guaranteed to get you giggling. The family-friendly comedy show is made up on the spot and there’s no telling what antics will ensue. Dec. 31, 4 p.m. $16 adults, $10 kids ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St., Cambridge. 617-576-1253, www.improv boston.com/nye
First Night First DayA daylong celebration around downtown Boston, First Night has something for everyone. There’s ballroom dancing, arts and crafts, family fireworks and the Frog Pond skating spectacular, but be sure to schedule some power naps if you’re staying up until midnight! Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-midnight. Free. Copley Square, 617-439-7700, www.first nightboston.org
Ice Sculptures There’s an icebox where my heart used to be, but nothing thaws it quicker than interactive ice sculptures and live street performances! Dine, shop, and hang around the marketplace this New Year’s Eve while you check out the collection of sculptures on display. Don’t forget to take a picture, it’ll last longer! Dec. 31, 1 p.m. Free. Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 617-523-1300, www.faneuilhallmarket place.com Carly Sitrin
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Jan. 6-Feb. 4 “Hand to God’’ at Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion www.boston theatrescene.com
Jan. 6-Feb. 5 “A Doll’s House’’ at BU Theatre www.huntingtontheatre.org
Jan. 12-15 Guster at Paradise Rock Club www.ticketmaster.com
Jan. 13 Kings of Leon and Deerhunter at TD Garden www.ticket master.com
Jan. 17-29 “Something Rotten!’’ at Boston Opera House boston.broadway.com
Jan. 19-Feb. 5 “Trans Scripts, Part I: The Women’’ at Loeb Drama Center americanrepertory theater.org
Jan. 28 CRASHfest (Air Congo, Bombino, Carrie Rodriguez, Daby Touré, Debo Band, Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band, LADAMA, Orkesta Mendoza, Salif Keita, and San Fermin and NOW Ensemble) tickets.worldmusic.org
Sonia Rao
Maura Johnston can be reached at maura@maura.com.
