fri, oct 3

DANCE | Undercurrents, José Mateo Ballet Theatre

José Mateo Ballet Theatre opens its 18th season with “Undercurrents”, consisting of three ballet pieces choreographed by José Mateo. The performance will include “The Last Circus” set to Stravinsky’s “Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments”, “Courtly Lovers” set to Haydn’s “Surprise Symphony”, and a new ballet set to music by Schumann. The works will be presented with cabaret-style seating, offering a close view of the performers; cocktails will also be served during the performance. Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m., and Thurs. at 7:30 p.m. $28. Sanctuary Theatre, 400 Harvard St., Cambridge. (MPL)

FILM | Dance, Girl, Dance by Dorothy Arzner (1940, 89 min.)

In the film that made much-loved physical comedienne Lucille Ball a full-fledged statr, Maureen O’Hara and Ball are dancers fleshing out the age-old dichotomy of art as art and art as business. O’Hara struggles to succeed in ballet, whereas Ball gains a somewhat notorious celebrity in a burlesque club. Directed with a keen eye by Dorothy Azner, Dance, Girl, Dance also features snappy choreography by her good friend Marion Morgan. 6:15 p.m. $8 students. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (MPL)

FILM | In July

Kinetic and quirky, In July is the grueling geographic saga of Daniel (Moritz Bleibtreu, who last appeared as Lola’s significant other in Run Lola Run), who suddenly decides to quit his mundane job as a physics teacher and travels to Istanbul in search of his dream girl. He shares most of his European travails with Juli (Christiane Paul), a vibrant young woman who predicts Daniel will soon find his one true love. In German, Turkish, Bulgarian, and Serbo-Croatian with English subtitles. 8 p.m. $8 students. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (MPL)

MUSIC | Mix 98.5 Mixfest X

Boston’s Mix 98.5 presents Mixfest X, the tenth year in what many consider the best Adult Radio concert series. This year’s concert features Mixfest alumni Duran Duran, Barenaked Ladies and Train, as well as radio favorites Dido, Tori Amos, Michelle Branch, and Vertical Horizon. Jason Mraz, the breakout star of the summer, will also take the stage, and Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray is the guest MC. 6 p.m. $39.50-87.50. FleetCenter, 1 FleetCenter Pl., Boston. (MPL)

MUSIC | Capercaillie

Blending traditional Scottish music with contemporary rhythms, Capercaillie’s reinterpretations of Gaelic jigs and ancient love songs have made them a unique fixture on the Scottish music scene. Singer Karen Matheson performs in both English and Gaelic, and is accompanied by seven band members playing everything from guitar, fiddle, accordion, and bouzouki to flute, pipes, and keyboards. 8 p.m. $22-28. Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq., Somerville. (MPL)

MUSIC | Nnenna Freelon

Nnenna Freelon sings at the 5th Anniversary Benefit Concert for the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund (CHAF) with a concert entitled “Coming Home to Help the Homeless”. Freelon, a five-time Grammy nominee and a Cambridge native, will present a mix of gospel, jazz, and rhythm and blues. 8 p.m. $23-28. Sanders Theatre. (MPL)

MUSIC | Moonraker

Named “Outstanding Pop/Rock Band” at the 2003 Boston Music Awards, Moonraker, an electronic outfit from Boston, plays in support of their self-titled debut. They have toured with the likes of Lake Trout, Elefant, Joan Osbourne, The Slip, DJ Spooky, and the Broken Social Scene, and they return to the band’s birthplace with some reworked material and a batch of new songs. Annie Clark and Iluminada also perform. 9:30 p.m. $10; 18+. T.T. the Bear’s Place, 10 Brookline Street. (MPL)