Husband and wife duo Mates of State perform their lovers’ rock with synthesizers and drums at the Middle East. Boston bands Victory at Sea—celebrating the release of their new album—and Helms open. Shenzou 5 and the Firebird Band provide further support. 18+. Tickets $10. 7 p.m. Downstairs at the Middle East. (EAG)

Monday, October 4

READING | Will in the World

Professor Stephen Greenblatt, editor of the Norton Shakespeare, will be reading from his newest book Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. Beforehand, join him for a reception to raise a glass. Sponsored by the Harvard Book Store, the Harvard University English Department and the Harvard University Art Museums. Free. 5 p.m. Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave. 6 p.m. Arthur M. Sackler Museum, 485 Broadway. (JJH)

READING | The Impossible Will Take A Little While

Paul Rogat Loeb will speak on his citizen’s guide to keeping hope alive in a time of fear as part of the Cambridge Forum. The book includes contributions from Maya Angelou, Tony Kushner, Pablo Neruda, Henri Nouwen, Marge Piercy and Desmond Tutu. Free. 7:30 p.m. First Parish Church, 3 Church Street. (JJH)

FILM | The Maltese Falcon

The Brattle begins its Film Noir 101 program with arguably the first and the best film noir. Legendary director John Huston (Key Largo, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre) debuts with his own adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s 1929 classic pulp fiction novel of the same name. Hard-boiled San Francisco detective, Sam Spade (Bogart), goes head to head in search for the elusive statuette against the femme fatale (Astor), the “fat man” (Greenstreet), and his fair-weather partner (Lorre). It was nominated for three Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay) and deserved all of them. This is one of the best films ever made. Tickets $9. 5:00, 7:15, 9:45 p.m. The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street. (SAW)

Tuesday, October 5

FILM | All About Eve

Anne Baxter plays a an aspiring actress who will do anything to get ahead, including carefully climbing her way into the inner circle of the biggest Broadway star of the time (played by superstar Bette Davis). Luckily, she has more than pluck on her side. She also has a cynical big-name critic on her side (George Saunders) who understands the game better than anyone else and is bringing her into the big-leagues for his own murky reasons. All About Eve is billed as the ultimate backstage story, and it deserves the recognition. A fun and crass and campy exploration of the American desire to be famous. Tickets $6. 9 p.m. The Harvard Film Archive. (SAW)