Friday, Dec. 17

MUSIC | The Robby Roadsteamer Holiday Special

Head down to Central Square to catch Robby Roadsteamer at the Middle East. This mustachioed showman performs regularly in the Boston area with his five piece band and occasionally with merely an accompanist (for his comedy shows). His album Cruising With the Masters charted on the Top 40 for CMJ’s new music charts. At this CD release party with friends IIJ, Wack Ass Egyptians, Mad Larry, and Elliot Timmers, new CDs will be free. 18+. Tickets are $9. (NNH)

MUSIC | Rueben, Meet the Day, The Jinx Motive (Reunion), Jon Frederik Band

Catch Rueben’s last show before they head West to California, then dry your tears to the sunny feel-good tunes of Meet the Day. The last two acts of the evening will be The Jinx Motive (Reunion) and Jon Frederik Band. The show is 18+. $10 through TicketMaster or $12 at the door. 8 p.m. Downstairs at the Middle East. (ECMV)

DRAMA | Whose Wife is it Anyway?

The Winthrop House Drama Society brings us a long-running hit from London’s West End. Saturday Night Live meets Sex and the City meets The West Wing in a sexually charged political farce. Get your tickets at the Harvard Box Office. $7 with student ID, $12 senior citizens, $20 for everyone else. Friday at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. All shows in the Winthrop House Junior Common Room. (ECMV)

MUSIC | Christmas Revels

The 34th year of the Christmas Revels promises to be the best yet, featuring fiddlers, clog dancers and a multitude of Quebecois musicians performing in celebration of the winter solstice. Patrick Swanson directs the revelry, heavy on audience participation. Come feel the tradition. Tickets available at the Harvard Box Office, $42/$32/$20 adults, $32/$22/$12 children under 12. Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m., Sunday at 1 and 5 p.m. Sanders Theater. (ELF)

DANCE | Bounce

The student-run Expressions Dance Company put on a show in a variety of dance styles, including jazz, modern, hip-hop, reggae and African. Every piece is student-choreographed. Tickets available at the Harvard Box Office, all seats $7. Friday at 5 and 8 p.m. Lowell Lecture Hall. (ELF)

THEATER | Genie

A homegrown original musical brings its comic tale of magic and college life to the stage. This “musical chameleon” has something for everyone, fusing traditional musical style with rock and blues. Written and directed by Ben D. Scheuer ’04-’05 and James W. Lawler ’04-’05. Tickets available at the Harvard Box Office, $8 regular, $5 student. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 4 p.m. Cabot House JCR. (ELF)

MUSIC | Evan Dando

The former lead singer of the Lemonheads (of punk cover of “Mrs. Robinson” semi-fame) continues his solo alt-pop career with a return to his hometown in support of his album Baby I’m Bored. Come party like it’s 1992. With Jake Brennan & the Confidence Men and Bob Cenci. Tickets at door or online. $15. Doors at 8 p.m. 18+ only. Paradise Rock Club. (ELF)

Saturday, Dec. 18

MUSIC | Endway, Haloburn, Beyond the Embrace, The Hidden, Morgan Knockers

A certain tattoo and piercing emporium presents a smorgasbord of aural delights for Saturday night at the Middle East. Pino Bros. Ink sponsors Endway, Haloburn, Beyond the Embrace, the Hidden and Morgan Knockers. 18+. $9. 8 p.m. Downstairs at the Middle East. (ECMV)

MUSIC | The Radio Takeover Tour

Some more fine music down at the Middle East club. Performers include MewithoutYou (Tooth and Nail Rec.), Owen (Mike Kinsella from Cap ‘n’ Jazz, Joan of Arc) and The Snake The Cross The Crown. This promises to be a great evening of contemporary and inventive rock. 1 p.m. All ages. $8 in advance, $10 at the door. (NNH)

MUSIC | The Lot Six, Officer May, Eyes Like Knives, Animal Hospital

Check out the Saturday evening show at the Middle East and hear some great lesser-known but up-and-coming bands. Music should be pretty consistently rock-oriented; ELK in particular mentions Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine as particularly strong influences on their sound. 9 p.m. doors. 18+. Tickets are $9. (NNH)

MUSIC | The Notables, Harvard’s Broadway Beat: Winter Concert 2004

The Noteables, Harvard’s Broadway-showtune acapella group, presents “Harvard’s Broadway Beat: Winter 2004.” This 32-member ensemble presents favorite tunes from the musicals A Chorus Line, Chicago, Beauty and the Beast, Rent and many others. Tickets available at the Harvard Box Office, $8, $6 for students. 8 p.m. Lowell Lecture Hall. (MJO)

MUSIC | Dudley House Traditional Music Ensemble Winter Concert.

Travel around the world without leaving your Cambridge backyard when you attend this DTME winter concert featuring folk and other music from Europe and beyond. Followed by a reception. Free and open to the public. 8 p.m. Dudley House. (MJO)

Sunday, Dec. 19

MUSIC | Concerts by the Students of Music 180

Student ensembles coached by Robert Levin and Daniel Stepner present two programs of chamber music. Listen in awe as the orchestras play the works of Ravel, Faure, Beethoven, Ritter and Mozart and songs of Poulenc, Strauss, Schubert and Wolf. 7:30 p.m. Free. Also Monday at 7:30 p.m. Paine Hall Music Building. (MJO)

MUSIC | Watchmaker, Adolf Satan, Defcon 4, Continued Without a Finding

The last show of this mid-December weekend is a CD release party for Adolf Satan, scheduled to take place in the Upstairs at the Middle East. This show should feature some hard rock and metal and will doubtless be a high-energy event. 18+. Tickets are $8. (NNH)

Monday, Dec. 20

MUSIC | OSB, Laura Glyda Band, Hooker Street Band, The Soupbone Throne

Self-billed creators of “emotionally charged acoustic groove” The Soupbone Throne join Laura Glyda Band in their first show with fifth member Kate Forsdick. OSB and Hooker Street Band support. $8. 18+. 9 p.m. Upstairs at the Middle East. (MFK)

Tuesday, Dec. 21

MUSIC | Last Born, Stock 7, Panacea,

Down II Zero

You’d better not pout, cry or shout during this show, which The Middle East subtitles “A Merry Friggin’ X-mas.” Featuring Last Born, Stock 7, Panacea and Down II Zero. $8. 18+. Tuesday at 9 p.m. Upstairs at the Middle East. (MFK)

Wednesday, Dec. 22

MUSIC | Ska for the Holidays

Mass Hysteria returns to The Middle East after a show there to accompany the release of their CD Mistress and Men last June. The Harmonics will also be there in preparation for the release of their new EP, as well as King Django, Ricky Rocksteady and DJ Selector Travis. $8. 18+. 9 p.m. Upstairs at the Middle East. (MFK)

Thursday, Dec. 23

MUSIC | Kweejebo and Wiretemp

Kweejebo, an ecletic group of former and current UMass Lowell students, calls itself “The Hip Electro Groove Project.” You might not have any idea of what this means, but this Christmas Eve-eve show with Wiretemp promises to be interesting. $9. 18 +. 9 p.m. Upstairs at the Middle East. (MFK)

Ongoing

FILM | Lions of the Kalahari

Escape to the deserts of Botswana and for a moment enter into the jungle world of the Kalahari lion. Brought to you very realistically thanks to the 180-degree dome film screen at the Museum of Science. Daily through Feb. 17. Science Park. (VMA)

VISUALS | Dependent Objects

The Busch-Reisinger Museum presents an exhibition of sculpture by artists who were ambivalent toward the media. “Dependent Objects” presents the works of German artists beginning in the 1960’s including works by Franz Erhard Walther, Hans Haacke, Charlotte Posenenske and Gerhard Richter. Through Jan 2. The Busch-Reisinger at the Fogg Museum. (JSG)

VISUALS | To Students of Art and Lovers of Beauty

The Winthrop collection has traveled around the world and is back at the Fogg in the exhibit “To Students of Art and Lovers of Beauty: Highlights from the Collection of Grenville L. Winthrop.” The exhibition features painting and sculpture by such artists as Blake, Degas, Gericault, Ingret, Monet, Pissaro and Renoir. Fogg Museum. (JSG)

THEATRE | The Provok’d Wife

John Vanburgh’s play, currently directed by Mark Wing Davey, tells the story of Brutes, who, flanked by a squadron of drunken rakes, debauched aristocrats and lascivious French maids, turns English Restoration-era London into a battleground for love and fidelity. Tickets available through the A.R.T.: seating section A tickets sell for $62-72 and B tickets sell for $36-49. Day of show student rush tickets are $12. Through Dec. 26th at the Loeb at various times. (NNH)

ART/MULTIMEDIA | Huyghe and Corbusier: Harvard Project

This exhibit features a multidisciplinary project by Pierre Huyghe that explores Le Corbusier’s vision for the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts. Components include a puppet opera, a temporary architectural extension and a video work based on the puppet opera, which will run continuously in the Sert Gallery. Sponsored in part by the Harvard University Art Museums, VES and GSD. Free and open to the public through April 17th at the Carpenter Center’s Sert Gallery. (NNH)

Happening was compiled by: Vinita M. Alexander, Eric L. Fritz, Julie S. Greenberg, Nathaniel Naddaff-Hafrey, Marianne F. Kaletzky, Marin J. Orlosky, and Emer Craig Myrick Vaughn.