MUSIC | Mekons
The legendary Leeds-by-way-of-Chicago punk outfit are touring in support of Punk Rock, a collection of new recordings of songs written two decades ago. The material doesn’t quite stand up to the melodies on modern classic OOOH! and fan favorite Fear & Whiskey, but their live show is unforgettable. Madman songwriter extraordinaire Johnny Dowd and Jake Brennan and the Confidence Men open. Tickets $12, $15 day of show. 9 p.m. The Middle East Downstairs. (BBC)
Continuing Events
DANCE | Gunghroo
Presented by the Harvard South Asian Association, this South Asian cultural extravaganza is an annual hit. With several one-act shows, including poetry readings, skits, music, and dances, Gunghroo brings the diversity of South Asian culture to Harvard for the fifteenth year. Runs March 5-6. Tickets $10. 7:30 p.m. with additional Saturday 2 p.m. matinee ($9). Agassiz Theatere. (LFL)
MUSIC | Solo Tutti
The Fromm Players present “Solo Tutti: The Evolution of the Concerto and the Soloist,” a two-day festival of music featuring large, rarely performed works and an examination of the relationship between soloist and ensemble. Friday’s program features Salvatore Sciarrino’s Hermes; Elliot Carter’s Double Concerto for Harpsichord; Mario Davidovsky’s Synchronisms No. 6 for piano and tape; and Giancento Scelsi’s Anahit. Saturday’s program includes George Crumb’s Vox Balaenae; George Ligeti’s Cello Concerto; Bernard Rands’ Concertino for oboe; and Tristan Murail’s Ethers. A discussion with composers Mario Davidovsky and Bernard Rands to follow on both days. Admission free. 8 p.m. Paine Hall. (LFL)
THEATER | Betrayal
Told chronologically in reverse order, Harold Pinter’s classic Betrayal explores the stages of an adulterous affair and the mess of lies that leads to the gradual deterioration of a friendship, a marriage, and eventually the affair itself. This multimedia production explores the intersection of memory, fantasy, and the cruelty of reality itself. Directed by Benjamin J. Toff ’05. Free tickets available at the Loeb Box Office. Thursday 8pm; Friday 7pm, 9pm; Saturday 2, 7, 9 pm. Loeb Experimental Theatre, 64 Brattle Street. (JJH)
THEATER | Trojan Women
From the Athena Theatre Company, who brought you the Valentine’s Day edition of the Vagina Monologues, comes one of Euripides’ lesser known plays. Trojan Women, first staged and produced in 415 BC, is a portrayal of a tragic situation whereby Euripides dramatizes the postwar conditions of the women of Troy and describes the spoils of war. Runs March 11-13. Tickets $6. 8 p.m. Agassiz Theatre. (GCS)
THEATER | The Birthday Party
The American Repertory Theater presents The Birthday Party, one of the great black comedies of the twentieth century, returning to the stage under visionary director JoAnne Akalaitis. First premiered in 1958, Harold Pinter’s story is one of peril and intrigue in a rundown English boarding house. Runs through March 6-27. Tickets $35 – $69, $12 student tickets available day of show. 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. weekdays. Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St. (LFL)
VISUALS | Life as Art
This ongoing exhibit presents a close look back at the careers of painters Gregory and Frances Cohen Gilespie. The exhibition consists of 25 paintings in all, and is a representative look at the influential styles of both artists. The two artists catch the interest of many because of the way in which they influenced each other through their portrayals of realism in early Italian and Flemish painting. Runs through March 28. Sackler Museum. (GCS)
VISUALS | Vac BOS
This year’s annual Vac BOS display marks the 40th anniversary of the student-curated exhibition on the architect Le Corbusier. This event also commemorates 40 years of great shows for the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts. This showing will feature a lecture by Francesco Passanti on March 11. There will be a reception following the 6 p.m lecture. Runs March 11-18. Carpenter Center. (GCS)
VISUALS | Gary Schneider: Portraits
The first major exhibition to bring together a full range of photographer Gary Schneider’s work. Schneider’s fascination with science, work with found objects, and use of biography and autobiography are all part of the new exhibit, and display his roots in the post-minimal conceptual art of the 1970s. Runs through June 13. Tickets $5, free admission for Harvard ID holders and visitors on Saturdays until noon. Sackler Museum, 32 Quincy St. (LFL)