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The Boston Globe's The Big To-Do Short Cuts

September 10, 2025

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Big To-Do: Short Cuts, our midweek round-up of what’s going on around Boston, as selected by Boston Globe critics and writers.

Dwight Yoakam (pictured at the 2016 CMA Awards) performs Sept. 13 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway. CHARLES SYKES

Thursday

Spend a night at the MassArt Art Museum for Twilight, a fall welcome-back party, featuring music, bites, and more.
The Rockport Celtic Festival takes place at the Shalin Liu Performance Center through Sunday, with a robust program led by artistic director Maeve Gilchrist.

Friday

The fourth annual East Boston Latin Music & Dance Festival returns to Memorial Park.
Party without the fear of getting a noise violation as Cisco Brewers hosts an ‘80s-themed silent disco.
Check out a one-night-only showcase of women comedians, including special guest Christine Hurley, at Nick’s Comedy Stop.

Saturday

Head to Somerville’s Assembly Row for this year’s Riverfest, featuring live entertainment plus fireworks over the Mystic River.
Millennial nostalgia comes to the Agganis Arena, as Ashanti brings her “Girls Night Out” with Trey Songz and Mario to town.
Legendary singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam and the Mavericks bring a bit of country to Boston with a show at MGM Music Hall at Fenway.
Comedy comes to the Chelmsford Center for the Arts as Bay State comic Amy Tee spills the tea with a weekend set.

Sunday

Brookline Day takes over Harvard Street with live music, games, and a showcase of more than 100 local businesses and nonprofits.
Kali Uchis performs at TD Garden, bringing her blend of pop and Latin R&B to Boston.
Returning from a nearly decade-long hiatus, Alabama Shakes has a pair of shows at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Sunday and Monday.

Ongoing

The American Repertory Theater’s “Passengers” production continues at the Loeb Drama Center through Sept. 26.
The exhibition “In Focus: John Singer Sargent” runs at the Addison Gallery of American Art at Philips Academy through Dec. 31.

Thanks for reading our new Wednesday newsletter. Keep an eye out for Friday's regular Big To-Do email written by Marie Morris. Send comments to arts@globe.com.

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Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Big To-Do: Short Cuts, our midweek round-up of what’s going on around Boston, as selected by Boston Globe critics and writers.

Dwight Yoakam (pictured at the 2016 CMA Awards) performs Sept. 13 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway. CHARLES SYKES

Thursday

Spend a night at the MassArt Art Museum for Twilight, a fall welcome-back party, featuring music, bites, and more.

The Rockport Celtic Festival takes place at the Shalin Liu Performance Center through Sunday, with a robust program led by artistic director Maeve Gilchrist.

Friday

The fourth annual East Boston Latin Music & Dance Festival returns to Memorial Park.

Party without the fear of getting a noise violation as Cisco Brewers hosts an ‘80s-themed silent disco.

Check out a one-night-only showcase of women comedians, including special guest Christine Hurley, at Nick’s Comedy Stop.

Saturday

Head to Somerville’s Assembly Row for this year’s Riverfest, featuring live entertainment plus fireworks over the Mystic River.

Millennial nostalgia comes to the Agganis Arena, as Ashanti brings her “Girls Night Out” with Trey Songz and Mario to town.

Legendary singer-songwriter Dwight Yoakam and the Mavericks bring a bit of country to Boston with a show at MGM Music Hall at Fenway.

Comedy comes to the Chelmsford Center for the Arts as Bay State comic Amy Tee spills the tea with a weekend set.

Sunday

Brookline Day takes over Harvard Street with live music, games, and a showcase of more than 100 local businesses and nonprofits.

Kali Uchis performs at TD Garden, bringing her blend of pop and Latin R&B to Boston.

Returning from a nearly decade-long hiatus, Alabama Shakes has a pair of shows at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Sunday and Monday.

Ongoing

The American Repertory Theater’s “Passengers” production continues at the Loeb Drama Center through Sept. 26.

The exhibition “In Focus: John Singer Sargent” runs at the Addison Gallery of American Art at Philips Academy through Dec. 31.

Thanks for reading our new Wednesday newsletter. Keep an eye out for Friday's regular Big To-Do email written by Marie Morris. Send comments to arts@globe.com.