The 12 best things to do in Greater Boston this weekend

Live music leads this weekend across Boston and Cambridge, from jazz and folk at Club Passim and Regattabar to a busy Middle East and Brighton lineup, with a Halloween-season streak running through theater, comedy, and the Arboretum. Friday through Sunday has plenty of room for both a quiet listening night and a loud one.

CPCarsie Blanton at Crystal BallroomFriday · 7:00 PM · Club Passim · CambridgeCarsie Blanton headlines at Club Passim with The Burning Hell opening, a good intimate folk-leaning Friday night in Cambridge at $47.RJoe Block Quintet: There Is Always Hope album release showFriday · 7:00 PM · Regattabar · CambridgeThe Joe Block Quintet celebrates the release of There Is Always Hope at Regattabar, with Block on piano and compositions alongside a tight horn-and-rhythm lineup.RDafnis Prieto Sí o Sí QuartetSaturday · 7:00 PM · Regattabar · CambridgeDafnis Prieto's Sí o Sí Quartet brings a GRAMMY-winning drummer and composer to Regattabar on Saturday, with Latin jazz rooted in his years in New York.SJTHE TIM RAY TRIO Plus Special Guest EDMAR COLONSaturday · 7:00 PM · Scullers Jazz Club · BostonThe Tim Ray Trio, with Tim Ray a former musical director for Tony Bennett, plays Scullers Jazz Club on Saturday with special guest Edmar Colon on saxophone.IOMIDDAY Movement Series and ICA/Boston present: Braiding FuturesFriday · 8:00 PM · Institute of Contemporary Art · BostonBraiding Futures is the culminating showcase from three emerging Boston-based contemporary dance artists at the ICA, a distinctive midday option on Friday.BWMIT’s Annual Family Weekend Concert - Virtuosic LegaciesFriday · 8:00 PM · Building W16: Kresge Auditorium · CambridgeMIT's Family Weekend concert Virtuosic Legacies at Kresge Auditorium celebrates 20th-century composers with the Wind Ensemble and Festival Jazz Ensemble on Friday evening.BMAn Evening With Assembly of Dust (18+)Friday · 7:00 PM · Brighton Music Hall presented by Citizens · BostonAssembly of Dust plays Brighton Music Hall on Friday with doors at 7 and an 18+ rule; a good pick for a loud, late-night rock show.BMAn Evening With Assembly of Dust (18+)Saturday · 7:00 PM · Brighton Music Hall presented by Citizens · BostonAssembly of Dust returns to Brighton Music Hall on Saturday, a second night for fans who want to catch the same band twice.MEEpicenter, Gravewraith, Swarm Of Eyes, Fullminator, BridgesSaturday · 7:30 PM · Middle East - Upstairs · CambridgeEpicenter, Gravewraith, Swarm of Eyes, Fullminator and Bridges share a Middle East Upstairs bill on Saturday at $15, an all-ages heavy show.MERecollection, The Sissy Boys, Neolithic, Peace Test, B.F.O.Sunday · 12:00 PM · Middle East - Upstairs · CambridgeRecollection, The Sissy Boys, Neolithic, Peace Test and B.F.O. play an early Middle East Upstairs show on Sunday at noon doors, all ages for $20.SMivri w/ Ally NicholasSunday · 8:00 PM · The Sinclair Music Hall · Cambridgeivri with Ally Nicholas at The Sinclair on Sunday night offers a quieter Cambridge show to end the weekend.ISCelebrating Chrysanthemums (Oct 25)Sunday · 1:30 PM · Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum · BostonThe Gardner's Celebrating Chrysanthemums on Sunday pairs the museum's courtyard chrysanthemum installation with an exploration of the flower as a muse for musicians and writers.

Looking for the current weekend? See what’s on in Greater Boston this weekend →