This week, we creep one step closer to the holiday season, as events start to move indoors and holiday lights get bright. If you’re fond of facial hair or seasonal brews, there’s an event for you, or if you dig bluegrass, alt-folk, or electronic music, it might be your chance to catch a show.
Events
Nov. 18 – Future Boston Alliance Activate: What’s Next Boston
Local social improvement collective Future Boston look forward to 2014, and want to include your perspective as they debrief from the recent elections, assess the current state of Boston as it relates to young innovators and leaders, and plan events for the coming year. If you’ve always looked for ways to be involved in Boston’s creative community, this is a good place to start (at Karmaloop Headquarters; 6 p.m., free, 18+).
Nov. 19. – United South End Settlements Tap Takeover
Local neighborhood improvement organization, United South End Settlements, takes over the taps at Five Horses Tavern, welcoming local brewers from Berkshire, Blue Hills, Harpoon, and more (6 p.m., free, 21+).
Nov. 20 – Author Discussion: “Drinking Boston”
Stephanie Schorow appears at The West End Museum to discuss her book “Drinking Boston: A History of the City and Its Spirits,” and unravel some of the history behind Boston’s signature cocktails and drink history (6:30 p.m., $10, all ages).
Nov. 21 – First Light at Brookline Pop-up Marketplace
The 17th annual First Light celebration is a holiday lights exhibition, as well as a showcase for local artists. This year’s First Light features live music and storefront light shows from Sina Lightworks (5 p.m., free, all ages).
Nov. 21 – Movember Date Auction
Emerald Lounge hosts the 4th annual Movember Date Auction, where you can bid on elegant bachelors sporting elegant facial hair. All proceeds will go to support the Movember Foundation which raises funds and awareness for men’s health causes (6 p.m., $5 suggested donation, 21+).
Music
Nov. 18 – Bluegrass Monday at Atwoods
Get picked on at Atwood’s Tavern as Sean Staples, Eric Royer, Jimmy Ryan, and Dave Westner lead this weekly residency of bluegrass jams (9:30 p.m., free, 21+).
Nov. 18 – MMMMaven 2 Year Anniversary
MMMMaven is a talent agency, record label, and electronic music instructional institution all rolled into one package. As an advocate for modern musical forms and technology, the collective has put on events of all scales around Boston for two years now. On Monday, they welcome John Hopkins & Clarke and Nathan Fake to The Sinclair to celebrate their second birthday (9 p.m., $15, 18+).
Nov. 19 – Beach Fossils
Reverby Brooklyn indie rockers Beach Fossils return to Boston to play the Middle East downstairs in support of its latest, “Clash The Truth” (with Young Adults, Boytoy; $12, 18+).
Nov. 19 – Mazzy Star
Santa Monica alt-rock vets Mazzy Star released “Seasons of Your Day” in September, which was the band’s first release since 1996. Catch them live for the first time in just as long on Tuesday at The Paradise (with Psychic Ills; 9 p.m., $35, 18+).
The Lone Bellow
Brooklyn-based folk trio The Lone Bellow was a hit at this year’s Newport Folk festival, and now the band returns to the area to play The Paradise with the help of local Aoife O’Donovan (8 p.m., $15, 18+).
