Persistence of humor
We felt hometown pride for comedian Demetri Martin when he starred in Taking Woodstock, Ang Lee’s movie about Elliot Tiber and the part he played in organizing the legendary 1969 festival. So we’ll gladly welcome Martin back whenever he feels like coming home. This month, he’ll head to The Egg in Albany to perform his stand-up show, “The Persistence of Jokes.” Those who have seen his Comedy Central show, Important Things with Demetri Martin, know his brainy brand of humor well — others should prepare for lots of clever wordplay. January 29 at 8 pm. $42.50. Empire State Plaza, Albany. 518-473-1845; www.theegg.org
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B-happy
Throw on the B-52s, and you automatically have a party. After all, who can stop themselves from dancing to songs like “Rock Lobster” and “Love Shack.” (And they can’t get the tunes out of their heads afterward, either.) If you’re in the mood to throw on your dancing shoes, the band will be making an appearance at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. There, they’ll play old favorites in addition to songs from their most recent album, Funplex. Tease up your hair into your best beehive a la Kate Pierson — who owns a motel, Kate’s Lazy Meadow, in Mt. Tremper, by the way — and head on over. January 31 at 7 p.m. $35 to $75. 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester. 914-937-4126; www.thecapitoltheatre.com
Larger than life
We know, we know: It’s not the size that counts. But size can be impressive. From January 30 to March 29, the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College will present XL: Large-Scale Paintings from the Permanent Collection, featuring monumental works that measure at least six feet in one direction. Artists such as Nancy Graves, Alfred Leslie, and Agnes Martin will be represented, and all of the work comes from the Art Center’s permanent collection. Jan. 30 to Mar. 29 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues., Wed., Fri., & Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday; 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. 124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie. 845-437-5237; www.fllac.vassar.edu
Holding out for a hero
The idea of veterans miserably idling in a retirement home doesn’t conjure up laughs for most people, but leave it to playwright Tom Stoppard to wring some humor out of that exact situation. His play Heroes, which will be presented at the Ghent Playhouse, focuses on three World War I veterans planning an escape from a French retirement home for ex-servicemen. To create the play, Stoppard adapted a French play by Gérald Sibleyras, called Le Vent Des Peupliers, and put his own, unique Stoppard twist on it. Jan. 23 to Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. (2 p.m. on Sundays). $10 to $20. 6 Town Hall Pl., Ghent. 800-838-3006; www.ghentplayhouse.org
See all events in our Events Calendar
