6/16: Franz Ferdinand at Avalon

6/19: The cast of That Takes Ovaries!

>TUESDAY, JUNE 15

Long an underground favorite, author David Sedaris finally hit it big in 2000 with Me Talk Pretty One Day, a hilarious autobiography that clearly demonstrated his knack for self-critical comedy and earned him the accolade "Humorist of the Year" from Time magazine. From that collection of essays, we learned he can’t sing a note, rid himself of a lisp, or relate to his family. So head to the Brookline Booksmith (279 Harvard Street, Brookline) at 6, where you can feel free to laugh with and straight at Sedaris as he reads from his newest book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. The author again writes as the detached observer, commenting on life’s absurdities in what may be his best essays yet. He packed Carnegie Hall with his stand-up routine, so expect a huge turnout for this reading, which will cost you only the $24.95 purchase of Dress Your Family. A free book-signing follows. Call (617) 566-6660 for more information.

>WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16

An Austrian archduke, as you history buffs know, inadvertently started World War I by getting himself assassinated. Now the British band that shares his name, Franz Ferdinand, might spark another revolution by way of their beat-heavy indie rock, currently sweeping American airwaves. Like the Beatles and the Strokes, these four blokes wrote poignant, introspective, original songs that made girls dance at illegal warehouse parties in Glasgow. Now the band plays an all-ages concert in the slightly classier Avalon (15 Lansdowne Street, Boston) at 8, undoubtedly to attract more respectable rump-shaking females. Also on hand to start off the night are Sons and Daughters. Tickets are $15 in advance, $16.50 at the door, and always available at www.ticketmaster.com

>THURSDAY, JUNE 17

The coolest thing about the MC5 reunion tour is that the band’s got former Mudhoney frontman Mark Arm handling the vocals. The oddest thing is that Beatlemania veteran Marshall Crenshaw is filling in for the departed Fred "Sonic" Smith on guitar. And the saddest is that both Smith and singer Rob Tyner are no longer with us. But founding MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer, who after a stint in the slammer reinvented himself as a sort of punk-rock godfather, will be on hand to drive the band in the right direction, which, for those of you who know your music history, means they’ll be doing their best to kick out the jams, ah, mutherfucker. Tonight DKT/MC5 will be downstairs at the Middle East (480 Mass Ave, Cambridge), along with Evan Dando. Tickets are $20 at the door at 9.

>FRIDAY, JUNE 18

>SATURDAY, JUNE 19

It seems like only yesterday that Boston’s supreme drag-king night, "Glitter Switch Drag Karaoke," premiered at Chinatown’s Ekco Lounge (41 Essex Street, Boston). And now, two years later, everyone wants to get in on the gender-bending action. Take, for example, the sweet and sweaty mustachioed bunch captured in the shiny pages of the latest Bust. Well, tonight you should head over — in the male impersonation of your choice — for the event’s second-anniversary party, hosted by the ever-dashing Heywood Wakefield. We’ve been hearing rumors that several local scenester vixens have volunteered to de-vamp for the night and don the sideburns. Maybe even a few members of our staff! You’ll have to show up to see. The doors open at 8:30 for $5. Visit the alterna-info site www.truthserum.org for more exciting updates.

Rivka Solomon wanted people with ovaries — that is, gutsy and brazen women — to speak up and share their stories, so she wrote a book, led a grassroots open-mike movement, and now presents a new play, That Takes Ovaries!, at the Blacksmith House (56 Brattle Street, Cambridge) tonight at 8. The "Ovarian Empress" expands on the Vagina Monologues concept, gathering tales about topics as playful as skydive surfing and as political as sex trafficking in India. After the cast finishes its estrogen exploits, an open mike follows for any woman wanting to take center stage. Men, too, can brag about the ovaries in their lives. In fact, anyone can facilitate one of these open mikes via Solomon’s Web site, www.thattakesovaries.org, which has inspired over 100 dialogues across the country and abroad. Tickets are $20 at the door; proceeds will benefit NARAL Pro-Choice America. Call (617) 492-3003 for more information.

>SUNDAY, JUNE 20

It’s Sunday. You’re tired, hung-over, and starving, but call and call as you might, none of your friends can be found. What about the usual brunch and uproarious day-after recaps? Where is everyone? Shake it off, sleepyhead, and you might remember that all anyone was talking about last night was the new open-air market in SOWA. The South End Open Market (540 Harrison Avenue, Boston) is in its fifth week, and the crowds keep coming. Boasting over 80 vendors and booths hawking everything from handmade tiaras to potted herbs, Boston’s first weekly bazaar has the city out and shopping. So grab a fresh-brewed cup of iced tea at Caffè Umbra’s booth and stroll over to check out GALVIN-ized Headwear’s new summer totes and the Boston Antique Co-op’s fabulous finds. For more information on the market, check out www.southendopenmarket.com

>MONDAY, JUNE 21

Slip into low gear tonight and find your way over to the heartland of Cambridge arts, the Zeitgeist Gallery (1353 Cambridge Street, Cambridge), for the weekly residency of the Fringe. From 10 to 12:30, this house-favorite jazz-combo trio will jam, roll, and wail out a magical journey far away from your daily chaos. The musical three are George Garzone on tenor sax, John Lockwood on bass, and Bob Gullotti behind the drums. The suggested donation of $10 goes to support the gallery, also known as those who support the artists. Check out www.zeitgeist-gallery.org for more details.