THURS 3.12

Jean-Michel Othoniel: Secret Flower Sculptures

a rose is a rose is a rose

A new exhibit opens today from Jean-Michel Othoniel, an artist “obsessed with the hidden meaning of flowers,” who has captured their delicate beauty in sculpture, drawing, and photography. Crazy? Maybe. But Othoniel also won a bid to create the first permanent contemporary art installation in the Palace of Versailles gardens, so now is a great opportunity to see him before he gets, like, uber-art-world-famous, thereby preserving your hipster cred.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. 25 Evans Way, Boston. For museum hours and admission info, visit gardnermuseum.org

FRI 3.13

Silent Rage: Heroin/e (Keep Us Quiet) + Dutchman

double bill

The back-to-back plays in Silent Rage are anything but. Semi-autobiographic Heroin/e toes the line between sanity and insanity as it follows the stories of two women, while Dutchman, first performed in 1968, depicts the incendiary rage that sparks from what starts as an innocent flirtation between a white girl and a black boy. Whether you decide to experience one or both, it’s shaping up to be an intense night out at the theater.

Zero Church Street. 0 Church St., Cambridge. 7:30pm/FREE, but ticketed. americanrepertorytheater.org

FRI 3.13

Stephen Kurkjian

boston’s greatest unsolved mystery

Speaking of the Gardner, remember when two guys walked in one night and stole $500 million worth of art, never to be caught? In his new book Master Thieves, investigative reporter Stephen Kurkjian reveals information gleaned over his 20+ years on the case. He’ll be spending the evening discussing his extensive knowledge, so if you’re interested in one day winning the museum’s $5 million information reward, he’d be the guy to talk to.

Harvard Book Store. 1256 Mass Ave., Cambridge. 7pm/FREE. harvard.com

FRI 3.13

Discover Roxbury 5th Annual Black & White Party

dress up for a cause

As you may have guessed from the name, this masquerade bash is completely devoid of color—from the décor to attire to the food. The highlight of the evening is the showcase of black and white art from local creators that will be up for sale over the course of the evening—this annual event directly funds Roxbury’s artistic community. Don your monochrome threads and mingle with some of Boston’s art lovers, designers, and tastemakers.

MassArt Pozen Center. 14 Tetlow St., Boston. 6:30pm/$30. discoverroxbury.org

SAT 3.14

New England Expression Session

cowabunga

Get totally stoked for an evening of surf art, short film screenings, music, and booze to benefit the Surfrider Foundation and the preservation of our beautiful New England beaches. Local rockers Squirrelly Bird will be playing a set, and the work of over 20 Boston-area artists will be up for silent auction. If anything, it’s sure to be a sunny respite from the frozen tundra outside.

Arts at the Armory. 191 Highland Ave., Suite 1-C, Somerville. 7pm/FREE. massachusetts.surfrider.org

TUES 3.17

Break The Chains

come as you are

It’s that time again! Everyone’s favorite all-ages, all-gender, all-genre liberation dance party returns, featuring nationally touring queer and trans performers, and inclusive to every denomination of person under the sun (or moon, if that’s what you’re into). This month’s headliners include punk rockers Defiance, Ohio and radical queer singer-songwriter Evan Greer.

Spontaneous Celebrations. 45 Danforth St., Jamaica Plain. 7:30pm/FREE. spontaneouscelebrations.org