Event of the Week: It may be just nigh of Thanksgiving, but Faneuil Hall is all set to flip the Christmas switch. Literally. Saturday is the 25th annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony which features Boston Ballet ‘Nutcracker’ characters, an R&B band, Santa (yeah, really) and an 85-foot tall tree which will be lit by Mayor Thomas M. Menino. Plus, enjoy all the shops and food that Faneuil Hall offers on a regular basis. 1 Faneuil Hall Square; 5:30 p.m. Free; 617-523-1300.
Thursday, Nov. 19: As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, which is all about self-motivation and innovation, Simmons College hosts ‘Direct Selling:’ Girls Night Out.’ The event is like a giant party where people can network, shop, sample products and watch a fashion show. It’s designed to teach women about entrepreneurship and professionalism. Also, there will be free food and drinks. Simmons School of Management, 300 The Fenway, 5th floor; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free;’ [email protected].
Friday, Nov. 20: Singer-songwriter and alternative folk artist Devendra Banhart is touring the Northeast in support of his latest album What Will We Be, which was released Oct. 27. Banhart, who has a Lo-Fi sound, plays at the Berklee Performance Center Friday night along with his band, which includes two members of Little Joy and four others. 136 Mass. Ave.; 7:30 p.m.; $25; 617-747-2261.
Saturday,’ Nov. 21: The Museum of Fine Arts cinema department is showcasing a series of films in a program called New Japanese Cinema which runs Nov. 18 to 29. This Saturday, the museum will screen ‘Crime and Punishment,’ a black comedy about a pinup girl who steals a magazine with her picture on the cover. As penance, she is forced to act as police chief for a day; a day when crime is at its height. Check the MFA’s website for a full listing of the Japanese program. 365 Huntington Ave.; 3 p.m.; $8; 617-267-9300
Sunday, Nov. 22: Northeastern’s student-directed musical theatre group, The Great White Way, performs ‘The Wild Party,’ this weekend in Blackman Auditorium. The play is a combination of sex, drugs and jazz music set in the ’20s. The play, their first of the school year, is directed and choreographed by Northeastern students, while the music was assembled by a Berklee student. There is also a Saturday performance at 2:30 p.m. Saturday 7 p.m. $5 with NU ID, $7 regular; [email protected].
Monday,’ Nov. 23:’ Alternative rock pioneers and Gossip Girl enthusiasts Sonic Youth wrap up a two-night Boston stint at the Wilbur Theatre tonight. The band was pivotal in the rise of the alternative noise-rock genre in the ’80s. Guitarist Thurston Moore and lead vocalist Kim Gordon, who are self-professed Gossip Girl fanatics, appeared on and wrote a song for the Oct. 12 episode of the show. Their most recent album, The Eternal, was released in June. 246 Tremont St.; 7:30 p.m.; $29.50; 617-248-9700.
Tuesday, Nov. 24: Michael Jackson. Does this name inspire an eye roll or intrigue? If it’s the latter, and you’re not yet sick of Michael Jackson, then continue reading. On Tuesday night, a self-proclaimed ‘ultimate’ Michael Jackson tribute band called Who’s Bad performs at the House of Blues. Based on their promotional video, this looks like they’re pretty serious about channeling MJ. And it seems to be more of a concert about the music than a tribute to the man himself. 15 Lansdowne St.; 8 p.m. $20; 888-693-2583.
Wednesday, Nov. 25: Catch a little comedy action the day before Thanksgiving with Paul Nardizzi, a Late Night with Conan O’Brien regular and winner of The Boston and Aspen HBO Comedy Festivals. Nardizzi performs stand up at Dick Doherty’s Beantown Comedy Vault, which boasts having presented Dane Cook every Friday night for two years in the ’90s. Now that’s some serious cred. The comedy club is inside Remingtons Restaurant, 124 Boylston St.; 8:30 p.m.; $15; 800-401-2221.
