Five Must-See Arts and Entertainment Events in August

Matthew Reed Baker’s guide to this month’s events.

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Photograph by Pascal Ratthé

In Ozz We Trust

Black Sabbath was never heavier than when it featured original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne alongside guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward. Minus only Ward, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will be appearing at the Comcast Center, on tour to promote their new album 13. It’s the first by this lineup since 1978. 8/12

Here Comes the Fuzz

The fuzzbox is the guitar effect of choice for indie groups wanting to create swirling, swampy, mammoth rock ’n’ roll. At the Middle East’s Boston Fuzzstival, catch some of our coolest, blurriest local bands, among them Ghost Box Orchestra, the New Highway Hymnal, and CreaturoS. 8/10

Pulling the Strings

Presented by the Friends of the Public Garden, Puppets on the Common features local puppeteer Charlotte Anne Dore, of Rosalita’s Puppets, who will delight the kids with her marionettes and fantastic stories of fairy tales and space travel at the Parkman Bandstand. 8/14

La Música Vieja

Boston is known for the exemplary Early Music Festival held each June, but it also boasts a smaller, truly evocative event in the three-day festival known as Iberica, which is dedicated to medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque composers from Spain and Portugal. Small and large groups will perform at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, and all performances will be followed by wine and tapas. 8/23–8/25

Hoofin’ It

Imagine that one of the cofounders of Cirque de Soleil created a show featuring the usual acrobats and aerialists, but then added 67 horses. That sums up Odysseo, from the Montreal troupe Cavalia, which is setting up its tent this month in Somerville’s Assembly Square. The show traces human-equine history across four continents, told through music, stunts, and spectacular scenery on a 17,500-square-foot stage featuring a 300,000-liter artificial lake. Starts 8/7