Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Sailboats Photo via New England Boat Show/HimmelrichPR on Flickr

Concert
The Great American Songbook: Great Women Songwriters

Berklee students and faculty will showcase great songs inspired by the music of female legends such as Aretha Franklin, Dorothy Fields, Bessie Smith, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Billie Holiday, and many, many more. Previous Great American Songbook concerts have celebrated mostly the music of male musicians including George Gershwin, Burt Bacharach, Hoagy Carmichael, and Johnny Mercer. It’s refreshing to hear that Berklee is finally giving the female musical greats the R-E-S-P-E-C-T they deserve.

$8 in advance, $12 day of, Sunday, February 23, 7:30 p.m., Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, berklee.edu.

Boat Bazaar
New England Boat Show

Buy that boat you’ve always wanted! Orrr just pretend to buy that boat that you know you can’t afford. We bet you’ll get plenty of Likes on  Facebook photos you take of that sweet sailboat you wish you had. After you’re done snapping pics, walk around and stop by the events. If you’re already a boat owner, check out Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center to learn new techniques on how to care for your baby. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Captain Dave Carraro from National Geographic Channel’s Wicked Tuna.

$15, February 22-March 2, various times, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston, 617-472-1442, newenglandboatshow.com.

Musical
Rain: The Beatles Experience

Get by this frigid winter with a little help from your friends, John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Direct from Broadway, “Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles,” performs a full range of the Beatles’ discography onstage including songs that they never performed for an audience. You’ll be transported back in time to better days when the band was still together with their classic hits “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Hard Day’s Night,” and more. Can’t think of what to wear? Try out 10 pieces inspired by the Brits to complement your smashing night out.

$40+, February 21 and 22, 8 p.m., Citi Performing Arts Center, Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, 617-482-9393, citicenter.org.

Food
Boston Chili Takedown

We’re giving Takedown a gold medal for writing the best, but also most ridiculous, description of their food competition:

 If you are bonin for chili, then February is time to flex that muscle in your cortex and explode upon the masses your finest chili concoction! Does yours blow the lid off with coffee or whisky or some bizonculous secret ingredient? Does it blow your face off with ghost chilis and electric thunder Or does it calm a dude down with porky meats and subtle seasonings? Let’s see it, Boston! The public is invited to vote on the chili mas loco!!!!

Loco is correcto. Are you up for the challenge?

$15, February 23, 2-4 p.m., Great Scott, 1222 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, thetakedowns.com.

Dance
Boston Ballet

C. to C (Close to Chuck) was originally commissioned for the American Ballet Theatre. Resident choreographer Jorma Elo was inspired by the bond between two friends, the artist Chuck Close and composer Phillip Glass. The ballet—inspired by the friendship between artist Chuck Close and composer Phillip Glass—incorporates costumes by Ralph Rucci, the artwork of Close, and a score by Glass. The program also includes the return of Jiři Kylián’s Bella Figura and the world premiere of Jose Martinez. Boston Ballet is the first American company to commission a piece from Martinez, currently the artistic director of the Spanish National Ballet.

$29+, February 20-March 2, various times, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston, 617-259-3400, bostonballet.org.