Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Nari Ward, Mango Tourist, 2011. Foam, battery canisters, Sprague Electric Company resistors and capacitors, and mango seeds 3 figures, each 120 x 72 x 72 inches (304.8 × 182.9 × 182.9 cm). In collaboration with MASS MoCA, North Adams, Massachusetts. Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong. Photo by John Kennard. © Nari Ward

Art
Nari Ward: “Sun Splashed”

In this exhibition, artist Nari Ward uses sculpture, collage, photography, and performance to depict the marvels of everyday life. Though Ward intentionally leaves his art open to interpretation, visitors may notice themes of migration and citizenship in the Jamaican-born artist’s work. Ward also explores society’s power dynamics and incorporates African-American history and culture. Drawing inspiration from his surroundings—especially urban settings—Ward uses found objects to create art. In “Sun Splashed,” look for shoelaces, shopping carts, and even a fire escape. 

$15, through September 4, Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, icaboston.org.

Photo courtesy of Josh Cheuse

Concert
Brian Newman

Not ready to go home after your Lady Gaga concert at Fenway? Give that ticket stub a new purpose and pop over to the House of Blues for Brian Newman’s show, where your ticket will get you in for free. The jazz musician is a regular collaborator of Gaga’s, and she’s apparently giving his show a boost by encouraging her Little Monsters to go see him. But if you couldn’t get a ticket to one of the Lady Gaga shows, don’t worry: You can also buy a standalone ticket just to see Newman. And who knows, maybe his famous friend will stop by! Not that we’re suggesting that will happen. But it would be cool if it did.

$10+, Friday and Saturday, September 1 and 2, 11 p.m., House of Blues Boston, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, houseofblues.com.

Courtesy of The Lawn On D, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority

Festival
Art at the Park

Give summer a proper send off Labor Day weekend with this festival at the Lawn on D, which includes hands-on art, live music, and games. It’ll have not only old classics like face painting and chalk art, but also world-traveling jugglers, a magic show, live mural painting, a glass blowing demonstration, and giant bubbles. Participants will also have an opportunity to make some noise with the Beat Bus, which is a sort of electronic communal drumming instrument. 

Free, Saturday, September 2, noon to 11 p.m., The Lawn On D, 420 D St., Boston, signatureboston.com.

Photo provided

Music
The Rihanna Experience

What do Rihanna and outer space have to do with each other? No, she’s not adding astronaut to her thriving acting career (so far). The Museum of Science continues its series of pop music combined with planetarium effects this weekend with a Rihanna show. Previous entries have included Beyonce and Hallelujah the Hills, who played live. What kinds of “stunning and inventive visuals” mesh best with a rousing round of “Love on the Brain”? You’ll have to find out. Kick back, relax, and, because, it’s Labor Day weekend, don’t “Work” too hard. Ugh, that was a bad one. Sorry.

$5+, Fridays and Saturdays, starting September 1, 8:30 p.m., Charles Hayden Planetarium, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, mos.org.

Foster+Partners/ESA, Lunar base made with 3D printing, from project Lunar Habitation, 2013, 3D rendering. © 2013 Foster+Partners

Art
Lunar Attraction

This exhibition explores something that has captivated humans for millennia, influenced cultures, and sparked numerous myths and legends: the moon. “Lunar Attraction” takes a creative look at the celestial body as well as people’s fascination with it. Incorporating the works of more than a dozen artists, the exhibition includes interactive features, such as a scale model of the moon’s surface that visitors can touch. 

$20, through September 4, Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St., Salem, pem.org.