august 24

We don't know where Suzanne Vega is on the rock 'n' roll curve. Probably at the settling in to moderate fame point. We remember seeing her at Passim's when she was just past being a kid and hanging with her at a friend's house later, just as her first album was coming out. Star in the making? Yes. Personable and shy. That, too. A lot of folk-singers have come and gone in the interim and Vega, too, has gone through many, many changes (she was once married to producer Mitchell Froom) including an electronic phrase we really liked. Vega's got two $35 shows at 7:30 and 10 p.m. at the Regattabar with bassist Mike Visceglia. Says Vega: "The idea that I'm a fragile waif by the wayside … when anyone listens to the range of subject matter and style. There is soft and hard, sexy and abrasive, traditional and experimental. My voice is very simple and because of that it fits into different atmospheres, can take on what people might not expect.''

One Bennett St. at the Charles Hotel, Cambridge, 617-395-7757

august 23 

Tim Huggins has carved out a neat little spot in the world of indy bookstores with his Newtonville Books. His pal, the increasingly famous Dennis Lehane, first read from his new book "Coronado: Stories," and the store's Books and Brews Series (generally the reading is at the store, you mix and mingle at the nearby Attic) has been wildly successful. On Aug. 23, Sonny Brewer takes part, reading from his second novel, "A Sound Like Thunder: A Novel," a return to Fairhope, Alabama, the setting of his debut. Here, our protagonist, Rove MacNee, recalls what his youth was like as World War II beckoned in 1941. Not that pretty at all. Especially his violent, alcoholic father and his (maybe) cheatin' mum. But there is romance ahead for young Rove. Also, Brewer clearly loves the sea and sailing and it's where McNee takes comfort.

296 Walnut St., Newtonville, 617-244-6619 or newtonvillebooks.com.

august 23 

It may be just us, but, even more than rock ‘n’ roll, we find comedy that blossoms in a small club and can whither in a large venue. We remember seeing Jerry Seinfeld play the Paradise and then a huge spot in Worcester and the disconnect was jarring. One, people were coming to see a beloved TV character not a standup comic per se, and two, the spoken word just doesn’t carry as well in the big hall. Dave Chappelle may face those obstacles at the Agganis Arena at Boston University Aug. 23. Chappelle is the star of his own show on Comedy Central, has done an HBO special and helms the riotous movie, “Dave Chappelle's Block Party.’’ Chappelle – who suffered a nervous breakdown last year (is this gag material?) - is on the road mixing standup, sketch comedy and musical interludes. Tickets: $45-$60. Show: 7:30 p.m.

925 Commonwealth ave., Boston, 617-931-2000, ticketmaster.com

august 18 & 19 

Elvis Presley died just a few days before I was going to see his first show in eons Aug. 16, 1977. He was starting his umpteenth comeback tour in Maine (where I lived) and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was a little fearful it’d be the Vegas fat Elvis that was more self-parody than rock ‘n’ roll. I knew it would be showbiz shtick. I hoped there’d be some echo of the man who meant so much. His death alleviated those fears and then it was time to ponder his great work and sad drug-induced, toilet-seat end. I knew there would be Elvis tributes to come but I had no idea it would become the industry it now is. Elvis is everywhere, as Mojo Nixon sang in song.

august 15-18 and 20-25

Maybe, ideally, you're out on a Cape beach enjoying the last burst of summer sun. Or, maybe, you're not and are stuck in Boston traffic singing "Hot town, summer in the city" to yourself, cursing fate. Hey, treat yourself, your family. Boston restaurateurs know this is a slow time for business and to drum it up 131 of them - restaurants in Boston and its environs - are offering three-course prix fixe lunches at $20.06 and three-course prix fixe dinners at $30.06.