Thurs. Nov. 1

 Today, Thursday Nov. 1, is Day of the Dead, and how can you deny these happy skeletons their day? Yes, we're making fun of death, because that's just one of the coping mechanisms we humans use to deal with the inevitable. So, celebrate. Here's an option that sounds fun: Emperor Norton's Stationery Marching Band will perform as part of the Madcap Rumpus Society at 6:30 p.m. at Lasell College. The ENSMB makes a lot of New Orleans-sounding brassy music and accompanying them will be our favorite bellydancer, Samarra, who you can also see at the Middle East Cafe Nov. 5 at 10:40. The Lasell gig has the advantage of being free.

1844 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, 617-247-2000 www.myspace.com/ensmb