Culture Calendar: Eight Must-See Arts and Entertainment Events in October 2012

Photo by Mario Testino (Gisele Bundchen, New York, 2007)

BATTLE OF THE BEARDS

With their lengthy coifs and monster riffs, the guys behind Boston quartet Township look and sound like ’70s arena rockers. At Brighton Music Hall, they’ll be part of an all-New England double bill with the equally hirsute alt-country act the Mallett Brothers Band, from Portland, Maine. 10/5

LEGENDARY LAUGHS

Long before his eponymous show made him a sitcom star, Bob Newhart’s wit made him one of the funniest standup comedians in the country. The 83-year-old comes to the Wilbur this month, and he’s still got it. 10/6

BIG FUZZY

Say hi to Lyuba, a 40,000-year-old baby mammoth whose well-preserved remains were discovered in Siberia five years ago. She’ll be headlining a temporary exhibit on the world of mammoths and mastodons dubbed “Titans of the Ice Age” at the Museum of Science. 10/7–1/13/2013

TRIBAL TONES

The North African band Tinariwen brings some of the planet’s most soulful singing and intricate guitar playing to the Paradise. 10/13

TRUE STORY

Sci-fi authors, struggling boxers, and bluesmen all have a place in Playing in Time, a book of essays from BC English professor Carlo Rotella. Out 10/15, $27.50

GLITZ PIX

Celeb photographer Mario Testino bathes the world’s most famous faces in shiny glamour. The MFA hosts two separate exhibits of his work: one, a survey of big names like Gisele, Gwyneth, and Gaga; the other, a collection of his shots of royals. Both open 10/21

JAZZ SUMMIT

Pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton may be jazz-rock pioneers in their own right, but they’re also legendary for the elegant acoustic albums they recorded as a duo. Their Symphony Hall gig this month is a sort of homecoming for these local heroes: Corea is a Chelsea native, while Burton taught at Berklee for more than three decades. 10/21

ON POINTE

The generic name of the Boston Ballet’s season opener, Fall Program, hides a trio of vibrant contemporary dance pieces, including a world premiere by resident choreographer Jorma Elo, and Rooster, a piece by Christopher Bruce performed to Rolling Stones tunes. 10/25–11/4