Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Photo courtesy of LiveNation

CONVENTION
PotterCon

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child may not make its way to American audiences until 2018, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep up your fandom in the meantime. Join fellow Potter fanatics this Saturday and celebrate the Boy Who Lived with the sorts of like-minded people who want to debate the finer points of wandlore. This adults-only fan convention will have live on-stage sorting selections, Quidditch games and lessons, wizards’ chess, and more. Break out your finest dress robes, cast some spells, and be polite to the No-Maj attendees.

$15, Saturday, 2 p.m., Paradise Rock Club, 967 Commonwealth Ave., potterconusa.com.

Photo by Brian Rogers

DANCE
Beth Gill

Described as “abstract storytelling,” 2015 Guggenheim Fellow and Dorris Duke Impact Award winner Beth Gill will make her Boston debut this weekend. In her newest work, “Brand New Sidewalk,” Gill questions the value of formalism in dance while teaming up with composer Jon Moniaci and lighting designer Thomas Dunn.

$25, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Drive, icaboston.org.

Photo courtesy of the Wilbur

COMEDY
Dave Attell

Former Insomniac host Dave Attell comes to Boston for the night, and thankfully, you won’t have to stay up all night to hear from him. In addition to his years hosting the Comedy Central show, Attell has also appeared on Inside Amy Schumer, the Jim Gaffigan Show, and Trainwreck. He’s also a frequent guest on Conan O’Brien’s eponymous talk show, where he’s prone to telling stories about the, um, indignities of aging.

$35, Saturday at 9:45 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., thewilbur.com.

E.T. still courtesy of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

MUSIC
E.T. in Concert

As part of a full season honoring composer John Williams, this weekend the Boston Pops will mix cinema and orchestra by performing the score to the ’80s sci-fi classic E.T. alongside the movie itself. Williams, whose music you’ve heard in everything from Star Wars to Schindler’s List, has been nominated in more years for Academy Awards than some of us have been alive. The score for E.T. is one of his five wins.

$29+,  Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., bso.org.

Photo courtesy of Justin Townes Earle

CONCERT
Justin Townes Earle

The Sinclair marks one of the earlier stops on Justin Townes Earle’s tour. The singer-songwriter will pull into town just a few weeks prior to the release of his new album, Kids in the Street. Previously, Earle has produced four full-length critically acclaimed album featuring his unique blend of folk, blues, and country sounds.

$25+, Saturday, 7:30 p.m, The Sinclair, 52 Church St., Cambridge, sinclaircambridge.com.