Today

Stars – Why is it that almost every band out of Canada is labeled “”melodic indie-pop?”” Is it because they all sound exactly like the same version of a Smiths rip-off, or are the critics just lazy? Go to this concert and find out. 8 p.m. $16 in advance, $18 day of show. Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.

Puro Mexicano: Tucson Film Festival presents a Centennial Tribute to Gabriel Figueroa – This is the last day of that Mexican film festival, and good grief. It’s about time we got rid of that foreign stuff and made room for some good old American cinema. Does anyone know if they’re screening “”Freddy Got Fingered”” anytime soon? 6 p.m. $5 to see “”Nazarin”” directed by Luis Buñuel. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.

Arizona Repertory Theatre presents “”Candide”” – I read this book in high school when I wanted to seem intellectual, but all I can recall is that it’s about some guy that keeps getting figuratively kicked in the nutsack. I guess it’s a satire or something, but to me it was really depressing. Maybe the musical adaptation will be a little more upbeat. Runs until Dec. 2; call for times. $29; discounts available. Tornabene Theatre, UA Fine Arts Complex

Tomorrow

“”Surrender-Works”” by Yumiko Omata – Only Omata could paint a disembodied llama head floating around a bunch of polka dots and the Arizona state flag and make it look good. She gets even more kudos for the painting with the clown lady with the shotgun, sitting next to a stuffed human head mounted on a wall. She’s the best! This is the last day of the exhibition. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Lionel Rombach Gallery

“”Defending the Caveman”” – This monologue promises to elucidate some of the misunderstandings between the sexes through a blend of standup comedy, lecture and therapy session. So I guess it’s like “”Sex and the City,”” except instead of Sarah Jessica Parker we get some middle-aged male actor in stage makeup and instead of expensive costume changes, we get a toga. Through Sunday. 8 p.m. $41. Leo Rich Theatre, 260 S. Church Ave.

Architecture in Helsinki – The show should be entertaining mainly because it’ll be at the Rialto this year instead of the cramped Solar Culture. Not that the venue is bad; there were just too many people. But you have to expect it for the band that created “”Do the Whirlwind”” and that amazing video with the colorful stringy puppets. 9 p.m. $16 in advance, $17 at the door. The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St.

Saturday

Diwali: The Festival of Lights – The Indian festival celebrates the lighting of darkness and the victory of good over evil, particularly in the homecoming of the ancient King Rama of Ayodhya, who was exiled in the forest for 14 years. To commemorate, Flam Chen will perform, there will be an outdoor concert with something called “”Sruti,”” chanting, some guy in a corner singing kirtan music and a free vegetarian feast. 3-8 p.m. Free. Govinda’s Natural Foods Buffet, 711 E. Blacklidge Drive

My Nana’s Salsa Challenge – I’m still not sure why the proceeds of this salsa cook-off go to the Arizona Hemophilia Association, but charity’s pretty cool. Local amateurs and even professionals will compete with their homemade concoctions, and you, the voter, will have a chance to decide on something more interesting than mayoral salaries and garbage fees. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $10. DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park, 22nd Street and Country Club Road

Afghanistan after the Taliban, presented by Tamim Ansary – This lecture, put on by Pima Community College and the Phi Theta Kappa fraternity will feature an Afghani-American author and speaker who will be present via satellite. Ansary published a book right after 9/11 called “”West of Kabul, East of New York”” that was a literary memoir about the conflict. noon to 4 p.m. Free. PCC Downtown Campus, Amethyst Room, 1255 N. Stone Ave.

Sunday

Shalom Tucson celebrates Israel’s 60th birthday – This festival will feature Israeli food, music, crafts, movies and a presentation by Israel Center Director Moshe Babel. It should be fun, but don’t come expecting matzo ball soup like I did when I went to Oy Vey Café, because it’s a whole different thing. 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free. Tucson Jewish Community Center, 3800 E. River Road

Arizona Symphonic Winds Veterans Day concert – Yay, Sousa marches! They’re like the Mariah Carey of classical music. Even after they’re totally not fashionable anymore, they keep popping up on holidays and cheesy radio shows, only to be buried again until the same time next year. But at least a cool saxophone professor from the UA, Tim McAllister, will be performing. 3-5 p.m. Free. Rincon High School Auditorium, 421 N. Arcadia Blvd.

Monday

Essential Cinema presents “”Raging Bull”” – No joke, the film’s production designer, the one and only Gene Rudolph, will lead a discussion after the screening. I guess De Niro was too busy riding the publicity wave off of “”Meet the Fockers”” to stop by, but no biggie. At least it’s free. 7 p.m. Free. The Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.

Tuesday

Charles Burnett Screening and Q-and-A – Now this film discussion will be pretty cool. The creator of the classic 1977 art film “”Killer of Sheep,”” about African-Americans in L.A.’s Watt’s district, will screen two of his movies and then talk about them. The National Society of Film Critics placed this movie among the top 100 films of all time, and it has even been put in the National Film Registry. 4:30-9 p.m. Free. Center for Creative Photography

Wednesday

Herbie Hancock – Hancock was a child piano prodigy who grew up to be an R&B master and Academy Award-winning composer of film scores. He also has an undeniably cool last name. (Sorry, that joke’s pretty stupid, but it’s the end.) 7:30 p.m. $20 to $55. Centennial Hall