Wednesday Picks

ROCK
Sound the Alarm
On their latest record, The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi, Boston rockers The Receiving End of Sirens have broadened their sonic horizons with dense layers of sonic pedal meddling and experimental flourishes that buoy the rising and crashing of their heartrending emo pop. But no amount of studio mess-about can obscure the longing of the dual vocalist’s passionate harmonizing, the messy center at the heart of the band’s music. They perform tonight. Boston’s blissfully hazy and disquieting charmers Retrosleeper open. 6p.m. $14 adv., $15 dos. The Palladium, 261 Main St., Worcester. 800-477-6849. thepalladium.net

MUSIC
The Man
There’s not too much we have in common with our parents, aside from dad’s sick sense of humor and mom’s sentimentality. But Van Morrison…now there’s a guy that transcends it all. You won’t find many other musicians capable of spanning generational boundaries like that. With decades of classic songs to choose from, it’s hard to say what the infamously irascible performer will play. May we humbly request “Domino” and “Cleaning Windows.” 7p.m. $78-$203. Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St # 2, Providence, RI. 401-421-2997. ppacri.org [Luke O’Neil]

ART
No Place Like an Art Gallery
The closest we’ve come to being inspired by the Wizard of Oz was the time we tried that Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. synch-up trick back in college. Maybe that’s why we’re not creative artists. At “Ozspirations: New Art Inspired by the Wizard of Oz” 30 artists have employed a variety of mediums to channel the spirit of the classic film into their work. With video, sculpture, painting and more, Oz’s iconic images and universal themes come to life. Running through Friday. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University, 75 Arlington St., Boston. 617-573-8785. suffolk.edu/24550.html

SCIENCE
We have this theory that the stars in the night sky are really just little holes poked in a vast dark canopy that covers the earth and protects us from a race of alien super beings intent on destroying us. We’ll have to bring that up at Public Observatory Night at the Coit Observatory. Wednesday nights, weather permitting, (call ahead to confirm) you’ll have an opportunity to view the vast universe through telescopes and learn something about astronomy. Makes you feel sort of small, doesn’t it? 7:30p.m. Free. Coit Observatory at Boston University, 725 Comm. Ave., Boston. 617-353-2630. bu.edu/astronomy/opennight.html

FASHION
The Sexy Santa Lingerie Show at The Place brings two of our favorite things in the world together every Wednesday, namely Christmas and beautiful women. Listen to music, mingle and drink cocktails while models show off the latest fashions from Kiss Me Lingerie. It’s all in the name of good holiday cheer, or something. Maybe you’ll get some stocking stuffer ideas. Santa never looked so good. 10p.m. Free. The Place, 2 Broad St., Boston. 617-523-2081. theplaceboston.com

SPORTS
The Detroit Pistons are pretty good, sure, and no one wants to celebrate a loss by the home team, but the way the Celtics are winning of late, it’s pretty safe to plan your post game party ahead of time. May we suggest the Boston Celtics Post Game Party at The Harp? You’ll have the chance to meet the Celtics dancers (probably a lot more charming than Paul Pierce anyway) and a rotating cast of former Celtics players. 10p.m. The Harp, 85 Causeway St., Boston. 617-742-1010. harpboston.com

FOOD
Our founding fathers may not have had this night specifically in mind when they wrote the Constitution, but I think it’s fair to say that given a little more time to hash out the details they would have all agreed that free pizza with beer should be inalienable right of all Americans. Crossroads does their patriotic duty with this genius promotion. Buy a pitcher of beer for $8, get a pizza. It’s a simple, but brilliant economic theory. Crossroads Irish Pub, 495 Beacon St., Boston. 617-262-7371. crossroadspubboston.com

SPORTS
Now that the annual ice age has descended upon us, it’s time to find out who the most dedicated runners are out there. We’ll be the first to admit we’ve hung up the sneakers for the winter. See you in a couple months, out-of-doors! But those of you looking for a good reason to stay motivated, or for a group to help you push yourselves harder, should check out the weekly running club at Niketown. Runners and walkers of all levels are encouraged to come by and join the group for 3, 5 and 7 mile runs. 6:30p.m. Free. Niketown , 200 Newbury St., Boston. 617-267-3400. nikerunning.com/runningclub

Originally published in the Boston Globe.