“What’s Hot” in the City!

This time of the year, the city is abuzz with a host of live performances from concerts and plays to theatre, art and even dining al fresco. Here’s a look at what’s hot this week!

Happy Fourth of July! Tonight at 7:30pm is the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Hatch Shell featuring performers Susan Tedeschi, Howie Day, Ayla Brown and of course, an awesome fireworks display. Admission is free and open to the public.

Every Friday, Johnny D’s Uptown in Somerville presents the “Free Fridays Summer Series” featuring great live bands playing soul, funk & more. It kicks off at 10pm. No cover charge.

Ekua’s Evening Art Walk of Fort Hill Thursday, July 11, 6-8pm,

Tickets $15 adults | $5 children

Venue: Roxbury Crossing Station

Follow Ekua Holmes, an exceptional Roxbury-based artist, on a leisurely walking tour of the visual arts on Highland Park/Fort Hill. Her in-depth knowledge of Roxbury’s arts movement and personal connection to many of the artists is guaranteed to enlighten and entertain. In addition to visiting impressive pieces of public art around the neighborhood, the tour visits three artist home studios. This personalized look at Roxbury’s art community is a fantastic introduction to the variety of artists and types of art available during Roxbury Open Studios. Tour departs Roxbury Crossing Station at 6pm. ticket info at www.discoverroxbury.org

This Sunday beginning at 11am, the annual Chowderfest returns to City Hall Plaza. It’s a day of sampling which restaurant has the best “chowdah” in town! Tickets: $12 for adults and $8 for children.

On July 11The Paradise Rock Club features the comedy show “F/X Presents: The Totally Biased Stand Up Tour” with headliner W. Kamau Bell with Janine Brito and Kevin Kataoka. Showtime is at 9 p.m. and tickets are $25.00. The event is 18 +. For tickets visit: http://crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club/.

From July 13-21 Boston comes alive with “Outside the Box” a nine day performing arts festival featuring 200 performances from ballet to the Bosstones held at Boston Common and City Hall Plaza. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.outsidethebox.org.

Join Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz and his wife Lindsay as they host their “1st Annual Buchholz Bowl” on Thursday, July 18 at Lucky Strike. The star-studded bowling tournament and auction benefits the Clay Buchholz Foundation. For more information go to www.claybuchholzfoundation.org.

The Tony Award winning musical Wicked returns to Boston for a limited run August 7 to September 15 at the Boston Opera House. Tickets on sale now at www.BroadwayInBoston.com.

Every Wednesday beginning July 17, Boston Landmark Orchestra showcases a variety of music from Latin American song and dance to Cole Porter at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade. It begins at 7pm and is free and open to the public.

And, the Jacobs brothers who created the “Life Is Good” t-shirt line are back with their two-day festival coming up September 21 and 22. The line-up includes Jack Johnson, Daryl Hall & John Oates, The Roots, Amos Lee and more all at the Prowse Farm in Canton, Ma. Tickets are available at www.lifeisgood.com.