"This American Life" contributor James Braly brings his darkly hilarious look at marriage, "Life in a Marital Institution" to The ArtsCenter Friday. Braly's one-man show shines a frank and funny light on his two decades of matrimony. 919-929-2787, ext. 201, artscenterlive.org.

The Brooklyn Rider and the Knights play works by Brahms and Debussey, but they also dive into ancient Persian folk songs and Japanese shakuhachi pieces. They'll be at Memorial Hall on the UNC campus at 7:30 tonight. 919-843-3333, carolinaperformingarts.org.

The Ackland Art Museum on the UNC campus opens "The Spectacular of Vernacular," an exhibit that features 25 artists who incorporate images of everyday culture into their work, with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. RSVP to acklandRSVP@unc.edu or 919-843-3687.