5 things to do this weekend, including Stanley Whitney at the ICA and Boston Jerkfest

The free concert series — a co-production of Berklee College of Music, Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción and the city of Boston — kicks off this Thursday with Barbara Zamora Vargas. The Cuban singer is one of Boston’s jazz gems, a powerful vocalist with the bonafides to back it up. Her set at O’Day Playground in the Sound End is sure to get you shimmying. [For more live music recommendations, check out WBUR music writer Noah Schaffer’s guide here.] — Amelia Mason

Load YouTube video

The ICA is worth the price of admission, but art lovers can meander through the museum’s galleries for free on Thursdays between 5 and 9 pm. I escaped the heat there last week and basked in the colorful glory of Stanley Whitney’s grided, large-scale, abstract canvases. A retrospective of the artist’s work takes viewers on an eye-opening journey through his 50-year career. Tracing the evolution of Whitney’s saturated, improvisational style and jazzy visual voice will leave you feeling uplifted and perhaps even more human than when you arrived. The exhibit is on view through Sept. 1. — Andrea Shea

Need some spice in your life? Boston Jerkfest is just the place for you! This two-day festival is back for its 12th year and brings together 15 different Caribbean restaurants, all showcasing their jerk dishes and other specialties. “Jerk” refers to a specific process of marinating meat in a spicy seasoning and slowly cooking it over a fire (typically using pimento wood). The result is a fall-off-the-bone dish that is one of Jamaica’s culinary hallmarks.

Boston Jerkfest also features live DJs and music, chef demos and a rum and brew tasting with rum punch, beer and other Caribbean-inspired drinks. One of the things that caught my eye is the seafood cook-off between Comfort Kitchen’s Kwasi Kwaa and New England Culinary Arts Training’s Chris Faison. Bringing the kids? There’s a Kids & Culture stage where they can enjoy face painting and other activities. The festival takes place at the Harvard University Athletic Complex in Allston. Single-day tickets for adults start at $44.52, with multi-day, VIP, concert, and more tickets available. — Arielle Gray

It’s a big year for Quincy, Massachusetts, as the city celebrates its 400th anniversary. Quincy’s history is deeply tied to that of the nation. This weekend, as part of the ongoing celebrations, catch a free Dropkick Murphys concert and album release party starting at noon. The stage will be set up at Hancock Adams Common at Quincy College, but people can also enjoy all the festivities in the street at Quincy Center. — Cristela Guerra

There’s nothing quite like live music outdoors in Boston during the summer. If you’re in need of Saturday plans, head to Christian Herter Park in Allston for the 5th annual Charles River Jazz Festival, presented by the Boston Jazz Foundation. Musical acts include Dominican drummer Ivanna Cuestro and jazz and R&B band Freelance. If you get hungry, there’ll be food vendors onsite like the Asian-inspired Bon Me and Lordya Gourmet, which serves delicious Haitian food.

General tickets are free, but arrive early. Entry is first-come, first-served. (From what we’ve heard, it does tend to get crowded quickly!) This is a family-friendly event so feel free to bring the kids along. And while there are benches in the Amphitheater, you may want to bring chairs and a blanket in case seating runs out. There’s a list on the festival website that states what items are and aren’t allowed in the amphitheater. Please note that the festival is happening, rain or shine. — Arielle Gray

Load YouTube video