Friday
January 31
High Rankin
Here is a mystery worth solving — which famous Scottish crime writer will be in Cobble Hill on Jan. 31 to read from and sign copies of his latest novel? The answer is Ian Rankin, who will bring his 19th and latest Inspector Rebus novel, “Saints of the Shadow Bible,” to BookCourt.
7 pm at BookCourt [163 Court St. between Pacific and Dean streets in Cobble Hill, (718) 875–3677, www.bookcourt.com]. Free.
Saturday
February 1
We want chilly willy
The Red Hot Chili Peppers is playing the Super Bowl halftime show, but you can catch the band live and in person the day before, when the veteran funksters play WFAN’S “Big Hello to Brooklyn” show at the Barclays Center. Also on the bill is New Politics, MS MR, J. Roddy Walston and the Business, and Basic Vacation.
7 pm at Barclays Center [620 Atlantic Ave. at Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Heights, (800) 745–3000, www.barclayscenter.com]. $79.50–$350.
Sunday
February 2
Cut and color
This talk sounds like a cut above the rest. Quincy T. Mills, an assistant professor of history at Vassar College and author of “Cutting Along the Color Line: Black Barbers and Barber Shops in America” gives a talk on the historical importance of black-owned barber shops, and the role they played in 20th-century racial politics.
1 pm at Brooklyn Central Library, Dweck Center [10 Grand Army Plaza between Flatbush Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights, (718) 230–2198, www.bklynpubliclibrary.org]. Free.
Tuesday
February 4
Laughs on the waterfront
Dumbo’s nightlife just got a whole lot less dull, with the return of “Dumbo Comedy,” a free, weekly show downstairs at Dish Dumbo restaurant. This week’s lineup includes Meghan Hanley, Aaron Kominos-Smith, Keith Alberstadt, Kendra Cunningham, and Nore Davis, plus music from Astoria-based acoustic act Fairway.
8 pm at Dish Dumbo [81 Washington St. between York and Front streets in Dumbo, (718) 625–3474, www.dishdumbo.com]. Free.
Wednesday
February 5
Recommitting
Jimmy Rabbitte lives! Irish author Roddy Doyle brings one of the lead characters from his 1987 book (and 1991 film) “The Commitments” back to life in new book “The Guts,” which finds a middle-aged Rabbitte reconnecting with some familiar old friends. The Booker Prize-winning author visits Dumbo’s powerHouse Arena to celebrate the new novel.
7 pm at powerHouse Arena [37 Main St. at Water Street in Dumbo, (718) 666–3049, www.powerhousearena.com], Free. RSVP recommended.
