Masters of Art

-- The Boston Young Contemporaries Exhibition is an annual juried show featuring work from students in MFA programs across New England. This year, the show was curated by Roger White, Jackie Gendel, and Tom McGrath, and includes 159 works from 94 artists, representing MFA programs at BU, MassArt, SMFA, Brandeis, RISD, and more. 808 Gallery, 808 Comm. Ave., 6:00pm-9:00pm (through August 22). Free.

Common Theatre

-- Boston's beloved Shakespeare in the Park begins today. This year, Steven Maler and the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company stage As You Like It. Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, 8:00pm (through August 3). Free.

Stop by Beating Art

-- ArtBeat Festival 2008 was built around the ever popular theme "green." Multiple stages host a mind-bogglingly diverse collection of live performers, playing everything from Mexican son to hip hop. Oh, and there will be more than 100 artists exhibiting work. Various locations, Davis Square, Somerville, 6:00pm (also Saturday). Free. [More information]

Movies

-- Recent Japanese horror movies get sent up by Exte: Hair Extensions, a spoof of the recent spate of "hair horror," which includes The Ring and Ju-On. Featuring action from Chiaki Kuriyama, the killer Japanese school girl from Kill Bill. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge. [Tickets and showtimes.]