Wednesday Happenings

Pretend Sports

-- Rock, Paper, Scissors is no longer simply a means to resolve disagreements. And don't tell its adherents that it's mostly arbitrary. Rock, Paper Scissors has its own society and championship. Keep in mind that you're probably not ready for the big show and improve your chops today in low level RPS combat. P.A.'s Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave., Somerville, 7 p.m. $4.

Municipal Meetings

-- The City of Boston is holding informational meetings for the employees and business owners who lost their livelihood to the recent fire on Peterborough Street. If you have time this afternoon and are concerned about what the city is going to do to help those affected by the tragedy, stop by. Boston Arts Academy, 174 Ipswich St., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. More information.

Good Deeds

-- You might as well put your inexplicable love of folk music to work. Johnny D's hosts the Winter Warmer party, a benefit for the Massachusetts United Way emergency assistance fund, which will go directly to families in need, free from overhead charges. Performers include Alastair Moock, Merrie Amsterburg, Mark Erelli, Meg Hutchinson, Jennifer Kimball, Todd Thibaud, Tim Gearan, Jimmy Ryan, Dinty Child, Jim Fitting and The Loomers. Johnny D's Uptown, 17 Holland St., Somerville, 8 p.m.

Movies

-- The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival kicks off tonight with the epic story of Laotian immigrant Thavisouk Phrasavath, whose family fled their war-torn homeland in the 80s. Phrasavath, whose father was a soldier in Laos, endures poverty and the streets of New York during the rough decades of the 80s and 90s. Remis Auditorium, Museum of Fine Arts, 8:10 p.m. $10/$8.

Life After Death

-- The reviews aren't yet in for the Biggie Smalls biopic Notorious, but if you planned to see the movie anyway, you probably won't be disuaded to hear that it sucks, which it might not. The film features Jamal Woolard, (a/k/a Gravy, the Brookyn rapper who was shot in the ass a couple of years ago), so you might want to brush up on your Biggie basics tonight at the release party. 360 Ultralounge, 33 Batterymarch St., 10 p.m. $15.