Friday Happenings

Image of Rob Riggle courtesy AltCom Festival.

Boston's AltCom comedy festival begins in earnest today with two shows at the Somerville Theatre. The early show features alternative comics of the more traditional, self-congratulatingly political variety, headlined by Janeane Garofalo. The second show features the droll stylings of improv troupe the Upright Citizens Brigade, Eugene Mirman, and Rob Riggle from The Daily Show. Somerville Theater, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. Tickets and more information.

Dancing Hipsters

Who knew that Canadians could dance? Junior Boys is duo from Hamilton, Ontario that fuses Canadian pop, IDM, and electro. The resulting confection could make Junior Boys the Kon Kan to LCD Soundsystem's New Order. Middle East Downstairs, 472 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, 8 p.m. $15.

Circuses (No Bread)

Voidstar Productions, following Brian Eno's adage that "multimedia predominantly has come out in fairgrounds, circuses, and theme parks," has assembled a Multimedia Circus featuring "aerialists, turntablists, circuit benders, performance art, mixed media, and experimental music." The show lasts for three and half hours and includes work by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra, the Vomit Arsonist, and others. The Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville, 7 p.m. $10.