More than Facebook In addition to brainiacs and Facebook, Harvard University produces as much trash as a small city. How does the university deal with all the refuse from residences, dining facilities, offices, clinics, and research laboratories? At “Stuff by the Yard: Campus Materials Management.’’ Rob Gogan, manager of Harvard Recycling and Waste Services, will talk about the school’s recycling and compost collection systems. Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology. 6 p.m. Free. Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford St., Cambridge. 617-495-3397. www.peabody.harvard.edu
Get real Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing’’ is a good play about a bad play. The Tony winner includes elements of romantic idealism, worthy causes, and an acting career are all thrown in for laughs. Presented by the Salem Theatre Company. Tonight at 7:30 (through Feb. 18). $22, $18 seniors, $12 students (name-your-own-price tickets for Jan. 26 and 27 previews). Salem Theatre Company Theater, 90 Lafayette St., Salem. 978-790-8546. www.salemtheatre.com
TOMORROW
Paula Deen, are you listening? Emerson College professor Robbie McCauley wrote and performs in her one-woman show, “Sugar,’’ presented by ArtsEmerson: The World on Stage. The theater artist takes you on her life’s journey from Southern comfort foods to New York’s ’60s and ’70s avant-garde theater, and explores the pains and triumphs of living with diabetes. Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. (through Jan. 29). $25-$49. The Jackie Liebergott Black Box at the Paramount Center, 559 Washington St., Boston. 617-824-8400. www.artsemerson.org
SATURDAY
Icing Early New Englanders wanted cold, icy winters so they could cash in on their cash cow, ice. Historians at “Fire & Ice’’ at Old Sturbridge Village will demonstrate ice harvesting. Jan. 28 and 29 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $20, $18 seniors, free under 18 through Jan. 31 (admission includes free second-day visit within 10 days). Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge. 800-733-1830. www.osv.org
A wing and a prayer The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has a new wing and an old wound. In 1990, two thieves disguised as police officers broke in and stole 13 works of art. Author, stolen-art expert, and director of security for the Gardner Museum Anthony Amore will talk his book, “Stealing Rembrandts: The Untold Stories of Notorious Art Heists.’’ Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Free. Willowbend Country Club, 130 Willowbend Dr., Mashpee. 508-539-5461. www.willowbendcountryclub.com
