By Elissa Taublib, news staff 

Thursday, Oct. 19

The political thriller “Z” (1969), an Academy Award-winning film directed by Costa-Gavras and filmed in France and Algeria, will be screened Thursday at the Museum of Fine Arts. The screening is part of the event “Costa-Gavras: Encounters with History,” a series of four films curated by Boston College professors that show the directors’ perspectives on human behavior during political crises. After the movie, there will be a discussion with Dia Philippides, research professor at Boston College; Dr. Vassiliki Rapti, affiliated faculty at Emerson College; and John Michalczyk, director of film studies at Boston College and author of “Costa-Gravas: The Political Fiction Film.” 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Museum of Fine Arts; $11

Friday, Oct. 20

You may know him as Jerry Gergich, the famous character from the NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation.” However, actor and comic Jim O’Heir has also received a Daytime Emmy Award for his guest role in “The Bold and Beautiful” and has played roles in other shows such as “Veep,” “The Mentalist” and “Friends.” Sponsored by the Resident Activity Fee, “RSA Presents: Jim O’Heir” is your chance to see this comical and renowned actor live at Northeastern University.. 7 p.m – 8 p.m; Blackman Auditorium, Northeastern University; $5

Saturday, Oct. 21

Vegetarian natural food providers, national speakers, chefs, free food sampling and exhibitions. All this and much more will be featured at the 22nd Annual Boston Veg Food Fest, organized by the nonprofit organization Boston Vegetarian Society. This food festival is your chance to have a taste of the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle and try different types of healthy and nutritious food. Some of the speakers present at the event will include the vegan cooking instructor Ellen Jaffe Jones and the author of “Vegan Pressure Cooking,” JL Fields. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St.; free

Sunday, Oct. 22

For those of you looking for a fun and harmonious weekend, you don’t want to miss this event. More than 40 of the best a cappella groups in New England, including Northeastern’s very own Pitch, Please!, Treble on Huntington, and the Unisons, will gather at the 21st Annual A Capella Competition. The contestants, which represent colleges and independent singing groups, will be singing for a panel of judges, and the top three winners will be awarded cash prizes. The event will be hosted by the comedians from Dick Doherty’s Comedy Den, Chris Pennie and Steve Halligan. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Faneuil Hall Marketplace; free

Monday, Oct. 23

How can we develop African-American audiences and other audiences of color in art events while treating everyone with equal respect? This is one of the main issues being addressed at “Leading from the Audience: A Conversation with Susan Peevy and Candelaria Silva-Collins.” Peevy and Silva-Collins are experts on audience-cultivation and seek to empower African-American audiences to attend theatre and art events in Washington, D.C., and Boston. The event will be moderated by David Dower, co-artistic director of ArtsEmerson, with special commentary from Victoria George, who is the ArtsBoston Audience Lab Director and founder of the Network of Arts Administrators of Color. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; ArtsEmerson, 559 Washington St; free

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Some say “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” However, the cover of the book and its interior design are important when it comes to book publishing. “Fall Forum: Book Design” is an unmissable event if you are interested in book design, graphic design and publishing. The forum is organized by Bookbuilders of Boston, a nonprofit organization which aims to gather people involved in book publishing and manufacturing. Among the professional designers present will be Louis Roe, designer of the Beacon Press, and Cate Barr, senior art director at Cengage Learning. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co., 125 High St.; free

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Tradition, art and culture will join for one event. Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, “Diwali: The Festival of Lights” will have live music, dance performances, interactive artist demonstrations and an open mic hosted by Subcontinental Drift Boston, a national movement which aims to strengthen the South Asian community in U.S. cities through the arts. Observed by Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains and Hindus, Diwali is an ancient festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. During this event, you can also tour the art galleries, which explore highlights of South Asian art, and interact with the artist and educator Sunanda Sahay, who grew up in northern India. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Museum of Fine Arts; free