What to do in August: 'The Queen of Versailles,' steamy '90s movies and nerf archery

On this episode of The Common, WBUR transportation reporter Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez joins host Darryl C. Murphy to give us the full download on the MBTA's new contactless fare system. Then, we get suggestions for how to spend the month of August in Greater Boston. Listen to the podcast to hear the full episode. 

Candice Springer, assistant director for WBUR CitySpace, has recommendations for how to spend the final, hazy days of summer. Here are her picks:

Bostonians have the opportunity to see this brand new, Broadway-bound musical adaptation of the 2012 documentary of the same name until Aug. 25. "The Queen of Versailles," starring Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham, is being staged at the Emerson Colonial Theater in Boston.

IFFBoston, inspired by the series on the podcast You Must Remember This about erotic films from the '80s and '90s, presents a month-long retrospective into steamy movies from that era. You can catch classics like "Showgirls" (1995) and "Cruel Intentions" (1999) until Aug. 31 at the Somerville Theatre. (Read more about the series from WBUR's film critic Sean Burns.)

Speaking of steam, maybe you need to let off a little with this unconventional athletic activity. Archery Games Boston lets you play out your wildest Katniss Everdeen dreams with competitive combat archery. Join a communal game or reserve a private one with friends, family or coworkers or at the Chelsea location. Don't worry, all projectiles are foam-tipped so no one will be taking an arrow to the knee here any time soon. (Please note that you have to be 7 years or older to join in a communal game.)

The Moth StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition, open to anyone with a five-minute story to share on the night’s theme. The theme of this month's StorySLAM on Aug. 13 is "HOT MESS." Participants should prepare a five-minute story about spectacular chaos. Disheveled dramas and situations so tangled there is no hope of straightening things out. Come tell a story...or just enjoy the show!

Back by popular demand, WBUR CitySpace is hosting another game night on Aug. 14. Free to all, come with friends or meet new ones playing a variety of games provided by Knight Moves Board Game Cafe. Snacks will be provided, grog available for purchase.