THIS WEEK IN MUSIC

Live music and more, tonight through Thursday, compiled by Tom Di Nardo, Shaun Brady, Sara Sherr, Jonathan Takiff and Damon C. Williams.

Dan Deacon: While classically trained, Deacon doesn't let that get in the way of his wacky, Devo-luted electro-pop music, a celebration of turntable twisting, vocoder hijinx and synthesizer shape shifting. This cartoonish character didn't call his album "Spiderman of the Rings" for nothing. Avant Gentleman's Lounge, 4028 Filbert St. 8 tonight.

Jess Klein/Serena Ryder: Devotees of vital, big-voiced female talents should come early and stay late for these back-to-back shows. Early evening headliner Klein has a fearsome sound and original material to match — an urbanized Emmylou Harris on steroids, all revved up about matters personal and political. Late-show discovery Ryder is a gutsy young Canadian belter with a bit of blues and twang about her. Ryder's mission, at the moment, is to celebrate the work of fellow Canadians, from the Band to Leonard Cohen to Galt MacDermot, composer of the 1967 hippie musical "Hair." Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St. 7:30 tonight (for Klein and Cheryl B. Engelhardt), $12; 10:30 p.m. tonight (for Ryder and Nichole Reynolds), $10, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Kevin Burkle & Cal Scott: Touring to tout their debut CD collaboration "Across the Black River," the renowned Irish fiddler Burke (Bothy Band, Patrick Street) and U.S. guitarist Scott do a lovely job with Celtic waltzes and reels, bluegrass and even Parisian street music. Commodore Barry Club/The Irish Center, 7815 Emlen St. 8 tonight. $15, 215-248-0502, www.philadelphiaceiligroup.org.

String Nation: Progressive acoustic music festival welcomes Darrol Anger & Republic of Strings, Tim O'Brien & Friends and the Swedish ensemble Vasen tonight, then Seamus Egan & Friends, Mike Marshall & Hamilton de Holanda and Vasen tomorrow night. Daytime workshops are also scheduled. Gordon Theater, Rutgers University, 3rd and Pearl streets, Camden, shows at 7 tonight and tomorrow, $45 each, all-access event pass $80, 856-225-2700, www.gordontheater.com.

Leila Broussard: Talented local performs and celebrates record release. Milkboy Coffee, 2 East Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. 8 and 10 p.m. tomorrow, $20 and $60 (VIP seating) early show, $10 and $20 late show, 610-645-5269, www.milkboycoffee.com.

"Hair" Be-In/Be-Active: Get warmed up for the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love with this rooftop happening, featuring info on activist causes, face painting and a 3 p.m. performance by the cast of the Prince Music Theater's upcoming production of "Hair," with sing-along options. Whole Foods, 900 block South Street, 2-6 p.m. tomorrow, $10 for the 3 p.m. performance, free before and afterwards, 215-569-9700, www.princemusictheater.org.

Asylum Street Spankers: For those who missed 'em at WCL, here's a second chance to catch this wickedly talented, all-acoustic Texas troupe doing up retro rags and hollers, swing tunes and blues. Special guests: Matt Roach and Spider Miranda. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $19.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Sloan: Massive in Canada, this well-seasoned quartet continues to deliver substantial, sugar-sweet pop-rock, all original, though harking to the golden days of the Beatles. Small Sins open. 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Todd Snider: Our favorite Nashville alt-country singer will make you laugh — and wince — with his honest, edgy material. Robert Hazard, now a full-time Americana singer/strummer, opens. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $22.50 257-5808, www.st94.com.

ALO: Favorites of the jam-band community, Animal Liberation Orchestra will free your mind and move your feet with substantial songcraft and stretched instrumental breaks. Brett Dennen with Lucas Reynolds opens. Fillmore at the TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Monday, $15-$17, 215-922-1011, www.livenation.com.

The Basement: Northern Ireland band sounds like they got it together listening to Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited." Local guys Patrick's Head open. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8:30 p.m. Monday, $10, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Riders on the Storm: This latest incarnation of the Doors still boasts original keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Kreiger. Brett Scallions, former lead singer of Fuel, has the onerous mission of filling "Lizard King" Jim Morrison's webbed shoes. Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, $38 and $48, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Hinder: Slow-to-burn post-grunge rockers out of Oklahoma City headline the MadPackers.com "Door to Dorm" tour, ending here. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $23.50, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Laura Veirs: One of the most satisfying of chamber-pop artists, Veirs is a subtle, poetic talent you truly owe yourself to experience, especially with her fine band, the Saltbreakers. Opening act: Lake. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8:30 p.m. Thursday, $12, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Preview Tour: Get up to speed on the annual July retreat in the Berkshires with this caravan of players, including rootsy femme trio Red Molly, Pat Wictor, Cheryl Prashker and a guy named Ellis. Milkboy Coffee, 2 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, 7 p.m. Thursday, $8/$10, 610-645-5269, www.milkboycoffee.com.

Ladies Love Hip-Hop: When DJ Ultraviolet spins, expect an ecclectic set full of breaks and rarities. Factor in an opening set by DJ Roxy, plus lyrical heavyweight Jean Grae as host, and this is a can't-miss set. Fluid, 613 S. 4th. St., 10 tonight, $7, 215-629-0565, www.fluidnightclub.com.

A World Music Celebration: It may not be straight hip-hop, but you can't go wrong with any show that features African percussionists group Leana Song, songwriter Ashley Phillips and the Rhythm Poets, including Jim Hamilton, Francois Zayas, Shawn Hennessey and Mike Pietruskot. North By Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 10 tonight, $10, 215-248-1000, www.nxnwphl.com.

Thank You Mama/Pre-Mother's Day Bash: Reggae masses take Mother's Day into account by giving free roses to women who stop through. Marlon Hype, Big Stone and Vybz Xpress will perform. Lids Banquet Hall, 4721 Oxford Ave., 11 tonight, $10, www.caribbeanbeatz.com.

215 Hip-Hop.com: The growing Web site celebrates its first birthday with a series of DJ sets featuring the multi-member Skratch Makaniks. Second in the series includes DJs Excel, Jay Ski, Adam Bomb, Kwestion, Sat One, Aktive, KD, Bee and Jeyone. Bamboo Lounge, 101 N. 20th. St., 10 p.m. Tuesday, 21+, free, 215-636-0228, www.bamboophilly.com.

Beatles & Stones: DJ Deejay brings the popular DJ night to Johnny Brenda's, which also doubles as the record-release party for Three 4 Tens' "Down the Way" (Rainbow Quartz). Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 tonight, $8, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Sioux City Pete & the Beggars: The Chicken Hawks guitarist kicks up a punk-blooze racket akin to the Birthday Party and the Gun Club. This showcase of sorts for local label Steel Cage Records includes Thee Minks, Whiskey Livin', and the Shock. El Bar, 1356 N. Front St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $6, all ages, www.myspace.com/hellundertheel.

Sky Drops: Delaware coed duo makes a big, beautiful noise somewhere between My Bloody Valentine and the Raveonettes. With Asteroid #4, the Sounds of Kaleidoscope and the December Sound. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $8, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Earl Greyhound: Led Zep- and T. Rex-quoting trio from NYC is always better when Afro'd bassist Kamara Thomas rocks the mike. Opening is Beretta 76, who performed tender covers from Neil Young and the Pretenders at last month's Rick D tribute. Also: Gildon Works and Meowskers. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $8, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Immediate: Monthly DJ night features '60s beat, psych and soul. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $7, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Yura Yura: Record-release party for Someone Else, the latest project for DJ Foundsound Records mogul and City Paper contributor Sean O'Neal, who leaves for Germany in July. Also: Miskate. Siam Lotus, 931 Spring Garden St., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $5, 215-769-2031, http://funkshun.us/

Make Your Own Mother's Day Card: No one understands Mother's Day better than Tattooed Mom's. As part of their Crafty Sundays series, you, a child or a childlike person can create a punk-rock, DIY greeting for Mom, with much better musical accompaniment than you heard in kindergarten. Tattooed Mom's, 530 South St., 1-9 p.m. Sunday, free, 215-238-9880, www.myspace.com/tattooed_mom.

Golden Ball: Fishtown psych-folkers open on a beat-heavy bill: San Francisco's Tussle — little bits of Krautrock, new-wave disco and Jamaican dub — and locals Professor Murder, a dance-friendly band with hip-hop, reggae and postpunk rhythms. Avant Gentleman's Lounge, 4028 Filbert St., 8 p.m. Sunday, $10, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Mono: Japanese band brings its epic instrumental jams a la Godspeed You Black Emperor. With World's End Girlfriend and Grails. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $10, all ages, www.r5productions.com.

Pretty Girls Make Graves: Since 2001, the Seattle quintet has released a trio of invigorating records that run the gamut of riot grrrl to new wave to Fugazi post-hardcore, thanks to the invigorating presence of frontwoman Andrea Zollo. With the departure of drummer Nick DeWitt, the band had decided to call it quits and this is their last Philadelphia show. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $12-14, 215-684-0808, www.northstarbar.com.

Wingdale Community Singers: In his spare time, novelist Rick Moody plays with this folk band, which also includes David Grubbs (Red Krayola, Squirrel Bait, Bastro, and others). Evening includes a reading by Moody and screenwriter Heather McGowan. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $14-54, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Opera Company of Philadelphia: Verdi's final masterwork, the comedic antics and eventual comeuppance of Shakespeare's irrepressible "Falstaff." Corrado Rovaris conducts, with Roberto de Candia as the portly knight, Christine Goerke as Alice Ford, Meredith Arwady as Mistress Quickly and Mark Stone in his company debut as Ford. Robert Driver directs. Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, 8 tonight and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, $9-$100, 215-893-1999, www.operaphilly.com.

Peter Nero & the Philly Pops: When Jerome Kern was asked what place Irving Berlin had in American music, he said, "Irving Berlin IS American music!" From Berlin's catalog of 1,500 songs, Nero mines some gems. With vocalist Karen Mason from Broadway's "Mamma Mia." Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 tonight, plus 3 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday, $26-$100, 215-893-1999, www.phillypops.org.

Tempesta di Mare: Impressive Baroque ensemble has made orchestrations of the six organ trios, expanding them to their probably original conceptions for recorder, strings, lute and harpsichord. Trinity Episcopal Church, Route 320 and College Avenue, Swarthmore, 8 tonight, and St. Mark's, 1625 Locust St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $10-$35, 215-755-8776, www.tempestadimare.org.

Philomel Baroque Ensemble: Bach's B Minor Suite and Telemann's Double Concerto for flute and recorder feature guest flutist Sandra Miller in this season finale. Christ Church, 2nd and Market streets, 8 tonight; St. Paul's, Oakland Avenue and Pine Street, Doylestown, 8 p.m. tomorrow; and St. Martin's in the Fields, 8000 St. Martin's Lane, 4 p.m. Sunday, $25-$40, 215-487-2344, www.philomel.org.

Choir of St. Clement's Church: Choir directed by Wanamaker organist Peter Richard Conte in a rare public concert of liturgical music to benefit restoration work on the circa 1859 building. St. Clement's, 20th and Cherry streets, 8 tonight, $15-$75, 215-563-1876, www.s-clements.org.

Academy of Vocal Arts: Christofer Macatsoris leads a stunning performance of Jules Massenet's French masterpiece "Manon," with a stageful of superb future stars. Commerce Bank Arts Centre, 510 Hurffville-Crosskeys Road, Sewell, N.J., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $48, 215-735-1685, www.avaopera.org.

Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia: Matthew Glandorff leads the choir, with organist Nathan Laube as guest soloist, in "Those (Other) Fabulous Philadelphians," a reference to composers Samuel Barber, Luis Prado, Jennifer Higdon and Anthony Mosakowski. Congregation Rodeph Shalom, 615 N. Broad St., 8 p.m. tomorrow and Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, 4 p.m. Sunday, $18-$30, 215-545-8634, www.choralarts.com.

Matthias Goerne & Christoph Eschenbach: Radiant-voiced baritone gets the ultimate accompaniment from tireless conductor Eschenbach, switching to the keyboard, on Schumann's "Liederkreis" and three sets of songs by Brahms. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. Monday, $22, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Aaron Goldberg: NY-based pianist helped usher out the Zanzibar Blue era two weeks ago. He makes a welcome return with bassist Omer Avital and drummer Greg Hutchinson. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway, 5:45 and 7:15 tonight, free with regular museum admission of $12, 215-763-8100, www.philamuseum.org.

Mark O'Connor/John Blake Jr.: Music in local schools advocate Musicopia teams jazz/folk fiddle virtuoso O'Connor with Philly jazz violinist Blake for several days of educational workshops culminating in this performance. Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $35, www.musicopia.net.

Chris Botti: Trumpeter has taken a few steps back from the brink of the smooth jazz abyss on his last few recordings, ditching the synths for acoustic and orchestral arrangements. Smooth saxophonist Mindi Abair opens. Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow, Upper Darby, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $19.75-$65, www.livenation.com. *