Regional arts and entertainment events

Sunday

This joint is jumpin' The incandescent Melba Moore stars in Ain't Misbehavin,' a show based on the music of Fats Waller, at 3 p.m. today at the Prince Music Theater, and continuing on a Tuesday-through-Sunday schedule to Dec. 31 (no show Dec. 25, added shows Dec. 31). Tickets are $30 to $55 ($75 on Dec. 31). Call 215-569-9700.

Holiday spirit The Blind Boys of Alabama bring the gospel and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band provides the soul (with a Katrina-influenced take on Marvin Gaye's classic album What's Goin' On) at 8 p.m. at the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce Streets. Tickets are $35 to $60. Call 215-893-1999.

Monday

Magnificent mezzo Finnish mezzo-soprano Monica Groop has a beautifully rich tone and a subtle approach. She performs an eclectic recital of works by Schubert, Clara Schumann, Mahler, Bartok, Grieg and Schoenberg at 8 p.m. at the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater, Broad and Spruce Streets. Tickets are $22.50; $10 for students. Call 215-569-8080.

Tuesday

Life of the artist Art scholar John Richardson began his massive, masterful Life of Picasso 16 years ago and is now up to volume three, The Triumphant Years 1917-1932. Richardson discusses his work (and his long friendship with the artist, no doubt) at 8 p.m. at the Free Library's Montgomery Auditorium, 19th and Vine Streets. Tickets are $14; $7 for students. Call 215-567-4341.

Wednesday

Distinctive voices Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Tim Williams crafts pop gems on his dynamite CD, When Work Is Done, matching allusive wordplay with hook-laden arrangements. He plays on a double bill with the Black Atlantic (featuring ex-Shai Hulud front man Geert van der Velde) at 7 p.m. at MilkBoy Coffee, 2 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. Tickets are $6. Call 610-645-5269. . . . Virginia's Carbon Leaf play their Celtic-tinged folk pop at 7:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. Tickets are $15. Call 215-222-1400.

Thursday

Life documented Jennifer Venditti's sweet and funny documentary Billy the Kid follows a talkative, autistic teen in Maine as he deals with family, school and friendship. The award-winning film screens at 7:30 p.m. at the Annenberg Center's Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. Tickets are $10. Call 215-898-3000.

Friday & Saturday

The voice of experience There are times when it appears that the wondrous Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are time-warpers traveled here from a Stax Records session circa 1965. But the story is more interesting than that. Jones has been singing soul and funk for 30 years, but changing pop fashions and life situations conspired to keep her off the radar. Now, the time has arrived for the former prison guard to grab the glory, with her tremendous new album 100 Days, 100 Nights. This ain't no retro. It's an experienced singer putting everything she knows into her performance. When, on the title track, she breaks it down ("Wait a minute - maybe I need to slow it down just a little, take my time . . ."), it comes off as a moment of serious reflection, not ornamentation. (As for the Dap-Kings, their work this year with Amy Winehouse as well as Jones certifies them as the official Coolest Band on the Planet.) See what it's all about at the Fillmore at the TLA, 334 South St., at 9 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $15. Call 215-922-1011.

Christmas music The Philadelphia Singers present their annual Christmas on Logan Square concert, with works by Jean Mouton, Alfred Burt and Stephen Chatman at St. Clement's Church, 20th and Cherry Streets, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $30 to $40. Call 215-893-1999. . . . The Mendelssohn Club performs a holiday concert of works by composers including Kodaly, Rachmaninoff and Arvo Pärt at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., at 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $30; $15 for students. Call 216-735-9922.