Music critics' picks

Quite possibly the greatest ambassador of hip-hop culture, not to mention one of its more talented lyricists of the past 20 years, KRS-One will grace the stage of Club Polaris tomorrow night. The Blastmaster got his start in the group Boogie Down Productions with D-Nice and DJ Scott La Rock. The Bronx trio's influential 1986 debut, "Criminal Minded," launched KRS-One's career. Currently working on a project with fellow New York rhymer Buckshot, KRS has become an outspoken advocate of using hip-hop for social justice. Joining KRS will be Roxanne Shante, one of the first popular female MCs, who originally gained notoriety for her song "Roxanne's Revenge," the 1984 response to UTFO's "Roxanne, Roxanne." Also on the bill is Trenton-based group Poor Righteous Teachers, as well as Philadelphia native Montana Blak.

Club Polaris, 460 N. 9th St., 7 p.m. tomorrow, $30, $45 VIP.

- James Johnson

Given our demographic (we're really old, man), we're hot to see punk-rock pioneers the New York Dolls this weekend. But we're also enthused about opener Black Joe Lewis & the Honey Bears, out of Austin, Texas. Lewis - yes, that's him - has said that he got his start messing with guitars that musicians had hocked at the pawn shop where he worked. The band's debut album, "Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!" rocked up to third place on the Billboard blues charts. Lewis' voice has been described as a little bit Joe Tex, a little bit Tyrone Davis. No lie. And with those crisp horns hollerin' around him, there's no way this music won't move you.

As for those "re-formed but not reformed" Dolls, as DN music critic Jonathan Takiff called them, their new record, "Cause I Sez So," was produced by Todd Rundgren and showcases frontman David Johansen's undiminshed vigor, likely to be on display live, as well.

Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, $20, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

- Laurie T. Conrad

Ida Maria was born Ida Maria Børli Sivertsen in the town of Nesna, Norway, though she later settled in Stockholm, Sweden. In the past year, she's caught on in this country with her infectious single "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked," which comes off like a female version of Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" or Bjork in Converse, but even more adorable. Better yet, this makes her even sexier than pop tarts like Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. It's reported that Ida Maria sees music in colors; hers are definitely neon pink and black.

North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 8 p.m. Monday, $12-$14, 215-684-0808, www.northstarbar.com.

- Sara Sherr

The term "New Orleans jazz" conjures images of parading brass bands and Dixieland old-timers. You won't find N'awlins trombonist Jeff Albert in either of those camps, though the music of his hometown is obviously in his blood - his every excursion into the outer reaches of improvisation is anchored by an innate groove. But Albert's free-jazz leanings make him spiritual kin to Chicago's more avant-garde community, which explains why Hurricane Katrina left him in that suddenly much less windy-seeming city. He formed the Lucky 7s with a group of Chicagoans, but has since returned home and will bring his own quartet to Philly next week to march all over the line between funk and free.

Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 8 and 9:45 p.m. Thursday, $12, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

- Shaun Brady

For the Philadelphia Orchestra's season finale, chief conductor Charles Dutoit has chosen a musical extravaganza, Hector Berlioz's colossal Requiem. Composed for an 1830 memorial that officials ultimately decided would be held without music, Berlioz had to wait seven years for a performance. The forces amassed in a Parisian church for that premiere numbered 190 musicians, 210 choristers, extra timpani and four brass choirs.

Berlioz specified that his work could be performed with fewer players as long as the proportions remained the same. Dutoit is leading an expanded orchestra with brass choirs and the Philadelphia Singers Chorale, with tenor Paul Groves as vocal soloist.

Though not a pious man, Berlioz plumbed the depth of faith and humanity in the monumental sections as well as the plaintive, intimate movements. This work's emotional power is like nothing else in music, with a mighty finale.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. June 19 and 21, $39-$125, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

- Tom Di Nardo