Regional arts and entertainment events

Sunday

Matter of faith In John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Doubt: A Parable, a conservative nun at a parochial school in the 1960s Bronx begins to suspect a more permissive priest of improper relations, and sets in motion actions revealing the complexity and uncertainty of human relations. The show goes on at 2 p.m. at People's Light & Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Rd., Malvern, and continues on a Tuesday-through-Sunday schedule to June 28 (no show June 23). Tickets are $29 to $48. Call 610-644-3500.

American tradition When we think of cultural history, too often spirit of place is forgotten, and so it is that the pre-Columbian is given short shrift. But its influence on life on this continent is there, if more tentative for attempts to erase it. This makes the Philadelphia-based Aztec troupe Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac all the more invaluable. The troupe (whose name means "School of Blood Moving in the Heart" in Nahuatl) performs dance from ancient Mesoamerica at 8 p.m. at Psalm, 5841 Overbrook Ave. Tickets are $10. Call 215-477-7578.

Monday

Pop with punch As media delivery fragments, one of the side effects is that there are fewer Pow! pop-culture moments (think Elvis on The Milton Berle Show in 1956, or the Beatles on Ed Sullivan in 1964, or Elvis Costello on Saturday Night Live in 1977 - kids, you can Google these). Though a lot has been gained, something was lost. Case in point: Norwegian garage-rock whirlwind Ida Maria, who turned in an electrifying performance on The Tonight Show recently, performing her infectious "I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked." Pow! (OK, she may not be as enduring as those examples, but the tune is another candidate for song of the summer.) Go see her high-energy live show at 8 p.m. at the North Star, 2639 Poplar St. Tickets are $14. Call 215-787-0488.

Tuesday

Tuesdays with Thieves The Connecticut combo Caravan of Thieves is basing its operations here for June, with an every-Tuesday residency at World Cafe Live. Fronted by husband-and-wife singers Fuzz and Carrie, and powered by Ben Dean's fantastic fiddling, they describe their style as "melodramatic popular song before electricity." It's traditional swing and gypsy jazz with a knowing wink to the 21st century, presented in a colorful stage show. They play at the club, 3025 Walnut St., at 8 p.m. Tuesday, and on June 23 and 30. Admission is free. Call 215-222-1400.

Wednesday

Distaff rock Befitting their status as Joan Jett proteges, the San Antonio trio Girl in a Coma play intense and melodic pop-punk, as they will on a four-band bill at 8 p.m. at the Khyber, 56 S. Second St. Tickets are $8. Call 215-238-5888. . . . New Zealand electronica diva Annabel Alpers performs her compelling computer compositions as Bachelorette, and pretty much rocks out. She plays a double bill with the avant-pop Australian one-girl band Pikelet at 8 p.m. at Kung Fu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St. Tickets are $10. Call 215-291-4919.

Thursday

Rising star A winner of the Orange Prize and a MacArthur genius grant, 31-year-old novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Half of a Yellow Sun) is seen as the heir to Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe as the next great literary voice from Nigeria. Her new book, The Thing Around Your Neck, is a collection of short stories. She reads at 7:30 p.m. at the Free Library's Montgomery Auditorium, 19th and Vine Streets. Admission is free. Call 215-567-4341.

Man's fate The outstanding lyric tenor Paul Groves is the soloist as conductor Charles Dutoit leads the Philadelphia Orchestra in the monumental Berlioz Requiem at the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall, Broad and Spruce Streets, at 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 p.m. Friday and next Sunday. Tickets are $10 to $125. Call 215-893-1999.

Friday & Saturday

Local heroine Folk standout Antje Duvekot, who got her start here, plays on a triple bill with Lucy Kaplansky and Bill Staines at Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts, Gazebo Park, 9 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10. Call 610-864-4303.

New dance A former Pennsylvania Ballet soloist, choreographer Meredith Rainey bends classical form. He presents his new work, Look Inside, with dancers Francis Veyette and Rosalia Chann, at the Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave., at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. next Sunday. Tickets are $12; $10 for seniors and students. Call 215-387-1911.

Love over all The wonderful Concert Operetta Theater finishes its season with Oscar Straus' A Waltz Dream, the tale of a newlywed prince whose infatuation with a ladies' orchestra leader teaches him to value marriage. The operetta is performed in English at the Academy of Vocal Arts' Warden Theater, 1920 Spruce St., at 4 p.m. Saturday and next Sunday. Tickets are $25; $20 for seniors and students. Call 215-389-0648.