Live music and more, tonight through Thursday, compiled by Shaun Brady, Tom Di Nardo, James Johnson, Sara Sherr and Jonathan Takiff.
Live music and more, tonight through Thursday, compiled by Shaun Brady, Tom Di Nardo, James Johnson, Sara Sherr and Jonathan Takiff.
Live music and more, tonight through Thursday, compiled by Shaun Brady, Tom Di Nardo, James Johnson, Sara Sherr and Jonathan Takiff.
POP . . . plus
Evan Dando/The Candles: It's been aeons since Mr. Dando's last solo album project, and his 2009 release as front man of the Lemonheads featured only covers (GG Allin to Christina Aguilera), often a sign of a creative block. Still, we gotta be happy that pop rock's bad boy is standing and working, right? Plus, the bright and strummy, jangle-guitar-rocking Candles, fronted by a guy who sounds a bit like Jackson Browne, will serve up a most compatible glow in the warm-up slot. Hey, they could light your fire! Hometowner Steve Yutzy-Burkey heads to the stage first. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. tonight, $15, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.
Patty Larkin: Seasoned folkie is commemorating 25 years at the game with this tour and next month's "25" album release. The latter features her favorite love songs reworked with special guests. Kennett Flash, 102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 8 tonight, $25 484-732-8295 www.kennettflash.org.
Josh Rouse: Beat the winter blues with Josh, serving up a musical "getaway" that could get you up and dancing. The guy's been living in Valencia, Spain, and soaking up the local musical rays - balmy Spanish, Cuban and Brazilian rhythms and tones. Rouse has mastered the language, too, appropriated a couple of signature tunes from the pre-Castro Cuban cabaret star Bola de Nieve, and put it all together for a forthcoming album thesis called "El Turista," that he'll be previewing here. Along for the ride will be native Spanish musicians Raul Fernández (guitar, piano), Ricardo Bellveser Machancoses (bass), Jose Maria Fuertes Tasquer (guitar) and New York-based Robert DiPietro (drums/percussion). World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, $27-$37, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.
Zydeco A Go-Go: Philly's long running Mardi Gras band also aims to melt away the snow. Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $13, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.
Those Darlins': Coming up from Tennessee, these tart and twangy, punk rockabilly babes got the musical goods, and good looks to spare. And from Alabama with love come the Pinehill Haints, a bluegrass/honkytonk/country congregation, for most compatible results. Kungfu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-821-7575, www.r5productions.com.
Alberta Cross: Boasting fine tunes and musicianship, this blues-rocking, roots-digging band is one to watch and hear. Also luring you in, the sweetly harmonic, Mexican-American flavors of Texas exports Hacienda, plus the Josh Olmstead Band. Khyber, 8 p.m. Monday, $12, 215-238-5888 www.thekhyber.com.
The Residents: Their music's often minimalist in a droning, hypnotic way. Still, there's so much going on visually in the production - in lights, movies, costumes and such - that you're left drained and staggering, murmuring "what a show." Could we expect less from these pioneers in Dada-esque performance art and music video? World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Monday, $28-$38, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.
Dave Davies: Sadly, Ray's bro and fellow original Kink has canceled his Tuesday show due to illness. Contact the theater for refund info. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.
Trace Bundy: Dubbed the "Acoustic Ninja," this one-man gonzo band has gotten a huge online buzz going (think 5 million YouTube hits) with his looped-up showmanship and comedic 'tween song patter. Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $13-$15, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.
Trey Anastasio & Classic Tab: With a triumphant Phish comeback tour behind him, what else can this ideas-a-brimming, can't-stop-the-music front guy do but head out for more fun on his own? Trey's reach is even wider than Phish's, pulling in funk, Latin and even classical influences. So expect some off the wall compositions along with the hot and sticky jams. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8 p.m. Thursday, $39.50, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.
Eric Church: He's not yet in the ranks of superstar country hunks, but Church is definitely a contender, with skills that could make him friends outside the typical comfort zone. Josh Thompson opens. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 8 p.m. Thursday, $22.50 215-922-6888, www.thetroc.com.
HIP-HOP, R&B
Nneka: Fresh off the release of her first full-length album in the U.S., this amazing Nigerian singer takes the stage at University City's premier venue. Also performing is Philly's own R&B sensation Natural Selection. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 9 p.m. tonight, $17, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.
The Bounce: Emynd and Bo Bliz are back for the city's hottest monthly party. This time around, the event serves as the official after-party for the screening of "This Time Tomorrow," a skate film by Chris Mulhern that's at the Troc earlier in the evening. (See listing below for film details.) The Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 9 tonight, free until 10 p.m., $5 after, 21-plus 215-634-7400, thebrbry.blogspot.com.
Writtenhouse: This trio offers an interesting twist on traditional hip-hop, with producers Chris Conway and Kush Shalimar playing their MPC and keyboard live while MC Charlie K attacks the mike. Joining them will be Scanz, Slick Mantra, Ground Up and DJ Cliff. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 7 tonight, $7, all ages, 215-573-3234, www.therotunda.org.
Bob Marley's Legend Live: Part of the Classic Albums Live series is this note-for-note recreation of the 1984 reggae classic just in time for the late singer's birthday. Keswick Theatre, 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $19.50, $29.50 and $32.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.
Bunjii: Jersey-based rock/rap outfit highlights a hip-hop heavy night for the Fire's Winter Music Fest. Plus singer Lee Mekhai and MC The Authentic. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Tuesday, $10 in advance, $12 at the door, 21-plus, 267-671-9298, www.iourecords.com/thefire.
Angie Stone & Leela James: Two of the most dynamic voices in soul music team for what is sure to be an incredible concert. The former is touring in support of her recent album, "Unexpected," while the latter is prepping her upcoming release, "My Soul." Keswick Theatre, 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $39.50 and $49.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.
ALTERNATIVE
Piranha Betty's First Friday Art Show and Opening Party: Includes a performance by North Lawrence Midnight Singers, and art by Jen Saemann. Piranha Betty's, 2472 Frankford Ave., 6 to 11:30 tonight, free, all ages, 856-630-5292, www.piranhabettys.com.
"This Time Tomorrow": The skateboarding flick, much of it shot in Philly, screens tonight at the Troc, with a photo exhibit beforehand. The Trocadero, 10th and Arch Streets, 8 p.m. tonight, $3, all ages, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com. (See listing above, "The Bounce," for after-party details.)
Sex Dwarf: New-wave dance party pays tribute to Philly band Book of Love for this month's Valentine's theme. Fluid, 613 S. 4th St., 9 tonight, free or $5 after 10, 215-629-3686, http://djrobertdrake.com.
Strychnine Babies: Dead Boys-inspired Philly punk band has reformed, playing their first show in a decade with Doomed to Obscurity and Live Not on Evil. The Khyber, 56 S. 2nd Street, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $8, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.
England Belongs To Twee: Monthly party dedicated to indie pop, oi anthems and everything in between, features guest DJs WPRB's Julia Factorial and Skatterbrain blog's Matt Edwards. Kung Fu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 10 p.m. tomorrow, free, 215-291-4919, www.kungfunecktie.com.
The Prisoners: Philly punk and rollers preview tunes from their upcoming EP, "In the Land of the Free." Also: Broken Prayers and Peg Simone. Tritone, 1508 South St., 10:30 p.m. tomorrow, $5, 215–545–0475, www.tritonebar.com.
"Zombieland": Philly Zombie Crawl and Geekadelphia are hosting this screening, which doubles as a costume contest. The Balcony, 10th and Arch streets, 8 p.m. Monday, $3, 215-922-LIVE,
Monday Night Club: Needles Jones-hosted, A.D Amorosi-curated weekly features Yeah Clementines, a postpunk offshoot of Bunnydrums. Also, Nashville's Bad Cop and glammy locals Persona. National Mechanics, 22 S. 3rd St., 9 p.m. Monday, free, 215-701-4883, www.nationalmechanics.com.
Mountains: Electro-folk group returns to Philly with Tape, a Swedish trio that makes dreamy soundscapes with vintage synths. Side Chapel of the First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut Street, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $12, all ages, 215-821-7575, www.r5productions.com.
PIFVA Speedcrewing III: Philadelphia Independent Film and Video Association hosts this meet-and-greet to connect directors looking for musicians to score their films. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, $5-12, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.
Absinthe Drinkers: The rock band that sets dead poets' verses to music joins Baltimore's Clockwork Dolls, a gothy mix of strings and electronics. L'etage, 624 S. 6th St., 8-11 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-592-0656, http://creperie-beaumonde.com.
JAZZ
Friday Night Jazz Showcase: The Web site ijazzglobal.com launches a new weekly jazz series aboard the Moshulu tall ship/restaurant. This first show features guitarist Frank DiBussolo and vocalist Paul Jerome. Moshulu, Penn's Landing, 401 S. Columbus Blvd., 7 tonight, 215-923-2500, www.moshulu.com.
Tom Tallitsch: Philly saxophonist celebrates the release of his third CD, "Perspective", with a powerhouse quintet of locals. Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 8 & 10 p.m. tonight, $15, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.
Junior Jazz Festival: Please Touch's jazz-for-kids fest continues with a band of students from the University of the Arts School of Music. Please Touch Museum, Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park (4231 Avenue of the Republic), 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. tomorrow, 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, free with museum admission of $15, 215-581-3181, www.pleasetouchmuseum.org.
Grant Stewart: One of the modern scene's leading bop torchbearers, tenor man Stewart invites fellow saxophonist Jon Gordon to turn the heat up on his quartet. Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 8 & 10 p.m. tomorrow, $22, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.
Johnny Butler: Brooklyn-based saxophonist, whose breadth encompasses the avant-rock group Scurvy and the Afro-Cuban indie rock group Afuche, performs a solo set on sax and laptop. Highwire Gallery, 2040 Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $5, www.museumfire.com/events.
Happy Hour Jam Session: As if his weekly Tuesday night big-band slot at Chris' wasn't keeping him busy enough, pianist Orrin Evans now hosts this weekly jam session. World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 5:30 p.m. Monday, $6-$12, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.
Creatures With Striking Features: Avant-jazz trio of saxophonist Phil Doyle, drummer Jeff Davis and Landon Knoblock on Rhodes create in bursts of electric intensity. They'll share a bill with the expansive local quartet Shot x Shot. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $5, 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.
Dee Dee Bridgewater: Vocalist gets a head start on Valentine's Day with a love letter to one of her idols, Billie Holiday. Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $20-$45, 215-898-3900, www.pennpresents.org.
CLASSICAL
Philadelphia Orchestra: Rafael Fruhbeck De Burgos leads the incidental music to Mendelssohn's familiar "Midsummer Night's Dream," with the Philadelphia Singers Chorale. He finishes with the evergreen "Sheherazade" by Rimsky-Korsakov, one of the signature works of the Philadelphia Sound. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, $39-$125, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.
Camerata Ama Deus: In this Bachfest concert, two of the six glorious Brandenburg Concerti and two of the four Orchestral Suites will be conducted by Valentin Radu. The soloists are flutists Colin St. Martin and Steven Zohn, violinist Thomas DiSarlo, oboist Sarah Davol and trumpeter Elin Frazier. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 8 tonight, $20-$60, 215-893-1999, www.voxamadeus.org.
"Golden Age": Opera-lovers shouldn't miss Philadelphia Theatre Company's debut of Terence McNally's latest, which takes the audience backstage as Vincenzo Bellini's heralded "I Puritani" opens in 1835 Paris. Runs through Feb. 14. Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad & Lombard streets, $46-$59, 215-985-0420, www.philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.
Simon Boccanegra: Placido Domingo celebrates his recent 69th birthday by singing this huge Verdi title role, with its large panoramas and the famous Council Chamber scene. This writer found it a magnificent effort, with brilliant singing by soprano Adrienne Pieczonka, and fine performances by tenor Marcello Giordani and Academy of Vocal Arts legend James Morris. Conducted by James Levine. At seven area movie theaters, 1 p.m. tomorrow and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, $22, www.fathomevents.com.
Symphony in C: Rossen Milanov leads the orchestra in two showpieces: Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2, with Adam Neiman performing the rambunctious keyboard role, and Tchaikovsky's familiar Fourth Symphony. Gordon Theater, Third and Cooper streets, Camden, N.J., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $18-$45, 856-429-1880, www.symphonyinc.org.
"Orfeo": Monteverdi's 1607 work may not be the first opera, but it was the first successful one to be continuously performed. In this hi-def transmission from Milan's La Scala opera house, early-music expert Rinaldo Allessandrini conducts, with direction by the innovative Robert Wilson. George Nigl portrays Orfeo, who heads into the underworld to retrieve his beloved Eurydice (Roberta Invernizzi). Bryn Mawr Film Institute, 824 W. Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr, 1 p.m. Sunday, $25, 610-527-4008, www.brynmawrfilm.org.