Live music and more

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

POP . . . plus

Cinderella: Philly's gift to the world of heavy rockin', blow-dried-hair bands jumps out of the pumpkin limo again. We know you can still rock, dudes, but can you follicle? With Lynam. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8:30 p.m. $32, 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com.

"One Child Born - Music of Laura Nyro": Singer/keyboardist/actress Kate Ferber doesn't just serve up some of Nyro's best - "Eli's Coming," "Stone Soul Picnic" and "Wedding Bell Blues." She also inhabits (in monologues) an array of characters touched by Nyro's dark, rich, gospel-pop ruminations. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 tonight, $24 & $36, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Moya Brennan: She's one of the most haunting voices in traditional Celtic music, best known from Clannad. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 8 tonight, $25, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

The Kennedys: After her solo tour, Maura and hubby, Pete Kennedy, are back doing their hardest-working-duo-in-folk-music thing. Kennett Flash, 102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 8 tonight, $20, 484-732-8295, www.kennettflash.org.

Avi Wisnia: Lofty, locally based piano popster celebrates release of his "Something New" set, infused with flavors of folk, hipster West Coast jazz and bossa nova. Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7 tonight, $15, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Archie Fisher: One of Scotland's leading interpreters of traditional ballads serves them up for the Crossroads Music series. Calvary Church, 48th St. and Baltimore Ave., 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $10-$30, 215-729-1028, www.crossroadsconcerts.org.

Wilco: How cool to see that the eccentric alt-rock band has sold out this big venue! Beg or barter your way in. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com.

Rasputina: Goth-garbed female cellists saw away as the "lead" instruments in this electrified, heavy chamber rock group. Accept no substitutes. With Linfinity and Prudence Teacup. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Fab Faux: The world's greatest Beatles cover band serves up two sets they're calling "Black and White and in Full Color." Got the picture? Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Ave., Glenside, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $46.50 and $66.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Joan Osborne: She broods, she belts, she ponders "What If God Was One of Us." Dennis Flyer Memorial Theater, College Drive, Blackwood, N.J., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $26-$31, 856-227-3091, www.ccparks.com.

Allen Toussaint: A guiding light of New Orleans soul/pop music celebrates his many successes as producer, arranger and composer, from "Don't You Just Know It" to "Yes We Can Can." Patrick Fitzsimmonds opens. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $39.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Aloha: Mixing vibraphone with the usual rock-band instrumention gives this band an edge up. Hook-filled tunes and wistful vocals lift them over the top. Aloha's new "Home Acres" long player is most worthy. With Ecstatic Sunshine. Kungfu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-291-4919, www.kungfunecktie.com.

Brooke Waggoner: She's down as the opener for the velvet-voiced seeker of truth Rocky Votolato. But our money is on Brooke to shine brightest. She's one of those piano popsters with serious chops, limitless songwriting ambition and a vocal range that can play it cool and jazzy, or soaring and angelic. First Unitarian Side Chapel, 2125 Chestnut St., 6 p.m. (sold out) and 9 p.m. tomorrow, $12, 215-821-7575, www.r5productions.com.

Remembering George Britton: In his 70 years of teaching guitar and performing, Britton lit a fire under literally thousands of locals - this writer (J.T.) included. He was also a guiding light of the Philadelphia Folksong Society and Folk Festival. And, with his wife, Charlotte, was one of the five couples who created a nice little all-ages, alcohol-free music club in Bryn Mawr called the Main Point, launching pad for many a career. Taken Feb. 12 at the age of 94, Britton's musical (of course) family and friends pay tribute at this special event. First Presbyterian Church, 1710 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, 2-5 p.m. Sunday, 215-836-5369.

Livingston Taylor: Later the same day, this Main Point alum hosts and performs at a fundraiser for the Philadelphia Folksong Society. Elkins Estate, 1750 Ashbourne Road, Elkins Park, 8 p.m. Sunday, $28 members, $30 guests, $100 for pre-event and show, 215-247-1300, www.pfs.org.

Legendary Shack Shakers: Rowdy roadhouse rockers rattle the roof. Featured guest Danny Barnes (of the Bad Livers) turns up the heat, too. Roots punksters Sideshow Puppets open. Johnny Brendas, 1201 N. Fairmount Ave., 9 p.m. Monday, $12, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars: Afro-pop, reggae and New Orleans musical flavors merge with warmth and inspiration in the new Steve Berlin-produced album "Rise and Shine" from these sturdy survivors of African civil war. Can't wait to hear 'em live. Double Decker Dance Band - with Liberian-style music from Rhode Island - opens. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Monday, $25-$35, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Shannon McNally & Hot Sauce: Tough-nosed twang-'n'-soul belter deserves your ears. Eric Deaton Trio opens. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple Sts., Sellersville, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $19.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Chris Pureka: Urban folkie cuts to the chase, spotlighting tunes from her new "How I Learned to See in the Dark" set. With Brooklyn dreampopsters Xylos. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Tuesday, $12, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Big Sam's Funky Nation: Former trombonist of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band returns with his soul revue-style band. Another Dirty Dozen alum, Jamie McClean, opens with rock and soul. North Star, 27th and Poplar streets, 7 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-787-0488, www.northstarbar.com.

The Thermals: Portland trio makes a most tuneful, dance-worthy brand of protesty punk rock. Think Green Day meets the Replacements. With Past Lives and the Coathangers. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Thursday, 215-821-7575, www.r5productions.com.

James Cotton: Wanna tap into the mother lode of the blues? Pick Cotton, a talent who's been singing and blowing his harp since the 1940s, first as child sideman to the stars, then as leader. Show opener is Mad Dog & Blues Night Out. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, 8 p.m. Thursday, $29.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Three Legged Fox: Breezy, reggae-centric jam band kicks the (next) weekend off in agreeable fashion. With compatible openers the Brew and Steppin' Razor. North Star, 27th and Poplar streets, 8 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-787-0488, www.northstarbar.com.

Matthew Perryman Jones: Sweet-natured popster wants to romance you. Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Thursday, $13, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

HIP-HOP, R&B

Soul Cannon: Baltimore based hip-hop band combines trippy guitar riffs and hard-hitting drums with front man Eze Jackson's rapid-fire lyrics. Also performing are the New Age Crew, Kuf Knotz and Tom Copson Jr. with the Lizards of Mars. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 tonight, $7, 267-671-9298, www.iourecords.com/thefire.

Cypress Hill: It's hard to imagine that these West Coast veterans rose to fame almost 20 years ago on the strength of songs like "How I Could Just Kill a Man" and "Insane In the Brain." Despite this, the group is still going strong, with their latest album, "Rise Up," scheduled to drop on April 20. North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $25, 21-plus, 215-787-0488, www.northstarbar.com.

Jedi Mind Tricks: Local, independent hip-hop group is known for violent, dark lyrics and for selling out venues across the globe without the aid of any major labels. Any time they play near Philly it's sure to be packed, so get there early. The Note, 142 E. Market St., West Chester, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $17, 18-plus, 484-947-5713, www.thenotewc.com.

The New Age: Philly-based techno-meets-hip-hop group has been picking up a bit of a buzz with a host of recent performances. Also on deck are Queens MC, Eric Sosa and Brooklyn rhymer Jesse Abraham. Silk City, 435 Spring Garden St., 9 p.m. Tuesday, $8, 215-592-8838, www.silkcityphilly.com.

Straight Grillin' Classic Hip-Hop: DJ Mr. Green, producer for Pacewon, will spin nothing but classic hip-hop at this weekly party. Special guest is Stress The Whiteboy, who has produced for everyone from Gym Class Heroes to Reef The Lost Cauze. North Bar and Lounge, 222 South St., 9 p.m. Thursday, free, 215-238-0298.

Hell Under The El: Punk promoter throws a birthday bash for promo gals Amanda Mayhem and Jackie O at Fishtown art gallery. Piranha Betty's Art Market, 2472 Frankford Ave., 7 tonight, $5, www.myspace.com/hellundertheel.

Acid Mother's Temple: Monsters of Japanese psych-rock return with L.A.'s Over Gain Optimal Death. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 tonight, $12, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Get Positively Sick On South Street: Jukebox Zero Pete Santa Maria's punk-and-roll monthly includes Foxycontin (led by Rich Kaufmann of Electric Love Muffin and Rolling Hayseeds), the debut of Explosive Head (former members of Thee Minks and Son of a Gun), plus New Jersey's Rumblers and Cincinnati garage-rockers the Lions Rampant. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9 tonight, $6, 215–545–0475, www.tritonebar.com.

Rarebirds: This is the last Philly show for the Carolynne McNeel-led Philly indie pop band. The busy frontwoman, who played in countless local bands and co-ran Mew Gallery, is leaving Philadelphia for Cleveland. Murph's, 202 E. Girard Ave., 10 tonight, free, 215-425-1847, www.myspace.com/rarebirds.

Sorted La La Loves the Pixies: Philly's original Brit- and indie-pop dance party celebrates the music of the Pixies. Barbary, Frankford and Delaware avenues, 10 tonight, $5, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Making Time Warehouse Project: Tonight's guest DJ is 17-year-old Dim Mak artist Sonic C, best known for his popular track, "Stickin'." 521 Cecil B. Mooore Ave., 11 tonight, free, www.igetrvng.com.

Second Saturday: East Passyunk businesses such as Sweet Jane, Lucky 13, Fuel, Nice Things and others open their doors later for art, music, food and more. Passyunk Avenue between Dickinson and McKean Streets, 5-10 p.m. tomorrow, free, www.2ndsaturdays.blogspot.com.

Jotto: Philly electro-rockers celebrate the release of "New Century Courting" with Deadly Technology. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $8, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Singin' It Lonesome: Kung Fu Necktie's country DJ night, with booker Steven James and Michael Shine, plus special guests the Wallace Brothers, a mix of mood, country, folk and soul. Kung Fu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 9 p.m. Sunday, free, 215-291-4919, www.kungfunecktie.com.

Hello From the Children of Planet Earth: Arc in Round's Jeff Zeigler and Joe Patitucci spin spacerock, krautrock, dub, instrumental hip-hop, synthgasms and library jams. Kung Fu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 10 p.m. Monday, free, 215-291-4919, www.kungfunecktie.com.

Greg Ginn & the Taylor Texas Corrugators: Legendary Black Flag guitarist debuts his eclectic new band. CSC Funk opens. Kung Fu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $8, 215-291-4919, www.kungfunecktie.com.

Mi Ami: Be prepared for a punky global assault from this band, along with U.S. Girls, Hot Guts and My Mind. Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave., 8-11 p.m. Wednesday, $5-8, all ages, www.myspace.com/dangerdangergallery.

Far Out Fangtooth: Dark Horse and the Carousels' freaky offshoot plays with Alabama's out-of-control spazz duo Roman Gabriel Todd's Beast Rising Up Out of the Sea. JR's, 22nd Street and Passyunk Avenue, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $5, www.myspace.com/sickchattelproductions.

Titus Andronicus: New Jersey punkers have only gotten bigger, with tons of critical nods for their latest Civil War inspired opus, "Monitor." The Babies, featuring members of the Vivian Girls and Woods, open the show. Barbary, Frankford and Delaware avenues, 7 p.m. Thursday, $10, all ages, www.r5productions.com.

Wussy: The new band from Chuck Cleaver, of the Ass Ponys, currently compared to Richard & Linda Thompson and Yo La Tengo. With the Fervor, Making Tents, Meddlesome Meddlesome Meddlesome Bells and Boutros. The Fire, 412 Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Thursday, $7, 267-671-9298, www.iourecords.com/thefire.

JAZZ

Paula West: With her deep, rich tone and a penchant for storytelling, vocalist West is both jazz diva and cabaret chanteuse. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. & Ben Franklin Pkwy., 5:45 and 7:15 tonight, free with regular museum admission of $16, 215-763-8100, www.philamuseum.org.

Peter Bernstein: New York is where aspiring jazz musicians must come to prove themselves, but guitarist Bernstein is a rarity - a native. And like any local landmark, he can tend to get underappreciated. He'll flex his chops here with his organ trio, joined on Saturday by Philly's own local landmark, saxophonist Bootsie Barnes. Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 8 & 10 p.m. tonight ($20) and tomorrow ($22), 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

Adam Rudolph's Moving Pictures: Master hand drummer and percussionist Rudolph has long been a pioneer of melding jazz and world music, and the main vehicle for his experiments for more than 20 years has been his octet Moving Pictures. Through heady compositions and conducted improvisations, Rudolph creates vivid environments through sound. Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 8 tonight, $25, 215-925-9914, www.paintedbride.org.

Lucky Old Souls: This month's edition crosses between jazz and classical music, with the Philly chapter of the DIY chamber group Classical Revolution sharing a bill with pianist Abdur Rashid's trio. Moonstone Arts Center, 110 S. 13th St., 2nd floor, 9 tonight, $8-$10, www.luckyoldsouls.com.

Fourplay: After 12 years with the long-running smooth-jazz quartet, guitarist Larry Carlton has taken his leave, to be replaced by Chuck Loeb - but not quite yet. For their Philly appearance, saxophonist Kirk Whalum will fill Carlton's shoes. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $29.50-$39.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Joshua Redman/Brad Mehldau: Two of the most inventive performers in modern jazz team up. Saxophonist Redman has been experimenting with new lineups and collaborators of late, while pianist Mehldau is a singular and always compelling voice. Jazz Club at Longwood, Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, 8 p.m. Thursday, $50, 215-893-1999, wwww.longwoodgardens.org.

DANCE

Philadanco: Celebrating its 40th anniversary, our internationally acclaimed company returns home to present a co-commissioned piece, Jawole Willa Zollar's "By Way of the Funk," set to the music of the Funkadelics. Three repertory works will fill out the bill: Talley Beatty's "A Rag, a Bone and a Hank of Hair," Milton Myers' "The Element From Which It Comes" and Gene Hill Sagan's "Elegy." Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16-17; 2:30 p.m. April 17-18; $34-$46, 215-893-1999, www.phildanco.org.

Ballet X: Enterprising company presents three new works, including co-founder Christine Cox's " 'X' OR 'Y,' " Thang Dao's "One Word Play" and Lauren Putty's "Hide." Cox also returns to the stage in "Carry Me," a duet with Tara Keating with choreography by Myra Bazell and Monica Favand. Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., 8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, April 16-17; 2 p.m. April 17-18; $30, 215-546-7824, www.balletx.org.

CLASSICAL

Philadelphia Orchestra: Charles Dutoit leads the orchestra in two of the most famous of all symphonic works: Debussy's evocative "La Mer" and Stravinsky's still-controversial "The Rite of Spring" from 1913. The Polish-Hungarian pianist Piotr Anderszewski returns to solo in the Symphony No. 4 for piano and orchestra by Karol Szymanowski. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 2 p.m. today and Sunday, and 8 p.m. tomorrow, $39-$125, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

Yefim Bronfman: Major Soviet-born pianist, another renowned Curtis Institute alumnus, returns in a recital of challenging keyboard works. He's programmed Beethoven's 32 Variations, WoO 80 and Schumann's Festival in Vienna, plus two Piano Sonatas by Russian composers: Prokoviev's fiery Second and Tchaikovsky's, subtitled the Grand. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 8 tonight, $23, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Ambler Symphony Orchestra: Jack Moore conducts three works by Tchaikovsky: excerpts from "Swan Lake," the Russian Easter Overture and the familiar "1812" Overture. Pianist Norma Meyer guests in the Piano Concerto No. 3 by Dmitri Kabalevsky. Wissahickon High School, 521 Houston Road, Ambler, 7:30 tonight, $12, 215-503-2256, www.amblersymphony.org.

Bucks County Choral Society: Thomas Lloyd leads the chorus and Riverside Symphonia in Brahms' heartfelt German Requiem and Heinrich Schutz's "Selig sind die Toten." Soloists are bass-baritone Kevin Deas and soprano Katy Gentry. New Hope-Solebury High School, 182 West Bridge St., New Hope, 8 p.m. tomorrow; and Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main St., Lansdale, 4 p.m. Sunday, $22, 215-598-6142, www.buckschoral.org.

Philadelphia Classical Symphony: Karl Middleman leads a "Rhapsody in Paris" program, which includes Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with accordion wizard Lidia Kaminska as soloist. Gershwin's "Lullaby," Griffes' Three Tone Pictures and Paul Bowles' Suite for Small Orchestra fill out the bill. The Philadelphia Orchestra's supreme principal violist Choon-Jin Chang solos in Milhaud's first Viola Concerto. Holy Trinity Church, 1904 Walnut St., 3 p.m. Sunday, $15-$25, 800-595-4849, www.classicalsymphony.org.

Jupiter String Quartet: Young American ensemble offers Quartets by Haydn (Op. 76/2) and Janacek (the intense "Kreutzer Sonata"). Two eminent veterans of the Guarneri Quartet, violinist Michael Tree and cellist Peter Wiley, join the group for Richard Strauss' Sextet from the opera "Capriccio" and Schoenberg's passionate "Transfigured Night." Independence Seaport Museum, Columbus Boulevard and Walnut Street, 3 p.m. Sunday, $23, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Curtis Institute students: Rising bassoonist William Short and pianist Lio Kuokman perform a Sonatine by Tansman, Nussio's Variations on an Arietta of Pergolesi and the Poeme by former Philadelphia Orchestra principal Bernard Garfield. Violinist Joel Link, violist Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt and cellist Camden Shaw join Short in the Quartet by Devienne. Longwood Gardens, Route 1, Kennett Square, 1 p.m. Sunday, free with $16 garden admission, 610-388-5200, www.longwoodgardens.org.

Barnard Trio: Three members of the Wister Quartet - violinist Nancy Bean, cellist Lloyd Smith and Davyd Booth (moving from violin to the piano), present a program sponsored by the Delius Society. Besides that iconic composer's Romance for violin and piano, they'll also present works by Frank Bridge, Dame Ethel Smyth (her D Minor Trio in a local premiere) and pieces by British composers M.L. Preston, Ivor Foster, W. H. Squire and Francis Byford. Rock Hall, Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue, 3 p.m. Sunday, free, 215-885-0997.

1807 and Friends: Two members of the resident Wister Quartet - violinist Nancy Bean and cellist Lloyd Smith - join with guitarist Allen Krantz as the Florian Trio to close the season. They'll play Krantz's Op. 27 Trio, the Terzetto Concertante by Paganini, the Beethoven "Eyeglasses" Duo and an E Minor Cello Sonata by Vivaldi for cello and guitar. Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., 7:30 p.m. Monday, $17, 215-438-4027.

Dolce Suono: In this collaborative event, Moore student artists were inspired by two recent commissions by the ensemble - their pianist Charles Abramovic's tribute to Haydn, "Laus D," and Benjamin Boyle's Sonata-Cantalena for flute and piano. The works will be displayed before and after the concert, featuring founder and flutist Mimi Stillman, cellist Yumi Kendall and Abramovic. The program also features Haydn's Hob.XV:16 Trio, Philippe Gaubert's "Three Watercolors" and the Canzone for flute and piano by Samuel Barber. Stewart Auditorium at Moore College of Art and Design, 20th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, free, 267-252-1803, www.dolcesuono.com.

Amerita Chamber Players: Davyd Booth switches from violin to lead this group from the harpsichord, along with violinist Barbara Govatos, violinist/violist Nancy Bean, violist Pamela Fay, cellist Lloyd Smith and bassist Michael Shahan. The program features a Trio Sonata by Caldara, Sonata by Isabella Leonardo and a harpsichord Suite by Zipoli. Guest Allen Krantz plays guitar solos by Galilei and da Milano, then joins the ensemble for the Paganini Terzetto Concertante. Temple Beth Zion, 18th and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Wednesday, free, 215-735-3250, www.america-italysociety.com.

Metropolitan Opera: In the midst of familiar fare, the Met's Live in HD presentation to movie theaters is Ambroise Thomas' neglected adaptation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Baritone Simon Keenlyside is the title character, soprano Marlis Peterson gets to do one of opera's most over-the-top mad scenes as Ophelia, mezzo Jennifer Larmore is Gertrude and bass-baritone James Morris is Claudius. Louis Langree is on the podium. At seven area movie theaters, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, $22, www.fathomevents.com.

Philadelphia Orchestra: In the last program before a monthlong Asian tour, Charles Dutoit leads a program of symphonic evergreens - Ravel's transcendent "Mother Goose" Suite and the original 1911 version of Stravinsky's "Petrouchka." Favorite guest pianist Emanuel Ax returns to solo in the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 2. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. Thursday and April 16-17, $39-$125, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.