Music critics' picks

There's grass growing between the toes of country star Dierks Bentley - bluegrass that is. Bentley's forthcoming 5th album, "Up on the Ridge," and tour (backed by the Travelin' McCourys) come steeped in fiddles, banjo and mandolin as he and they share yowlin', old-time harmonizing tales of gamblin' men and trouble in the mines. Some are originals; others are covers. But this ain't no packaging thing, says Dierks. "It's really just going back and reclaiming something I feel like I do have some ownership of, which is the acoustic music scene in Nashville." Expect back-porch treatments of Bentley hits, and an excellent opener - clever and cagey Hayes Carll.

TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $30, 215-922-1011, www.livenation.com.

- Jonathan Takiff

With performances from the Isley Brothers, Teena Marie and the Whispers, the Mother's Day Festival at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall looks to be the perfect gift for the special woman in your life who's a fan of classic R&B and soul. Even if you aren't a mom, you'll have plenty to enjoy with this one. Headliners the Isleys are a classic R&B/funk team that's been performing since the 1950s. Ronald Isley's vocals, backed by his brother Ernie Isley on guitar would be worth the price of admission alone. But there's also soulful Teena Marie, who showed she still has it with her 2009 album, "Congo Square." And then there's the crowd-pleasing Whispers, responsible for 1980s hits like "And The Beat Goes On" and "Rock Steady."

Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $40-$90, 609-348-7000, www.boardwalkhall.com.

- James Johnson

Long before drag queens lip-synched for their lives on "Rupaul's Drag Race," there was Joey Arias, who came to fame as the queen of the downtown art scene in the '80s, collaborating and befriending the likes of Klaus Nomi, Ann Magnuson and Keith Haring. His ability to sing in his own voice, most famously, channeling Billie Holiday, and to seamlessly blend genders, earned him movie roles as well. After a 6-year stint hosting Cirque du Soleil's "Zumanity" and the recently release of the docufantasy, "Arias with a Twist," he's back in Philadelphia for a one-night stand.

L'etage, 624 S. 6th St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $25, 215-592-0656, www.brownpapertickets.com.

- Sara Sherr

It could be said of virtually any musician that they use their work to reach out to people, but vocalist Barbara Montgomery seems to reach a little further and bring back a little more. The most concrete realization of that fact is The Farmhouse, a seven-acre retreat in Kennett Square that serves both artists and inner-city youth. Her annual Mother's Day concert is another example: Instead of a simple celebration of motherhood, Montgomery uses the occasion to memorialize victims of gun violence and honor their families – a key personal issue since her days living in South Vietnam in the early '60s. The sixth annual concert will see Montgomery presiding over jazz vespers backed by pianist Tom Lawton, bassist Lee Smith and drummer Ed Dennis.

Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, 2110 Chestnut St., 5 p.m. Sunday, Free will offering to benefit The Farmhouse, 215-567-3668, www.bandbjazz.org.

- Shaun Brady

Verdi's revered masterpiece "La Traviata" has become one of opera's most-performed works, thanks to a fountain of gorgeous arias and opulent sets. Based on a slight story by Alexandre Dumas, this often-performed tale of a courtesan challenged by honor and a final illness is yet another classic opera which was an utter failure at its premiere. Two artists make their company debut in this production: soprano Leah Partridge as title character Violetta Valery and tenor Charles Castronovo, who recently sang his role, Alfredo Germont, opposite superstar Anna Netrebko. The company's music director Corrado Rovaris conducts this period production, with artistic director Robert Driver handling the direction.

Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Streets, 8 p.m. tonight and May 14, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and May 16, 7:30 p.m. May 12, $10-$130, 215-893-1999, www.operaphilly.com.

- Tom Di Nardo