Our picks at Philly & the Shore for weekend of 8/12-8/14

CASINOS

ROCKY BEACH

Party like it's 1981 down the Shore with the J. Geils Band. Singer Peter Wolf recently told the Boston Globe: "The Geils Band does a very demanding show. It's like a heavyweight 12-rounder. There's still that ragged, rock 'n' roll aspect. . . . A lot of the equipment is the same and there are no pyrotechnics or weird effects. . . . It's just straight-ahead, rock 'n' roll nuts and bolts." Clearing the path is opener the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, the Black Crowes frontman's latest incarnation.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, 1 Borgata Way, 8 tonight, Event Center, $49.50, $55, $65, 609-317-1000, theborgata.com.

CHELSEA AT THE SHORE

Will the Taj's comped casino crowd laugh at late-night comedian Chelsea Handler's patented insider snark? Maybe not, but the rest of us can still snag tickets to what looks like the last stop on her "Lies that Chelsea Handler Told Me" tour. This time, stand-up standouts from her show Brad Wollack, Heather McDonald and Josh Wolf have her back.

Trump Taj Mahal, Estes Arena, 100 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 7 p.m. Saturday, $49.50-$95, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

FREE

GET YOUR DESI ON

Sunday's Festival of India celebrates the culture and cuisine of the South Asian locale. Live music will play throughout the day with offerings in genres of folk to Bollywood, accompanied by dance performances. To complement the live tunes, the India Pavilion will showcase the country's rich musical history. On sale at the fest will be a wide-range of authentic, vibrantly-spiced food, as well as crafts and jewelry.

Great Plaza at Penn's Landing on Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street, noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, free, 215-922-2FUN, delawareriverevents.com.

QUIRK ALERT

Don't expect tights-clad, underwear-on-the-outside superheroes at the Philadelphia Alternative Comic Con. Instead, it's a back-to-the-basics view at the art form with each creator writing, drawing and inking his or her own work, often with a stranger, quirkier bent than the average superpower-imbued crime fighter. The comics themselves can span genres and artistic styles but the event's defining quality is the do-it-yourself spirit. Now in its third year, PACC features the best and brightest of the East Coast scene, with nearly half of the 90 cartoonists coming from outside the city. PACC organizer Pat Aulisio said that he's particularly looking forward to Providence, R.I.'s, Collective Stench, a group Philly has seen little of before. But local favorites, like Box Brown - who creates "Everything Dies" - will be there in force.

The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., noon-7 p.m., Sunday, free, phillyaltcon.blogspot.com.

ART

ART FOR ART'S SAKE

Tired of the chichi wine and cheesiness of the Old City gallery scene? Pterodactyl Philadelphia is breaking down high art snobbery with its Big Art Show. Artists are given a space to show off their work without having to worry about commissions or paying for the privilege. In fact, selling art isn't even required. The purpose of the event is simply to showcase talent from around the city. Live music will jam out all night long courtesy of Eat Your Birthday Cake, Revolution I Love You and New Madrid.

Pterodactyl Philadelphia, 3237 Amber St., 8 p.m. Saturday, free, 215-501-7158, pterodactylphiladelphia.org.

FANTASY ISLAND

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens hosts an artist's reception tonight for the Coalition Ingenue Self-Taught Artists' Collection's latest show, "The Visionnaires." The coalition, founded in 1995 by muralist Robert Bullock, promotes the work of self-taught artists who have been marginalized because of addiction, poverty, mental illness and other circumstances. The theme of the show is the boundary between fantasy and reality, and much of the work is inspired by visions or alternative perceptions of reality.

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, 1020 South St., opening reception 6-9 tonight. Exhibit continues through Sept. 4. Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

MUSIC

A SAX-Y SUMMER NIGHT

The Sax Pack - Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole and Kim Waters - simmers down your busy week and calms you into the weekend as the Smooth Jazz Summer Nights Concert Series continues its 14th season of Friday concerts in August.

Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Chestnut Street and Columbus Boulevard, 7:30 tonight, free, 215-922-2FUN, www.delawareriverevents.com.

PINK & PUNK

Thank heaven for little girls, especially those who like to rock out. Fifteen all-girl bands will play their hearts out as Girls Rock Philly takes over the World Cafe Live Saturday. Now in its fifth year, Girls Rock Philly is a weeklong summer camp that encourages the inner rock star in girls 9 to 17. Camp includes technical instruction and classes in the history of women who rocked the music world. During the week, campers form bands and rehearse their tunes which they showcase at this daylong concert. Don't let their age fool you, camp alumni - like Attia Taylor - have graduated to play Philly's main stages.

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., doors at 11:30 a.m., show at noon, Saturday, $10, 215-222-1400, girlsrockphilly.org.

HOT AND HEAVY

You think you've gotten down but you haven't boogied if you've never experienced the ludicrous live set (with backup dancers!) of Philly's own Sweatheart. The six-piece's stylings are power poppy on the surface but without the unnecessary gloss associated with the genre. Sweatheart simply dirties it up and cheeses it out for your viewing and listening pleasures. "Let Me Crazy" from their 2010 EP "Tell Your Sister," for example, has the driving guitars of Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" without all of that messy sincerity. The rest of bill includes party starters Instamatic and Robai.

Kung Fu Necktie, 1248 N. Front St., 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $8, 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com.

BETTER ANGELS

Two years ago, folker John Francis left our fair city for Nashville, Tenn. But don't hate. Francis is back for more hometown goodness tomorrow when he plays an Americana-flavored benefit for feel-good worship space the Broad Street Ministry. Joining Francis onstage is John Carter Cash, the only son of Johnny and June Carter Cash and the producer of Francis newest record, "The Better Angels." Also on-hand will be Philly folk mainstays Hezekiah Jones and Langhorne's the Brad Hinton Band.

Fergie's Pub, 1214 Sansom St., 9:30 p.m. Saturday, $10, 215-928-8118, fergies.com.

HIP-HOP'S ACTION VERB

Local producer MH the Verb, known for his jazzy, throwback creations, has put together a bill filled with locals (and a couple of transplants) for a night of hip-hop at the Fire. The artists on the bill are also notable for their blend of musical genres, bringing soul, rock and electronic into the hip-hop fold, Blaqmel and headliner Kuf Knotz. While locals like Jake Lefco dominate the night, the Black Sunn & 810 and Coole High rep Maryland and New York, respectively.

The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Saturday, $7, 267-671-9298, iourecords.com.

RIVER JOURNEY

Time to work out those lungs for the power ballad extravaganza in Camden tomorrow. Journey teams up with Foreigner and Night Ranger for an evening of '80s rock goodness. Since 2007, Journey has toured with Arnel Pineda on the mike. Born in Manilla in the Philippines, Pineda was discovered by the band via YouTube. They thought his vocals were so close to former lead singer Steve Perry that they hired him to tour with them. Find out if Pineda lives up to the hype.

Susquehanna Bank Center, 1 Harbour Blvd., 7 p.m., Saturday, $34-$135, 856-365-1300, livenation.com.