Things to Do: March 27-April 2

BIG DEAL EVENTS

'Dirty Dancing'

Just like the movie, onstage. (You know you're middle-aged when this idea thrills you.)

Academy of Music, Broad and

Locust streets; 8 tonight; 2 & 8 p.m.

tomorrow; 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; 8 p.m. Apr. 3; 2 & 8 p.m. Apr. 5; 1 & 6:30 p.m. Apr. 6; $20-$120.50, 215-731-3333, kimmelcenter.org.

'Hamlet'

Shakespeare's best-known lead, embodied by Zainab Jah. Brilliant.

Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St., times vary through Apr. 26, $10-$45, 215-893-9456, wilmatheater.org.

Al Pacino

Think of this "meet & greet" with the star of "The Godfather" and "Danny Collins" as "Inside the Actors' Studio," sans James Lipton, and in a casino.

Caesars, 2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $75-$135, 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com.

'Richard Avedon: Family Affairs'

Portraits of an era - 1976, to be exact - come from Israel to Philly, courtesy of the late, great fashion photographer. See Gerald Ford, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and the Abby Hoffman family, in black-and-white, in a moment in time. Through Aug. 2.

National Museum of American Jewish History, 5th and Market streets; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday;

10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekends (closed Apr. 4); $11-$12, free under 13, 215-923-3811, nmajh.org.

MUSIC

Orchestra 2001

In his final performance after 28 seasons as music director, founder James Freeman, along with Gilbert Kalish, will celebrate George Crumb's 85th birthday with his magnificent, two-piano "Music for a Summer Evening" on Friday and conduct "Voices from the Morning of the Earth," based on American songbook melodies, with soprano Ann Crumb and baritone Randall Scarlatta, on Sunday.

Lang Concert Hall, Swarthmore College, 8 tonight, free; Gould Concert Hall, Curtis Institute, 1616 Locust St., 8 p.m. Sunday, $35, 267-687-6243, orchestra2001.org.

The War on Drugs

Philly breakouts are back from Britain, where their melancholic roots-tronica "Under the Pressure" (and "Lost in the Dream" album) earned beaucoup radio play and made 'em concert hall hotshots. Hope Upper Darby still looks good.

Tower Theater, 19 S. 69th St.,

8 tonight, $25 (general admission), 215-745-3000, livenation.com.

Creem Circus

Philly glam-rock revivalists draw on such influences as early-'70s David Bowie, T.Rex and Slade as they celebrate the "Rock And/Or Roll" album release.

Bourbon and Branch,

702 N. 2nd St., 9:30 tonight, $14 (includes CD), bourbonandbranchphilly.com.

Regina Carter

With her "Southern Comfort" album and tour, the jazz violinist goes Appalachian, finding crossover opps and inspiration in country gospel, Cajun, and the coal miner folk tunes favored by her grandfather.

Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $20-$60, 215-898-3900, annenbergcenter.org.

Cassandra Wilson

On the eve of Billie Holiday's birth centennial, this haunting stylist brings a deft and original tribute in concert and album form. Lady Day was born and later lived in Philly some, as a Lombard Street sign notes, but she also suffered two local drug busts, perhaps why Wilson's bringing her time and talent to Delaware.

World Cafe Live at the Queen, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, 8 p.m.

tomorrow, $58, 302-994-1400, queen.worldcafelive.com.

Ms. Lauryn Hill

Been a long time since the Fugees' former frontwoman wore her Randall Cunningham jersey at the Tower. Now all grown up, she unplugs to offer an exclusive glimpse at a rare bird.

Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $65-$125, 215-572-7650, keswicktheatre.com.

Jennifer Montone

We're always stunned by the artistry of the Philadelphia Orchestra's brilliant principal French horn. Hear her with pianist Anna Polonsky in a tasty recital of Telemann, Schumann, Francaix, Poulenc and Rossini.

Van Pelt Auditorium, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Ben Franklin

Pkwy., 3 p.m. Sunday, $24, 215-569-8080, pcmsconcerts.org.

Philly Spring Jam

Old-school R&B challenges classic hip-hop - romantic balladeers Keith Sweat, Ginuwine and the harmonic One Twelve vs. Whodini and Rob Base, with Doug E. Fresh as referee.

Liacouras Center, 1776 N. Broad St., 7 p.m. Sunday, $45.50-$69.50, 800-298-4200, liacourascenter.com.

Jason Moran

Fresh and accessible jazz keyboardist celebrates 15 years with the Bandwagon, his splashy trio with bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $34-$44, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

The Bluebird

Returns to Philly

Evoking a round-robin (sorry) night at the famous Nashville club, with Dan May, Laura Cheadle, Patty Blee, Chuck Schaeffer and Sol Knopf.

World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.,

8 p.m. Wednesday, $12-$15, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

- Compiled by Chuck Darrow, Tom Di Nardo, Lauren McCutcheon, Jonathan Takiff