We should feel honored. Maybe even blessed. There are eight nights of Hanukkah, and dynamic Hasidic reggae-rapper Matisyahu will celebrate the last one with us. His "Festival of Light" show is even taking on the challenge of the competing (and near sold-out) Q102 Jingle Ball over in Camden (eat your hearts out Justin Bieber, Adam Lambert and Bruno Mars) and the generally overwhelming seasonal focus on all things Dec. 25. "There are so many Christmas songs out there," Mati notes. "We've got Adam Sandler's song." So this year, the West Chester-born artist formerly known as Matthew Paul Miller has added to the lore with an infectious new Hanukkah reggae-rap, "Miracle," and oddly amusing companion "Miracle On Ice" video (up on YouTube). Show openers: Moon Taxi.
TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $30/$33, 800-745-3000, www.livenation.com.
- Jonathan Takiff
ALTERNATIVE
Warpaint made its first mark in Philadelphia opening for the XX. The L.A. all-female quartet (which once included a pair of sisters), headlining Making Time tonight, is hard to define and that's what makes its music such a bewitching listen. On the full-length debut, "The Fool" (released in October on Rough Trade), there are intricate vocal harmonies like Throwing Muses, and gentler passages like Mazzy Star, but it would be a disservice to lump them in with the shoegaze revival, and while there are nods to post-punk sisters like late period Slits or Pylon, they aren't as outwardly aggressive.
Warpaint lives in a time of its own.
Voyeur, 1221 Saint James St., 9 tonight, $10-12, www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/19767.
- Sara Sherr
HIP-HOP
The City Sound Check concert series will offer its most impressive lineup to date tomorrow night, treating hip-hop fans to a performance by former Rocafella artist Peedi Crakk. Crakk, whose real name is Pedro Zayas, was part of the Roc's State Property group, which included notable Philly artists Beanie Sigel and Freeway. Peedi is currently working with indie label Amalgam Digital to release the album his fans have been waiting nearly a decade for. Sound Check attendees also can look forward to performances from Camden-based rapper/producer Fel Sweetenburg, North Philly's B Kane and Apollo The Great. Also performing are Capo, Biz Mighty, Bassador, Danny Dimez, Loyal, Rich White, Joe Caution and Mic Got It, with DJ Yessir. Hosted by Jay P.
Tacony Billiards, 6201 Keystone St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 21-plus, 610-453-5517.
- James Johnson
JAZZ
Two aspects of Geri Allen's musical personality were stunningly revealed this year on the piano great's pair of new releases: "Flying Toward the Sound," a reverent, introspective solo exploration of three of Allen's most notable influences - McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock and Cecil Taylor; and her first, eponymously titled live album, an exuberant concert date with her quartet Timeline, which she'll bring here. Timeline is a unique cross-generational group with veteran bassist Kenny Davis, young drummer Kassa Overall and tap dancer Maurice Chestnut. On record, Chestnut brings a forceful percussive element to the quartet, which should benefit a tribute to Thelonious Monk the group will do. Live, the visual aspect of his dancing, in the line of Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, is reintroduced as a vital element of the band's repertoire.
Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $32-$38, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.
- Shaun Brady
CLASSICAL
Four hundred years ago, in Venice's Cathedral of San Marco, Claudio Monteverdi's astonishing "Vespers of the Blessed Virgin" flooded the vast space with resplendent instrumental writing, intimate love songs and a pulsing double chorus. Considered the most important religious work before Bach's (which would come 125 years later), it's a milestone in the history of Western art.
The only local presentation of the Vespers features a collaboration between the outstanding Renaissance wind band Piffaro and Choral Arts Philadelphia, all led by Matthew Glandorf.
The performance will be graced by the sounds of Piffaro's ancient instruments and expanded scoring, Choral Arts' 37-voice chorus and guest string players.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 242 S. 20th St., 4 p.m. Sunday, $25-$45, 215-235-8469, www.piffaro.com or www.choralarts.com.
- Tom Di Nardo