Now to make up for my cranky weekend listings, a story from Pike Creek Roasterie. Also, Fresh Thymes is hiring:

From Pike Creek Coffee Roasterie:

"Yesterday a woman came into the shop and prepaid for the next 26 customers' coffees, in memory of the victims of the Connecticut shooting. The 26 people who received free coffee after she left were touched by her generosity."

From Fresh Thymes Cafe in Trolley Square:

UPDATE: The below was an old post (thanks, Facebook and your strange ways of prioritizing posts!), and it seems they've already hired someone.   From what I can gather, the mother half of this mother-daughter business duo has retired and returned home to Illinois, possibly to take care of a relative.  The daughter has chosen to continue the business, with some part-time help.

"I am hiring at Fresh Thymes Cafe! I am going to give this a shot by myself and hope to find a really great staff. Looking for enthusiastic, energetic, and folks who love wholesome food to help. This is part time work and Saturdays are a must. Please e-mail me freshthymes4@gmail.com if you are interested. Let me know why you would like to work at Fresh Thymes, any job experience, and your favorite fruit and veggies. You are also welcome to pop in and hand it to me in person. Look forward to seeing you soon :o)"

This weekend, 12/28-12/30:

Sigh.  If my tone is a little cranky, it's because I'm up way too early and my entire house smells like feet and I don't know why. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY:

General Events:

• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Wilmington Drama League. 8pm, $10-$17. 
• Showings at Theatre N: Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters and Save The Date. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Long-time Wilmington band Montana Wildaxe at the Queen Theatre.
• Fat Daddy Has Been and Echo Mission at Kelly's Logan House. 9pm, $5.
• 3 local band bill at Mojo Main: Our Wrecked Machine (no info, no links available on this headliner), My Name Is Drew (guys, get yourselves a better promo shot), and Nomads OK,  "Blazing, fuzzed-out Philly Indie Rock/Post-Hardcore". 9pm, $5.
• 5 local band bill at Kennett Flash, headlined by The Hundred Acre Wood.  Benefits a youth center in Kennett.  8pm, $10.
• The Gerald Chavis Band at the Nomad Bar. 9:30pm.
• The Hold Steady at Musikfest Cafe in Bethlehem.  $22-$25. (Playing Philly Sat.)
• The Roots at House of Blues, A.C. $30-$40.

~In Philly~

• Gov't Mule and Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds at the Tower, 1st of 2 nights. $32-$38.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters and Save The Date. . http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Final performance of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at Wilmington Drama League. 8pm, $10-$17.
• "Clean comedy" night at the Queen Theatre.  8pm, $30-$35.  More details.
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• YNOT?, Kuf Knotz, and Alyssa Lee Lewis at the Queen Theatre. $13-$15.
• A New Dakota and The Hold-Up at 1984. 8:30pm. Small or no cover.
• Jazz vocalist Kelli Vale at The Nomad Bar. 9:30pm.
• del.AWARE anniversary show at Kelly's Logan House, with Keep For Yourself, Shutter, and Disaster Committee. 9pm, $5-$10.
• Los Festingos at Kennett Flash.  By way of description, we are told: "Los Festingos is a local quintet that is sure to impress." Well okay then.  8pm, $10.
• 6 band bill at Mojo Main, headlined by local metal band Daimonic Grey.  There's no info on the other 5, so I have to assume they're all complimentarily hardcore-ish, i.e. no surprise twee band stuck in there.  If that makes any difference.  7pm, $5.

~In Philly~

• The Hold Steady at Union Transfer. $22.
• RJD2 at the TLA with 3 other bands. $20.
• Little Feat at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. $29-$47.
• Gov't Mule and Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds at the Tower, 2nd of 2 nights. $32-$38.
• Dark Star Orchestra (and I know Delawareans like their Dark Star because they've played the Grand about 90 times.  Also: don't ask me how, but I accidentally saw a couple of these guys in their boxer shorts one time) at the Electric Factory.  $25.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Gregory Crewdson: Brief Encounters and Save The Date, and Opera in Cinema: The Magic Flute. http://www.theatern.org/Films   Note: starting January 1st, Theatre N will raise their prices for the first time in over 10 years - by 1 dollar.  I'm a little bummed, but I can't blame them, and the films will still be a bargain at $6-$8.

Concerts:

• The War On Drugs with Arc in Round at Johnny Brenda's (also playing there NYE).
• At Kennett Flash: Nicki Bove (typical Kennett Flash fare in that she's a singer-songwriter who grew up in the suburbs of Philly, went to Berklee, lives in L.A., and is going to be a contestant on The Voice next season).  8pm, $15.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Plenty of NYE concerts to choose from -

Rusted Root at the Queen. Sin City Band at Mojo Main. An Earth Wind & Fire concert film at Theatre N. Schooly D at Ortlieb's. Boy Sets Fire at the Note. Jane's Addiction at H.O.B. A.C. Nico's Gun & El Malito at Milkboy Philly. Ben Arnold at Steel City Coffee. The War On Drugs and Purling Hiss at JB's.

Other than that, very little going on next weekend except maybe Sun Airway at JB's on Saturday.

This weekend, 12/7-12/9

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY:

General Events:

• First Friday Art Loop in Wilmington.
• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• Showings of A Late Quartet (Christopher Walken, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener as members of a bickering string quartet) and Chasing Ice at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• The Honey Badgers, folk duo from Newark, at LOMA Coffee, during the Art Loop. 6-8pm, free.
• Jeffrey Gaines at the Queen, upstairs. $24
• Dreamkillers and Origami For Addicts at Kelly's Logan House. 9pm, $5

~In Philly~

• XPN Free at Noon show: Rachel Yamagata, at World Cafe Live Philly.
• Later Rachel Yamagata plays a $16 show at the First Unitarian Church.  By the way - if I ever type "FU Church", that's not me being cute - I mean the First Unitarian Church.
• "A very special secret show" at the North Star, booked, I'd assume, by DE native Andrew Miller of the Tric Town shows.  I'm intrigued, anyway. Clashing Plaid and Mercury Radio Theatre open. $10
• Philly band Creepoid opens for Black Moth Super Rainbow and Casket Girls at Union Transfer. $15
• Legendary Lancaster Americana band Frog Holler (I mean seriously - I haven't seen much about these guys in 8 years, but they were once pretty popular in the area) at Johnny Brenda's.  $10
• Regrettably sold out: area funk band The York Street Hustle plays a holiday spectacular at WCL Philly. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY:

General Events:

• Showings of Home Alone (free matinee), A Late Quartet (Christopher Walken, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener as members of a bickering string quartet), and Chasing Ice at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Eilen Jewell at WCL at the Queen, upstairs. $11
• Sonata Arctica at The Note in Lancaster. $25
• Ben Arnold at Burlap and Bean in Newtown Square. $15
• Ra Ra Riot at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster. $17

~In Philly~

• Japandroids at Union Transfer. $16 (I love that some shows there are surprisingly cheap.  Also, alternatively, you could see NY punk band Japanther at Underground Arts.  Still scratching my head over why so many bands rip off other bands when naming themselves).
• Transistor Rodeo at WCL Philly upstairs. $7
• Work Drugs at Ortlieb's Lounge on 3rd St. in NoLibs (formerly the long-established Ortlieb's Jazz Haus.  They've expanded into other genres but have kept the appealing David Lynch vibe). With 2 other bands and a DJ. $10
• Smashing Pumpkins at Susquehanna Bank Center. $25-$65
• The Johnny Cash Show at the North Star Bar. $10.  More info.
• Carbon Leaf plays a holiday show at World Cafe Live Philly. $21
• Note: The Who sold out at Wells Fargo Center (nyuck nyuck).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY:

General Events:

• Showings of A Late Quartet (Christopher Walken, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener as members of a bickering string quartet), Chasing Ice, and two interesting short films (see below) at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

• Ed. pick: Also at Theatre N today: Showing of classic French children's film The Red Balloon, from 1956, and Plastic Bag, an 18 minute film voiced by Werner Herzog and directed by Ramin Bahrani, which "traces the epic, existential journey of a plastic bag searching for its lost maker, the woman who took it home from the store and eventually discarded it. Along the way, it encounters strange creatures, experiences love in the sky, grieves the loss of its beloved maker, and tries to grasp its purpose in the world."

• Showing at the Kennett Flash: Beasts of the Southern Wild. Doors at 7, show at 7:30pm. $5
• "In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive..."

Concerts:

• Blackmore's Night at WCL at the Queen, downstairs. $42-ish.  This is the rescheduled show.
• New Found Glory at the TLA. $28

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Slew of big shows upcoming this week, especially Wednesday and Thursday!

Mates of State at JB's Mon. Solange at UT Wed. Thurston Moore at Space 1026 Wed. Matisyahu at the EF Wed. Nada Surf at the FU Church Wed. Of Montreal at the Troc Thurs. The Killers, Tegan & Sara at SBC Thurs. Antibalas at UT Thurs. Band Of Horses at the EF Fri. Polyphonic Spree at the Troc Fri. Raul Malo at the Queen Fri. Trictown December w/Tithonus & more at Mojo Main Fri. Misfits at Crocodile Rock Fri. Concrete Blonde at WCL Sat. Ape School at KFN Sat. Dan Bern at the Tin Angel Sat. Loudon Wainright at the Queen Sat. Strand of Oaks at JBs Sat.

Next week is definitely the week to find time to see a show or two, because from the 16th through Christmas, there's very little going on as far as big touring shows. 

This weekend, 11/30-12/2:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 11/30:

General Events:

• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• Showings at Theatre N: Searching for Sugar Man and Holy Motors. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• 61 North with Still Moon Servants and Villains Like You at the Queen, $12.
• The Melton Brothers Band and Alfie Moss at the Queen, upstairs. $19
• The Last Valorians head a 5-band local bill at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5

~In Philly~

• Wilmington's New Sweden plays in the middle of a 4-band bill at Milkboy Philly. $10
• Ross Bellenoit and Levee Drivers at Underground Arts in north Center City. $10
• Pearl and the Beard with Lucius and You Won't at Johnny Brenda's. $12
• Public Enemy and Biz Markie at Temple's Liacouras Center. $35-$100. Oof.
• Arlo Guthrie at the Scottish Rite Auditorium. $29-$45
• Lotus at the Electric Factory. $25
• Loretta Lynn at the Keswick Theatre, $55-$67

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 12/1:

General Events:

• Special free matinee at Theatre N- Christmas Animated Classic Films: A Charlie Brown Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 11am, $0.
• Other showings at Theatre N: The Search for Sugar Man and Holy Motors. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Ed. pick: Red Baraat at Arden Gild Hall. $25. "Led by dhol player Sunny Jain, the nine piece comprised of dhol (double-sided barrel shaped North Indian drum slung over one shoulder) drumset, percussion, sousaphone and five horns, melds the infectious North Indian rhythm Bhangra with a host of sounds, namely funk, go-go, latin, and jazz."
• Martin Sexton and Adam Gontier at the Queen, downstairs. $20-$25.
• Matthew Ryan (alt-country singer-songwriter, billed as being from Chester County and also "a legend"), at the Kennett Flash. $12-$15
• Nik Everett Band at the Queen, upstairs.

~In Philly~

• Other Lives and Indians at Johnny Brenda's. $13-$14.
• Tanlines and Supreme Cuts at Union Transfer. $14.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 12/2:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: The Search for Sugar Man, Holy Motors, and Ballet In Cinema: The Pharoah's Daughter. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Pink Martini at the Keswick, $40-$60.
• Sold Out: Dar Williams at the Tin Angel, old city.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: O'Brother at the North Star Wed. Juicy-looking film about in-fighting in a long-established string quartet at Theatre N (A Late Quartet). Rachel Yamagata at the FU Church Fri. Japandroids at UT Sat. Carbon Leaf at WCL Sat.

Yes, I know, I've been slacking.  Some weeks you have the time and inclination, and some weeks you just don't.  I'll have something for next weekend.

This weekend, 11/16-11/18:

Totally off-topic, but... does anyone else have a spouse whose mother calls them (for no particular reason) 3 times before 11:30 am?   Chill out, woman!

P.S. - I'm not putting out a Monday-Thursday list this week.  You all have your Thanksgiving week plans set; you don't need me to give you tips.  See you next Friday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 11/16:

General Events:

• Clay Date at the Delaware Art Museum. Bring a date, throw some pots.  Supplies, beer, wine, and snacks provided. 7-9pm, $30-$35. http://www.delart.org/home.html
• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• Showings of Chickens With Plums and Somewhere Between at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• At Mojo Main: "DJ EA's Punk Rock 30th Birthday Party", with Me Equals You, I Am Lightning, Disaster Committee, and Randy America & the Pike Creek Pin-Ups (I like the sound of that last one).  9pm, $5. One thing about Mojo Main shows - almost always cheap.
• Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience at the Grand Opera House. $37-$45. Ticket link.
• Gina Degnars (of Little Invisibles and Stygian Veil) plays a solo show at Trolley Square's most redundantly-named venue, Eeffoc's coffee cafe (although I'm sure the coffee is good, and this should be a good show). 7-9pm, free.
• The New Americans (Wilmington - have not heard them, but I recognize most of the  members as veterans of several other noted area bands) and Ballroom Thieves (Boston), and local Noelle Picara at the Queen. $9.
• At Mojo 13 in Claymont: Borracho ("stoner rock" from D.C.),  Black Cowgirl, Wasted Theory, Behind the Ghost, and Wizard Eye.  9pm.
• Jazz: Big Cat Tony Smith at the Nomad Bar on Orange St. 9:30pm.

~In Philly~

• David Bazan (playing Pedro The Lion's Control ) at First Unitarian Church. $13-$15.
• Yeasayer and Sinkane at Union Transfer. $25.
• John Prine and Sarah Jarosz at the Merriam Theatre. $45.
• Yellowcard heads a 4-band bill at the Electric Factory. $25

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 11/17:

General Events:

• Showings of Chicken With Plums and Somewhere Between at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Tric-Town November at Spaceboy Clothing on lower Market St: The Lost Sambuca, Robot House, Mean Lady, The Pretty Greens, and The Gang Age. All ages, 7pm doors, $8.
• NRBQ and Blue Dogs at the Queen Theatre. $25-$30.
• At Mojo Main: The Last Valorians, The Wicked End, Open Wide the Sky, My Worst Critic, and Via. 9pm, $5.
• Liz Longley (New England. Sirius XM radio's "singer/songwriter discovery of the year") and Barnaby Bright (Boston) at the Queen Theatre, upstairs.
• Gable Music Ventures presents "The Six" (6 regional singer-songerwriters) at the Chris White Gallery on 7th & Shipley. Doors at 7, $6.
• Aer at The Note in West Chester, with 3 other bands. $15-$17.
• Adam Arcuragi & the Lupine Chorale Society with Spirit Family Reunion at the Kennett Flash. $12-$15.
• G. Love & Special Sauce at Crocodile Rock in Lancaster. $38+.
• Leslie Carey at the Nomad Bar on Orange Street. 9:30 pm.

~In Philly~

• Ray LaMontagne at the Tower. $40-$60.
• Psalmships at Burlap & Bean. $8-$10.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 11/18:

General Events:

• Comedian Ron "Tater Salad" White at The Grand Opera House. 7pm.
• Showings of Chickens With Plums, Somewhere Between, and the Steelers / Ravens game at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Delaware Drum and Dance Hafla at Mojo Main. 3pm, $5. http://www.mojomain.com/event/187441/

Concerts:

• Concert for Haiti at Arden Gild Hall featuring Mallory Square and 5 more bands. All ages, $25.
• Conor Oberst and Daniel Johnston at the Kimmel Center. $30-$35.
• ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead at Johnny Brenda's, with The Coathangers and Residual. $15.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Bob Dylan at WF Center Mon. John Hiatt in Sellersville Mon. Smokey Robinson at the Grand Tues. Mad-Sweet Pangs at the Queen next Wed. Hoots & Hellmouth in Sellersville Wed. Delta Spirit at the TLA next Fri. Sufjan Stevens at UT next Fri (Damn.  How long have I been aware of this cat and I still have to double-check the spelling of his name every time?). Wilmo Rock Circus next Sat.

Weekday events, Nov. 12 - Nov. 15:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday 11/12:

• The Story of Film: Parts 14 & 15 (this has to be the final installment of this lengthy series, right?).  7pm, $7.

~Ongoing~

• Board game night & Quizzo at the Queen Theatre, upstairs. 7pm, free.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero. 21+, $3. Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday 11/13:

• Coldplay Live 2012 showing at the Queen Theatre. "Coldplay Live 2012 is the band's first concert film/live album in nine years. It documents their acclaimed Mylo Xyloto world tour, which has been seen by more than three million people since it began in June 2011."
  7:30pm, $12.50.
• The Tragically Hip at the TLA. All ages, $28-$31.
• Psychic Readings at Mojo Main (I clicked on MM's link to see what kind of band Psychic Readings is, and there's only a picture of a very attractive hispanic or Asian woman featured.  So...ah... is Mojo Main talking about an actual psychic, doing readings?  Maybe).  It's free anyway, whatever it is. 9pm.

~Ongoing~

• Remix Discotech dance party at Mojo Main (did not realize until right now that this is an ongoing thing.  So it is.)  Featuring a rotating crop of DJs, both local and from farther afield. 10pm, free.
• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday 11/14:

• Bobby Bare Jr. at Milkboy Philly. $12-$14.
• Kaki King (not to be confused with local Kalai King) at World Cafe Live Philly. $18.

~Ongoing~

• Wax Wednesdays at 1984, at 4th & Greenhill. The focus is on vintage music. Bring your own vinyl to play and get $1 off drinks all night. 8pm-1am.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday 11/15:

• Two comedians from NYC at the Queen Theatre. Luis J. Gomez and Dave Smith. Each has a pretty decent resume - see here  - so it should be a good show. Hosted by local Geno Bisconte. 8pm, upstairs, $10.
• Kennett Square Independent Film Series presents: Intouchables. A French film and true story about "two men who should never have met - a quadriplegic aristocrat who was injured in a paragliding accident and a young man from the projects." At the Kennett Flash. Doors at 7, movie at 7:30, $5.  BYOB, may be a small corkage fee.
• Grace Potter & the Nocturnals with The Stepkids at the Electric Factory. $25
• Purling Hiss at Johnny Brenda's. $10.

~Ongoing~

• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.
• 80's karaoke at 1984 (2511 W. 4th St). 9pm, free.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: David Bazan at the FU Church Fri. Adam Arcuragi at the Kennett Flash Sat.

This weekend, November 9-11:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 11/9:

General Events:

• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• Showings of Hello I Must Be Going and Tom Wolfe Gets Back to Blood at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Allman Brothers tribute band at the Queen.

~In Philly~

• Pinback at Underground Arts in near-North Philly. $17
• Transister Rodeo at World Cafe Live Philly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 11/10:

• Showings of Hello I Must Be Going, Tom Wolfe Gets Back To Blood, and a matinee of children's classic Fly Away Home at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.
• (This is not a family-oriented blog, but I'm including this by special request. Wilmingtonic loves requests): Lolly Hopwood & the Let's Play Today bunch at the Queen. Interactive song & dance & bubble popping for kids.  11am, $7-$10. http://queentickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=388

Concerts:

• John Flynn at the Queen.
• Singer-songwriter Graham Alexander at the Kennett Flash. $12-$15.
• First Annual "Delaware Death Fest" at Mojo Main (not really my genre, or yours, I'm guessing, but people don't put many small-scale music festivals on around here, so I have to give them props for trying). Featuring: Internal Bleeding, Dehumanized, Supremia, Insatanity ... oh good lord, I can't keep typing these names with a straight face.  Suffice it to say there are about 7 more of them.   I will say, though - it looks like most of these bands are from NY, Boston, and elsewhere out of state, so they should put on a pretty stage-ready show, at least, if this is your thing. 4pm-1am, $11-$13. More info.

~In Philly~

• Paul Banks (lead singer of Interpol) at the Trocadero. $15-$17. Like a lot of people, I loved Interpol's debut album, liked their sophomore album well enough, and disliked their third album.  I wonder what Paul Banks' role in the songwriting of those albums was.  Interpol is definitely a prime example of a band that did their best writing before fame struck.
• The Low Road at the Tin Angel. $12
• David Bromberg Big Band at the Keswick Theatre.
• Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience at the Electric Factory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 11/11:

General Events:

• The FINAL Co-Op Farmers' Market of the year, Sundays 10-2. East Main St, Newark.
• Showings of Hello I Must Be Going, Tom Wolfe Gets Back to Blood, and Opera In Cinema: Siegfried,  at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Ani Difranco at the Keswick Theatre, joined by Pearl and the Beard: who have family members in Delaware, and played the Queen Theatre last year.  Good to see they are still doing well. $25-$45
• Chris Robinson Brotherhood at Union Transfer. $20
• Antigone Rising and Jen Foster at the Tin Angel. $15
• Hezekiah Jones Big Band at the Fire. $10

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming:
Mirah at JB's Tues. The Tragically Hip at the TLA Tues. Bobby Bare Jr. at Milkboy Phl Wed. Grace Potter et al at the EF Thurs. David Bazan at FU Church Fri. Yeasayer at UT Fri. ...Trail of Dead at FU Church Sun. Conor Oberst at Kimmel Ctr Sun.

I'm going to have to skip the weekday events list this week.

A relative's beach cottage in Bethany sustained a lot of damage so I have to help clean that up, and I do election work.  It will be all I can do to get out next weekend's list. 

It doesn't look to me like there is a ton going on this week, anyway, but here are some of the websites that I visit in getting my list out, if you want to look yourself:

• Theatre N: http://www.theatern.org/
• Mojo Main's calendar: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar

(Mojo 13 doesn't have an operational calendar, so I use a pretty circuitous method to find out what's going on there).

• WCL at the Queen Theatre's calendar: http://queentickets.worldcafelive.com/
• Grand Opera House: http://www.thegrandwilmington.org/Home
• Kennett Flash calendar: http://www.kennettflash.org/tickets.html
• Graffiti Radio concert calendar (every once in a while they publicize a good show that slipped past my radar, so I cross-check there): http://www.graffitiradio.com/index.cgi?do=calendar
• Kelly's Logan House calendar on Facebook, not always up-to-date: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kellys-Logan-House/51853472989?sk=info
• Delaware Scene - a blog that features more art and family events: http://www.delawarescene.com/
• In Wilmington - the city of Wilmington's official events calendar.  Warning - it can be time consuming to navigate this - I wish they would adopt a simpler format: http://inwilmingtonde.com/splash2012.php

• And my biggest shortcut: The Swollen Fox Philadelphia Concert Calendar. I used to visit each Philly venue's calendar, one at a time, until I realized that the Swollen Fox blog already does that.  So, um, thanks guys for letting me just cherry-pick from your list?  No really, I'd never have time to feature any Philly shows if I did things the way I used to: http://theswollenfox.com/philadelphia-concert-calendar/

This weekend, 11/2-11/4:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 11/2:

General Events:

• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• Art On The Town / 1st Friday art loop all over Wilmington, though the best concentration seems to be on lower Market St. 5-9pm.  
• Showings of Detropia and Liberal Arts at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Blues great Shemekia Copeland at the Arden Gild Hall. $25-$30. 8pm. More info.
• Fountains of Wayne and Marshall Crenshaw at the Queen, maybe?  The website says "Sale Stopped", and I don't know if this means it's sold out, canceled, or still going on but it's too late to buy online.  Ticket link.
• Car Bomb ("mathcore" band from LBI) headlines a 5-band-bill at Mojo Main. 9pm, $8-$10. More info.
• Junior Mance at the Grand.

~In Philly~

• Alec Ounsworth (of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Spinto Band, Dean & Britta, and Dougie Horner at Underground Arts, on Calloway. Part of the 215 Festival. $15
• Freelance Whales and Geographer at Union Transfer.
• Brick and Mortar (have been seeing lots about them lately) open for Quiet Company at Milkboy  Philly.
• Smashing Pumpkins at Susquehanna Bank Center.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 11/3:

General Events:

• Showings of Detropia and Liberal Arts at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Dame Edna impersonator at the New Candlelight Dinner Theatre. $45.

Concerts:

• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.
• Mason Porter at the Kennett Flash, $12-$15.
• Universal Funk Order and Can You Canoe at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5
• Nanci Griffith and The Kennedys at the Grand.

~In Philly~

• Stinking Lizaveta at Johnny Brenda's.
• Hoots & Hellmouth headline Union Transfer.
• Social Distortion at the Electric Factory.
• Tribute band for Steely Dan's masterpiece Aja, The Darcys, at Kung Fu Necktie (yeah, I just said I was a Steely Dan fan.  What?) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 11/4:

General Events:

• Co-Op Farmers' Market, Sundays 10-2. East Main St, Newark. Thru mid-Nov.
• Showings of Detropia, Liberal Arts, and Ballet in Cinema: Swan Lake at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Cult movie night at Mojo Main, no telling what the movie actually is. Maybe call them. 9pm, free.

Concerts:

• Blackmore's Night at the Queen, rescheduled from last weekend.
• Hop Along with The Sidekicks, Johnny Foreigner, and Kite Party at The Fire. $10
• Motion City Soundtrack with Jukebox the Ghost and 2 other bands at the TLA. $22.50
• Susanna Hoffs at World Cafe Live Philly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Tame Impala at UT Thurs. Death metal fest at Mojo Main next weekend. Jason Bonham at the Grand 11/16.

Weekday events, 10/29-11/1:

Halloweenie edition.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday & Tuesday have been cancelled, let's face it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday 10/31:

• Mean Lady (1st DE show in 4 months, and since signing a record deal) at Mojo Main, with Carolina Story (Nashville), Star & Micey (Nashville), and Tail (DE).  9pm-1am (Mean Lady on at midnight).  Costume contest.  All ages, $8 minors, $5 21+.
• Ultimate 80s Halloween Costume / Dance Party at the Queen Theatre, with DJ Robert Drake of WXPN.  Includes costume contest judged by "celebrity guest judges". 21+, 8pm, $10.   Event link.  
• At Theatre N- Hungarian Rhapsody: Queen Live in Budapest 1986. Costumes encouraged. All ages, 7pm, $12.50.
• Delawareans Spinto Band with Toy Soldiers and Delicious Pastries at Johnny Brenda's.
• Tribute Halloween show #2 at The Fire, with The Weaks as Weezer, Black Mountainside as Led Zeppelin, The Really Cooks as RHPC, Polar Ice Caps as The Pixies, Stammer as Joy Division, The Ghost of the Best Westerns as The Band. 8pm, $5.
• The Dead Milkmen at Union Transfer, with MC Lars and Psychic Teens.

~Ongoing~

• Wax Wednesdays at 1984, at 4th & Greenhill. The focus is on vintage music. Bring your own vinyl to play and get $1 off drinks all night. 8pm-1am.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday 11/1:

• Oh Boy! - A tribute to Buddy Holly (and other singers of that era, like Richie Valens) at the Queen Theatre. $25. Event link.
• Better Than Bacon, improv comedy troupe from Chester Co., at the Kennett Flash. 8pm sharp, $10-$12.
• Caulfield Rebellion, The Moms, and Echo Mission at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5
• Crooked Fingers with John Vanderslice at Johnny Brenda's.
• John Legend at the Tower Theatre.

~Ongoing~

• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.
• 80's karaoke at 1984 (2511 W. 4th St). 9pm, free.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Fountains of Wayne & Marshall Crenshaw at the Queen Fri. Liberal Arts & Detropia showing at Theatre N on the weekend. Freelance Whales at UT Fri. Smashing Pumpkins at the SBC Fri. Diego Garcia at the Tin Angel Sat. Hoots & Hellmouth at UT Sat. Social Distortion at the EF Sat. Stinking Lizaveta at JB's Sat. Hop Along at The Fire Sun. Motion City Soundtrack & Jukebox the Ghost at the TLA Sun. Susanna Hoffs at WCL Philly Sun. Tame Impala at UT 11/8.

This weekend, 10/26-10/28:

There aren't many shows to recommend, but this weekend is all about the Halloween event (hayrides, ghost tours, etc.). 

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 10/26:

General Events:

• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• City Theatre Co. presents "Fearless Improv" at the Chris White Gallery downtown. 8-9pm, $5. Event link.
• Showings at Theatre N: For Ellen and Compliance. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Opening night of The Boys Next Door, a comedy/drama about 4 mentally disabled men and their social worker, at the Wilmington Drama League. Runs through Nov. 4. $10-$17. Event website. 
• At New Candlelight Dinner Theatre all weekend: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. $44-$56. Event link.

Concerts:

• Ed. pick: At 1984: A New Dakota, Tithonus (ex-i, Fanblades and The Collingwood), A Victim of Good Times, and Rabbi!Rabbi!  Also - zombie costume party.  $5, 10pm. 1984 is an interesting 'barcade' (vintage arcade games + large beer selection) on 4th street, near Greenhill Ave.
• Bela Fleck Banjo Summit at the Grand Opera House, with Tony Trischka and more banjo pickers.  Ticket link.
• Sing OUT Glee presents a Halloween Mash-Up at the Kennett Flash. Songs from Rocky Horror, Michael Jackson, A Nightmare Before Christmas, and more. This is also happening on Monday night, according to The Flash's calendar. Treats included. 7-9pm. $8, $5 with costume.
• Brett Jolly at the Nomad Bar.

~In Philly~

• Aimee Mann and Ted Leo at Union Transfer. $33-$38.
• Milo Greene and Lucius at Johnny Brenda's.
• For David Lynch fans, of which I know several: "Silencio: A Tribute to David Lynch and Angelo Badalementi", at World Cafe Live Philly, upstairs. $12-$15
• Brandi Carlisle at the Merriam Theatre.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 10/27:

General Events:

• Monthly Americana / Bluegrass jam session at the Music School of Delaware. Join music school faculty and students, all ages and levels welcome. 3pm, free. Event link.
• All-American Day at Hagley Museum, with a 19th-century baseball game being staged at 2pm.  Also: last day for hayrides and seasonal crafts at the museum. Event link. Those with kids may also be interested in the Festival of Goblins at the Delaware Art Museum on Sat.
• 2nd & final installment of "Ghosts in the Graveyard" at Old Swedes Church on the east side of Wilmington. Hear ghost stories and learn about famous Wilmingtonians buried there.  Tours start every 30 min. and last 45 min., starting at 6:30pm. $10 adults, $6 kids under 12. (Have you ever taken a ghost tour in another city, like Charleston? Ish is usually mad expensive). Event listing.
• Ghost tours at Rockwood museum, using real paranormal investigation equipment. 9-midnight. $40 (speaking of mad expensive...). Event listing.
• Haunted Hayrides at Brandywine Creek State Park. "Call 302-655-5740 to make your reservation [and for more details], wagon space is limited!"
• Showings at Theatre N: For Ellen and Compliance. No extra matinee movie today. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• The Halloween loop in Trolley Square, for those who have not yet reached the curmudgeonly age where such things are unbearable. 

Concerts:

• Ed. pick: 5 band bill at Mojo Main: Robot House, Travel Songs (ex-Diego Paulo), Kitty Rotten, Dancylvania (cute), and The Hook. 9pm, $5. Event link.
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.
• Shawn Dougherty at the Nomad Bar.

~In Philly~

• Dinosaur Jr. and Shearwater at Union Transfer. $28-$30.
• Mono (GY!BE-ish post-rock band that's been around a few years) at Kungfu Necktie. $14
• Those Darlins with Heavy Cream and Philly's Slutever at Johnny Brenda's. $12
• Black Landlord and St. James and the Apostles (who just appeared at Mojo 13) at Kung Fu Necktie.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 10/28:

General Events:

• 2nd and final day for Shakespeare & Poe readings at the Rockwood Museum, put on by the Delaware Shakespeare Festival. 5pm & 7pm, $18. Event link.
• "Cultural Crossroads": A celebration of the 1960s at the Music School of Delaware. Featuring 60's fashion, a Jimi Hendrix tribute, a Philip Glass quartet, a bossa nova retrospective, and a 60's trivia game. 3pm, $5-$10. Event link.
• Co-Op Farmers' Market, Sundays 10-2. East Main St, Newark. Thru mid-Nov.
• Showings at Theatre N: For Ellen, Compliance, and Opera in Cinema: Un Ballo En Maschara. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Probably mostly for kids, but I have a soft spot for this park: Halloween Hayrides at Bellevue State Park. "Wear your costume and bring your trick or treat bag! Hop on board for a ride around beautiful Bellevue State Park. Afterward, we’ll enjoy s’mores and beverages by the campfire." Meet at the Percheron Barn (that would be the big green one down the path from the office, by the garden plots.  Lots of bats in there, incidentally).  Pre-register by 4 p.m. on Friday, October 26 by calling (302) 761-6963. 7-9pm, $8 per person.

Concerts:

• Blackmore's Night at the Queen.  (Ritchie Blackmore in a renaissance ensemble...whaaat?). Ticket link.
• Deftones and Scars On Broadway at the Electric Factory.
• Walk Off the Earth with Julia Nunes and The Mowgli's at the TLA.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Mean Lady at Mojo Main on Halloween, Queen Live in Budapest 1986 at Theatre N on Halloween. DJ Robert Drake brings his 80s dance party to the Queen on Halloween. Spinto Band & Toy Soldiers at JB's on Halloween. The Dead Milkmen at UT on Halloween. Crooked Fingers & John Vanderslice at JB's Thurs. Hoots & Hellmouth at UT next Sat. Social Distortion at EF next Sat. Hop Along at The Fire next Sun.

Weekday events, 10/22-10/25:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday 10/22:

• The Story of Film: An Odyssey, Parts 11 & 12 at Theatre N. 7pm, $7. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• The Dead Ships (from Los Angeles) with Robot House at University of DE. Trabant Center. 8pm, $3-5.
• Health book signing at Harvest Market Natural Foods: Your Natural Medicine Cabinet will be signed by the author, Burke Lennihan, from noon to 2:30 in the store.  Lennihan is an RN and a natural homeopath.  12-2:30. Free.
• Poe at the Woodlands (the historic cemetary in University City, West Phila.). "Literary historian and playwright Rob Valella will bring the work of Edgar Allan Poe to life. Valella specializes in 19th century American literature and in his ongoing efforts to bring the writers of yesterday back to the readers of today, will demonstrate some of Poe's most loved works.
  Liquid courage will be served help calm your jitters!"  The drinker in me wants to know more about this 'liquid courage'. 6:30pm, most likely free.
   
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom. 21+, $3. Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
• Franz Nicolay and Erik Peterson at the First Unitarian Church, $10.
• The Divine Fits and Cold Cave at Union Transfer
• Com Truise (is it me or do bands not even try hard anymore when giving themselves a wordplay name?), Bonde Do Role, and Poolside at the TLA.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday 10/23:

• "Cocktails & Conversation" at the DCCA. 5-6:30pm, talk starts at 5:30. No word on what the conversation will be about. $15-$20. http://thedcca.org/calendar
• "Remix Disco[tech]" at Mojo Main. REMIX DiSCO[tech]™ is a dance Party featuring "guest DJs and performers from all around the US" [ed. note: the names all look local to me] "showcasing their skills & mixing mainstream with underground & remix-format dance music."  9pm.  The official poster is saying that it's free, Mojo Main's website is saying it's $5.
• The Sea and Cake with Matthew Friedberger at Union Transfer. $15
• Grilled cheese & craft beer tasting at the Queen Theatre. 6pm.
• Kopecky Family Band, Juston Stens & the Get Real Gang (ex-Dr. Dog), and Marigolds at Milkboy Philly.
• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.
• Beach: Rehoboth Farmers' Market, Tuesdays 12-4 thru late Oct. At lower end of Reho. Ave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday 10/24:

• Philly's St. James and the Apostles at Mojo 13 in Claymont. From a founding member of Marah and Asteroid #4, along with his two cousins: 'The sound of this group could be best summed up as The Doors' "Strange Days" meets Black Flag's "My War", or "Saucerful of Secrets" era-Pink Floyd meets Mudhoney. In essence, a cross between the raw power of garage rock, grunge and punk, and the strange ethereal qualities of psychedelia.' Time Hitler opens. Doors at 8, $5.
• Ingrid Michaelson Fall Acoustic Tour at the Queen Theatre. $25. Ticket link.
• Margot and the Nuclear So-And-So's with Gentleman Caller and The Drowning Men at Milkboy Philly.
• Bear In Heaven and Pink Skulls at Johnny Brenda's.

~Ongoing~

• Wax Wednesdays at 1984, at 4th & Greenhill. The focus is on vintage music. Bring your own vinyl to play and get $1 off drinks all night. 8pm-1am.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday 10/25:

• "Luminaria Labyrinth Walk" at the Del. Art Museum. "There is no fee for this candle-lit labyrinth walk, but donations are accepted to help maintain the labyrinth." 6pm, free.
• Shakespeare and Poe readings at the Rockwood Museum, by the Delaware Shakespeare Festival. 7:30pm, $18. Also happening on Sunday.  http://www.delshakes.org/

"DSF presents an evening of readings from “the dark side” by two masters of the macabre – William Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe. Only 40 seats are available each night! Just in time for Halloween, DSF actors will read from Shakespeare plays (including Hamlet, Macbeth, The Tempest, and Titus Andronicus) and Poe poetry (including The Raven, Annabel Lee, and The Conqueror Worm) -  all in the intimate setting of Rockwood Museum’s atmospheric, candelabra-lit drawing room."

• Comedy night at the Queen, featuring Todd Chappelle, Hot Breakfast, and Shari Short.  7:30pm, $10. Info link.
• Halloween trivia night at Mojo Main:

"Think you know horror movies and other terrifying facts? Come out and win 2 tickets to the Bates Motel & Haunted Hayride! $160 value. 8-10pm"

• Kennett Square Independent Film Series presents Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom.  Doors at 7, movie starts at 7:30.  BYOB, may be a small corkage fee. Snacks available to buy. $5
• Ozomatli at the Queen, 8pm.
• Joe Allegro at the Nomad Bar. 9-12.
• SHOW POSTPONED: Cat Power at the Electric Factory. As of the morning of the show, this show has been postponed until January 30th, 2013.  All tickets will be honored then.
• Nightlands (Dave Hartley of The War On Drugs and other bands, on Secretly Canadian), Soft Cat (from Baltimore), and Ape School at PhilaMOCA, N. 12th St. All ages, 9pm, $7-$10.  Facebook event link.
• AC Newman and Mynabirds at the First Unitarian Church. $15
• Jeffrey Lewis and Birdie Busch at WCL Philly, upstairs.

~Ongoing~

• Cool Spring Farmers' Market, Thursdays 4-8pm thru late Oct. At the park at 10th & Jackson.
• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.
• 80's karaoke at 1984 (2511 W. 4th St). 9pm, free.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Aimee Mann & Ted Leo at UT Fri. Dinosaur Jr at UT Sat. DJ Robert Drake at the Queen 10/31.

This weekend, 10/19-10/21:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 10/19:

General Events:

• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• Comedian Bill Engvall at the Grand Opera House.  
• The Outgoing Tide at the Delaware Theatre Co., now through October 28.  After this, the play does an off-Broadway run. Info link.
• Showings of Side By Side (interviews of top movie directors) and Celeste and Jesse Forever (SNL rom-com) at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Ed. pick: The Felice Brothers at Arden Gild Hall.  Established Philly band Toy Soldiers opens. $28. Facebook event page.
• The Racket Boys, Tweed, and The Common Room at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5
• Joe Trainor Trio at Kelly's Logan House. 9pm, $5
• At the Queen Theatre, you have your choice of Philly funk/r&b band Breakwater or WXPN-style vanilla singer/songwriter Jon McLaughlin.
• Classical: because everyone should witness an organ concert once in their lifetimes.  It gets pretty intense (think the Dracula theme or the music towards the end of Godfather 1).  David Schelat performs organ works by Bach, Franck, and more, at the church on Rodney Square (1st & Central).  Part of the Market Street Music Festival. 7:30pm, $15-$20. Info link.

~In Philly~

• My Life With The Thrill Kill Cult and Panzer Division at the North Star Bar.
• The Psychedelic Furs and The Lemonheads at the Keswick.
• Savoir Adore (indie-pop from Brooklyn) at Ortlieb's Lounge.
• Auctioneer (good indie rock from a guy who has been a sideman in many Philly bands and is also the subject of the latest Shaking Through episode) at Kung Fu Necktie.
• Generationals and Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang (ex-Dr. Dog) at Johnny Brenda's.
• Misfits at the Trocadero.
• Cuddle Magic at the Tin Angel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 10/20:

General Events:

• "Ghosts in the Graveyard" at Old Swedes Church, east Wilmington. Hear a couple of ghost stories and learn about famous people buried at the churchyard.  6:30-?.  Tours start every half hour and last 45 minutes. $10 adult, $6 children under 12. More info.
• Hagley Craft Fair. 10am, $3-$5. (Also on Sunday)
• Art talk at the Delaware Art Museum, part of the Centennial Juried Exhibition series. The subject: "the figure".  1pm.  Free with museum admission. 
• Showings of The Nightmare Before Christmas (matinee) Side By Side (interviews of top movie directors) and Celeste and Jesse Forever (SNL rom-com) at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• "Americana jam band" Boris Garcia at the Queen Theatre. Info link.
• Tower of Power and The Average White Band at the Grand Opera House. Ticket link.
• Local main-stays Universal Funk Order and Spokey Speaky at Mojo Main. $5
• Rust, a Neil Young tribute band, at the Kennett Flash. $15-$18. www.kennettflash.org '
• Xtra Alltra at Kelly's Logan House.  Their sound?  You guessed it: jam/funk. 
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 10/21:

General Events:

• Hagley Craft Fair. 10am, $3-$5.
• Co-Op Farmers' Market, Sundays 10-2. East Main St, Newark. Thru mid-Nov.
• Art book sale from the museum's libary/archives, at the Delaware Art Museum.  "the Museum Council has gathered over 1,000 unique volumes spanning every art period. Some books are duplicates of Library holdings, while other volumes are written on subjects that fall outside the focus of our collections or research needs." Noon. 
• Showings of Side By Side (interviews of top movie directors) and Celeste and Jesse Forever (SNL rom-com) at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Delaware Wine & Beer Festival in Kent Co., at the Delaware Agriculture Museum. Noon, $25-$30. More info.
• Cult movie night at Mojo Main, though as of 3 days beforehand they weren't saying what the film will be.  Check this link to see if they've updated it.  9pm, free.

Concerts:

• For complete lack of anything better to put in this spot: Asia is playing at the Grand Opera House.  I can't see that band name without thinking of The 40 Year Old Virgin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: The Sea And Cake at UT Tues. Margot and the Nuclear So-And-So's at Milkboy Philly Wed. Cat Power at EF Thurs. Aimee Mann and Ted Leo at UT Fri. Milo Greene at JB's Fri. Dinosaur Jr. at UT 10/27.

Just another Tuesday morning rant about the lack of musical diversity in Delaware shows

Sometimes I feel like it's really hard to find music playing in Delaware and nearby PA that doesn't fall into one of three categories: adult contemporary (world music, vanilla-lite or generally over-produced singer/songwriters, country crossover), reggae/rock/funk/jam band (oh my God there are so many of them around here), or hardcore. 

Most of the time I end up publicizing these concerts, simply because I can't *only* publicize the (usually more interesing) Philly shows, and also because I allow that there is room for that type of music.  I'm not hating on those sounds.  I just wish it wasn't every weekend in every club that I'm trying to help promote.  Like The Grand Opera House, World Cafe Live at the Queen Theatre, Kennett Flash, Mojo 13, Mojo Main, and Logan House.  Even my personal favorite, Arden Gild Hall, leans towards adult contemporary world music, but in their case that really is their core fanbase, and even so, they at least try to mix in equal amounts of indie rock and indie folk.

I just feel like clubs around here are geared towards two demographics: the middle-aged with safe tastes (I'm not being ageist, I'll be in that category in a scant handful of years myself), or college kids/recent grads whose preferences don't go beyond "give me a beat I can dance to or thrash to!"   I understand that part of the challenge is just drawing good bands here.  More interesting shows *do* happen from time to time, but more often than not the band in question is trying to play in all 50-states.  I wish that weren't the main reason, but I guess we'll take what we can get. 

I guess I've just had several weekends in a row where I've looked at my listings and thought "Gee, a gentle singer-songwriter at the Kennett Flash.  Wow, funk jam band at Mojo Main or Logan House.  World music at the Queen.  Some 70's band doing a nostalgia tour at the Grand.   Oo, some band with a name like Skull Abortion at Mojo 13.  Local band that plays almost every weekend at any available festival".  There needs to be more diversity out of those specific genres.  I know there *is* more diversity sometimes; I just wish it was more frequent.  The music calendars of certain clubs are becoming very predictable to me, having put together my lists for the past year-and-a-half. 

Part of it is also probably lack of an audience.  I know there are promoters trying to bring more outside-of-the-box music here, and I know there is an audience for it, but I get the feeling this group doesn't go to many shows.  There is a "scene", I've seen it.  But it's small, and not very active.  So, in a way, who can blame the local clubs for going back to the same stand-bys that have sold tickets in the past?  How do you build that scene of people willing to go out on a Tuesday night for an interesting show that's not the usual safe bet?  I'm trying to help by promoting the hell out of those odd shows when I see them, but I don't know if anyone has ever actually gone to a show on my recommendation. 

No "weekday events of note" or whatever the hell I'm calling it these days...

I'm taking the week off from the weekday listings - I'm just too swamped to do anything more than a half-assed job on it, and I'd rather focus my free time on putting out a more comprehensive list for next weekend. 

One note: Beach House (another band that, like Wye Oak, has lately put Baltimore on the map in the music world. Many people came to know them after they recorded with and toured with Grizzly Bear) is playing at Union Transfer on Tuesday. 

See you Friday!

This weekend, 10/12-10/14:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 10/12:

General Events:

• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• "Spay Away Costume Ball" at the Arden Gild Hall.  7-midnight, $50, benefits Delaware Humane Association, Forgotten Cats, and Response-A-Bull. http://inwilmingtonde.com/events/spayaway
• Showings of Bringing Up Bobby and Little White Lies at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• The Lift Up (feat. the remaining members of once-popular defunct local band The Situation), Fair Warning, and Blag'ard (from Chapel Hill, NC) at Mojo Main.
• Tom Petty tribute band The Big Jangle at the Queen.

~In Philly~

• Calexico and Dodos at Union Transfer.
• Heart and Alejandro Escovedo at the Tower Theatre.
• Bleeding Rainbow and Far-Out Fangtooth at Johnny Brenda's.
• Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg at the North Star Bar.
• Rush at the Wells Fargo Center.
• GWAR at the Electric Factory.  (I was at a club this summer, might have been Birmingham, where a soundman pointed at a huge red stain in the hallway between the green room and the stage and said "See that stain?  Gwar did that").

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 10/13:

General Events:

• Funny guy John Caparulo at the Keswick.
• Showings of The Nightmare Before Christmas (matinee), Bringing Up Bobby, and Little White Lies at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Universal Funk Order and Spokey Speaky at Mojo Main.
• Mike Doughty at the Queen.
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

~In Philly~

• Adrien Reju at Milkboy Philly.
• Sloan at Underground Arts.
• Swans at Union Transfer.
• Peelander-Z at the North Star Bar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 10/14:

General Events:

• Co-Op Farmers' Market, Sundays 10-2. East Main St, Newark. Thru mid-Nov.
• Showings of Bringing Up Bobby, Little White Lies, and Opera in Cinema: L'Italiana In Algeri. at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• New Age Brass at the DCCA.
• Smoking Popes at the North Star Bar.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Beach House at UT Tues. Primus at the Tower Wed. The Felice Brothers at Gild Hall 10/19. Side By Side (interviews of movie directors like Lynch, Scorcese, Soderbergh) at Theatre N next weekend.

Weekday events, 10/8-10/11:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday:

• Das Racist at Union Transfer.
• One final showing of Mike Birbiglia's Sleepwalk With Me at Theatre N.  7pm, $7.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Aliens. 21+, $3. Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday:

• Los Lonely Boys at the Grand Opera House. $32-$40. Ticket link.
• Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at the First Unitarian Church.
• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.
• Beach: Rehoboth Farmers' Market, Tuesdays 12-4 thru late Oct. At lower end of Reho. Ave.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday:

• Touring band show at Mojo Main: Riverboat Gamblers, punk rock from Austin, TX. Also playing are Cobra Skulls, Fresh Kills, The Keefs, and Disaster Committee.  All ages, 9pm, $10.
• Dr.Fameus (Allen Aucoin) at the Queen. 9pm, $10. Ticket link.
• Menomena at Union Transfer.
• Wax Wednesdays at 1984, at 4th & Greenhill. The focus is on vintage music. Bring your own vinyl to play and get $1 off drinks all night. 8pm-1am.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday:

• Real Vocal String Quartet at the Queen Theatre. It is what it sounds like - a young, all-female string quartet from the San Francisco area who sing while they play.  Or something.  Sorry, I'm running on fumes right now. 
• Jens Lekman at Union Transfer.
• The Mountain Goats at the TLA.
• Public Image Ltd. at the Electric Factory.
• Buke and Gase at Kung Fu Necktie.  
• Cool Spring Farmers' Market, Thursdays 4-8pm thru late Oct. At the park at 10th & Jackson.
• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.
• 80's karaoke at 1984 (2511 W. 4th St). 9pm, free.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This weekend, 10/5-10/7:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY:

General Events:

• Fresh Friday Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9-5pm.
• Showings of Sleepwalk With Me (from Mike Birbiglia/This American Life) and Stars In Shorts at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Very late addition to Mojo Main's calendar: Aunt Artica, Magnifus, and The Splashing Pearls. 9pm, $5.
• Sonny Landreth at the Queen Theatre. $25. Ticket link.
• Adam Ant and Brothers of Brazil at the Trocadero. $25.
• Sun Airway at Voyeur (Making Time), Philly. $2-$10.
• The Soft Pack (southern CA) at Kung Fu Necktie. $12.  

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SATURDAY:

General Events:

• Showings of Sleepwalk With Me (from Mike Birbiglia/This American Life) and Stars In Shorts at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Melvins Lite (some members of hard-core band The Melvins, plus the bassist from Mr. Bungle) stop at Mojo 13 as part of their 50 states tour.  $18.
• Aer at the Queen Theatre. "... of Wayland, MA, create music that finds its roots in reggae, acoustic pop and indie rock, with smooth guitar riffs and a strong rap component". $16.  Ticket link.  
• Becca Stevens (jazz/folk/singer-songwriter) at the Grand.
• Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at Underground Arts. $17.
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.
• The Walkmen / The War On Drugs show at the Electric Factory has been canceled.  It may or may not be rescheduled.  Ticket refunds are being issued.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY:

General Events:

• Co-Op Farmers' Market, Sundays 10-2. East Main St, Newark. Thru mid-Nov.
• Showings of Sleepwalk With Me (from Mike Birbiglia/This American Life), Stars In Shorts, and Ballet In Cinema: La Sylphide at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Balmorhea (Austin, TX) and Eliza Jones at Johnny Brenda's. $10.
• Ben Folds Five at the Tower. $38-$48.
• Matt & Kim at the Electric Factory. $22.

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Upcoming: Das Racist at UT Mon. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at FU Church Tues. Dr.Fameus at the Queen Wed. Menomena at UT Wed. Jens Lekman at UT Thurs. Public Image Ltd. at EF Thurs. The Mountain Goats at TLA Thurs. Calexico at UT next Fri. Heart & Alejandro Escovado at the Tower next Fri. Rush at WF Center next Fri. Sloan at Underground Arts next Sat. Smoking Popes at the North Star next Sun.

Weekday events, 10/1-10/4:

The next few installments won't be as detailed as I'd like them to be (ticket links, ticket prices, etc.) because my day-ish job just got really busy. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday 10/1:

• At Theatre N, The Story of Film: An Odyssey, Parts 7 & 8. 7pm. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Board game night & Quizzo at the Queen.
• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Iron Sky.  "Costumes encouraged" (for a movie that apparently came out in 2012?  I've never even heard of it). 21+, $3. Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.
• Tennis at Union Transfer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday 10/2:

• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.
• Crystal Castles at the Electric Factory.
• Beach: Rehoboth Farmers' Market, Tuesdays 12-4 thru late Oct. At lower end of Reho. Ave.
• The Godspeed You! Black Emperor show at Union Transfer is sold-out.

You know, I was a GY!BE fan years ago in my churlish youth, but stopped listening to them (you grow up; you don't want to be depressed all the time; and shit gets old, you know?).  But I had this moment over the summer when I was driving across the barren plains of northern Colorado towards a run-down Days Inn in Laramie, it was 2am and I still had an hour to go, my traveling companions were all asleep, nothing but the occasional tractor-trailer on the highway. I looked at my Ipod and thought "Why not F#A# ?"  And it was incredible.  I probably will not listen to that album for another 10 years, but it was tailor-made for that particular lonely drive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday 10/3:

• Interesting DIY show at El Paso, a taco place on Kirkwood Hwy.  Brick Mower from NJ, Come On Homewreckers (DE/Philly), The Headies (DE), and Psychic Teens (Philly). 7pm, all ages, $3. https://www.facebook.com/events/110081272473632/ (That scene is a little young for me, but I am so relieved to see kids putting on DIY punk shows in Delaware. This didn't happen when I was a kid here, and yet these kinds of shows were an influential part of growing up for every non-DE musician I know.  Gives me hope for the future of the music scene here).
• Bob Log III at Mojo Main. "Bob Log III is an American, Slide Guitar, One Man Band. During performances, he plays old Silvertone Archtop guitars, wears a full body cannonball man suit, and a helmet wired to a telephone which allows him to devote his hands and feet to guitar and drums. Based in Tucson, Arizona, and Melbourne, Australia, he has made frequent tours of North America, Europe, Japan and Australia, Mexico, and Iceland." $10.
• The BoDeans at the Queen.
• Animal Collective at the Mann.
• Ben Harper at the Merriam Theatre.
• Wax Wednesdays at 1984, at 4th & Greenhill. The focus is on vintage music. Bring your own vinyl to play and get $1 off drinks all night. 8pm-1am.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday 10/4:

• Art Salad at the DCCA: free noon discussion of modern art. Bring a bag lunch or arrive by 11:30 to order from Cosi.
• Cool Spring Farmers' Market, Thursdays 4-8pm thru late Oct. At the park at 10th & Jackson.
• Los Straightjackets at the Queen.
• Lee Smith at the Kennett Flash. "Lee toured internationally with several Philadelphia based recording artist including, The Delphonics, Blue Magic, Billy Paul, Afro-Cuban Percussionist,  and Mongo Santamaria." He's a bass player, although I had to Google him to find this out, because in the lengthy bio Kennett Flash posted for him, they never once mentioned it, and the link they provided for him is broken. C'mon, Kennett Flash, these details tend to be important to your patrons.
• Rasputina at Johnny Brenda's.
• The Ataris at the North Star.
• The Raveonettes at Union Transfer.
• Urban Bike Project (Wilmington) is open from 6:30-9pm for the public to repair their bikes or purchase refurbished bikes. 19th & Market, enter on Race St. side of building.
• Medeski Martin & Wood at the Keswick.
• 80's karaoke at 1984 (2511 W. 4th St). 9pm, free.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Upcoming: Sonny Landreth at the Queen Fri. Adam Ant at the Troc Fri. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at Underground Arts Sat. Ben Folds Five at the Tower Sun. The Mike Birbiglia/"This American Life" film Sleepwalk With Me at Theatre N all weekend.

This weekend, 9/28-9/30:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 9/28:

General Events - you have 3 pretty awesome events to choose from tonight, and they're all right in Wilmington.  Seriously - unless there's a hurricane this night, you have no excuse to stay inside catching up on Breaking Bad or Game of Thrones:

• Friday Fresh Market, Nemours Plaza, 11th & Tatnall. 9am-5pm.
• FINAL Carousel Park Farmers' Market of the year (Rt. 7 in Pike Creek), Fridays 2-6pm.

• "Brew at the Zoo": enjoy animal-themed craft beers and food samples from several local restaurants at the Brandywine Zoo, while walking around the zoo. Rain or shine. 21+. 5:30-8:30pm. $25-$40. More info.

• Day 2 of Film Brothers' Festival of Shorts, at Theatre N. Short films from around the world. 7pm, $12.   "Friday night's ticket includes live music from the Joe Trainor Trio.  Stop in at Ernest & Scott's after the film!"  More info on festival.

• Ed. pick: Art Is Social party at the Delaware Art Museum.  Free beer & wine tastings, $1-$4 full-sized drinks, Multiple DJs. Plus: "Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School of Philadelphia returns this September! Amateur and inexperienced artists alike are invited to sketch Victorian-era costumed models in a series of quick poses".

"Register in advance by clicking here: https://www.signup82north.com/beventLive.aspx?EventID=NBI11107340 (you can also register and pay at the door--either way is fine--it just helps us get an accurate head count!)"  This takes place 8-11pm, and is a measly $5 (free for DAM members). 

Concerts:

• Spark Summer Series: Winners Showcase, at the Queen Theatre. Featuring Bullbuckers, Modern Exile, Hippocampus, and DJ EA. 8pm-12:30.  $5. More info.
• The Scovilles ("influenced by pre-psychedelic garage rock from the 60s" such as The Kinks), at Mojo Main. 2nd of 3 bands. The other 2 do not have bios to speak of.  9pm, $5.

~And in Philly:~

• Minus the Bear at the Electric Factory, with Cursive and Caspian. $25.
• Mark Kozelek at the First Unitarian Church Sanctuary. $16.
• The Bad Plus at Chris' Jazz Cafe.  1st night of 2. $25-$30.
• Shemekia Copeland at WCL Philly (also doing a Free At Noon there the same day). She is coming to the Arden Gild Hall this season, too.  $25.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 9/29:

General Events:

• Podcamp East at Del Tech Wilmington: "brings together some of the best speakers, thinkers, and innovators in business, arts, education, and social media. It’s a place where ideas are born and nurtured." 8am reg., 9am-5pm program. $20. More info. 
• "Freaky Flea Market" at Mojo Main. 11am, free. As of 9/25, Mojo Main didn't include any description of this event on their website.  But I would guess they mean it to be something like the Punk Rock Flea Market that happens a couple of times a year in Philly.  Which would be awesome. Or maybe it's Halloween-themed.  Who knows. Check the link: maybe they'll have updated since Tuesday: http://www.mojomain.com/event/162891/
• Ignite Wilmington 7: "Ignite Wilmington is a night of presentations with a twist. Presenting on a subject of their choice, speakers have exactly five minutes to teach something, enlighten us, or simply inspire—backed by twenty slides auto-advancing every fifteen seconds." Grand Opera House, 7-11pm, $10. More info.
• Dr. Who marathon at Mojo Main. 9pm, free.
• Beach: FINAL Lewes Farmers' Market, 8-noon.
• Showings at Theatre N: TBA. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Tric Town September, featuring: Obits (Sub Pop), The Stiffs, and Larhonda at Mojo Main. 18 and over, 9pm, $5.
• Splashing Pearls cd release party at The Blue Parrot. The cd, their 3rd, is called Stories From The Bottle.  9pm, no cover advertised.
• Rod Kim and Vince Cirino birthday bash at the Queen. Also playing: Mean Lady (who've been playing a lot in NYC lately. Good for them!), Evangelina Guajardo, Hot Breakfast, Joel Fredricks, and Jake Wilder Chapman. Upstairs, 7pm, $5.
• Red Hands (from Pittsburgh) and Sheep and the Shears (from Reading), both post hardcore bands, at Mojo 13. 8pm, $5.
• Brian Vander Ark (former lead singer of The Verve Pipe) at the Kennett Flash. Doors at 7, $20-$23.
• In The Light (Joe Trainor and other area musicians) perform Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti at the Queen. $25-$35. For a locally-based tribute band?
• New Sweden and The Bullbuckers on the rooftop of the riverfront ShopRite. This is an after party for a Kalmar-Nyckel gala. 9pm, $10.  Wow.  These two bands - both good, no disrespect meant - have been booked at events like this a TON lately.  Literally every weekend this month.  Are there no comparable MD, NJ or PA bands that could be thrown in the mix, just for some variety at these shindigs?

~And in Philly:~

• Melody Gardot at the Merriam Theatre. $37-$47.
• Gotye at Susquehanna Bank Center. $40-$45.
• The Bad Plus at Chris' Jazz Cafe, night 2 of 2. $25-$30.
• Two Door Cinema Club at the Electric Factory. Ticket link.
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange.  Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 9/30:

General Events:

• Final event of the Taiwan Film Festival at the Delaware Art Museum. Showing of 2007's  The Song of Cha-Tian Mountain, which "depicts life in a Japanese-occupied Taiwanese mountain town at the end of WWII". 1pm, with Q&A with film's director at 3pm. Free. More info.
• Open-to-the-public class at the DE College of Art & Design: "Mixed Media Mash-up". 1-4pm, $40. http://www.dcad.edu/site/continuing_education/course_listing/special_events
• Co-Op Farmers' Market, Sundays 10-2. East Main St, Newark. Taste of Newark demos/samples at noon and 2pm.
• Cult Movie Night at Mojo Main: Get Carter, 9pm, free.
• Showings at Theatre N: Eagles vs. Giants game at 8:20, free. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Los Lobos at the Keswick Theatre, performing Kiko. With Amy Helm. $38-$48. I was in a city over the summer where there Los Lobos happened to be performing at a street festival.  They noodle around a lot, don't they. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Tennis at UT Mon. Crystal Castles at the EF Tues. Godspeed You! Black Emperor sold out at UT Tues. Animal Collective at the Mann Wed. Ben Harper at the Merriam Wed. Los Straightjackets at the Queen Thurs. Rasputina at JB's Thurs. The Raveonettes at UT Thurs. This American Life's Sleepwalk With Me at Theatre N next weekend. Adam Ant at the Troc Fri. Frightened Rabbit sold-out at JBs Fri. The Walkmen & The War On Drugs at EF 10/6.