So - it's been a crazy month.

Earlier in the month the blog was on autopilot because I took a long vacation.  As soon as I got back from vacation, some very heavy real life stuff happened, so I'm not going to have a lot of time for this blog.  On top of that, I'll be away most of the summer. 

That said, I hate it when people just let blogs fall by the wayside, so I will do my best to keep a bare minimum of features going.  But I'm going to have to cut a few things out, like concert prices, times, and ticket links.  I figure that if you're interested in a show I point out to you, you'll Google it.  And I won't have time to make posts outside of the calendars, which makes me sad because I enjoyed editorializing and hilighting interesting local news stories.  But there's just no way I can give any more time to this than the time it takes to make these weekend and weekday calendars.  My family is going through something right now that is the most difficult thing I've ever had to deal with in life.  And it's not something that's going to clear up in a few days or weeks.

I apologize to the 1 or 2 people out there who might have enjoyed this blog the way it was when I really had time for it.  But I will try to keep it going in some form or other for as long as I can.  And who knows - maybe life will get back to normal after the summer and I can ramp up the posts again.

This weekend, 3/30-4/1:

General Events:
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Friday 3/30:

• Showings of We Need to Talk About Kevin and Detachment at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Saturday 3/31:

• Showings of We Need to Talk About Kevin and Detachment at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Sunday 4/1:

• Free admission to Brandywine River Museum, 9:30-noon (every Sunday, at least for now).
• Newark Co-op Winter Farmers' Market (every other Sunday starting 2/5). 10-2pm, E. Main St (indoors, in the space next to the Co-op).
• Showings of We Need to Talk About Kevin and Detachment at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Band shows:

Friday 3/30:

• Black Landlord at Milkboy Philly. Ticket link.
• Delta Spirit with Waters at Union Transfer. All ages, 9pm, $17+.  (Oy, these bands with a very common pluralized noun for a name. It's non-stop!  Where do they all come from?  Are you just guaranteed a good booking agent and a label if you have a name like this?  I'm starting to think so.  Allright: starting tomorrow, I'm heading up a band called Carpets.  My side project shall be called Curtains. You can address booking requests to wilmingtonicblog@gmail.com).
• The English Beat at World Cafe Live Philly. Ticket link.
• Cloud Nothings, with Bleeding Rainbow and A Classic Education, at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 9pm, $10.
• Andrew WK at the TLA. Ticket link.

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Saturday 3/31:

• Marshall Crenshaw at the Kennett Flash. $28+. Ticket link.
• Frankenstein Brothers, featuring Buckethead and "That 1 Guy", at the Trocadero. $24+. Ticket link.

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Weekday events of note, 3/26-3/29:

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Monday 3/26:

• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: The Girl Who Played With Fire.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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Tuesday 3/27:

• Showing of My Week With Marilyn, starring Michelle Williams, at Theatre N.  One showing only, 7pm.

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Wednesday 3/28:

• The Wailers at the Queen. Ticket link.
• Metronomy with East Hundred at the TLA. Ticket link.
• Swervedriver at Union Transfer. All ages, 9pm, $15.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover. 
• Bruce Springsteen at the Electric Factory, 1st of 2 shows this week.

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Thursday 3/29:

• Class/lecture: Ever wanted to know more about composting?  The Delaware Center for Horticulture is offering a backyard composting class in the late afternoon. 4-5:30pm. $15, $10 for DCH members. http://www.thedch.org/activities-events/calendar-events
• Shawn Colvin at the Queen Theatre. Ticket link.
• Rachel Yamagata at the North Star Bar. 21+, 8pm, $16.
• Movie: Showing of Miss Representation at Theatre N. 7pm.
• The Joy Formidable, with A Place To Bury Strangers and Exitmusic, at Union Transfer. All ages, 8:30pm, $16+.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free.
• Bruce Springsteen at the Electric Factory, 2nd of 2 shows this week.

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Upcoming: Delta Spirit at UT Fri. Marshall Crenshaw at the Kennett Flash next weekend.  Andrew WK at the TLA next weekend.

This weekend, 3/23-3/25:

General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 3/23:

• Comedy at the Trocadero: Nerdist Podcast Live!, which will be a live taping of comedy routines by Chris Hardwick, Jonah Ray, and Matt Mira, who are all involved with multiple tv comedy shows. $30+. Ticket link.
• Showings of Chico & Rita, and Perfect Sense, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Saturday 3/24:

• Spring clean-up at Gibraltar Gardens, off of Pennsylvania Ave.  It's a beautiful spot in the city - you should go just to see it.  8:30am-noon, bring gardening tools.
• $1 admission to Hagley Museum every Saturday in February and March.
• Showings of Chico & Rita, Perfect Sense, and The Innkeepers, at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Sunday 3/25:

• Free admission to Brandywine River Museum, 9:30-noon (every Sunday, at least for now).
• Showings of Chico & Rita, Perfect Sense, and (taped opera) La Boheme at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Band shows:

Friday 3/23:

• Lucy Kaplansky at the Kennett Flash. $23+. Ticket link.
• Gable Presents: Keepers (PA), Me And This Army (MD), and Tail (DE) at Mojo Main. 8pm, $5 for 21+, $8 for under-agers.
• Brooklyn's Ava Luna at Kung Fu Necktie. 21+, 8pm, $10.

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Saturday 3/24:

• Mad-Sweet Pangs at the Kennett Flash. 8pm, $15+.
• Revolution, I Love You open for LA's El Ten Eleven at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5.
• More part-rock-part-reggae bands at the Queen Theatre tonight than you can shake a stick at.  Why is that the only kind of original band that goes over really well in Delaware?
• Toots and the Maytals at The Blockley. Ticket link.
• Thomas Dolby (yeah, that guy) at World Cafe Live Philly. Ticket link.
• Sold-Out as of 2/18/12: Dr. Dog wraps up their lengthy winter tour at the Electric Factory.  This is the 1st of 2 shows, and Purling Hiss opens this one. Ticket link.

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Sunday 3/25:

• Dr. Dog plays their 2nd night at the Electric Factory. Ticket link.

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Upcoming: The brand new Nowadays indie music festival in Bethlehem is next weekend, feat. We Are Scientists, RJD2, Strand of Oaks, Jukebox the Ghost, and more. Wild Flag (Carrie from Portlandia and Sleater Kinney) at the Troc 4/3.

Confession time: I've actually been on vacation the past 11 days.

All those weekend and weekday listings were done days to weeks in advance.  So I apologize if there was anything incomplete or outdated in there.  I can't even promise a return to daily posts on what's going on in Delaware, because life will be especially busy in the next two weeks.  And maybe the next 5 months, but that's another story.  All I can say is that I hate it when people start blogs and then let them just trail off once life changes a little (sort of how I hate it when people buy puppies and then immediately rehome them because "I got a new job" - you didn't think about that possibility before you took this animal into your home?).  So, with that in mind, I'll do what I can to keep this thing going, even at a minimal level. 

Weekday events of note, 3/19-3/22:

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Monday 3/19:

• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Battle Royale.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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Tuesday 3/20:

• Oberhofer with White Birds (formerly Drink Up Buttercup) at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 8pm, $10.

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Wednesday 3/21:

• The Psychedelic Furs at the Queen Theatre. Ticket link.
• Ben Kweller at Union Transfer, with Sleeper Agent and The Dig. All ages, 8:30pm, $20+.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover. 

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Thursday 3/22:

• North Carolina's Bowerbirds with Dry The River at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 9pm, $12.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free

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Upcoming: Ava Luna at KFN Fri.

This weekend, 3/16-3/18:

General Events:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 3/16:

• Kennett Square Outdoor Winter Market.. 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month. 2-5pm. 
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Saturday 3/17:

• $1 admission to Hagley Museum every Saturday in February and March.
• Sustainability Movie Series at Newark Natural Foods. 4pm, free.
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Sunday 3/18:

• Free admission to Brandywine River Museum, 9:30-noon (every Sunday, at least for now).
• Newark Co-op Winter Farmers' Market (every other Sunday starting 2/5). 10-2pm, E. Main St (indoors, in the space next to the Co-op).
• Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Band shows:

Friday 3/16:

• Pop-punk show at Spaceboy on Market Street: My Worst Critic (DE) (I'm really not a fan of pop-punk, but these guys aren't bad.  They seem to do what they do very well), Count To Four (NJ), and No Such Noise (NJ). All ages, 6-10pm, $5.
• Megafaun at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 9pm, $12.

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Saturday 3/17:

• Bogey Phillips (Irish band - why not?) with fiddle opener Jay Ansill, at the Kennett Flash. $15+. Ticket link.
• Tric Town Presents: City Music Project, 'Alright, Junior', and This Show Is Fire, at Mojo 13 in Claymont. 18+, 8pm, $6.
• New Sweden at the Queen Theatre. 9pm, $10.
• The Head and The Heart, who played Wilmington's XPoNential Festival last year and last toured through the area opening for Dr. Dog, play a long-sold-out show at Union Transfer.

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Sunday 3/18:

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

Upcoming: Ben Kweller at UT Wed.

Weekday events of note, 3/12-3/15:

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Monday 3/12:

• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Immortals.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

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Tuesday 3/13:

• Jay Farrar (Son Volt, Uncle Tupelo), Yim Yames (My Morning Jacket), Will Johnson, and Anders Parker will be performing original songs with lyrics by Woody Guthrie, at Union Transfer. Bobby Bare Jr. opens. All ages, 8:30pm, $20.
• Mike Dillon Band (percussionist/vibraphonist with Les Claypool's Fancy Band and Garage A Trois) at the North Star Bar. 21+, 8pm, $10.

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Wednesday 3/14:

• Gomez with Hey Rosetta! at the TLA. Ticket link.
• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.
• Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with a rotating cast of local up-and-comers, the names of which are posted weekly here: http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover. 

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Thursday 3/15:

• Carbon Leaf at the Queen Theatre. Ticket link.
• WVUD's radiothon concert, featuring No Age, at the Trabant center. "No Age hail from LA and play super rad, noisy, energetic, pop music filtered through their own punk rock, DIY aesthetic." They are on the Sub-Pop label. 7-10pm, $7 for students, $10 for general public. Facebook event link.
• Obits with Fists and The Homophones at Johnny Brenda's. 21+, 9pm, $12.
• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free
• Henry Rollins is at Union Transfer tonight, but it's been sold-out since early February.

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Upcoming: Megafaun at JB's Fri.

This weekend, 3/9-3/11:

General Events: 
Note to foreign film buffs: there's a whole passel of films being shown at Theatre N this weekend, some for only one showing.  It's something of a mini French film festival.  I did my best trying to correctly report what's showing on what day, but you're best off viewing Theatre N's schedule if you're interested in any of this: http://www.theatern.org/Films
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Friday 3/9:

• Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art: featuring The Suzan, a Japanese punk band led by two sisters. 5-8:45pm, free with admission.
• Showings at Theatre N - http://www.theatern.org/Films :

Declaration of War, 2011. French film and Cannes-critics'-favorite about a family's battle with their child's illness.  Bring your own tissues.

The Screen Illusion, 2010. French film about "a hotel concierge on the trail of a missing young man who seems to have left many a young female heart aflutter."

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Saturday 3/10:

• $1 admission to Hagley Museum every Saturday in February and March.
• Showings at Theatre N - http://www.theatern.org/Films :

The Last Screening. 2011. ("CINEMA PARADISO meets PSYCHO in a provocative genre film about the dutiful manager/projectionist of a repertory cinema in the French provinces...and the many secrets he holds.").

The Secret of Kells. 2009. An Academy Award nominee for best animated feature.

The Well-Digger's Daughter. 2011. Adapted from a book by the author of Manon of the Spring, and set in the French countryside.

Declaration of War, 2011. French film and Cannes-critics'-favorite about a family's battle with their child's illness.  Bring your own tissues.

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Sunday 3/11:

• Free admission to Brandywine River Museum, 9:30-noon (every Sunday, at least for now).
• Showings at Theatre N - http://www.theatern.org/Films :

Declaration of War. 2011. French film and Cannes-critics'-favorite about a family's battle with their child's illness.  Bring your own tissues.

Smuggler's Songs. 2011. "The 18th century folk hero and bandit Louis Mandrin is the inspiration for this strikingly relevant period tale, tracing the efforts of Mandrin’s followers to distribute his songs and stories in the build-up to the French Revolution."

The Well-Digger's Daughter. 2011. Adapted from a book by the author of Manon of the Spring, and set in the French countryside.

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Band shows:

Friday 3/9:

• The Horse Flies at Arden Gild Hall, which calls the band "a pigeon-holer's nightmare".  I like that.  Now, to go ahead and pigeon-hole the band, lets call it Americana/indie rock/world music.  This show goes 8pm to midnight, and is $18, or $15 for arden club members.
• Jesse Malin at the Kennett Flash. $18+. Ticket link.
• moe. at the Electric Factory. Ticket link.
• Black 47 at World Cafe Live Philly. Ticket link.

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Saturday 3/10:

• Bombay Bicycle Club at Union Transfer, with The Darcys and Lucy Rose. All ages, $15. Ticket link.

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Sunday 3/11:

• "February Album Writing Month" singer-songwriter showcase at the Queen Theatre. 3pm, $5.

  "During the month of February, singer-songwriters around the nation take on a special challenge known as February Album Writing Month (FAWM). The task is simple: write 14 songs in 29 days. Armed with a brand-new batch of songs, local artists will showcase the finest of their freshly-inspired words and works". 

• Classical fans: Serafin String Quartet at the Queen Theatre, performing chamber music by American composers.  Ticket link.

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Upcoming: Megafaun at JB's next Fri., Dr. Dog at EF 3/25, The Wailers at the Queen 3/28, Rachel Yamagata at the North Star 3/29, Shawn Colvin at the Queen 3/29, The Bad Plus at Gild Hall 3/31.

Weekday events of note, 3/5-3/8:

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Monday 3/5:

• Movie Monday at the Trocadero: Kill List, about a hit job gone wrong.  21+, $3.  Doors at 6:30, show at 8, arrive before 7 and get a free beer and popcorn.

• Jon Anderson at the Queen Theatre. He'll also be at the TLA on Wednesday.  Ticket link for the Queen.

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Tuesday 3/6:

• Spring Equinox Labyrinth Walk at the Delaware Art Museum.  Take a walk in the museum's labyrinth within the Fusco Reservoir.  2pm, free, donations to help maintain the labyrinth will be welcome.

• A rare Tuesday film at Theatre N: Martha Marcy May Marlene, "a powerful psychological thriller starring Elizabeth Olsen as Martha, a young woman rapidly unraveling amidst her attempt to reclaim a normal life after fleeing from a cult".  Winner of the directing award at Sundance.  This is a one-time-only showing.  7pm, free, but "If you wish to reserve a seat and make a tax-deductible donation of $10, you will receive a receipt for the donation at the box office."  http://www.theatern.org/Films/2012/March-2012/Martha-Marcy-May-Marlene

• White Rabbits and Tennis at Union Transfer. All ages, 8pm, $15.

• Punk fans: Pittsburgh's Anti-Flag, touring on their 8th album release, will be at Fishtown's The Barbary.  Young punk bands from Toronto and Boston open. Ticket link.

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Wednesday 3/7:

• The Magnetic Fields, with Bachelorette, at Union Transfer. All ages, 8:30pm, $33+.

• Local original bands at Homegrown Cafe: You Won't, Tail, and Paul Blest. 7-10pm, nominal cover.

• 4W5 Blues Jam at the Queen. 7pm, free.

• Jon Anderson at the TLA, in case you missed him at the Queen on Monday.

• Free show Wednesdays at Mojo Main, with The Original Marta, Mojo Diddy, and Orhollow. http://www.mojomain.com/calendar . 21+, 9pm, no cover. 

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Thursday 3/8:

• Civil war lecture at Hagley Museum by one of the museum's resident archivists: "Human Contraband: African Americans in the Civil War".  It will be held in the Hagley library.  Reservations requested - call 302-658-2400.  7pm, free.

• A showing of Life Is Beautiful at Theatre N.  Presented by the Del. Italian American Education Assoc.  Italian with sub-titles.  7pm, $10.

• Mike Birbiglia (talented comedian, frequent contributor to This American Life, and star of upcoming documentary Sleepwalk With Me) at The Grand. $30+. Ticket link.

• 6 regional singer-songwriters, presented by Gable Music Ventures, at the Queen. 7pm, $6. More info.

• UK's Fanfarlo, with Young Man, at Union Transfer. All ages, 8:30pm, $15.

• Karaoke at Mojo Main. 9pm, free

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Upcoming: The Horse Flies at Gild Hall Fri., moe at the EF Fri., Megafaun at Jb's 3/16, Dr. Dog at the EF 3/25, The Wailers at the Queen 3/28, Shawn Colvin at the Queen 3/29, The Bad Plus at Gild Hall 3/31.

This weekend, 3/2-3/4:

General Events - great weekend for getting out!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday 3/2:

• Kennett Square Outdoor Winter Market.. 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month. 2-5pm. 
• Jazz fans: saxophonist Ravi Coltrane is playing at Tatnall School.  See band listings for more details.
• Art on the Town, Wilmington's First Friday art loop. 5-8pm, various locations all over the city. http://www.wilmingtonde.gov/visitors/artloop
• Showings of 1902's revolutionary silent film A Trip To The Moon, with modern score by French band Air. It's only 16 minutes, but it's followed by an interesting hour long documentary on the restoration of A Trip To The Moon, at Theatre N. More info on this film.  . Also playing: Pater, French. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Sold-Out: LOL @ The Grand: 11 local comedians vie in this contest to be chosen to open for a national touring comedian next year.

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

Saturday 3/3:

• $1 admission to Hagley Museum every Saturday in February and March.
• Showings of 1902's revolutionary silent film A Trip To The Moon, with modern score by French band Air. It's only 16 minutes, but it's followed by an interesting hour long documentary on the restoration of A Trip To The Moon, at Theatre N. More info on this film.   Also playing: 17 Filles, about the French village girls who made a pact to get pregnant en masse.  http://www.theatern.org/Films

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

Sunday 3/4:

• Free admission to Brandywine River Museum, 9:30-noon (every Sunday, at least for now).
• Newark Co-op Winter Farmers' Market (every other Sunday starting 2/5). 10-2pm, E. Main St (indoors, in the space next to the Co-op).
• Showings of Pater and Moon Child (both French, both featuring the same middle-aged French actor who must be France's pre-breakdown Mel Gibson) at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

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Band shows:

Friday 3/2:

• Jazz: The Ravi Coltrane Quartet at the Laird Performing Arts Center at Tatnall School.  7-9pm, $20.  Ravi is the son of John Coltrane, and has worked with... basically, name a famous jazz musician. More info here.
• Brooklyn alt Americana band Yarn at the Queen Theatre. Ticket link.
• Universal Funk Order at Kooma, on the riverfront. 9pm, $5.
• Rory Sullivan & The Second Season's CD release show at Home Grown Cafe, Newark.  10pm, no cover.  Since it's free, do the boys a favor and buy a cd if you go.
• Acclaimed regional band Cheers Elephant at World Cafe Live Philly. Ticket link.
• Purples (ex The Teeth - they played the WVUD fest a few years back), with Psalmships and Caroline and the Good Night Sleeps, at Kung Fu Necktie. 21+, 8pm, $10.
• The Accent Live showcase at the Queen - featuring Accent teachers' bands Little Invisibles and The Collingwood, alongside school of rock bands, is completely sold out.

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Saturday 3/3:

• Hoots & Hellmouth at Arden's Gild Hall.  Jessica Latshaw (she of the viral Youtube video) and Shane Palko open. 8pm - midnight. $12 ($10 Arden Club members). Ticket link.
• The Hold-Up at The Nomad Bar on Orange St (I guess they're tinkering with their all-jazz format).  9pm, no cover.
• A night of Rolling Stone music played by veteran local musicians at the Queen Theatre, to benefit the Queen. Ticket link.
• The Collingwood with Controlled Bleeding and The Fakirs at Mojo Main.  9pm, $5.
• Veteran NY experimental rock band The Walkmen at Union Transfer. All ages, 9pm, $22.
• A Neil Young tribute band at the Kennett Flash. $18+. Ticket link.
• The Walkmen show at Union Transfer is sold-out.

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Upcoming: Magnetic Fields at Union Transfer Wed., Mike Birbiglia at the Grand Thurs., moe at Electric Factory next Fri., Megafaun at JB's 3/16, Dr. Dog at Electric Factory 3/25 (3/24 sold out), The Wailers at the Queen 3/28, Rachel Yamagata at the North Star Bar 3/29, Shawn Colvin at the Queen 3/29.

Posting has been light this week because I've been obsessed with planning an upcoming vacation.  For that matter, all of March might be a little light, but I still have weekend and weekday listings lined up, at least.  Sorry, to the 2 or 3 people who read this.