This weekend, March 29-31. Easter edition:

March-ruary comes to its blustery, annoyingly un-spring-like close.  So, how 'bout it, April?   What's that, early April temperatures will be in the low fifties, too?  *sigh*

Wilmington and Newark venues have about as much decent music as they usually do this weekend, while it's pretty slow in Philly.  Cultural events are sparse everywhere.  This is somewhat standard for Easter weekend.  Looking ahead at the concert listings, though, there will be a LOT more shows going on next weekend.  Glance at my "upcoming" paragraph at the bottom of the page.

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FRIDAY 3/29:

General Events:

• Horticulture: Volunteer orientation for those interested in becoming volunteer gardeners at the Winterthur Estate. 9:30-10:30 am, Brown Horticultural building, Winterthur. http://www.winterthur.org/?p=862
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Amour, Oscar-winning French film about love at the end of life.  I would not be surprised if each showing sells out (let's face it - this is Theatre N's main demographic), so get to the ticket line 15 minutes early, have a beer while you wait.  Also playing: Love And Honor.  http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Dance: Savion Glover performs his elaborate tap-dance routine at the Kimmel Center. 8pm, $35+, or half off if you subscribe to the Philly Funsavers email.
• Market: Kennett Square year-round Farmers Market, 2-6pm Fridays on State Street.

Concerts:

• A solid local bill at Mojo Main, with Robot House, Still Moon Servants, and Villains Like You. 9pm, $5.
• Larry McKenna band at the Nomad Bar. 9:30pm, $5-ish.
• Tom Petty tribute band The Big Jangle at WCL at the Queen. 8pm, $10.
• Also at the Queen tonight, West Chester bands: The Sermon!, Mason Porter, and BossaSupernova. 8pm, $8-$10.
• Horn-infused ska-punk at Kennett Flash, with Sicklerville NJ band No Such Noise. Opening is Three For Five, a Kennett-based ska-punk band. $12-$14.

~In Philly and beyond~

• Madeleine Peyroux plays a WXPN Free at Noon concert, at the Kimmel Center.  Noon, free.  
• Low Cut Connie (who are playing the 11th anniversary Tric Town show in Newark next Friday) and DRGN KING at Johnny Brenda's, $12.

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SATURDAY 3/30:

General Events:

• Writing: Community free write at the Kirkwood Library.  This 4-times-yearly event features a half hour talk by a local published author, followed by an hour of free writing based on a prompt.  2-4pm, Kirkwood Library (Kirkwood Highway between Elsmere and Newark), free.
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Amour, Oscar-winning French film about love at the end of life.  Get there a bit early; it may sell out. Also playing: Love And Honor. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz: Jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Benefit for the family of John Kostikidis at 1984 in west Wilmington, featuring Butterscotch Grim, Disaster Committee, Hurt, and Sammy K & the Fast Four. 21+, 9:30pm, $5.  There's not much info on the benefit component of this, but as near as I can tell from googling, John Kostikidis was shot to death in Wilmington last month while leaving his security guard job. 
• The Wiyos at Kennett Flash (see video at bottom of page). "The WIYOS are a vaudevillian ragtime blues, hillbilly swing and old-time country band." Jason Ager opens. $12-$15.
• Local jazz singer Kelli Vale at the Nomad Bar. 9:30pm. $5-ish.
• This week's "They're Still Around??" moment: Jimmie's Chicken Shack at WCL at the Queen.  8pm, $10.
• 4 bands at Mojo Main. No info or links given on any of these bands, but they sound like they could have potential.  Actually, I got curious and did my own digging on the headliner - they're folk-influenced pop-punk from Pittsburgh: The Frantic Heart of It, Easy Creatures, Zwanendael (this is a Delaware beach place name, so we know this one is local, at least), and Deer Gear.  9pm, $5.

~In Philly and beyond~

• World/Inferno Friendship Society, Rasputina, and Stolen Babies at Union Transfer. $16.
• Not much more for me to report on in Philly, although there are a ton of regional singer-songwriters performing.  I'm just not familiar enough with them to give a recommendation.

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SUNDAY 3/31:

General Events:

• Easter.  Easter, among other things in my house, means Govatos's chocolate-covered crackers.
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Amour, Oscar-winning French film about love at the end of life.  Get there a bit early; it may sell out.  Also playing: Love And Honor, and 'opera in cinema' La Bayadere.  http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Aaaand for those not celebrating Easter or having family obligations or who just get a kick out of a good raunchy name - there's, ah, "Fist Fucking Unicorns", Floaters, and more TBA at Mojo Main.   9pm, FREE.

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Upcoming: Green Day and Best Coast at Liacouras Ctr Wed. Arturo Sandoval at the Grand Thurs. Local Natives at UT Thurs. Maroon 5 at WF Ctr Thurs. Tric Town's 11th Anniversary, feat. Low Cut Connie, at Mojo Main Fri. They Might Be Giants at the TLA Fri. Carolina Chocolate Drops at the Grand Fri.  Purling Hiss at JB's Fri. Matt & Kim at House of Blues A.C. Fri. Spinto Band at Gild Hall Sat. Fleetwood Mac at the WF Ctr Sat. Frightened Rabbit at UT Sat but it's sold out. Festival at WCL Philly Sunday feat: Dar Williams, John Wesley Harding, Birdie Busch, Sonny Landreth, Ben Arnold, & more. Hot Club of Cowtown at the Grand 4/10. Diana Krall at the Grand 4/16. Divers at Kennett Flash 4/19. Marshall Crenshaw at Kennett Flash 4/26. Wussy at Mojo Main 4/27.

The Wiyos performing "Rag, Mama, Rag" at Pete's Candy Shop in Brooklyn.  You will either think this is corny, or a good display of vaudevillian musicianship.