This weekend, April 5th-7th:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 4/5:

General Events:

• Art Loop: First Friday / Art on the Town.  Wilmington.  5-9pm.  http://www.wilmingtonde.gov/visitors/artloop
• Crafts: Alternatives Handmade Market at DCCA, near the riverfront. Indoor retail art / craft show.  4pm, free. http://www.thedcca.org/
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Welcome to the Punch and A Place at the Table. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Dance Party: DJ ShadyLady and DJ Gentleman Jeff spin 80's music at west-side Wilmington barcade 1984 every Friday, 9pm-close. http://1984wilmington.com/events
• Market: Kennett Square year-round Farmers Market, 2-6pm Fridays on State Street.

Concerts:

• Tric Town 11th anniversary show at Mojo Main.  Low Cut Connie (band from NYC and Philly that's been making waves lately, Jon Spencer vibe - see video below), Villains Like You, The Keefs, and Butterscotch Grim.  18+, music at 9pm, $10.
• Carolina Chocolate Drops and Bombadil at the Grand Opera House. 8pm, $28, but it's looking to me like it might be sold out. Call 1-800-37-THEGRAND to find out for sure.
• Bill Mallonee at the Kennett Flash.  "Bringing Americana, alt-country, and rock from Athens, Georgia, Bill Mallonee is most known as leader of the (nineties band) Vigilantes of Love." Music at 8pm, $15-$18.

~In Philly and beyond~

• They Might Be Giants at the TLA. $35.
• Purling Hiss at Johnny Brenda's. $12.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 4/6:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Welcome to the Punch and A Place at the Table. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• History: Civil War one-person reenactment at the Kirkwood Library. "Learn about the life of a Civil War soldier".  2:30pm, free. Kirkwood Library is on Kirkwood Highway, halfway between Prices Corner and Newark.
• History / Fashion: Symposium on the history of fashion, presented by UD faculty from the fashion, art, and history departments.  Trabant Center, UD campus, 9am-5:30pm, free. Registration is from 9-9:45, different talks go all day. Complete info.
• Jazz: Jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, free.

Concerts:

• At WCL at the Queen: Rod Kim & Vince Cirino, The Splashing Pearls, DJ EA, Jacopa De Nicolo & the Younger Hebbels, and Katie Dill of Mean Lady. 7pm, $10. Ticket link.
• Spokey Speaky at Logan House, 10pm, $5-$10 range.
• Classic Albums Live presents The Who's Who's Next, at the Grand Opera House. $28-$37.  Classic Albums Live is not a band in the usual sense, but a company that puts on these note-for-note productions in different cities, sometimes at once, using a rotating arsenal of good hired-hand musicians.  My gut reaction is that this is a gimmicky, Disney-ish version of music performance tailored to people who just want the experience and don't particularly care who's playing what, but I can see why folks enjoy this, at the same time. To each their own.
• Afternoon 10-band hardcore show at Mojo Main. Noon to 7:30, $10-$12.

~In Philly and beyond~

• Show at the long-lost Khyber, now going back to its old name of the Khyber Pass Pub.  Walter Shreifels, Illinois, and Goodnight Lights. $12. I had one of those I-feel-old moments last year when I was talking to a younger, mid-twenties Philly musician -- he had never heard of the Khyber, because it stopped hosting music before he was of-age.  Egads.  But the Khyber Pass is back, and this is exciting.
• Fleetwood Mac at Wells Fargo Center. $50-$150.
• The Frightened Rabbit show at Union Transfer is sold-out.
• The Morrissey show at the Tower has been canceled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 4/7:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Welcome to the Punch and A Place at the Table. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Classical: Brandywine Baroque at the Barn at Flintwoods, Montchannin/Kennett Pike area. Performing works by Thomas Arne, with special guest counter-tenor.  3pm, $13-$26. http://www.brandywinebaroque.org/
• Music festival at World Cafe Live Philly: WXPN's Big Day Out. featuring Dar Williams, John Wesley Harding, Lianne La Havas, Ben Arnold, Birdie Busch, Sonny Landreth, & more. $100-$175. http://xpn.org/events/events-calendar/big-day-out
• The Black Angels at Union Transfer. $17

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

Low Cut Connie, video for Scoliosis in Secaucus. 

Performing Friday night at Mojo Main, set time 11:30pm.

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.

This weekend, March 22-24:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 3/22:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Oscar nominee for best foreign film, War Witch, and 56 UP, the latest British installment of a documentary series that chronicles the lives of a group of Brits, every 7 years.  This first started when the group was 7 years old (the original documentary was called 7 UP), now they are 56. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Market: Kennett Square year-round Farmers Market, 2-6pm Fridays on State Street.

Concerts:

• This is exciting!  Brand new concert series in Arden, and not at the Gild Hall: it's called The Buzz Factory, and will feature monthly concerts at the Buzz Ware Village Center (across the lane from the Hall).  These concerts will generally include one big name band from the region, a popular Delaware act, and one promising local newcomer to the music scene.  The inaugural show will be Toy Soldiers, a popular Philly band who are just returning from SXSW, New Sweden, a Wilmington band who need no introduction, and newer artist Tim Meren.  Tickets are $12, the show is all ages, and doors are at 8pm. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/347570
• Show at Spaceboy Clothing, lower Market St: Robot House, Escapism Via Hot Air Balloon, Eros & the Eschaton, Remate (from Spain), and Kind of Creatures.  8pm, $7, tickets available at the door.
• Juan De Marcos and the Afro-Cuban Allstars at the Grand.
• At Mojo Main: a 5 local-band bill, headed up by My Name Is Drew and Our Wrecked Machine. $6.
• At the Queen, upstairs: Sons of Cream, Kensington Sound House, and Dreamkillers.

~In Philly and beyond~

• Was not able to get to this part.  The Wilmington listings are the important ones, anyway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 3/23:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Oscar nominee for best foreign film, War Witch, and 56 UP, the latest British installment of a documentary series that chronicles the lives of a group of Brits, every 7 years. This first started when the group was 7 years old (the original documentary was called 7 UP), now they are 56.  http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz: Jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Members of Guided By Voices perform at the Kennett Flash, as Detective. 8pm, $12.  Local opener Tim Celfo.

Not much else tonight!  The Queen has a kids show, the Grand has a cirque thing, Mojo Main has what appears to be hardcore or metal, Logan House is still advertising their February music calendar so who knows what's going on in there, nothing else doing in Arden or other occasional venues... sorry!

~In Philly and beyond~

• Was not able to get to this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 3/24:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Oscar nominee for best foreign film, War Witch, and 56 UP, the latest British installment of a documentary series that chronicles the lives of a group of Brits, every 7 years. This first started when the group was 7 years old (the original documentary was called 7 UP), now they are 56. Also showing: Opera in Cinema: Cavalleria Rusticana (perhaps the most famously shmaltzy music ever written) and Pagliacci. http://www.theatern.org/Films

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Indie film The Other Son at Kennett Flash this Thurs.

This weekend, March 15-17:

Didn't have time this week to dig around as much as I like to, so this will have to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 3/15:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Market: Kennett Square year-round Farmers Market, 2-6pm Fridays on State Street.

Concerts:

• Carbon Leaf at WCL at the Queen.  Chris Kasper of Philly opens. $16-$24.
• At Mojo Main: Brain Candle, Thumpbox, Clamfight, Black Hand, and Workhorse III. 9pm, $6.
• Gemini Wolf at The Note in West Chester. 3 opening bands. $10.

~In Philly and beyond~

• Jukebox the Ghost (NY), Matt Pond PA (originally from Philly), and the Spring Standards (who've appeared in Arden a couple of times in recent years, originally from DE and Kennett) at Union Transfer. $14. 
• Yacht Rock Revue at the TLA. $12.
• Otis Day & the Knights at the Blockley, near the U. Penn campus. $18.
• Adrien Reju at the Tin Angel. $12.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 3/16:

General Events:

• Film: Showings 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:

• At Mojo Main: Travel Songs (ex- Diego Paulo), Robot House, and more. 9pm, $6.
• Wave Radio and the John Grecia Band at The Note, in West Chester. $10.

~In Philly and beyond (not much in the way of indie rock tonight)~

• Railroad Earth at Union Transfer. $20-$24.
• Run D.M.C. at the Borgata, Atlantic City. $55-$145.
• Jazz fans: Jane Monheit and violinist Mark O'Connor at the Annenberg Center. $20-$55.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 3/17:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Fountains of Wayne in Sellersville. $35-$50.

This weekend, March 8-10:

Hello folks - ready for spring?  I know I am. 

Theatre N Note: Except for the film The Playroom, Theatre N is playing a completely different French film each day this weekend.  This will be the case all month. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 3/8:

General Events:

• Theatre: The Producers will be at the New Candlelight Theatre until March 17th. $33-$56. http://www.nctstage.org/
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Adieu Bertha/Granny's Funeral, and The Playroom. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Markets: Kennett Square year-round Farmers Market, 2-6pm Fridays on State Street.
• Food: Day 3 of the Mid-Atlantic Food & Wine Festival.  Yours truly will be at one of these events this weekend - as an employee.  http://www.midatlanticwineandfood.com/

Concerts:

• Homey Awards at the Queen. Featuring performances by award winners and nominees. 6:30pm, $10.
• I Am Heresy, Elder Things, and more bands TBA at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5 or $6.
• Allman Brothers tribute Highway 41 at WCL at the Queen.  $8.

~In Philly and beyond~

• Baltimore - the NOVO Instrumental Music Festival at the Wind-Up Space. 6:30-1am, $7.
• Devotchka (with chamber orchestra) and Pearl and the Beard at the Trocadero. $26.
• Django Django (who are also playing the XPN Free at Noon earlier in the day) and Night Moves at Union Transfer. $15.
• Norwegian Arms, Laser Background, and Circadian Rhythms at PhilaMOCA. $8.
• Black 47 at WCL Philly.  $15-$20
• The Dropkick Murphys show at the Electric Factory is sold out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 3/9:

General Events:

• Science: Adult event at the Delaware Museum of Natural History: Science After Dark.  Alcohol is either included, or there's an open bar.  '“Science After Dark: Glow” will use the Museum’s latest special exhibit, Glow: Living Lights, as the backdrop for a relaxed evening of glowing fun. Visitors can fill their glasses, then fill their brains learning more about bioluminescence -- an organism's ability to make its own light.' 21+, 6-8pm, $10, must reserve in advance by emailing mromaninsky@delmnh.
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Persecution and The Playroom. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Food: Day 4 of the Mid-Atlantic Food & Wine Festival. http://www.midatlanticwineandfood.com/
• Jazz: Jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Mojo Main: Villains Like You, The Hold Up, Bobby E. Lee and the Sympathizers, and The Kickback. 9pm, $5 or $6.
• Chicago tribute band Sounds of Society at the Kennett Flash.  8pm, $15-$18.
• Mythica and Melissa Cox (who has recently returned from a stint living in the southwest) at WCL at the Queen.  $9.

~In Philly and beyond~

• Baltimore - the NOVO Instrumental Music Festival at the Wind-Up Space. 6:30-1am, $7.
• The Parsnip Revolt, The Milwaukees, and Delaware's Cliff Hillis at WCL Philly. $12.
• Blayer Pointdujour, The Parachuting Apostles, St. James & the Apostles, and the Joe Jordan Experiment.  Milkboy Philly, $10.
• Work Drugs and Night Panthers at Kung Fu Necktie.  $10. 
• Night Beds, Indians and Cat Martino at Johnny Brenda's. $10.
• The 2nd Dropkick Murphys show at the Electric Factory is also sold-out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 3/10:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N: You Will Be My Son and The Playroom. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Food: Final day of the Mid-Atlantic Food & Wine Festival. http://www.midatlanticwineandfood.com/

Concerts:

• Baltimore - last day of the NOVO Instrumental Music Festival at the Wind-Up Space. $7.
• For fans of GLEE: An Eastern-European youth choir (doing jazz and pop) called Perpetuum Jazzile, at the Grand Opera House. 3pm, $30. http://www.ticketsatthegrand.org/Performance?Perf_no=2149
• Irish music: Full Set is at the Baby Grand. They won "best new band" in 2012 from Irish American News. 7pm, $27.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Cowboy Junkies in Sellersville Mon. Fountains of Wayne and Marshall Crenshaw at the Queen Thurs. George Thoroughgood at the Keswick Thurs. Shemekia Copeland at WCL Philly Thurs. Carbon Leaf at the Queen Fri. Gemini Wolf at the Note Fri.  Jukebox the Ghost / Matt Pond PA / Spring Standards at UT Fri. Adrien Reju at the Tin Angel Fri.

This weekend, March 1-3

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 3/1:

General Events:

• Art: Art Is Tasty at the Delaware Art Museum, noon to 1pm. $12-$14.  Includes lunch and a discussion of a work by Luis Cruz Azaceta.
• Art: Art on the Town, 1st Friday art loop in Wilmington. http://www.artloopwilmingtonde.com/
• Comedy: LOL @ the Grand - 10 comic finalists compete for a chance to open for a touring comedian at the Grand Opera House.  8pm, $10.
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Inescapable and Sound City. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Books: Concord Mall UAWW book sale goes on Friday through Sunday during mall hours.  Sunday is 'fill a bag' day, not sure what they're charging for a bag this year.

Concerts:

• Lower Case Blues at Mojo Main. 2 opening bands. 9pm, $5.
• Porch Chops 25th anniversary concert at WCL at the Queen. $16.
• Jazz/pop trumpeter Chris Botti at the Grand Opera House. His last two shows at the Grand sold-out, so call the box office at 1-800-37-GRAND before you go. Price not advertised on the Grand's website.
• Revolve: A Tribute to the Beatles at the Kennett Flash. 8pm, $15-$18.

~In Philly and surroundings~
I usually don't include this many Philly shows, but almost every small to mid-sized club
in Philly has a decent line-up tonight.

• Unknown Mortal Orchestra with Foxygen and Wampire at First Unitarian Church. $13.
• Grandchildren, Buried Beds, and Son Step at Underground Arts on Callowhill. $8.
• Cheers Elephant and Keepers at Steel City Coffeehouse in Phoenixville. $15.
• Juston Stens & the Get-Real Gang at Johnny Brenda's. 8pm, $10.
• Black Horse Motel, Hezekiah Jones, and The Bailey Hounds at Kung Fu Necktie. $8.
• George Harrison tribute show at Burlap & Bean Coffeehouse in Newtown Square. $15.
•  The Skatalites and DE band Bullbuckers at the Blockley. $17.
• Boris Garcia at WCL Philly. $18.
• Jeffrey Gaines at the Tin Angel. $20.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 3/2:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Inescapable and Sound City. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz: Jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, free.

Concerts:

• Ballake Sissoko & Vincent Segal: Kora and Cello at Arden Gild Hall. "Chamber Music is a collaboration between Ballake Sissoko, who plays the traditional kora, a lute-harp from Mali, and Vincent Segal, the French cellist who plays for the trip-hop band Bumcello." 8pm, $20 (Philly Funsavers users can get tickets $10 off through the weekly email - again - I'm not affiliated but I highly recommend getting the Funsavers email because there's almost always at least one good deal).  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/304817
• I Am Heresy and Indefinate Dyad at 1984 in east Wilmington. 9pm, $5.
• Clobbersaurus, Disaster Committee, and 2 more bands at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5.
• Area singer-songwriter Mark Unruh at the Kennett Flash. 8pm, $15-$18.
• Three Legged Fox, who apparently played their first show at UD's Battle of the Bands (winning it) in 2006, at The Note in West Chester. $12.

~In Philly~ 

• Erykah Badu at the Electric Factory. $50.
• Eels and Nicole Atkins at WCL Philly. $30.
• Beach Fossils and Heavy Medical at Johnny Brenda's.  $12.
• Penrose, Levee Drivers, The Lawsuits, and St. James & the Apostles at Underground Arts. $8.
• The Man Man, Murder By Death, and Northern Arms at Union Transfer is sold-out. Guess who's going?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 3/3:

General Events:

• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Inescapable, Sound City, and Rendez Vous With French Cinema. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Daedalus and 3 opening bands at Underground Arts in Philly. $14.
• Mat Burke, Kalob Griffin (sans band, I guess), and 2 other openers at The Fire in Northern Liberties. $6.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Delta Rae at the TLA Wed. Stars and Milo Greene at the Troc Wed. Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds at WCL Philly Thurs. Echo Mission at Mojo Main Thurs. Obits & Creepoid at Underground Arts Thurs. Wishbone Ash in Sellersville Thurs. Devotchka and Pearl & the Beard at the Troc Fri. Django Django at UT Fri. Villains Like You and The Hold-Up at Mojo Main Sat. Work Drugs at KFN Sat.

This weekend, 2/22-2/24:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 2/22:

General Events:

• Theater: 1st of 2 nights for the annual "Festival of One-Act Plays" at the Wilmington Drama League.  The audience votes on which act to send to the DE state festival later in the year.   8pm, $10.
• Art: It's another CLAY DATE at the Delaware Art Museum. "Participants will experiment with clay and complete a functional piece of pottery in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Clay Date fills up quickly; be sure to register in advance at delart.org. No experience necessary. Supplies, beer, wine, and light snacks provided." You can also call 302.571.9590 to register. 7-9pm, $30-$35.
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Searching for Sugar Man and Just 45 Minutes from Broadway. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts - whole lot of classic rock in Delaware and surrounds tonight:

• Universal Funk Order at Logan House. 9pm-ish, $5-ish.
• At the Kennett Flash: Tom Petty tribute band The Big Jangle. $12-$15.
• An Eagles tribute show at the Grand. 
• The Nighthawks (D.C. based blues band, formed in 1972) at the Queen. $15-$18.

~In Philly and further afield~

• DE bands Bullbuckers and Spokey Speaky at Hard Rock Cafe. $8-$10
• Interesting local line-up at Johnny Brenda's: Adam and David's Bloodline, St. James & the Apostles, Sleeping Bag, and Arrah & the Ferns. $10
• Mutlu at the Tin Angel. $15
• The Who at Boardwalk Hall in A.C.  $40-$130

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 2/23:

General Events:

• Theater: 2nd of 2 nights for the annual "Festival of One-Act Plays" at the Wilmington Drama League. The audience votes on which act to send to the DE state festival later in the year. 8pm, $10.
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Searching for Sugar Man and Just 45 Minutes from Broadway. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Music Theater: the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players are putting on H.M.S. Pinafore (probably the most well-known G&S operetta next to The Mikado) at the Grand Opera House. There's also a Sunday matinee showing. 7:30pm, $29-$57. 
• Bluegrass jam: monthly Americana / bluegrass jam session, for all ages and skill levels, at the Delaware Music School on Washington Street. 3pm, free.
• Jazz jam: at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Strong female line-up at 1984: Butterscotch Grim, The Pretty Greens (from Philadelphia, the reincarnation of Go Go's tribute band Lust2Love), and Lisa Doll & the Rock n roll Romance (Baltimore) at 1984 tonight. Show starts at 10.  $5.
• Shine a Light on the Queen, to benefit the World Cafe Live at the Queen.  This time it's going to be a night of the music of the Rolling Stones, performed by local well-known musicians.  Here's the thing - general admission tickets are sold out.  You can still get in with a VIP pass ($500 for a pair of tickets, if you have that kind of scratch.) Well, good for the Queen.  http://www.facebook.com/events/366116296802760/
• Upstairs at the Queen is regional singer-songwriter Zack DuPont. 
• At the Kennett Flash: Boston band Hallelujah the Hills, "incorporating elements of Guided by Voices' lo-fi power pop, the woozy marching band music of Neutral Milk Hotel, and the off-kilter warblings of David Byrne".  $15-$18.
• There is one serious metal show going on at Mojo Main.  This blog doesn't really deal in that, but if that interests you at all - check it out: http://www.mojomain.com/event/215623-black-anvil-sapremia-newark/

~In Philly and further afield~

• Freedy Johnston and Pete Donnelly at Steel City Coffeehouse, outside of Philly. $15-$18.
• And for the show I'm only mentioning because I like the names of all involved: Vektor, Iron Reagan, and Rumpelstiltskin Grinder at The Fire on Girard Ave. $10.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 2/24:

General Events:

• Music Theater: the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players are putting on H.M.S. Pinafore (true story - I once named a pet after a character in this operetta.  Like a nerd.) at the Grand Opera House. There's also a Sunday matinee showing. 2pm, $29-$57. 
• Film: Showings at Theatre N: Searching for Sugar Man and Just 45 Minutes from Broadway . http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Art: Lecture at the DCCA by artist Sonya Clark, whose chief medium is human hair.  3pm at the DCCA, no cost given on the site I'm looking at so I presume it's free. 
• Photography: 80th Wilmington International Exhibition of Photography.  At UD's Arsht Hall, on the Pennsylvania Avenue campus.  12:05pm, free. More info.

Concerts:

• John Corbett - yeah, that one, the actor - at the Sellersville Theater, $30-$45.
• Sophie B. Hawkins (wow - haven't seen that name in years and years) at the Tin Angel. $25.
• A celebration of the African-American Spiritual, presented by the Delaware Valley Chorale, at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, on 8th & Shipley streets downtown. 7:30pm.  Free, but donations are encouraged.
• And on the opposite end of the musical spectrum, the Cradle of Filth concert at the TLA has been canceled.  I'm sure my readership is crushed...crushed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Efterklang at JB's Wed. A showing of Argo at the Kennett Flash on Thurs. Lower Case Blues at Mojo Main next Fri. Juston Stens at JB's Fri. Murder By Death and Man Man at UT 3/2. Django Django (who will be at the Firefly festival) at UT 3/8.

This weekend, 2/15 to 2/17:

Sorry for that double post last week (one weekend schedule filled out, one obviously not).   I have that feeling you usually only get upon the realization that you've been walking around with toilet paper stuck to your shoe for the past hour.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 2/15:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Saving Lincoln and Oscar Nominated Shorts: Documentaries. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• At Mojo Main in Newark: The Yokos, Last Dinosaur, The Great Charter, and Transonic. 8pm, $6.
• At Kennett Flash: Joe D'Amico (Brothers Past, Mason Porter) with local Chris Bruni opening. 8pm, $12-$15.
• A local headlines the Grand Opera House: Angela Sheik, winner of an international loop pedal contest and wielder of flute, keyboard, and obviously loop pedals. 8pm, $16.

~In Philly~

• Downstairs show at KungFu Necktie - Toy Soldiers with 2 opening bands. 7:30pm doors, $10.
• Upstairs show at KungFu Necktie - Newark DE band Tithonus (ex-members of I, Fanblades and The Collingwood) open a 4 band bill headlined by metal band InAeona.  Doors at 8pm.
• West Philadelphia Orchestra with Raya Brass Band at Johnny Brenda's. $12.
• Pissed Jeans (recently profiled in the City Paper) at Underground Arts. 2 opening bands. $12.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 2/16:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Saving Lincoln and Oscar Nominated Shorts: Documentaries. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Stooges Brass Band and Richard Raw at Arden Gild Hall. $16. Ticket link.
• Tric Town February at Mojo Main: DRGN KING from Philly and on Bar / None Records, with Tail (technically headlining), The Jolly What, and LaRhonda, all from Newark.   More info.  All ages, 8pm, $6.
• At 1984: 2 bands from upstate New York; Nothing But Wolves and Dead Channels, with Delaware's Tithonus.  Not sure about start times or cover (probably not much). 
• Two shows at the Queen Theatre: Bernie Worrell Orchestra (keyboard player on all the best-known Parliament / Funkadelic songs) downstairs, $16-$19.  Slide Brothers (funk, r&b) downstairs, $15.
• Blind Boys of Alabama at the Grand Opera House. 8pm, $32-$40.
• At Kennett Flash: If Birds Could Fly, "a haunting mix of Appalachian folk, Americana, and retro country". No listed opening band. 8pm, $12-$15.

~In Philly and further afield~

• Ben Arnold at the Tin Angel, $12. 
• Mumford & Sons at Susq. Bank Center is sold-out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 2/17:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N:  Saving Lincoln and Oscar Nominated Shorts: Documentaries. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Delaware band at the Tri-State Indie Awards at World Cafe Live Philly: New Sweden, Levee Drivers, Nico's Gun, and a few more. $10-$20. Ticket link.
• The Midtown Men at the Grand Opera House. $43-$65.
• Jill Sobule at the Tin Angel. $13.
• Far-Out Fangtooth with 3 opening bands at Johnny Brenda's. $10.
• Harry and the Potters at the Barbary (across Girard Ave. from JB's). $8.
• Imagine Dragons at the Electric Factory is sold-out.
• Mumford & Sons at the Susa. Bank Center is sold-out, again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Jim James at JB's Mon but it's sold out. Matisyahu at the Grand next Wed.  Robot and Frank (movie) showing at Kennett Flash next Thurs. Yarn at the Queen Thurs. Bad Books at WCL Philly Thurs. but it's sold-out.

This weekend, [So, oops, this obviously was a snafu. The real Feb. 8th weekend post is below this one].

This weekend, 2/8-2/10:

Back to normal levels of shows.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 2/8:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Rust and Bone and Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Spokey Speaky's Bob Marley celebration at the Queen, with Splashing Pearls opening. $15
• The Joe Trainor Trio at the Queen, upstairs. 8pm, $10.
• The Arlen Roth show at Kennett Flash has been postponed due to weather.  Seems a little rash - we're only supposed to get a couple of inches.
• Hard-core-ish bands at Mojo Main both Friday and Saturday.  Meh.

~In Philly and Atlantic City~

• Frontier Ruckus with Pomegranates at Johnny Brenda's.  $10. 
• Rufus Wainwright at the Borgata. $50-$60
• Aesop Rock at Union Transfer. $19.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 2/9:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Rust and Bone and Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Free Energy at the Arden Gild Hall. Opening is Bleeding Rainbow (formerly known as Reading Rainbow). 8pm, $14.  Should be a pretty good show - and - did you know they sell bottles of Dogfish Head for $3 and bottles of other stuff like Sea Dog Apricot for $2?  When you figure in how much you save on alcohol, it becomes cheaper than most nights out. 
• Can You Canoe with Rumours and (one-time Dr. Dog drummer) Juston Stens & the Get-Real Gang at WCL at the Queen. All ages, $7.
• The Johnny A show at Kennett Flash has been postponed due to weather.   Which will be largely cleared up by then.

~In Philly and further afield~

• Ape School with Ramona Falls and The Interest Group at Johnny Brenda's. $12
• Former Hooter Eric Bazilian, with Delawarean Cliff Hillis, at the Steel City Coffee House.  $22 Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 2/10:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Rust and Bone and Oscar Nominated Live Action Shorts. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Brown Bird with Joe Fletcher at the Arden Gild Hall. 8pm, $14.
• Black Francis (aka Frank Black, aka Charles Thompson, singer from The Pixies) at the Abbey Bar in central PA. $15. Ticket link.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: The Residents at WCL Philly Monday. Toro Y Moi at UT Monday. Auctioneer & Divers at KFN Tues. Revolution, I Love You and Brick + Mortar at The Fire Tues. WHY? at UT V-Day. The Smithereens at WCL Philly V-Day. Hoots & Hellmouth at Tin Angel V-Day but it's sold-out. Spinto Band at JB's next Saturday.

Art exhibit in Wilmington

My apologies to art curator Lauren Gidwitz, who asked me to publicize her reception.  I put if off to be done at a later time and... subsequently forgot.  What can I say, I'm obviously not a professional blogger.  But the good news is that Lauren's show goes on through February 22nd on West 17th street in Wilmington.  See attached picture for details. 

This weekend, 2/1-2/3:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 2/1:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Knife Fight and Oscar Nominated Short Films. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Editor's pick: NY-based Freelance Whales and Hundred Waters at the Queen Theatre. $16
• Seldom Scene at the Baby Grand. "Vintage bluegrass quintet with intricate vocal harmonies".  $37
• Americana/Alt-country band Yarn at the Kennett Flash.  No advertised opener. 8pm, $12-$15. More info.
• 4 band bill at Mojo Main, headlined by A Victim of Good Times, who call their influences Pixies, Weezer, Pavement, Nirvana, Modest Mouse, Pinback, The Misfits.  No info available on the other 3 bands. 9pm, $6.

~In Philly and non-nearby PA and NJ~

• Concert at World Cafe Live to benefit Sandy relief efforts: Highway 41, an Allman Brothers tribute. Ticket link.  All ages, $19
• Buke & Gase with Ahleuchatistas and Norwegian Arms (with Dr. Dog's drummer), at Johnny Brenda's. $12
• A Sound Garden tribute band and a Rage Against the Machine tribute band at the North Star Bar in the Art Museum neighborhood.  $12. More info here.
• Grace Potter & the Nocturnals at House of Blues, Atlantic City. $30-$45
• The Fractals and Transistor Rodeo at Steel City Coffeehouse in Phoenixville, outside of Philly. $14

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 2/2:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Knife Fight and Oscar Nominated Short Films. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Editor's pick: At Arden's Gild Hall -  School of Seven Bells (electronic and modern in a Metric way, but the guitar work reminds me of "Streets Have No Name" era U2 and the none-too-unattractive lead singer's voice has an earnest 80s/90s quality to it.  Dolores O'Riordon, maybe) and Nightlands (in my opinion the more unique of the two bands - see the video below - though both are worth seeing). $20, but if you buy them through the Funsavers entertainment discount website, you might be able to get them for $10, plus $3 fee.  Doors at 7, show at 8.
• Oh Boy! - a Buddy Holly tribute, at WCL at the Queen. The show occurs on the 54th anniversary of the night Holly, Richie Havens, and the Big Bopper died in a small plane crash. $25. Ticket and info link.
• Good local show at Mojo Main: Butterscotch Grim, Soraia, Old Baltimore Speedway (members of Modern Exile), and The Future Unwritten. 9pm, $6
• British singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole at the Kennett Flash.  The opener is West Chester native Ben Smith, of the acclaimed PA bands Wise and Foolish Builders and Missing Palmer West.  8pm, $20-$23.

~In Philly and non-nearby PA~

• Reel Big Fish at the TLA, $22.
• Great White Caps at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in central PA. $15
• Folk: Lili Anel and John Byrne at the Burlap and Bean coffee shop. $15
• For jazz heads: The Monterey Jazz Festival 55th Anniversary tour is at the Merriam Theatre, featuring Christian McBride (I realized recently that he's a Philly native), Dee Dee Bridgewater, Benny Green, Lewis Nash and Chris Potter. $28-$60
• The Kopecky Family Band show at Milkboy Philly is SOLD OUT.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 2/3:

General Events:

• Free Superbowl ("Har-bowl") viewing at Theatre N.  Ravens vs. the Niners. There will also be an unlimited buffet available for $20.  Doors open at 6, kick-off is at 6:30.  This raises the question: Is it too late for me to get out of my extended family member's stiff and predictable party?
• Other showings at Theatre N: Knife Fight and Oscar Nominated Short Films. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Dong Johnson (I'm usually against word-play band names, but I hear they're a fun band to watch) at Kung Fu Necktie. $8

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: Jeff Mangum is at the DuPont Theatre Tues but it's SOLD OUT. Rufus Wainwright is at the McCarter Theatre Wed. Cheers Elephant and Honeychurch play JB's Wed. RJD2 is at the Chameleon Club in central PA Fri. Frontier Ruckus is at JB's Fri. Spokey Speaky and Splashing Pearls at the Queen Fri. Free Energy and Bleeding Rainbow at Gild Hall Sat. Can You Canoe and Juston Stens at the Queen Sat. Ape School at JB's Sat.

Nightlands, "So Far So Long", one of several strong tracks on Dave Hartley's just-released sophomore album on Secretly Canadian. 

Weekday events, 1/29-1/31:

I'm bringing the work week listings back this week because there are several big name concerts happening on Wednesday and Thursday. 

 

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

Tuesday 1/29:

• Opening week of The Producers at the New Candlelight Dinner Theatre in Arden.  It runs through mid-March. $33-$56. http://nctstage.org/home.html
• Purity Ring and Young Magic at Union Transfer.  $17.
• Frances Quinlan, frontwoman of the band Hop Along, at PhilaMOCA.  Following her set will be a screening of a 1950s Federico Fellini film (the organizers are being coy about which film it is, but hints suggest it's La Strada).   PhilaMOCA stands for Mausoleum of Contemporary Art and is basically a small DIY warehouse that used to be a headstone showroom, in the loft district in north Center City. Go to Prohibition Taproom across the street beforehand - great beer selection - although PhilaMOCA usually sells cheap cans of PBR. $5, 7:30pm

~Ongoing~

• Remix Disco[tech] at Mojo Main.  Rotating cast of local and regional DJs.  9pm, 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 1/30:

• Cat Power at the Electric Factory, $30.
• Sixpence None the Richer and Kevin Killen at the Kennett Flash (now say that 3x fast). $23 
• Matt Duke with Sean Hoots (the red-head in Hoots & Hellmouth) and Luray at the Tin Angel. $6

~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 1/31:

• 10,000 Maniacs at the Sellersville Theatre. $40-$55
• Flogging Molly at the Electric Factory. $34.
• Tommy Conwell and Jeffrey Gaines at the Blockley.  $18
• Something called "Giants of Genesis" at Mojo Main.  No other info, no idea what this is, but it could be cool?  9pm, $5.
• The Lumineers show at the Tower is SOLD-OUT.

~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: Freelance Whales at the Queen Fri. Yarn at K.Flash Fri. Buke & Gase at JB's Fri. Grace Potter in A.C. Fri. School of Seven Bells and Nightlands at Gild Hall Sat. Reel Big Fish at the TLA Sat. Kopecky Family Band at Milkboy Phl Sat. Jeff Mangum at the DuPont Theatre Tues. but it's sold-out.

This weekend, 1/25-1/27:

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 1/25:

General Events:

• CLAY DATE at the Delaware Art Museum! "Participants will experiment with clay and complete a functional piece of pottery in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Clay Date fills up quickly; be sure to register in advance at delart.org. No experience necessary. Supplies, beer, wine, and light snacks provided."  7-9pm, $30-$35. Call 302.571.9590 or visit delart.org to register.
• Showings at Theatre N: Let Fury Have the Hour and The Big Picture. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Showing of Mike Birbiglia's film Sleepwalk With Me (if you missed it at Theatre N last year) at the Kennett Flash. Doors at 7, show at 7:30, $5.  Light snacks available, BYOB.

Concerts:

• Riley Road, Phoenixville-based winners of WCL Philly's Beta Hi Fi Festival, and The Districts, Lititz-based winners of WCL at the Queen's first Beta Hi-Fi Festival, at the Queen Theatre, upstairs.  8pm, $10
• Show at Mojo Main for fans of bands like Taking Back Sunday and Coheed and Cambria.  It's not my scene, so I'll just post the facts:  Terrible Things, featuring Fred Mascherino of Taking Back Sunday, Breaking Pangaea, and The Color Fred (apparently its last line-up also included the drummer from Coheed and Cambria, but he has since rejoined that band.  He was replaced by the drummer from The Color Fred).  Opening are MNDS, I Am Lightning, and Our Wrecked Machine.  9pm, $7.
• Wave Radio at Logan House. $5-ish
• Rubix Kube - a NY 80's tribute band, downstairs at the Queen. $19-$21.
• There's a PA-based hardcore band calling themselves The Teeth at Mojo 13 - but it's not the nationally-known Philly band on the Park The Van label that broke up a few years ago.  Can you do that?  Can I form a new band and call it, say, The Elk-Tones? 

~In Philly~

• Ross Bellenoit Band and Auctioneer at Puck Live in Doylestown. $10.
• The Smiths tribute band "The Smites", with Dead Flowers, at Underground Arts, on Callowhill in the loft district just north of Center City but south of Temple's 'hood. $8
• Local singer / voice teacher IVA at WCL Philly with Tripod Trio. $10-$15
• Tommy Conwell and Jeffrey Gaines at The Blockley, near U. Penn. $15-$18
• Bryan Adams at the Merriam Theatre. $52+ (I don't know, I have young Canadian acquaintances who swear he's still relevant).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY: 1/26

General Events:

• Australian comedian / magician James Galea at the Baby Grand. $35.
• Showings at Theatre N: Let Fury Have the Hour and The Big Picture.  http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Monthly installment of the all-ages bluegrass / old-time acoustic jam at the Delaware Music School, just north of Wilmington on Washington Street.  3pm, free.  More info.
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• John Grecia Band, Wave Radio, and Drew Neilands at the Kennett Flash. $15
• "Favorite on the folk circuit" singer Tracy Grammer at the Queen Theatre.  8pm, $18.
• 4 band bill at Mojo Main.  This show is worthwhile at least for the 2nd band, alt-Americana Thumpbox, veterans of several good Newark bands of years past.   The full bill is: Hurt, Brain Candle, Thumpbox, and Scareho.  $7, show starts at 8.  In their bio - that thing potential fans read to determine whether it's worth it to get to the club early enough to see the first band's set - opening band Scareho advises the show goer that: 

"If you're not offended, you're probably drunk and not paying attention.  If you are offended, you're probably a hipster and should not be taken seriously".  Gotcha.

~In Philly~

• FREE festival - Winterjam 2013 at the Piazza at Schmidt's in Northern Liberties: Tegan and Sara, Matt & Kim DJ set, Walk the Moon, Twenty | One | Pilots, and June Divided. Noon-5pm, free.  http://www.radio1045.com/pages/events/winterjam2013/
• Nightlands, solo project of Dave Hartley from War On Drugs, has its CD release show at Kung Fu Necktie. The interchangeable backing band includes members of Dr. Dog, Buried Beds, and Ladies Auxilliary.  Nightlands will also be opening for School of Seven Bells at the Arden Gild Hall in N. Wilmington on February 2nd. Doors at 7:30, $10. See new video below.
• DE favorites Bullbuckers, with Steppin Razor, at Milkboy Philly. $8
• Hot Water Music at the Electric Factory. $20
• One More Time, a Daft Punk tribute, at the TLA. $15

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 1/27:

General Events:

• Silver Screen Sunday at the Delaware Art Museum, with a showing of Kenneth Branaugh's Hamlet, 1996.  Intro and discussion by a representative of the Delaware Shakespeare Festival.  Free, 1pm.
• Talk by Pulitzer-Prize-Winning photographer John Kaplan at Cokesbury Village in Hockessin, for a meeting of the Delaware Photographic Society.  Public is welcome. 1pm, free. More info.
• Showings at Theatre N: Let Fury Have the Hour and The Big Picture. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook at the Grand Opera House. 7pm, $37. Ticket link.
• Citizen Cope at the Queen. 8pm, $41-$54 (*whistles*). 
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo (who've played Wilmington a few times) at Musikfest Cafe in Bethlehem. $35+.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming:
Sixpence None the Richer at the Kennett Flash on Wed. Cat Power at EF Wed. Matt Duke & Sean Hoots (of "Spark staffer favorite" Hoots & Hellmouth) at the Tin Angel Wed. The Lumineers at the Tower Thurs. 10,000 Maniacs in Sellersville Thurs. Flogging Molly at the EF Thurs. Freelance Whales at the Queen next Fri. Buke & Gase at JB's next Fri. Nightlands & School of Seven Bells at Gild Hall next Sat. Reel Big Fish at the TLA next Sat. John Waters at the Grand 2/9. Matisyahu at the Grand 2/20. 

This weekend, 1/18-1/20:

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

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Struck By Lightning and How to Survive a Plague. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Lori Citro, Little Invisibles, and Prima Donna at the Queen theatre.  I believe this is a cancer benefit.  $10
• Sweet Leda, Noelle Picara, and more, also at the Queen.  $11

~In Philly~

• Aaron Neville plays a free noon concert at World Cafe Live Philly. 
• The (3rd?) annual Philly Opry at Johnny Brenda's with Birdie Busch and her new cd, string band Joy Kills Sorrow, and Jason Loughlin, a slide guitar wiz from Brooklyn.  $12-$15
• G. Love & Special Sauce at the TLA, $25. 

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

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: How to Survive a Plague and Struck By Lightning. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Local line-up at Arden Gild Hall, and a cheap way to see a show at this very charming, former-dairy-barn historic venue: Spokey Speaky, Mallory Square, and Villains Like You.  $10
• Blood, Sweat & Tears at the Grand Opera House. $32-$40
• Vinyl Shockley (cd release show, I think) and Find Vienna at the Queen. $10

~In Philly~

• Soundgarden is sold-out at the Tower Theatre. 

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

General Events:

• We Three Kings: A Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Grand Opera House. 3:30pm, free.  Includes choirs, poets, speeches by civil rights leaders.
• Showings at Theatre N: Struck By Lightning, with Q&A with Chris Colfer, and How To Survive a Plague. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Diplo at the Borgata, A.C., $30

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming: (to be filled in later)

Yeah, I didn't put any weekend listings out for this weekend.  I've just had a lot going on, between a heater breaking, a relative's 95th birthday party, searching for a new place to live, putting up new curtains and then sending them back (that house with the bed sheets on the front windows?  That's mine), and your garden variety winter blues.  But I did look at what's going on this weekend, and there really was barely anything, just like last weekend. 

Next weekend I'll have something.  And I bet there will actually be decent events to report on.  So - till next time.

This weekend, 1/4-1/6:

Happy New Year!   The listings are pretty thin - it's just a slow weekend here on the mid-Atlantic coast.  Even the other blogs that I shamelessly pilfer for ideas are showing scant events.  Good weekend to catch up on winter blockbusters at Movies 10 or the Brandywine theater, maybe, or to start using those restaurant gift cards you got at Christmas time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
FRIDAY 1/4:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: The Central Park Five, and In Another Country. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Concerts:

• Boatrocker (note to Mojo Main: I know I sometimes complain that you don't give any info on the bands that play on your stage.  But at the opposite end, just because a band submits a bio that's 11 pages long and says basically nothing doesn't mean you have to actually publish it), Curser, and Keep For Yourself at Mojo Main. 9pm, $6.  Boatrocker's bio, if you want to see what I mean: http://www.mojomain.com/event/203245-boatrocker-curser-keep-for-newark/
• Garland Jeffreys at the Queen Theatre, downstairs. $27.
• DJ/ electronic music show at the Queen: Jack Deezl ("This 21 year old producer/multi-instrumentalist/DJ from Philadelphia spends most of his time recording live instruments only to mash and mangle them with electronic sounds"), Architekt and DJ EA at the Queen Theatre. $7.
• Jon Herrington at the Kennett Flash (touring member of Steely Dan, but not a part of Steely Dan during their peak writing years.  Which is not a statement against him, as I'm sure he's a fine artist in his own right, but it's worth noting).  $18-$20.

~In Philly~

• Really nothing that I would recommend as being worth the drive.   I think glee-club-super-group The Silver Ages are playing their yearly holiday show, but that show is sold out. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SATURDAY 1/5:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: The Central Park Five, and In Another Country. http://www.theatern.org/Films
• Jazz jam session at The Nomad Bar at 9th & Orange. Every Saturday, 4-7:30pm, FREE.

Concerts:

• Travel Songs (ex-Diego Paulo) and New Sweden at Mojo Main. 9pm, $5 or $6.
• Led Zeppelin tribute, "ZOSO", at The Note in West Chester. $12-$14.

~In Philly~

• Sun Airway and Cruiser at Johnny Brenda's. $12.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SUNDAY 1/6:

General Events:

• Showings at Theatre N: Struck By Lightning with live Q&A with Chris Colfer (the site doesn't say who he or she is), The Central Park Five, and In Another Country. http://www.theatern.org/Films

Vinyl Shockley is doing an album release show at the Queen next Saturday, and Blood Sweat and Tears plays the Grand Saturday.

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.

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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.

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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

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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.