POP

Patty Larkin: Among the most sophisticated and amusing alt-folk singer/songwriters, often name-checked by fellow musicians as a fave. Her new album, "Watch the Sky," is typically top notch. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 tonight, $25, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Javier: Enjoy an "Indecent Proposal" from this romantic, modern soul singer in this cozy, intimate setting. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7:30 tonight, $10, 215-928-0778, www.tinangel.com.

Danity Kane: Best recognized from MTV's "Making the Band," these pussycats are prowling our waterfront for a "Kinky Friday" special. Club Roxxy, 939 N. Delaware Ave., 9 tonight, $20, 215-931-0101, www.myspace.com.theroxxyphilly.

Bob Mould: Husky-voiced former leader of the seminal post-punk band Husker Du and alt-rock Sugar returns to showcase in-the-pocket material from his new "District Line" set. Organic electro-popsters Halou, lately exposed in movies and TV shows, opens. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 7 tonight, $18.50, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Grimace Federation: Philly music rules with this jammy jazz/funk/hip-hop fusing sextet. Sharing the bill, Black Landlord, Philadelphia Slick and DJ Steen Bloodbath. Fillmore at TLA, 334 South St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $13, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Scythian: Get in the St. Patrick's Day spirit with this Washington, D.C.-based quartet. Their fiery ways on fiddle, accordion and guitar have been enhanced by classical training. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Don McClosky: A regional fave for his mash-up of acoustic rock with hip-hop sensibilities, McClosky moves to town for this St. Patrick's party. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Pete Francis: Hear the latest from the former Dispatch man. North Star, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-684-0808, www.northstarrocks.com.

Mae: Short for "multisensory aesthetic experience," Mae headlines an indie rock show with the Honorary Title, Between The Trees and Far Less. Fillmore at TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. Sunday, $15, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Tift Merritt: She's not gotten nearly the "props" of fellow alt-country sorts like Kathleen Edwards and Lucinda Williams. But give a listen and she will win you over in her own subtle way. Now more in the spirit of a young Joni Mitchell, Merritt's had her own free-woman-in-Paris experiences, coming to the fore on her "Another Country" album with finely etched songs about emotional detachment. Billboard recently slotted the set at the top of its "Heatseekers" (new faces) chart. With Super Humble Country Band. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. Monday, $16, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com

New Model Army: While members have fallen by the wayside, these English punk/soul/folk-rock veterans are still "too old to be clean, far too young to be broken." Catch their sonically sweeping, emotionally invigorating craft on a show with Jessica Vale opening. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $15, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Tilly and the Wall: They're famous for subbing tap dancers for a drummer. On the gang's frothy new single/video, "Beat Control," we're also hearing drum machines and tambourine. A good-time, get-up-and-dance spirit always prevails with this '60s girl-pop- and folk-rock-influenced group, now expanded to seven performers. Capgun Coup and the Bee Team share the bill. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $12, 866-468-7619, www.r5productions.com

Liam Finn: New Zealander has lots to live up to as offspring of Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House). The family vocal resemblence is unmistakable, though Liam goes his own way, adding a touch of punk to his romantic pop tunes. Catch him early on the bill with The Most Serene Republic and Miracle Fortress. North Star, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 p.m. Thursday, $10 and $12, 215-684-0808, www.northstarrocks.com.

ALTERNATIVE

Sorted: Philly's longest-running and longest-reigning Britpop party moves to the Barbary, Frankford Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, 10 tonight, $5, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Friday I'm in Love: From the Smiths to the Cure, DJ Deejay represents the finest tunes from the era of good hair, bad hair and mascara. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 10 tonight, $7, 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com.

Joshua Marcus: After playing in Fan of Friends and Like Moving Insects, Marcus releases the politically charged "Reverse the Changes" on Chicago-based Contraphonic and local label High Two. He's joined by Red Heart The Ticker, Jack Ohly, a juggler and a puppet show. Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $5 suggested donation, all ages, 215-573-3234, foundationarts.org.

Monday Night Club: Mellow indie-pop bands World Blanket and the March Hare join hostess Needles Jones and DJ Evan G. Balcony, 10th and Arch streets, 10 p.m. Monday, free, 215-922-LIVE, thetroc.com.

Witch: Drummer behind their dark riffs and bludgeoning beats is none other than Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis. Swedish metal band Graveyard opens. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $12-15, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Burning Brides: Beloved hard-rock trio debuts new tunes from "Hang Love." With ASG and Women. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-238-5888, thekhyber.com.

B-tch & the Exciting Conclusion: Formerly of B-tch & Animal, this singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist (violin, ukulele and bass), and actress ("Shortbus") has talent and charisma to spare. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $13, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Tiny Whales: Boston new-wave, synth-pop band steps out with Hot Cops and the Crimp Yr Hair DJs. Silk City, 5th and Spring Garden streets, 9 p.m. Wednesday, $5, 215-592-8838, www.myspace.com/phillysilkcity.

Le Loup: Current blogger faves and signees to Sub Pop's new Hardly Art label are a cross between Animal Collective and Sufjan Stevens. New Zealand Brunettes side project the Ruby Sons open, along with Philly's Private Sea. Barbary, Frankford Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, $8-10, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

A Place to Bury Strangers: Combining Joy Division's gloom-and-doom with Ministry's industrial clatter, the latest blogger buzz band plays with the Kraut-rocking Holy F-ck and locals Gildon Works. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Most Serene Republic: Toronto band sounds so cheery it's hard to imagine that they're often singing about the end of the world. With Miracle Fortress and Liam Finn. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, 9 p.m. Thursday, $10-$12, 215-684-0808, www.northstarrocks.com.

HIP-HOP

Beats & Rhymes: A Producer's Showcase: Showcase indeed, as four of the sharpest local producers display their skills. Street Orchestra (SP 1200), Fat Nice (MPC 3000), DJ Lil' Dave (Reason) and Dot.Matic (MPC 300 XL) will produce and remix on the spot. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd. St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 21+, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Shakedown Anniversary Celebration: One of this weekend's stand-out reggae shows features sets by the rising El Feco, along with Guardian and Jah Jah Ranking. DJs Rob Paine and Willyuim maintain the sounds. Barbary, 951 Frankford Ave., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 21+, worshiprecs.com.

Griff fundraiser: Professor Griff of Public Enemy recently lost his prized record collection and other priceless items in a house fire that also destroyed his studio. Wide Intelligent, Side Effect, Richard Raw, Cymarshall Law and many others host a concert to help Griff recover. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9 p.m. Sunday, $10, 215-545-0475.

Coolooloosh: According to the band's site, its name translates in Israel as "joy." Here, it says Coolooloosh means a sonic mashup of hip-hop, funk, drums and bass from a group formed by Israelis but with an international roster of players. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Sunday, $7, www.iourecords.com/thefire, 267-671-9298.

Rice & Peas Party: Reggae soundman Kenny Meez will celebrate his birthday in style with a host of fellow DJs. Maya Micro Don, Max Glazer and Gravy team with sound systems King Jam Unlimited, Lion Dub and others for this fantastic set. Fluid Nightclub, 613 S. 4th. St., 9 p.m. Thursday, $8, 21+, 215-629-0565, www.fluidnightclub.com.

JAZZ

Marion Meadows: Blues-centric Warmdaddy's seems to be filling a bit of the hole left by its late sister club, the jazz-centric Zanzibar Blue. This week, instead of some Chicago gutbucket guitarist, the smooth saxophone stylings of Marion Meadows are on display. Warmdaddy's, 1400 Columbus Blvd., 8 and 10 tonight and tomorrow, $20, 215-462-2000, www.warmdaddys.com.

Big Tree: Philly drummer G. Calvin Weston's latest CD features a trio with guitarist Vernon Reid and bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma called Free Form Funky Freqs (read: Freaks), but the name could equally apply to this band. Long absent from local stages, the free-fusion Big Tree returns, with saxophonists Elliott Levin and Aino Soderheim, guitarist Jeff Monjack, bassist Tom Spiker and conguero Tony Cosby. Tritone, 1508 South St., 10 tonight, $10, 215-545-0475, www.tritonebar.com.

Pat Metheny Trio: Best known for the expansive soundscapes created by his eponymous group, guitarist Metheny scales back every few years to reinvigorate himself in the more traditional trio format. This latest version, with drummer Antonio Sanchez and Philly-born bassist Christian McBride, is particularly attuned to one another after years of touring. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $49.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Dianne Reeves: After dwelling in the past on her soundtrack to George Clooney's 2005 film, "Good Night, and Good Luck," vocalist Reeves has stocked her new album with more modern standards, flexing her lush tones on tunes by artists such as the Temptations, Minnie Riperton and Shawn Colvin. Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $30-$45, 215-898-3900, pennpresents.org.

Blistering Virtuosity: Local experimental music presenters Bowerbird offer up solo sets by three instrumentalists able to coax an array of surprising sounds from their axes: trumpeter Peter Evans, saxophonist Colin Stetson and Philly-based violinist Katt Hernandez, the latter two celebrating the release of new albums. Gershman Y, Borowsky Gallery, Broad and Pine streets, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $10, www.bowerbird.org.

Wolter Wierbos and Guests: Dutch trombonist is a longtime member of the avant-garde large ensemble ICP Orchestra, and shares that group's wit and sense of the absurd. He'll perform solo, a format in which he excels, and with a trio of like-minded locals: bassist Evan Lipson, violinist Katt Hernandez and drummer Toshi Makihara. Also on the bill, the trio of pianist Steve Beresford, cellist Okkyung Lee, and trumpeter Peter Evans. Philadelphia Art Alliance, 251 S. 18th St., 8 p.m. Sunday, $12, www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

Spyro Gyra: The title of the venerable unit's latest, "Good To Go-Go" tells you all you need to know. After 30 years, the group that rode the first wave from fusion to smooth jazz is still into upbeat crowd-pleasers. Dennis Flyer Memorial Theater, Camden County College, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $28-$34, www.ccparks.com.

CLASSICAL

Philadelphia Orchestra: Charles Dutoit leads a sonic spectacular of orchestral showpieces. First, Bartok's splashy Suite from the lurid ballet "The Miraculous Mandarin." Women of the Philadelphia Singers Chorale perform in the final movements of the other two pieces: Debussy's magnificent Nocturnes and Holst's music of the spheres, "The Planets." Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. tomorrow, $38-$113, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

Academy of Vocal Arts: David Antony Lofton conducts the popular annual "Jubilate" program of sacred music and oratorio excerpts. This year, he'll lead the Academy's theater orchestra and New Jersey Master Chorale in Part 1 of Mendelssohn's "Elijah," with bass Ben Wager in the title role. Plus Liszt's Psalm 137, Gounod's "O Divine Redeemer," Vaughan Williams' "Vedic Hymns" and music of Bach. Proclamation Presbyterian Church, 278 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, and Gordon Theater, Third and Cooper streets, Camden, N.J., 7 p.m. Sunday, $33, 215-735-1685, www.avaopera.org.

Rebecca Maurer: Bach Festival brings German harpsichordist here with works by Bach, Pachelbel, Soler and Couperin, all the way up to Ligeti. St. Peter's Church, 313 Pine St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $20, 215-247-BACH, www.bach-fest.org.

Choral Arts Society Chamber Choir:Bach Festival event has local 60-voice chorus led by Matthew Glandorf performing all six majestic Motets by J. S. Bach. Saint Mark's, 1625 Locust St., 8 p.m. Saturday and St. Martin-in-the-Fields, St. Martin's Lane and Willow Grove Avenue, 4 p.m. Sunday, $25, 215-247-BACH, www.bach-fest.org.

Natalie Zhu: Exceptional, Curtis-trained pianist returns for a recital that includes Schumann's "Carnival in Vienna" and "Kreisleriana," plus Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze" and his magnificent D Major violin Chaconne, transcribed for piano by Busoni. Yardley Community Centre, 64 S. Main St., Yardley, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, $12, 215-493-3010, www.bcpac.org.

Paula Romanaux: Organist teams with choirmaster Peter Hopkins in works by Bach for organ and choir. St. Peter's Church, 313 Pine St., 11 a.m. Sunday, $20, 215-247-BACH, www.bach-fest.org.

Metropolitan Opera Orchestra: Six acclaimed wind players from New York's famed opera orchestra (Stephanie Mortimore, flute; Elaine Douvas, oboe; Anthony McGill, clarinet; James Ognibene, bass clarinet; Patricia Rogers, bassoon, and Joseph Anderer, horn) team with violin colleague David Chan and guest pianist Gilbert Kalish for some woodwind classics. The bill includes Martinu's Madrigal Sonata, Janacek's "Mladi," Poulenc's Sextet and Bartok's thorny "Contrasts. Independence Seaport Museum, Columbus Boulevard and Walnut Street, 3 p.m. Sunday, $22.50, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Lang Lang: Philly's favorite piano phenom returns home for the season's solo recital. He will lavish his gifts on Sonatas by Schubert, the late A Major, D.959, and Bartok, the Sz.90. Lang also has chosen several Debussy Preludes and Chopin's "Heroic" Polon-

aise, Op. 53.

Stick around for the certain encores. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $34-$69, 215-893-1999,

www.kimmel center.org.

Andrew Rangell: Bach specialist, a pianist known for discussing the works he plays, performs the Bach French Suite No. 1 and several Preludes and Fugues. He'll also throw in music by Gibbons, Beethoven, Froberger and Arnold Schoenberg. Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, 7:30 p.m. Monday, $15, 215-247-BACH, www.bach-fest.org.

Pierre-Laurent Aimard: Master French pianist shows his range with 11 sections of Bach's revelatory "Art of the Fugue," Five Pieces for Piano, Op. 23 by Schoenberg, and the local premieres of Elliott Carter's Two Diversions and British composer George Benjamin's Piano Figures. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $22.50, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Musicians from Marlboro: Their second season visit continues the celebration of Elliott Carter's upcoming centenary with his Oboe Quartet, plus Haydn's Op. 20/4 String Quartet and Schumann's Op. 47 Piano Quartet.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $22.50, 215-569-

8080, www.pcmsconcerts. org.

Jacques Thibaud String Trio: Berlin-based ensemble continues the Bach Festival with transcriptions for strings of the Well-Tempered Clavier, "Art of the Fugue" and "Italian" Concerto, plus works by Mozart and a String Trio by Villa-Lobos.

German Society of Philadelphia, 611 Spring Garden St., 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $15, 215-247-BACH, www.bach-fest.org.

Solomiya Ivakhiv & Angelina Gadeliya: Violin/piano duo graces the Bach Festival with the master's set of six Sonatas for violin and piano, which plumb an enormous emotional range.

Baptist Church of Chestnut Hill, Germantown Avenue and Bethlehem Pike, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $15, 215-247-BACH, www.bachfest.org.