Music critics' picks

It's always a good day in paradise when Michael Franti & Spearhead uncork island-flavored party anthems like "Say Hey (I Love You)" and "The Sound of Sunshine." The former drives one of our favorite, beach-set TV commercials, the latter jump-starts the guy's new album. Dubbed the "rebel rocker" by fans, Franti's done his share of protesting, though these days just ridding the world of darkness and going barefoot (to protest poverty and encourage donations for the Soles4Souls project) are as political as he gets. Mr. F had a kidney-stone crisis last week, but sounded fine on David Letterman's show two nights ago. Here he'll share the bill with brooding British troubadour Bobby Long.

Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 9 p.m. tomorrow, $25/$27, 215-627-1332, electricfactory.info.

- Jonathan Takiff

There are a zillion Halloween events this weekend, but you'll get the most bang for your buck at the "TJ Kong Halloween Costume Ball Rockandroll Murdershow." Hosted by American gothic/roots rockers TJ Kong and the Atomic Bomb, this 12-hour event features two stages of bands, including Philly faves like Toy Soldiers and Cheers Elephant, garage rockers the Spooks, funk-punks Prowler, Conversations with Enemies, Busses and many more. Plus beer, food, games and prizes.

The Ukie Club, 847 N. Frankford Ave., 2 p.m. Sunday, $10-15, all ages, http://tjkonghalloween.eventbrite.com.

- Sara Sherr

For the past few years, Philly's own Jedi Mind Tricks have ushered in the fall for hip-hop fans with a sold-out concert at the Trocodero. This year looks to be no different, with the three-man crew of Vinnie Paz, Jus Allah and Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind ready to hit the hometown stage once again. Established in 1996, the independent hip-hop trio has sold an impressive 400,000 albums worldwide without the support of a major label. Joining them for this performance will be their frequent collaborator, and one of Philly's most talented MCs, Reef the Lost Cauze. Rounding out the lineup is Freeway, whose February release, "The Stimulus Package," has placed him as one of the front-runners for 2010's hip-hop album of the year.

Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St., 7 tonight, $22, 21-plus, 215-922-5483, www.thetroc.com.

- James Johnson

It's far from common to find a violinist among the ranks of a jazz ensemble, but even in this rarefied company Fiidla stands out. The prodigy made his debut playing along with records on WRTI, then joined the Sun Ra Arkestra, whose welcoming, cosmic approach rubbed off. Fiidla's strings have accompanied hip-hop stars like Mos Def and Talib Kweli, while his vocal prowess has earned him gigs as coach to R&B stars from Mary J. Blige to Lil' Kim. He'll welcome saxophonist George Braith, a fellow iconoclast whose instrument of choice is the self-invented Braithophone, a two-in-one combo of alto and soprano. Braith recorded for Blue Note and Prestige in the mid-1960s when those labels were at their most productive and innovative. Unsurprisingly, the "Outer-Planetary Ensemble" welcomes costumes for this Halloween performance.

The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 7 p.m. Sunday, free, www.therotunda.org.

- Shaun Brady

The Dresden Staatskapelle, founded in 1548, is probably the oldest orchestra in the world, and one of the most renowned. It'll make its first visit to Philly under the leadership of Daniel Harding, who was only 25 when he made his Philadelphia Orchestra debut 10 years ago. Since then, he's grown into many symphony and opera assignments, and now holds podium posts in London and Sweden. With the Dresden ensemble, he's chosen the magnificent German Requiem by Brahms, a remarkable touring piece. His soloists are soprano Christian Kang, bass-baritone Hanno Muller-Brachmann and the Westminster Symphonic Choir, all backed by an orchestra with this music in their souls.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $39-$113, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org.

- Tom Di Nardo