MUSIC EVENTS THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND

Live music and more, tonight through Thursday, compiled by Tom Di Nardo, Shaun Brady, Sara Sherr, Jonathan Takiff and Damon C. Williams.

Kate Gaffney: One of Philly's finer female folky talents celebrates the release of her new album. Homies Andrew Lipke and Chris Kasper are special guests. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 10:30 tonight, $10, 215-928-0770,

» READ MORE: www.tinangel.com

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Herman's Hermits: As front man for this British Invasion group, Peter Noone was once touted as the equal/rival (at least in the cutes department) to Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger. Kindred Yankee pop rockers the Buckinghams were also quite the deal, second only to the Monkees in U.S. record sales in 1967. Scottish Rite Auditorium, 325 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J., 8 tonight, $34.50 and $39.50, 856-216-2170, www.ccparks.com.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: This aggregation of pomp-rock performers will fill the arena with song, stories and spectacle celebrating the wonder of the season. Wachovia Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 3 and 8 p.m. tomorrow, $39.50 and $50.50, 215-298-4200, www.comcasttix.com.

Jeffrey Gaines: We're sensing a "home for the holidays" theme this weekend, as Gaines returns to the place from whence he sprang. Clara Lofaro opens. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. tomorrow, $22, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Dave Mason: Still stopping Traffic? Feeling all right? Maybe you shouldn't have took more than you gave. With the Scoville Blues Band. Scottish Rite Auditorium, 325 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, N.J., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $29 and $34, 856-216-2170, www.ccparks.com.

Kruno Spisic's Gypsy Jazz Ensemble: Balkan-bred musician comingles Eastern European folk traditions and Django (Reinhardt) jazz as the Sunday brunch entertainment. Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., seating from noon, show at 1 p.m. Sunday, $15, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Boys of the Lough: Legendary Pan-Celtic (Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales) traditional band shares "A Celtic Christmas." Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 2 p.m. Sunday, $29.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Rosie Thomas: This time around, Thomas is in the holiday spirit with a show themed "A Very Rosie Christmas," also featuring her friends Sheila Saputo and Cheyenne. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $14-$26, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

The Bobs: The a cappella group is in festive mode, serving cookies like "Santa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "Fifty Kilowatt Tree." Little Toby Walker opens. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellerville. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $21.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Fishbone: Eccentric, entertaining dudes were at the forefront of ska-punk fusion and a shining beacon of Black Rock-ness. Now they're back with the "Unknown Modes of Being" tour. J.C. Dobbs, 304 South St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $15-$17, www.jcdobbs.com.

Suicidal Tendencies: Hardcore punk rockers are fit to be tied. With Madball, Moxley and the fast-rising Whole Wheat Bread. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 7 p.m. Tuesday, $17-$20, 215-92-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Hayes Carll: While a big buzz down home, this nitty, gritty Texas troubadour hasn't gotten nearly the props he deserves in this part of the country. Fans of Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt and that ilk should love him. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.,7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $21-$23, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Nada Surf: Fervently "indie" rock band, best known for their sarcastic "Popular," has a new album's worth of "Lucky" tunes to lay on ya. Delta Spirit and Jealous Girlfriends are also hanging out. Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 8 p.m. Thursday, $19, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

The Wailers: The original Wailers, the acoustic/vocal harmonizing band that backed late reggae icon Bob Marley, will perform alongside Al Anderson and Junior Marvin. Resorts Atlantic City, Boardwalk at North Caroline Avenue, Atlantic City, N.J., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $25 and $30, 800-736-1420,

» READ MORE: www.resortsac.com

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2K Sports Bounce Tour: A Tribe Called Quest alum Q-Tip takes hip-hop to new places. This show will feature his usual lyrical niceness, plus a digital-visual element, complete with a classic video game area. Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $28, 18+, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Local Shots 5: This series it earns a highlight here for the return of veteran emcee Supreme Da Regulata. Preemo is back with a four-member hip/fusion band, Da Rezarekt, and it says here the crew will perform cuts from their latest offering, "History in the Making." Brownie's 23 East, 23 E. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, 10 p.m. Thursday, $10, 610-649-8389, www.brownies23east.com.

Minor Prophets: The local comedy troupe takes over with sketches and films. The Balcony, 10th and Arch streets, 8:30 tonight, $8, 215-922-LIVE,

» READ MORE: www.thetroc.com

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American Speedway: If you're a fan of the Supersuckers, Nashville P---- or Motorhead, these Philly rockers are worth checking out. They're headlining a Fallen Heroes benefit for families of military personnel killed or severely injured in combat. Also: End of an Era and Fire With Fire. J.C. Dobbs, 304 South St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $15, www.jcdobbslive.com.

El Guincho: Direct from Barcelona, the psych tropicalia band debuts with San Francisco's Lemonade and Philly's Magnet City Kids. Barbary, Frankford Avenue and Columbus Boulevard, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, all ages, $10, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Stella: Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter and David Wain crack wise. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., 6:30 p.m. Sunday, all ages, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Orchard Lounge: Chicago DJ collective plays with Green Light Society and Tucci. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 8 p.m. Sunday, $10, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Buffalo Stance: The Need New Body offshoot plays Danger Danger Gallery with Alas Alak Alaska, Fancie and Faded Glory. Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave., 8 p.m. Sunday, $5, all ages, www.myspace.com/

dangerdangergallery.

Little Dragon: They come from the same town in Sweden that's home to Jose Gonzales, Jens Lekman and Love Is All. Frontwoman Yukimi Nagano has sung with electro-jazz band Koop. Devin Greenwood opens. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 8 p.m. Monday, $8, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Monday Night Club: This week's installment doubles as a screening of punk-era talk show "TV Party" and a get-well card for the Absinthe Drinkers' Chris McDonough, who was mugged and shot outside of his home. With Needles Jones, Randi Warhol, Molly Russakoff, Stephen Bluhm and more. National Mechanics, 22 S. 3rd St., 9 p.m. Monday, free, 215-701-4883,

http://nationalmechanics.com.

Sebastien Grainger & the Mountains: The former DFA 1979 member debuts his solo material on Saddle Creek (home to Bright Eyes). With Josh Reichmann and Rad Racket. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Monday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

"Helvetica": Documentary examines how the world's most ubiquitous typeface changed global culture. Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 6 p.m. Thursday, free, all ages, 215-351-0511, RSVP online www.whyy.org/member

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Yeasayer: Brooklyn, N.Y., buzz band does its first Philly show in a year. The newest iPod ad stars, Chairlift, open the show. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8:30 p.m. Thursday, $13, all ages, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Kenny Werner: Pianist works hard at assembling trios able to embody his interactive ideas. He's currently breaking in a new one with drummer Antonio Sanchez and bassist Scott Colley, both in-demand sidemen and burgeoning leaders. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway, 5:45 and 7:15 tonight, free with regular museum admission of $14, 215-763-8100,

» READ MORE: www.philamuseum.org

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Minas: Philly-based Brazilian band, anchored by guitarist/percussionist Orlando Haddad and keyboardist/vocalist Patricia King, celebrates a half-century of bossa nova with a few special guests, including bassist Gerald Veasley and trumpeter John Swana. Early show features an authentic Brazilian buffet. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, $19-$40, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Clifford Adams: Trenton-born trombonist has a host of famous names on his resume, pulled from both the jazz and R&B worlds. Former bosses include Max Roach, Wynton Marsalis - and Kool and the Gang. Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, 847 N. 3rd St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-922-1035, www.ortliebsjazzhaus.com.

Free Form Funky Freqs: The trio of Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid and North Philly natives Jamaaladeen Tacuma (bass) and G. Calvin Weston (drums) played their second show ever at Tritone, their third being the recording of their debut CD, "Urban Mythology Vol. 1." This show will be no. 37. Since the only time they play together is on stage, with no rehearsals and no plans for their fully improvised groove-jazz freakouts, they've been able to keep count. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, $15-$17, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Sci-Fi Philly: Four acts this week for the regular avant-jazz showcase: local improv guru Jack Wright in duet with his bassist son Ben; Racketclub, a quartet performing the music of guitarist Joe Morris; Washington, D.C.-based quartet MSPV, and guitarist Michael Mantra's Audio Emotif. Gojjo, 4540 Baltimore Ave., 8 p.m. Sunday, $5, www.scifiphilly.com.

Peter White: Smooth jazz guitarist, a longtime sideman with singer/songwriter Al Stewart, invited a few friends for a Christmas show: trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Mindi Abair. Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 8 p.m. Thursday, $38.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Russian-born conductor Andrey Boreyko returns to lead the orchestra in the Prelude and Love-Death from Wagner's transcendent masterpiece, "Tristan und Isolde" and Schoenberg's orchestral adaptation of Brahms' dense Piano Quartet No. 1. The acclaimed American pianist Garrick Ohlsson is another popular return guest, soloing in Beethoven's lyrical Piano Concerto No. 4. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday, $39-$125, 215-893-1999,

» READ MORE: www.philorch.org

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Handel's "Messiah": Launching the season of holiday music is this performance of the Christmas portion of the classic oratorio. David Daugherty leads the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and the Germantown Oratorio Choir, with soprano Elisabeth Stevens, mezzo Jenifer Smith, tenor Stuart Jasper and baritone Jonathan Sills. First Presbyterian Church in Germantown, 35 W. Chelten Ave., 3 p.m. Sunday, free-will offering, 215-843-8811, www.fpcgermantown.org.

Dolce Suono: Flutist Mimi Stillman has invited the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia's oboist and English hornist Geoffrey Deemer, Philadelphia Orchestra clarinetist Samuel Caviezel and Temple's pianist Jeremy Gill for a program of rarely heard chamber works by Saint-Saens, Shostakovich, Arnold and Shchedrin, plus the haunting Concerto da Camera for flute, English horn and piano by Arthur Honegger. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, free, 267-252-1803, www.dolcesuono.com.

Philadelphia Orchestra: David Zinman takes the podium to lead Samuel Barber's Symphony No. 1 and Richard Strauss' audience favorite "Also Sprach Zarathustra." The soloist is Norwegian cellist Truls Mork, who will tackle the passionate Elgar Cello Concerto. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, 8 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 6, 2 p.m. Dec. 5, $39-$125, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

Christian Tetzlaff: German violinist returns to play a supremely challenging solo recital, the solo Sonatas and Partitas Nos. 2 and 3. It's an outing only a master musician would attempt. Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 8 p.m. Thursday, $23, 215-569-8080, www.pcmsconcerts.org.

Temple University Sinfonia: Gary White is the guest conductor in this concert, which features Dvorak's bouncy Czech Suite and Mozart's sublime Symphony No. 38, subtitled the "Prague." Keyboard wizard and Temple prof Charles Abramovic is the soloist in the Shostakovich Piano Concerto No, 2. Tomlinson Theater, 13th and Norris streets, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, free, 215-204-7800, www.temple.edu/boyer.