Celebrate spring's arrival with these fun things to do, places to go and more, March 21-27

FAMILY

'Dinosaurs Unearthed'

Large as life - and animatronically lifelike, too - the feathered (yes, feathered) T. rex, youthful triceratops, super-scary Yangchuanosaurus and 10 more dinos (and one dino poop) move on after next weekend. Catch 'em now.

Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Ben Franklin Parkway, $18-$20 (under 3 free), 215-299-1000, ansp.org.

'Black Sheroes'

Ages 5 to 11 are the ideal audience for this new, monthly happening featuring arts, crafts, music and dance. This time around, the day honors African-American women - including Zora Neale Hurston, Nina Simone and Sojourner Truth - who shaped local and world history.

African American Museum, 701 Arch St., 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. tomorrow, $10-$14 (free 4 and under), 215-574-0380, aampmuseum.org.

Macy's Family Fun Day

Center City department store's spring deal: They put on an indoor flower show; you shop for shorts. Kickoff event includes the kids, who'll plant terrariums and eat Goldfish crackers while you listen to a Richard Conte organ concert and, at 2 p.m., take a cannoli class with "New Jersey Housewife" Kathy Wakile.

Macy's, 1300 Market St., 1 p.m. Sunday, free, 215-241-9000, macys.com.

STAGES

'Don Juan Comes Home from Iraq'

World premiere drama follows a soldier who returns from war to start a new tour of Philly streets and history, in search of a love lost. From Paula Vogel, who won a Pulitzer for "How I Learned to Drive."

Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St, show times vary through April 20, $39-$49, 215-546-7824, wilmatheater.org.

'Phantom of the Opera'

Voorhees' very own Julia Udine stars as Christine in this new adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's dramatic, romantic tale of a songbird and her masked suitor.

Academy of Music, Broad and Locust streets, show times vary through April 12, $32-$160.50, 215-731-3333, kimmelcenter.org.

'The Three Sisters'

One of two new-in-town twists on an Anton Chekhov classic reinterprets the original tales about unsatisfied family members in turn-of-the-20th-century Russia.

F. Otto Haas Stage, Arden Theatre, 40 N. 2nd St., show times vary through April 20, $36-$48, 215-922-1122, ardentheatre.org.

'Vanya and Sonia

and Masha and Spike'

The celebrated and prolific Christopher Durang has Bucks-County-based fun at the expense of some of Anton Checkhov's most famous characters in this Tony Award-winning play.

Suzanne Roberts Theatre, 480 S. Broad St., show times vary, tonight through April 20, $46-$59, 215-985-0420, philadelphiatheatrecompany.org.

Shut Up & Dance

MANNA's 22nd annual dance performance takes place on - when else? - the 22nd. Just one, impactful, Victoriana-theme performance, directed by the Pennsylvania Ballet's Ian Hussey, and benefiting locals too sick to leave home.

Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $25-$100, 215-496-2662, mannapa.org.

Cirque du Soleil's 'Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour'

"Wanna Be Starting Something" again? Still going strong after two years, Cirque's lavish arena show is a "Thriller" for the senses, mashing up the music (Jackson's carefully edited vocals synced with a live band) to spirit a huge troupe of acrobats and dancers, fanciful decor (including a giant dancing glove and shoes) and huge projections.

Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, $50-$175, 800-298-4200, comcasttix.com.

MUSIC

Celebrating Ornette (Coleman)

The master of "harmolodic" (read: accessible) free jazz is honored on his 84th birthday by gents who know him well. Drumming son Denardo Coleman unfurls his group with saxophonist Antoine Roney, guitarist Charlie Ellerbee and two bassists - Tony Falanga and Al MacDowell, both members of Ornette's own ensemble. Co-headlining is Philly's free-spirit treasure Jamaaladeen Tacuma, fronting the For Love of Ornette band.

Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., 8 tonight, $25, 215-925-9914, paintedbride.org.

Jake Clemons

Sax playing like his uncle Clarence, but the versatile multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter walks his own, popier path.

Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 8 tonight, $12 (all ages), 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Suzy Bogguss

One of the most cosmopolitan of "down home" country singers, Suzy has devoted complete albums to swing standards and folk classics. This time she'll emphasize the Merle Haggard material from her new themed CD. (Catch her Free at Noon concert today on WXPN.)

Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, 8 tonight, $39.50, 215-257-5808, st94.com.

Tinariwen

Persecuted Malian desert people (Tuareg) spawned their sinewy, incantational, guitar-grooved songs (and revolutionary spirit) in Libyan refugee camps. Mali remains embroiled in civil war, though this South Saharan music is gloriously hypnotic and soothing in effect.

Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St. 8 tonight, $24 & $27, 215-893-1999, princemusictheater.org.

Poundcake

Simple yet filling guitar, drums, stand-up bass trio fronted by Teddy Thompson chomps on classic rockabilly 'n' roll served "with a twist of snark."

Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8:30 tonight, $15, 215-928-0978, tinangel.com.

Grand Funk Railroad

Detroit-bred hard-rock outfit that had its glory days during the first half of the 1970s is still crankin' out such hits as "I'm Your Captain," "The Locomotion" and, of course, "We're an American Band."

House of Blues, Showboat, Boardwalk at Delaware Avenue, Atlantic City, 9 tonight (21+), $25-$45, 609-343-4000, hob.com.

Sabina

Pop thrushes are rarely as exotic as this femme fatale, born in Rome to a German mother and Italian father, singing well in French and English, too. While best known from the sambasized dance pop Brazilian Girls, a soloing Sabina Sciubba's detached, brittle demeanor makes her seem more the spiritual love child of Marlene Dietrich (or Nico) and David Byrne.

Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $18-$20, 215-972-1000, princemusictheater.org.

Diego Garcia

Dark and handsome singer-songwriter heats the room with flamenco flourishes and Latin-lover attitude.

Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7:30 & 10 p.m. tomorrow, $20, 215-928-0978, tinangel.com.

Chamber Orchestra

of Philadelphia

Guest conductor Matthias Bamert leads a Mozart program, including the early Symphony No. 17 and the haunting No. 40. The Philadelphia Orchestra's superb principal flutist, Jeffrey Khaner, solos in the Flute Concerto No. 2.

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Monday, $24-$81, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Temple University Symphony Orchestra

and Combined Choirs

Paul Rardin leads the combined forces in Haydn's "Lord Nelson" Mass, a work originally titled "Mass in the time of Distress" relating to Napoleon's European conquests. Legendary Philly maestro and mentor to generations of musicians Luis Biava leads his final Kimmel Center program with the stirring First Symphony by Gustav Mahler.

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 4 p.m. Sunday, $20-$35, 215-893-1999, kimmelcenter.org.

Susanna

Susanna (last name: Wallumrod) is a blonde Norwegian piano popster stylist with a haunting, artsy aura. Philadelphia synth/electronic music pioneer Charles Cohen (playing the Buchla Music Easel) and guitar-driven art rocker Chris Forsyth share the Ars Nova presentation.

International House, 3701 Chestnut St., 8 p.m. Tuesday, $15, 215-727-2714, arsnovaworkshop.com.

Nicole Atkins

Duly teased by "Girl You Look Amazing" - a sardonic taunt to a party animal - this smoky-throated Jersey talent unfurls other treats from her new full length, "Slow Phaser." Arc Iris, well buzzed at SXSW, takes the featured slot; Scotland's Davey Horne opens.

Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave., 9:15 p.m. Thursday, $12-$14, 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

- Compiled by Jonathan Takiff, Lauren McCutcheon, Tom Di Nardo and Chuck Darrow