CLASSICAL

Independence Hall provides the ideal setting for celebrating America's birthday, with Peter Nero, the Philly Pops and the Voices of the Pops offering a present to Philadelphians: "Made in America,"a cornucopia of jazz, big band, marches, Broadway tunes, and Hollywood and Disney film scores. A stand-in for Thomas Jefferson will recite excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, and all five military anthems will be performed. Nero's also promised a tribute to the music of Michael Jackson. It's a perfect way to spend a Philly evening, with the Pops' musical fireworks presented in front of America's shrine.

Independence Hall, 6th and Chestnut streets, 8:30 tonight, free, 15-893-1999, www. phillypops.com

-- Tom DiNardo

JAZZ

Alto saxophonist Wade Dean's Enspiration sextet has become a familiar presence on the local jazz scene over the past several months, growing into a cohesive and imaginative unit. The band - Dean, fellow saxophonists Adam Siegel and Michael Pracher, pianist Jason Brown, bassist Ian Rafalak and drummer Anwar Marshall - nails soulful takes on jazz standards, but is just as likely to stray farther afield for material, be it a Beatles tune or "Rapper's Delight." Since Dean was appointed director of jazz studies at Penn late last year, the future looks bright for a new generation of Philly jazz cats with wide-open minds.

Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 8 and 10 tonight, $12, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com

-- Shaun Brady

POP 

Doing a "staycation" this summer? You can still get away from it all, and discover some of the world's cultural wonders, as the Kimmel Center delivers its Global Grooves World Music Dance Party series. Taking over hte Perelman Theater 9stipped of floor seats for your dancing/partying pleasure) for four Thursdays, the musicade gets rolling this coming week with the sparkling East African sensation Samba Mapangala & Virunga. Juiced with jingly guitars and peppered with brass, theirs is a tropical pleasure cruise equally at home in Caribbean and African ports. Then, in weeks to follow, you can hang with the hot-hot Cuban-born Latin fusion singer CuCu Diamantes (July 16), the "Indian Idol" judge and Bollywood singer Kailash Kher's Kailasa (July 30), and the Balkan brassy (and brash) 10-piece Slavic Soul Party! (Aug. 6). Bon voyage!

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Streets, 7:30 p.m., Thursdays July 9 - Aug. 6 (except July 23), $20, 215-893-1999, www.kimmelcenter.org

--Jonathan Takiff

HIP HOP

Michael Jackson's untimely passing has left a musical void that seems almost impossible to fill. With a sound that broke through th barriers of race, nationality, politics and gender, the King of Pop might be the most recognized musician of all time. In honor of his legacy iand influence, the long-running weekly hip-hop dance event, Tastytreats, will honor MJ with a tribute party. Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, of Philly hip-hop band the Roots, will spin. ?uestlove is a student of music, and you can guarantee he will do Jakcson proud. As always, ?uestlovewill be joined by fellow Tastytreats DJ Mike Nyce and host Yameen Allworld.

Fluid Night Club, 613 s. 4th St., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 21-plus, 215-629-3686, www.fluidnightclub.com

-- James Johnson

ALTERNATIVE

Want to avoid the crowds on the Parkway? Head to 15th and South, where sister bars Bob & Barbara's and Tritone host their annual Independence Day Extravaganza, which used to be known as the birthday bash for late Tritone co-owner Rick D. Ten dollars gets you admission to both bars, hosting tons of local music all day long. Tritone has Stinking Lizaveta, the Spades, Slo & Shakey and others. Bob & Barbaras has Ken, the Jukebox Zeroes, Beretta 76, Wes Mattheu & the New Way Down and more. The best part is Chef Lucky's barbecue.

Bob & Barbara's, 1509 South St., 215-545-4511, Tritone 1508 South St., 215-545-0475, 2 p.m. today, $10, www.tritonebar.com/index.php?text=calendar.txt

-- Sara Sherr