March 10-16, 2005

music

soundadvice

HIP-HOP/DANCE
Off the Wall Party
As the name might tell you, DJs Juicee and Hippo's new weekly jam in Old City is dedicated to the sounds of the '80s. Along with playing the hip-hop jams, they'll throw in a splash of pop and R&B to take you back to the days of hopscotch and double-dutch. It's time to show off that badass moonwalk.
--Deesha Dyer
Wednesdays, 9 p.m., free, La Tazza, 108 Chestnut St., 215-922-7322.

---

ROCK/POP
Motörhead
At 30, Motörhead had an umlaut before they became de rigueur. With all the flair of a clock-puncher with a job to do, Lemmy and crew have toiled on, consistently heavy and consistently ugly, outliving all the punks and headbangers and grunge bands that have come in their wake.
--Shaun Brady
Wed., March 16, 7 p.m., 18+, $21-23.50, with Corrosion Of Conformity, Zeke and Brand New Sin, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

---

JAZZ
Dave Brubeck Quartet/Marian McPartland Duo
While you're waiting to hoist your lighter for Dave Brubeck's umpteenth rendition of "Take Five," give a little respect to the other octogenarian pianist on the bill. McPartland is as witty a conversationalist on the keys as she is as host of NPR's Piano Jazz, a day job which has rubbed off in her diversity of approach and willingness to experiment.
--Shaun Brady
Wed., March 16, 8 p.m., $35-$78, Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999.

---

HIP-HOP
End of the Line
The Northeast is on the come-up this year. Digs Darklighter and the Illatropolis crew are bringing a series of shows to their neck of the woods, proving that hip-hop thrives outside of the normal Center and Old City limits.
--Deesha Dyer
Fri., March 11, 10 p.m., $7, with Viro, Tarp, Scand, and Mike Porter, PT's, 1640 Bridge St. (one block from Frankford Terminal), illatropolis@comcast.net.

---

POP
Vanessa Carlton
Who knew you could make a decent song about unicorns with the guy from Third Eye Blind? Vanessa Carlton kicks some work to her manfriend Stephan Jenkins on Harmonium, her second album. It only gets creepier if you listen to the words. "Half a Week Before the Winter" coasts on some half-baked lyrics, but Carlton carries it off with passionate piano-playing. If she keeps up this learning curve, the breakup album should be something fierce.
--M.J. Fine
Wed., March 16, 8 p.m., $15, with Ari Hest, Theater of Living Arts, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.