Like many a high-spirited gal, Vancouver's Kinnie Starr's been tagged as angry. Until recently, though, any rage has been directed at the deserving — if you're not oppressing women, it's not you — and she's more likely to sing bliss than blues. Her latest, Anything (Universal Music Can), offers breakup songs in every flavor: sweet ("La Le La La"), sour ("Walking Away") and, yes, bitter ("Step Back"). It's refreshing.

—M.J. Fine

There is nothing quite like Feria del Barrio, part family-oriented street party (with enough kids performing early, and face-painting and asphalt-chalking to satisfy the young set), part serious dance party (with the red-hot Plena Libre playing for free to cap off this annual celebration of the many sides of Philly's barrio). Don't miss the home-style cooking.

—Mary Armstrong

If you like your country music served straight up with a twist, this is your show. Word-of-mouth country-rocker Green has been straddling the line between stadium headliner (in his native Texas) and opening act (in lots of other places, most recently for Dave Matthews). His latest CD, the swaggering Cannonball (Bna Entertainment), builds on the buzz quite nicely. Catch him at the Keswick before he outgrows the place.

—Nicole Pensiero

After much wandering, the Ceili Group Festival of Irish Music and Dance has returned to its natural home, the Irish Center in Mount Airy. The festival maintains the three-day format launched last year, with singers again initiating the fun on Thursday with a night to themselves. Friday's big event is world-renowned Solas in concert. Saturday brings the usual cornucopia of Irish culture. Dancers can go home pleasantly exhausted after a day of sets. Tim Britton (pipes), Brian Conway (fiddle) and Brendan Dolan (piano/flute) are among the many talented instrumentalists to keep listeners pleased. Advice: Queue up early for the Irish dinner or you'll learn that soda bread does not a meal make.

—Mary Armstrong

Grace Potter has it goin' on with Philly in a big way these days, thanks to WXPN's support and some terrific shows over the past year. The 23-year-old Vermont native and her three-man band will tear it up Tuesday with their rootsy, retro-sounding mix of blues, rock, Americana and gospel. Onstage, Potter jumps between her trusty Hammond B-3 organ and the guitar, all the while belting out songs with a powerhouse voice that belies her age.

—Nicole Pensiero