The Blind Pig: The Pussy Pirates
Local all-female avant-jazz punk quintet. "Their punchy doomsday horn punk brims with love, spirit, and humor. The two lead singers growl and shout about demons, jailbait, a half-eaten nun - even when they coo it's full of shrapnel," says Chicago Reader critic Liz Armstrong. "It's rousing, painful, and over with quick, like a bar fight." Opening acts are the local punk band Aleks & the Drummer and the area carnival acts Arson's Blazing Carnival and The No Joke Sideshow. Mar. 29: Nomo. Local 9-piece ensemble that plays a mix of Afrobeat with Sun Ra- and Coltrane-influenced jazz. The band recently released its Ubiquity Records debut, New Tones. Opening act is Algernon, an experimental jazz quintet from Chicago.

Cavern Club: DJ Helluva
Local DJ spins old-school rock.

Club Above: Drivin' Sideways.
(5:30-8:30 p.m.) Veteran local band fueled by vocalist Pontiac Pete Ferguson's alternately soulful and ornery vocals. Their country-based repertoire still features lots of classic honky-tonk, but they also cover everything from Chuck Berry and Johnny Burnette to the Beatles and James Brown. The band's guiding presence seems to be Elvis - including both large chunks of his repertoire and his attitude that any music he did suited him just because he did it. The band also includes guitarist George Bedard, bassist Chris Goerke, drummer Mark Newbound, and keyboardist Jim King.

Club Above: Latino Night
DJ Xcess plays salsa, merengue, reggae, and other Latin dance records. Also, salsa lessons, 9-10 p.m.

Common Cup: Katie Shields.
Pop-folk singer-songwriter from Muskegon.

Crazy Wisdom Tea Room: Laura Russeau
Local jazz-inflected folk-rock singer-songwriter and guitarist known for her luscious melodies and trenchant lyrics. She is joined by guitarist Craig Schoepke.

Creekside Grill and Bar: Danny Gutowski
Local country singer who specializes in Johnny Cash songs. He is accompanied by bassist Chris Goerke.

The Earle: Rick Burgess Trio
Jazz ensemble featuring pianist Burgess, drummer Robert Warren, and bassist Russel Tessier.

Elbow Room: The Beggars.
Local retro garage rock 'n' roll band. Opening acts are the Chicago blues-rock garage band Handsome Jack, the Chicago indie powerpop band Wally Dogger, and the Buffalo, New York, experimental rock trio Needle Up! Mar. 29: Koffin Kats. Detroit-area psychobilly punk band. Opening acts are Mazinga, a veteran Ypsilanti band that plays rough, raw, Detroit-style rock 'n' roll, and The State, a veteran local hardcore band fronted by vocalist Preston Woodward.

The Firefly Club: Easy Street Swingtet
(5:30-8 p.m.) Dixieland and swing by this local ensemble led by saxophonist and trumpeter Paul Klinger.

The Firefly Club: Sheila Jordon
Widely acclaimed jazz singer who began her career in the early 50s singing versions of Charlie Parker's solos with a Detroit vocal trio, in a manner akin to that of the later Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. Her distinctive vocal style, which has always taken its cues from instrumentalists, features frequent and unexpected changes of pitch and other unusual features. Her repertoire ranges from standards to material reflecting her tenacious bebop roots, and she has even recorded an album of jazz arrangements of Robert Creeley poems. "Sheila Jordan is one of the jazz world's best-kept secrets," says Blue Note. She is accompanied by the Tad Weed Trio. Advance tickets: $25 & $30. 9 & 11 p.m.

Live at PJ's: "Dance Night"
With DJ Nig Daddie.

Melange Subterranean Bistro: Blackman & Arnold
Gypsy jazz by a quartet led by guitarists Sean Blackman and John Arnold.

The Necto:
"Pride." With DJ Timmy D spinning high-energy dance tunes in the main room and, in the downstairs Red Room, DJ Mark playing retro music videos and DJ John G spinning Top 40 records.

The Quarter Bistro: The Groove-Matist
Retro, Top 40, and hip-hop dance party with DJ Mechial White.

Rick's American Cafe: DJ Equinox
DJ spins dance records.

TC's Speakeasy: Rob Moses
(6-9 p.m.) Local solo pianist.