Soundadvice

Get Out!

Nominated for a Tony award for her portrayal of feisty bisexual Maureen in the original Broadway cast of Rent, Idina Menzel has navigated her music past the theater. But not too far. Her latest album, I Stand (Warner), had a little of that dramatic Broadway musical vibe about it. The album made noise on the U.S. and U.K. charts, so I guess not too many fans minded. Take a bow.

—Deesha Dyer

Wed., March 25, 8 p.m., $37.50-$47.50, Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650, keswicktheater.com.

Stephen Quaranta was walking through the souk in Marrakesh, some jangly pop music in his headphones competing with the guy on the street blowing a kaval. This did not actually happen, but the songs he writes in Paper Masques sure suggest it. Aided by former Teeth drummer Jonas Oesterle and a guest roster of local heads, the release show for Tell the Ghosts It's Suppertime should feel like a street market party, squeezed into The Fire.

—John Vettese

Sat., March 21, 9 p.m. $7, with The Armchairs and The Circadian Rhythms, The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave, 267-671-9298, iourecords.com/thefire.

Old-school hip-hop shows used to be rare; now you can't throw your hands in the air without knocking off Slick Rick's eyepatch. That's fine. Slick and beatbox legend Doug E. Fresh's classic "The Show" never gets old. They're bringing with them baritone alliterator Chubb Rock and funny man rapper-turned-author Dana Dane.

—Deesha Dyer

Fri., March 20, 9 p.m., $30-$55, with DJ Bent Roc, hosted by Chubb Rock, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-5483, thetroc.com.

For the third and final installment of its Composer Portrait series dedicated to the works of the late Texas-born saxophonist Julius Hemphill, Ars Nova Workshop assigns two albums recorded 16 years apart for the Italian label Black Saint to each of two of Philly's best young groups to interpret. The Dan Blacksberg Trio rearranges 1977's Raw Materials and Residuals, originally recorded with sax, cello and percussion for their trombone/bass/drums line-up, while Shot x Shot opens up the 1993 sax sextet recording Five Chord Stud.

—Shaun Brady

Thu., March 19, 8 p.m., free, Rotunda, 4012 Walnut St., arsnovaworkshop.com.

It's a funny-looking thing, and a frequent butt of musical jokes, but even the tuba can make beautiful music, especially as played by a master such as Carol Jantsch, the principal of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She is the guest soloist with 1807 & Friends this week, playing music of Couperin and Alban. The core ensemble will also play string quartets of Mozart and Dvorák.

—Peter Burwasser

Mon., March 23, 7:30 p.m., $17, Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., 215-438-4027, frnd1807@verizon.net.