Jackson Free Press

If you're feeling that back-to-worker's remorse after the holidays, this is a good weekend to blow the lid off your kettle. For the classically inclined, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra's "88x8" piano concert is Thursday night at the big First Baptist Church downtown, 7 p.m. $15. If you've never been, it's a massive aural sensation of eight pianists playing the 88 keys of eight different pianos. Call 601-960-1565 or visit msorchestra.com for details. While you are purchasing tickets for "88x8," go ahead and surprise your honey for Valentine's with tickets to the romantic MSO Chamber II: "Mozart by Candlelight" at the Belhaven Center for the Arts Jan. 31, 7:30 p.m. This concert sells out every year, so don't wait to get tickets.

Alas, one cannot live by chamber music alone. The indie-rock triple-bill at One to One Studio is Thursday night, Jan. 22, with Roosevelt Noise, Brass Bed and Dark Knights of Camelot starting at 9 p.m. $5. These guys are earning their reputation and laying down some of the best post-punk indie stuff on the local scene. They just get better with each show.

Downtown is smoking this weekend, starting Friday with Days of the New at Fire (9 p.m. $15; $20 for ages 18-20) and southern rock/roots favorites Blue Mountain at Hal & Mal's (10 p.m. $10). You might remember Days from their hit singles "Touch, Peel and Stand," "The Down Town" and "Shelf in the Room." Show up early to get a ticket and a parking place.

Go back to Commerce Street Saturday night where the Zeppelin Tribute Zoso gives an encore performance at Fire. Martin's also brings back another regional favorite Saturday with Colonel Bruce Hampton & the Quark Alliance. You probably know old-school southern rock-jam icon Colonel Bruce from the Hampton Grease Band and the Aquarium Rescue Unit.

The rock shows continue to roll out at Fire next week, when they bring back Rock 93.9 favorites Hinder Wednesday, Jan. 28; $20 at the door. You've probably heard their singles "Lips of an Angel," "Use Me" and "Without You" if you listen to 93.9.

Thursday, Jan. 29, the Mississippi Academy of Ancient Music brings the internationally renowned Rose Ensemble from St. Paul, Minn., back to the historic Woodworth Chapel at Tougaloo College. The Rose Ensemble consists of 10 award-winning vocalists performing Spanish and Portuguese Mediterranean Renaissance music from the time of Columbus (1492, in case you forgot). Players on period instruments accompany them. It's the best $20 you can spend, $5 for students (at the door). If you have never been to Tougaloo Chapel, take the W. County Line Road entrance and ask the guard at the gate to point you toward the chapel. The acoustics there are outstanding for vocal performances like this. Check out this not-to-miss group at http://www.roseensemble.org, 601-977-7782; 601-852-4848.

After The Rose Ensemble concert, grab a bite and head to Martin's for The Bachelorettes and Ape Champ, at 10 p.m. Ape Champ is the real deal Jackson answer to psychedelic U.K. rock. They are a naughty, cerebral candy-coated treat of Love & Rockets and contagious-as-hell raunchy guitar riffs. They've been known to dress in bizarre costumes, but that only complements the rough-around-the-edges immense talent that oozes from each member of Ape Champ. They are the perfect prescription to floss ones psyche. Try them on at http://www.myspace.com/apechamp.