Jackson Free Press

Let out the funk at Martin's this Friday night when Atlanta-based Entropy returns to Jackson with their wacky funk bomb. They've got Stevie Wonder-style keys and soulful horns that makes them masters of the southern funk jam. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes; it's the best party in town Friday night.

This Saturday, March 7, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra will have its Chamber III concert featuring Beethoven's Fourth at Galloway United Methodist Church in downtown Jackson, 7:30 p.m. Purchase tickets at the door, online at http://www.msorchestra.com or call 601-960-1565. After you've soaked in the classics at the symphony, sample some late-night music events. Catch Jesse Coppenbarger of Colour Revolt when he joins Dark Knights of Camelot for their all-ages CD release party at Olympic Studios on Foley Street at 9 p.m. At 10 p.m., Martin's offers the self-appointed "astrocrunk" of Lord T and Eloise, who win the word-of-the-week award. The annual Friendship Ball at Hal & Mal's is also Saturday night with music from These Days with Jewel Bass. $20; $10 students with ID.

By popular demand, the Mississippi Academy of Ancient Music brings back the 12-plus-person baroque choral and string ensemble Artek from New York City, Thursday, March 12, at St. James Episcopal Church in Fondren. The performance will feature 17th-century madrigals by Monteverdi (complete with lutes, harp and song), accompanied by dramatic storytelling presentations. Artek has been performing early music for 24 years, so this is one not to miss. $20, $5 for students, 7:30 p.m. Call 601-977-7782 or 601-852-4848 for details. Visit http://www.artekearlymusic.org to check out the music.

Get your tickets now for some huge rock shows at Fire. Seven Mary Three will play at Fire next Saturday, March 14, and the bloody, shock-rock spectacle that is Gwar on May 16. These two shows are perfect topics for water-cooler banter Monday morning.

The must-see show so far this year happens Tuesday, March 17, at One Two One Studios. Hot New York post-punkers Crystal Stilts will headline with Calgary indie-rockers Women with local favorites Los Buddies opening the show. These guys are tops in their genres, and must-see for any fans of cerebral, indie garage-rock. This show is a rare treat, with the bands making a pit stop in Jackson on the way to South X Southwest. Pitchfork gave Crystal Stilts' new album an 8.1 and Women a 7.9 rating, so both are fantastic. It's an all-ages show, 9 p.m. $5. Stream them up and look for me in the front row!

Sneaky Beans coffeehouse in Fondren is hosting a "Songwriters in the Round" series the last Friday of each month, and kicked off the series Feb. 27 with Sherman Lee Dillon, Taylor Hildebrand, Skipp Coon and others. For the March lineup, watch the JFP music listings.

With spring approaching, I feel an itch coming on for a road trip. Alas, if you haven't already purchased your Oxford Modest Mouse tickets for this Friday or Death Cab for Cutie tickets for next month in Memphis, you're probably out of luck as they are both sold out. Next time take my advice and get them when I announce here. For you lucky ones attending, let us know how the shows were on the JFP Music Reader Forums at http://www.jacksonfreepress.com.

Plan now for the New Orleans Jazz Fest next month; April 24-26 and April 30-May 3 with Kings of Leon, Wilco, Spoon, Earth, Wind and Fire, Drive-By Truckers, Erykah Badu, Dave Matthews, Ben Harper, Bon Jovi and tons more at http://www.nojazzfest.com. Cheers.