The big gigs for the next 7 days

POP/ROCK Chrissie Hynde didn't ask co-founding drummer Martin Chambers to play on the Pretenders' new country-tinged CD "Break Up the Concrete" -- she tapped drum legend Jim Keltner (CSNY, Traveling Wilburys, Dylan) instead -- but Chambers, who is one of rock's powerhouse rhythm keepers, will be on board tonight for "Precious," "Brass in Pocket" and other Hall of Fame hits as well as slabs of "Concrete." (9 p.m. today, First Avenue. Sold out.) (J.B.)

Argentinian TV-star-turned-pop-chanteuse Juana Molina fascinated as a one-woman band at the Cedar Cultural Center a couple of years ago, building her mesmerizing, polyglot sound with a bank of keyboards and other machines. Her fifth disc, "Un Dia," is another intriguing marriage of the organic and the electronic, and this time she's bringing a backing band. (8 p.m. today, Whole Coffeehouse, University of Minnesota, Coffman Union, Mpls., $5-$7.) (J.B.)

The New York Times' headline for the Jayhawks' album "Smile" -- "What if you made a classic and no one cared?" -- could be applied to Ben Weaver's "The Ax in the Oak," although local critics and the Current have given it its due. Issued last fall on Chicago's Bloodshot Records, it perfectly balances the St. Paul alt-folk troubadour's rustic, gravelly sound and Townes Van Zandt-ian bleak songwriting style with an elegant, Brian Deck-produced sonic backdrop and lyrics that pull the heartstrings just short of breaking. If you think Bon Iver has had some rough winters, you should hear Weaver. (9 p.m. today, Turf Club. 21 & older. $8.) (C.R.)

Here's what fans can expect from this weekend's two all-acoustic shows by Mark Olson and Gary Louris: a big chunk of their mellow new folk record ("Ready for the Flood"), nine or 10 early Jayhawks songs (yes, including "Blue") but no solo material or post-Olson Jayhawks tunes. These are the duo's first concerts together since 1995 in the city that bred them, so you can probably also expect a little sentimentality. Read an interview with Olson and Louris at startribune.com/music. (8 p.m. Sat., 5:30 p.m. Sun., Varsity Theater. Sold out.) (C.R.)

Now in its fourth year and one of the hippest parties in town, the Bands for Band benefit helps keep music instruction alive at three Minneapolis schools, Sullivan, Sanford and Seward. (2:30 p.m. Sat., Minneapolis Eagles Club. $5-$10; $25 families.) (T.S.)

Flogging Molly is out on its fifth annual Green 17 Tour, which is its way of milking St. Patty's Day into one monthlong bash. The Los Angeles-based Celtic punk band -- the favorite Irish band for MySpace cadets -- puts on better live shows than it does records, although last year's collection, "Float," had some terrifically feisty, Pogues-copping tracks such as "Requiem for a Dying Song" and "Punch Drunk Grinning Soul." (8 p.m. Mon., Myth. All ages. $23-$25.) (C.R.)

Although he may cringe at the comparisons, West Coast singer/songwriter Brett Dennen's sensitive, acoustic-guitar pop comes from the same school as Jason Mraz, John Mayer and Jack Johnson. Dennen's breakthrough hope on his third CD, "Hope for the Hopeless," is the lightly soulful single "Make You Crazy," featuring Femi Kuti. (8 p.m. Mon. Varsity Theater. Sold out.) (J.B.)

When she was a backup singer for Damien Rice, it was easy to fall for Lisa Hannigan's lovely voice. On her solo debut "Sea Saw," her introspective, conversational style isn't consistently assertive enough, but she shows promise on the tasty "Pistachio" and a cover of Bert Jansch's "Courting Blues." (8 p.m. Thu., Varsity Theater, $18-$20.) (J.B.)

Great musicians from both ends of the Mississippi gather for a funky West Bank jam session. Up from New Orleans are legends George Porter Jr. (bassist for the Meters) and Johnny Vidacovich (the induplicable drummer for Professor Longhair and Astral Project). Also from the Crescent City comes Joe Krown, longtime keyboardist for Clarence Gatemouth Brown. The hometown contingent comprises guitar explorer Dean Magraw and saxophonist Brandon Wozniak of the Atlantis Quartet. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center. $20-$22.) (T.S.)

R&B Last week, David Letterman introduced the Jonas Brothers as the second-biggest group in the land next to Ashford & Simpson, who were sitting in with Paul Shaffer's CBS Orchestra. Nick, Joe and Kevin can only wish to write as many hits as Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson have. "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Let's Go Get Stoned" are two of their classics, not to mention "Solid" (recast last year as "Solid as Barack"). This husband-wife duo are terrific entertainers who give every performance a romantic glow. (7 & 9:30 p.m. today-Sat., Dakota, $45-$60.) (J.B.)

WORLD Having won its third Grammy -- for the album "Ilembe: Honouring Shaka Zulu" -- Ladysmith Black Mambazo is celebrating in concert. Expect an evening of magical a cappella harmonizing, playful hand movements and spirited choreographed dancing. Frontman Joseph Shabalala and his exciting group have come a long way since we first experienced them on Paul Simon's "Graceland." (8 p.m. today, Orchestra Hall, $22-$48.) (J.B.)

ROOTS Fresh from a Valentine's Day appearance on "A Prairie Home Companion," Cajun mainstay BeauSoleil returns to showcase songs from its star-studded 29th album. Natalie Merchant, Garth Hudson, John Sebastian and trombonist Roswell Rudd all show up on "Alligator Purse," which features a swell mix of Cajun oldies, righteous roots rock and R&B classics, including a great Dylanesque "Rollin' and Tumblin'," translated into Bayou French as "Rouler et Tournier." Add a little Creole jazz and Caribbean spice, and BeauSoleil may well make new converts even after 35 years together. (8 p.m. today, Cedar Cultural Center. $20-$23.) (T.S.)

JAZZ Bobby Peterson's shadow still looms large over the local jazz scene -- nobody will soon forget the lovable fella who made the most out of small hands and a big brain. The always-rewarding annual Bobby Peterson Memorial Piano Showcase spotlights six artisans of the black and white keys, who usually include fond stories with their boppin' and bluesin.' Friday night you get Laura Caviani, Dan Musselman and Peter Schimke. Saturday's lineup is Phil Aaron, Chris Lomheim and Tanner Taylor. (9 p.m. today-Sat., Artists' Quarter. $10.) (T.S.)

Manhattan Transfer, the Cadillac of jazz vocal groups, is finally making its debut at the Dakota, the internationally known Twin Cities jazz club. On its most recent recording, "Symphony Sessions," the quartet reworked some of its best known material with an orchestra. But for this intimate gig, it will just be the singers doing their trademark treatments of tunes from the 1930s to the '80s. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Dakota, $50-$75.) (J.B.)

Like the Bad Plus, the jazzy Puppini Sisters reimagine well-known songs, but in the style of the Andrews Sisters. Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" and Barry Manilow's "Could It Be Magic" get a retro remix while Duke Ellington's "It Don't Mean a Thing" becomes deliciously slower than molasses in February. This London trio of pseudo siblings also crafts originals with attitude, including "I Can't Believe I'm Not a Millionaire," on the new disc "The Rise & Fall of Ruby Woo," which tantalizingly walks the line between cool and kitsch. (8 p.m. Sat., Orchestra Hall, $22-$42.) (J.B.)

CLASSICAL It hasn't made much of a splash, but the Edvard Grieg Society is in its fourth year of presenting concerts of Nordic music (broadly construed). This season's second event features the excellent Artaria String Quartet (founded in Boston in 1986, now resident in St. Paul) in an inviting program of music by high-latitude composers: Shostakovich (Quartet No. 11), Sibelius ("Intimate Voices") and Arvo Pärt ("Fratres"). (2 p.m. Sun., Sateren Recital Hall, Augsburg College, Mpls. $20. ArtariaQuartet.com or 952-842-8343.) (L.F.)

Pianist Tadeusz Majewski has long been a pillar of the Twin Cities keyboard scene -- a learned, affable performer and teacher from the land of Chopin who co-founded Minnesota's invaluable Frederic Chopin Society. This chamber concert, with St. Paul Chamber Orchestra principal second violinist Dale Barltrop, sidesteps Chopin but offers stellar sonatas for violin and piano by Mozart (K.304) and Beethoven (Op. 30, No. 3), as well as Brahms' tempestuous F-minor Piano Quintet. (4 p.m. Sun, SPCO Center, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. $25. 612-926-3196.) (L.F.)