The Big Gigs: Shows and highlights of the upcoming entertainment week

POP/ROCK The Zen Tricksters were a Grateful Dead cover band until a veteran of the real deal, 1970s backup singer Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, signed on. Donna Jean and the Tricksters just released a self-titled CD that embraces soulful rock, country-gospel and Southern rock. The frontwoman, who had an impressive pre-Dead résumé of Muscle Shoals session vocals with Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge and Elvis Presley, sounds mellower but Deadheads will dig it. Read a story about her at startribune.com/music. (9:30 p.m. today, Cabooze, $10-$12.) (J.B.)

Former Tonic frontman Emerson Hart's 2007 solo debut, "Cigarettes and Gasoline," was a self-searching autobiography that makes you wonder whether his pre-rock-star life really was so bad or he's just a Ryan Adams wannabe. Tour reports indicate he'll serve a Tonic tune or two. (8 p.m. Sat., Varsity Theater, $15.) (J.B.)

One problem with an early-career hit single is that it can typecast you for life. Luckily, "The Morning After" didn't paralyze Maureen McGovern's career. Over 35 years, she has blossomed into a first-rate interpreter of songs, whether it's classic singer/songwriter pop (Beatles, Dylan, James Taylor) or Gershwin. McGovern joins VocalEssence for a program called "The Joy of Spring," featuring material about the season, including "Over the Rainbow," "Tiptoe Through the Tulips," "Blues in the Night" and the premiere of Gao Hong's "Coming of Spring," with the composer on pipa. (4 p.m. Sun., Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul. $20-$35.) (J.B.)

North Carolina alt-country thrush Tift Merritt made a big noise with her 2002 debut, "Bramble Rose," which suggested Lucinda Williams-like tunes delivered by Sheryl Crow. "Tambourine" in 2004 headed into more of a southern soul direction. Then Merritt tired of the music biz and headed to Paris, where she rediscovered her muse and wrote most of this year's "Another Country." The sound is mostly unvarnished pop delivered with a gorgeous voice that evokes an uncomplicated Joni Mitchell. Alt-country duo the Everybodyfields opens. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center, $15 advance, $18 door.) (J.B.)

Eels fans know that bandleader Mark Everett is one of those eccentric, indulgent pop geniuses. So they'll understand when he begins his concert with a BBC documentary on his quest to understand his late father, quantum physicist Hugh Everett III, who developed the theory of parallel universes. Things will become clearer, perhaps, when Mark reads from his book, "Things the Grandchildren Should Know," in which he details his gloomy life. Of course, he eventually turns to music to further explore the pain. Please discuss amongst yourselves afterward. (8 p.m. Mon., Pantages Theatre, $20.50-$26.50.) (J.B.)

Can they or can't they, and do they even care? This week, Tapes 'N Tapes begins to answer all the speculation over whether they can live up to the hype that surrounded their 2006 album, "The Loon," with the heavily anticipated follow-up "Walk It Off." The band will be in New York for the disc's release Tuesday, and on Conan O'Brien's show Wednesday, but they're officially kicking off their tour with a hometown gig Thursday. Texas trio White Denim is not to be missed in the opening slot. Read an interview with Tapes 'N Tapes in Sunday's Arts section. (7:30 p.m. Thu., First Avenue. 18 & older. $12-$14.) (C.R.)

The gloom-loving, '90s experimental folk-rock ensemble American Music Club enjoyed a modest comeback with 2004's album "Love Songs for Patriots." Frontman Mark Eitzel and original guitarist Vudi are back with a new lineup and a new album, "The Golden Age," which of course is nowhere near as happy as its title suggests. Western Fifth opens. (9 p.m. Thu., Turf Club. $10.) (C.R.)

Arguably the most talented rapper in 50 Cent's withering G-Unit empire, Nashville's Young Buck has released two well-received albums on that label, including last year's "Buck the World." There has been speculation that the gritty rapper might leave the stable, but for now he continues to pledge his loyalty to 50 Cent, even while trying to get his own Cashville label off the ground with signees the Outlawz (Tupac Shakur's old group) and C-Bo, who will open this concert. (10 p.m. Sun., Karma, $15, 18 & older.) (T.H.)

WORLD On his lovely new CD of solo instrumentals, "The Crow in the Sun," Daithí Sproule -- the Minnesota-based guitar star of Altan -- showcases quietly impressive songwriting skills. This resonant gem offers classics from Séamus Ennis and Turlough O'Carolan, but most of the melodies come from Sproule, with tunes about Roseville and Taylors Falls, Minn., in the mix, along with echoes of guitarists Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Ry Cooder. Fellow Celtic travelers the HiBs open this dual CD release show. (8 p.m. today, Cedar Cultural Center. $14-$16.) (T.S.)

Since sitar star Anoushka Shankar is touring with the Rise Ensemble, we're guessing her sound will be closer to the adventurous worldbeat-meets-Indian music heard on 2005's "Rise" than to the sound of last year's "Breathing Under Water." That exotic collision of Eastern and Western music (plenty of electronica) featured vocals by Sting and Norah Jones (Shankar's half-sister) and sitar by the legendary Ravi Shankar (their father). (7:30 p.m. Thu., Orchestra Hall, $20-$55) (J.B.)

CLASSICAL If the world spoke Czech, singer/violinist/actress/composer Iva Bittova would be better known than any rock star. (Do I exaggerate? Seek her out on YouTube and judge for yourself.) Happily oblivious to stylistic borders, she's forged what she calls a "personal folk music," primal and enthralling. Together with the superb Prague-based kampa Quartet -- how often do you meet a string quartet willing to sing in public? -- she will light up the Music in the Park Series; the program includes Leos Janacek's Quartet No. 1. (4 p.m. Sun., St. Anthony Park United Church of Christ, 2129 Commonwealth Av., St. Paul. $12-22. 651-645-5699.) (L.F.)

JAZZ Hard bop trumpeter Jim Rotondi will spend most of April touring Spain, but first he'll make his annual visit to the Artists' Quarter, showing off the chops heard on roughly 50 CDs, including his co-op band One for All, with another AQ fave, David Hazeltine. (9 p.m. today-Sat. $15.) (T.S.)

BLUES A lot of blues guitarists are energetic, but cult hero Guitar Shorty is downright acrobatic, with a stage show that inspired a young Jimi Hendrix (his brother-in-law, in fact). He has a fine Alligator Records CD to showcase, "We the People." (9 p.m. today, Famous Dave's Uptown, $5.) (T.S.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream, Chris Riemenschneider and Tom Horgen, and freelancers Tom Surowicz and Larry Fuchsberg.