FRIDAY, April 3
Janelle Monae
Musical adventurer Janelle Monae was nominated for a Grammy Award in the urban/alternative category, but she won't stay pigeonholed for long. She made a big splash at the recent South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, according to many post-fest reports, impressing the gathering's often-jaded audience of music insiders.
7:30 p.m. April 3. $38.50-$40.50. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-413-9849, https://tickets.rialtocenter.org.
Todd Rundgren Band
For those under 30, Rundgren is probably best known — if at all — as the man actress Liv Tyler thought was her father when she was a child. He isn't, but he's created some other things that are just as pretty: "I Saw the Light," "Hello, It's Me" and "Can We Still Be Friends," for starters. After a stint with the New Cars, he's back doing his own stuff, and that's a much better use of his time — and ours.
8:30 p.m. April 3. $30. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-521-1786, www.variety-playhouse.com.
SATURDAY, April 4
Mingus Big Band
The late Charles Mingus was one of the great jazz composers. He created a highly individual catalog that draws on gospel, blues and classical, melding them with jazz in his own inimitable way. The idiosyncratic nature of his work means that many find it difficult to perform, but there are several tribute acts, including the Mingus Big Band, one of several ensembles managed by Mingus' widow, Sue.
8 p.m. April 4. $36-$62. Rialto Center for the Arts, 80 Forsyth St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-413-9849, www.rialtocenter.org.
WRFG Peachblossom Bluegrass Festival
Head to the Clarkston Community Center for this community radio station's annual fund-raiser. This is a new location for the 33-year-old festival, which will include food, crafts and performances from 10 local and regional bands.
11 a.m.-9 p.m. April 4. $12; $10 advance; $5 students and senior citizens; ages 5 and younger free. Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. 404-501-0107, www.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org.
TUESDAY, April 7
Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3
Hitchcock emerged as part of the Soft Boys, a band contemporary with the punk revolution in Britain. The Soft Boys shared punk's do-it-yourself spirit and a touch of the aggression, but there was more jangling psychedelia and whimsical wit in their music. Those latter characteristics, along with a healthy dose of folk, remain in Hitchcock's solo career, which has been going strong for more than a quarter-century.
8 p.m. April 7. $20; $17.50 advance. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-521-1786, www.variety-playhouse.com.
THURSDAY, April 9
Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa's fembot pop is rooted firmly to the dance floor and she never seems to take it too seriously. It's brimming with Euro-pop synth-funk, even though the woman behind it is a New Yorker. You get the feeling that the extra cheese she smears all over it comes with a bit of a wink. No one is going to learn anything from tunes such as the No. 1 hit "Just Dance" or "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich," but if you turn off your mind, it's undeniably catchy fun.
9 p.m. April 9. $25 (sold out). Center Stage Atlanta, 1374 W. Peachtree St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-885-1365, www.centerstage-atlanta.com.
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