by Bruce Reid

Friday 3/24

ESOTERICS -- If this choral group were even half as good as they are, their innovative programming alone would still make them pre-eminent in town. Their 2000 season consists of four concerts, each dedicated to one of the elements. First up is Earth, celebrated in Copland's In the Beginning, Finney's Spherical Madrigals, Schoenberg's mournful (and, relax, Romantic) Friede auf Erden, plus many others -- including, if you care about hometown pride, local composers David Asplin and Donald Skirvin. Pilgrim Congregational Church, Broadway and E Republican, Fri-Sat March 24-25, 8 pm, www.culturefinder.org, $13 students & seniors/$16 general ($14/$17 at the door).

ORCHESTRA SEATTLE AND SEATTLE CHAMBER SINGERS -- Of all the musical masterpieces written as job applications, none is greater (or proved less effective at winning the appointment) than Bach's Mass in B minor. Our luck he kept working on it after losing out on the post of court composer. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 8 pm, 682-5208, $5 students/$10-$15 seniors/$15-$20 general.

SATURDAY 3/25

LAKE UNION CIVIC ORCHESTRA -- The noble tradition of affordable albeit over-familiar concertgoing is maintained by this non-profit spin-off of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Tonight features Bizet's L'Arlesienne, Gliere's Concerto for Coloratura Soprano (Tiffany Russell soloing), and Beethoven's Sixth Symphony. Town Hall, Seneca and Eighth, 7:30 pm, $5, children under 12 free.

SEATTLE BAROQUE -- Concerti for strings and harpsichord by a who's-who of the Italian Baroque: Corelli, Albinoni, Platti. Benaroya Hall, Nordstrom Recital Hall, 8 pm, 322-3118, $14 students/$18 seniors/$23 general.

SUNDAY 3/26

ANDREW MANZE -- The superstar of the period performance movement, Manze's intelligence, originality, and strong, steely tone on the violin have won over many for whom Kreisler is as historically informed as they want to get. One of the best things about Manze (and Romanesca, his regular ensemble) are the overlooked masterpieces they've restored; too bad this concert is typical Greatest Hits of the Baroque: the Passacaglia from Biber's Rosary Sonatas, Bach's nonpareil Partita No. 2 in D, and the most lore-laden piece in classical music, Tartini's Devil's Sonata. Seattle Art Museum, First and University, 3 pm, 325-7066, $23.

REGIONAL MUSIC

by David Kauffman

Thursday 3/23

THE SISSIES, RIFF RANDELS, GOOD TIMES AND THE VIRGINS -- Showoff Gallery, Bellingham

FLAMING LIPS, LOOPER -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland

YOUNG DUBLINERS -- Mt. Tabor Theater, Portland

Friday 3/24

COBRA VERDE, SUNSET VALLEY, TV EYE -- EJ's, Portland

FLOATER, JOLLYMON -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland

Monday 3/27

PAPAS FRITAS, GUESTS -- Satyricon, Portland

THE AMERICAN GIRLS, LOEL LEROY AND THE LOVED, A MAN CALLED SUN -- Lola's, Portland

Wednesday 3/29

H2O, ANTI-FLAG, SAVES THE DAY, GUESTS -- Paris Theater, Portland

MANDARIN, DRIVE -- Lola's, Portland

RADIO SHOWS

by Mark Pinkos

THURSDAY 3/23

RADIO MYSTERY THEATRE -- Edgar Allen Poe's classic story of a paranoid murderer, The Tell-Tale Heart, gets the extra spooky treatment by host Fred Gwynne. Try turning out the lights, lighting a candle, and snuggling up with your partner for a cheap date. KUOW 94.9 FM, 10 pm.

SATURDAY 3/25

LIVE ROOM -- Live radio with no net in sight. This week the band Loser takes to the airwaves with their melancholy, dramatic take on pop. KCMU 90.3 FM, 8-9 pm.

SONARCHY -- Join the FCC by tuning in to one of Seattle's most progressive live broadcasts. This week the Subdwellers offer up hiphop with a natural sound (which hopefully does not imply college kids with wah pedals and sacks of weed). KCMU 90.3 FM, 11 pm-midnight.

SUNDAY 3/26

NO ROOM FOR SQUARES -- The evolution of jazz is a fascinating musical story. DJ Aric Effron focuses on the hard-bop era of the late '50s and '60s, a pivotal time preceded by be-bop and postdated by the brainy fusion of the 1970s. Expect heaping doses of Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, and Herbie Hancock. KUPS 90.1 FM, noon-1 pm.

MOUNTAIN STAGE -- This folk, pop, and roots music showcase is broadcast live from the most snaggle-toothed state in the union, West Virginia. This week's show features Rusted Root, Steve Earle (who is almost as bad-ass as the late, great Jim Croce), and Michelle Lewis. KBCS 91.3 FM, 5 pm.