CLASSICAL

by Bruce Reid


THURSDAY 3/16

CONCERTO PALATINO -- The acclaimed ensemble -- two cornetti and two sackbuts (primitive trumpets and trombones, respectively) -- comes to town with a collection of Renaissance music for winds by Farina, Agazzari, Scheidt, and Schein, all of whom are unknown to me. Regardless, fans of historical instruments should pounce; and the group's musicianship should still impress the rest of us. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 8 pm, 325-7066, $23.


SATURDAY 3/18

RAQUEL BITTON -- The singer and a 20-piece orchestra in her salute to the quintessential cabaret chanteuse Edith Piaf. Without questioning Bitton's abilities (much attested to), the concert hall's lack of intimacy can make what should be tender plaintiveness emerge as bloated self-pity. I'd recommend showing up drunk, closing your eyes, and imagining you've stumbled into a candlelit nightclub while waiting for the heat to pass. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 8 pm, 292-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com, $35-$85.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY -- A charity concert, which of course means a greatest-hits package: Beethoven's Nameday and Prometheus Overtures, Elgar's Rondo from Symphony No. 2, Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, and Smetana's Moldau. Other concerts during the week will give you the first of the Beethovens, the whole Elgar, and Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F to boot. Ah, but this one's much cheap- ...I mean, for a good cause. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 2 pm, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org, $15.


SUNDAY 3/19

SUZUKI PIANO CELEBRATION -- The annual self-congratulatory (and deservedly so) concert of students of the Suzuki Method. Pianists ages four through 15 perform pieces ranging (respectively, one hopes) from Mozart's "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to Chopin's Fantasy Impromptu. Benaroya Hall, Nordstrom Recital Hall, 3 pm, 842-5406, $10.


MONDAY 3/20

NORTHWEST SINFONIETTA -- I realize Mahler can ramble on a bit, but to program just the Adagietto from his Symphony No. 5 seems wrong. As does foisting upon us yet another performance of Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4, Italian. No problems with Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, though. Benaroya Hall, Nordstrom Recital Hall, 7:30 pm, 292-ARTS, $14 children/$20 adults.


REGIONAL MUSIC

by Alex Staiger


THURSDAY 3/16

THE WAYWARD MEMBERS OF THE MUDWAY JUGBAND -- Tequila Bar, Olympia

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland

GROOVE COLLECTIVE, 5 FINGERS OF FUNK -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland


FRIDAY 3/17

CHROME, THE OWNERS -- EJ's, Portland

LITTLE CHARLIE AND THE NIGHTCATS/SAFFIRE: THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN -- Aladdin Theatre, Portland


SUNDAY 3/19

SWING REVUE BIG BAND -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland


MONDAY 3/20

GEORGE CLINTON -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland


TUESDAY 3/21

GRANDADDY, GORKY'S ZYGOTIC MYNCI -- Berbati's Pan, Portland

WARREN ZEVON -- Aladdin Theatre, Portland


WEDNESDAY 3/22

UNCLE CYCLOPS, RAINMAKER, BYE BYE CHINOOK -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland

SAM KAMA AND OHANA -- Aladdin Theatre, Portland


RADIO SHOWS

BY David Kauffman


Thursday 3/16

WEEKDAY -- Heidi Wills and Judy Nicastro, the City Council Sisters, talk live with Marcie Sillman. Fuel the debate between these two with your calls. KUOW 94.9 FM, 9 am.


Saturday 3/18

THISTLE AND SHAMROCK -- This show comes equipped with the coolest Irish brogue on local radio. Fiona Ritchie's accent alone makes this show enjoyable. She presents Altan this week, one of Ireland's top traditional bands. KBCS 91.3 FM, 4 pm.

SHAKEN NOT STIRRED -- This show isn't for the p.c.; it's for the rest of us. Johnny and Scotty host this irreverent, uncensored comedy show; offend the racially sensitive; and impersonate, among others, Casey Kasem and Sylvester Stallone. This show starts fights between friends. KQBZ 100.7 FM, 9 pm.


Sunday 3/19

SOUNDPRINT -- Learn about sideshows and "Gibtown," the retirement and off-season home to hundreds of carnival and circus types. It was possible at one time to walk into a restaurant in Gibtown and encounter the Lobster Man dining with the World's Only Living Half Girl. Sideshows having passed, this radio show is one way to recall them and their grotesque, startling stars. KUOW 94.9 FM, 6 pm.


Tuesday 3/21

BACH'S BIRTHDAY -- Steve Reich, the minimalist composer, said, "I never met a jazz musician who didn't love Bach." Steve, that's how all of us feel. Immerse yourself in a radio celebration of Bach's birthday. KING 98.1 FM, 9-10 am, 11:30 am-12 pm, 1-2 pm, 3-7 pm.