an evening with virgil t

8 P.M. THURSDAY. KAUFFMAN CENTER.

An Evening With Virgil T allows adventurous music lovers who are strapped for time and cash to cross several things off their lists at once. The evening represents a rare opportunity to hear a live performance of the compositions of Virgil Thomson. The Kansas City native died in 1989. Many of the region’s top classical and jazz performers — including People’s Liberation Big Band, Nathan Granner, Mark Lowrey, Shay Estes and Elizabeth Suh Lane — are on the bill. And not only does the event offer a relatively cheap way to experience the luxurious new Helzberg Hall — tickets are $15 — the performance is being taped for a future broadcast by Kansas City Public Television.

chromeo

8 P.M. THURSDAY. MIDLAND.

If Ke$ha’s trashy dance-pop was more creative and self-aware, it would probably sound like Chromeo. Intentionally ironic and gleefully idiotic, the Canadian duo is hilarious. While Chromeo evokes ’80s funk bands like Zapp, opener Mayer Hawthorne offers an outstanding homage to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. Hawthorne and Chromeo may be throwback acts, but there’s nothing stale about their vibrant sounds. French DJ Breakbot serves as the other opener for what promises to be one of the most delectably carefree concerts of the year.

Advance tickets are $25.

freakers ball

7 P.M. FRIDAY. INDEPENDENCE EVENTS CENTER.

Freakers Ball has metal purists seething. Anthrax, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer, is one of thrash metal’s hallowed “Big Four.” So what are they doing opening for Five Finger Death Punch? Concerts sponsored by radio stations are often offbeat oddities. The event created by 98.9 The Rock is no exception. Although Five Finger Death Punch has no business headlining over Anthrax, the Los Angeles-based band is a worthy torchbearer of Anthrax’s sound. The aptly named Hatebreed and Rev Theory are also on the bill of the massive metal blowout.

Advance tickets to the 7 p.m. concert at $35.

joe lovano & us 5 with esperanza spalding

8 P.M. FRIDAY. GEM THEATER.

Esperanza Spalding shocked millions of young women when she beat out Justin Bieber for the Best New Artist award at the Grammys in February. Indignant fans of the teen idol rightly claimed that they’d never heard of the “Bieber-beater.” It’s just a matter of time. Spalding will likely displace Wynton Marsalis as the world’s most famous living jazz musician in a few years. For the time being, she’s touring as bassist for the brilliant saxophonist Joe Lovano. “Bird Songs,” his new album, is a radical reworking of the music of Kansas City’s Charlie Parker.

Advance tickets are $50.

deadmau5

8 P.M. MONDAY. MIDLAND.

Never underestimate the power of Mickey Mouse’s ears. Canadian electronic artist Joel Zimmerman, better known as Deadmau5, dons exaggerated headgear that resembles the Disney creation. The Canadian star may not be the best artist in club music, but he certainly possesses the most immediately recognizable image in the genre. And audiences love to dance to his straightforward beats. Also on the bill are Excision, Feed Me and Le Castle Vania. The area’s high schools and colleges should expect an abnormal number of unexcused absences on Tuesday.

Advance tickets are $50.