NYC-based electronic music duo Ratatat comes to the Showplace Theater on Friday (March 16) with tourmates Professor Murder and Despot. Ratatat has spent plenty of time on the road, touring with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, and the Killers. Guitarist Mike Stroud and producer/synth driver Evan West met at Skidmore College as students, and they’ve now been working together for over five years, touring relentlessly and producing the underground hit “Seventeen Years” for Rex records off of their 2004 self-titled debut album. A new set up hip-hop overhauls titled Classics is now available. The show starts at 8pm

Anyone who can appreciate a cozy bar with a fireplace and four talented songwriters sitting in the round, sharing their tunes and swapping stories should be at the Scotch-N-Sirloin on Friday (March 16). There you’ll get to hear Buffalo ex-pat Phil Dillon, in town from Nashville, playing some of the material he wrote for T. Graham Brown and Lee Roy Parnell. Another Buffalo Music Hall of Fame member, Doug Yeomans, joins him. Local music greats Willie Schoellkopf, noted for his work with Blue Ox, and Bob Campbell, an early member of The Road and founding member of Emery Nash, will be on hand to round out the songwriters’ circle. The show starts at 9pm

Neglia Ballet Artists present a production of Spartacus on Saturday (March 17), at 7pm. This intensely dramatic program showcases the talents of principal dancers Sergio Neglia and Sherri Campagni, as well as Sergio’s wife and co-founder of the company Heidi Halt, who returns to the stage after a three year break from performing. Set design comes from David King and David Butler, lighting design is by Brian Cavanaugh, and the gorgeous and colorful costumes were made by Donna Massimo. This is a one night only performance at UB Center for the Arts.

Hardworking band Akron/Family has literally played hundreds and hundreds of shows since the release of their debut album, Akron/Family (Young God Records), in 2005. Their sound runs between the currently popular experimental “freak folk” and more standardly accessible free-jazz improv, with more than a nod to rock groups like Modest Mouse and Built to Spill. The latest release for Young God is 2006’s Meek Warrior, which the group has been promoting with a very busy tour along the Eastern seaboard. Said tour brings them to Soundlab on Saturday (March 17), for a show starting at 9pm.

Conceived at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 2003, world beat/reggae troup Spiritual Rez is one of the biggest crowd pleasers to come through Buffalo on a semi-regular basis. Known for a unique sound that stands out within the genre, Spiritual Rez practically guarantees a great show with their high-energy live performances and feel-good vibe. The band plays at Nietzsche’s on Friday (March 16) at 10pm. Come out early for some live jazz before the show, as Susan Peters will give a “Happy Hour” performance at 6pm.

Welcome Bitch and the Exciting Conclusion to our fair city, when Ms. Kitty’s hosts a post-St. Patrick’s Day Parade show this Sunday (March 18), at 4pm. Formerly of the Righteous Babe recording group Bitch and Animal, this feminist recording artist has just released Make this/Break this (Kill Rock Stars) in her new incarnation with the Exciting Conclusion. Playing electric violin, ukelele, and a bass guitar, this multi-talented instrumentalist is also something of a comedian, as anyone familiar with Bitch and Animal will certainly know. This promises to be a crowded show, so you might want to get there early. Doors open at 2pm.

People may be tempted to call Man Man a joke band, what with their call and response songs and circus side show sounds, but that would be too much of an insult to their work. Like Captain Beefheart or Sparks before them, Man Man uses humor to explore a much deeper terrain that even some of the most “serious” musicians muster. While utilizing trumpet, accordian, and even children’s choirs, vocalist and founder Honus Honus sings in a deep growl that falls somewhere between Tom Waits and Nick Cave. On their most recent recording for Ace Fu Records, Six Demon Bag, Honus sings complex metaphors of loneliness and despair (and that’s no joke). Man Man performs at Mohawk Place on Monday (March 19) at 9pm. Opening the show is Icy Demons.