FRI 11/11
The musical duo Four Shillings Short delight in the exotic. Rather than employing traditionally folkie instruments like guitar and upright bass, free-spirited Californian Christy Martin and Irishman Aodh Og O'Tuama prefer hammered dulcimer, gemshorn, tin whistles, and mandolin. Their music is a global potpourri where keening vocals meet lilting North Indian sitar and Renaissance woodwinds. Like a medieval fair in New Delhi, the music of Four Shillings Short is intriguing and worth investigating. They perform tonight at 7:00 at the Wallflower Gallery, 10 NE Third St., Miami. Admission is eight dollars. Call 305-579-0069, or visit www.wallflowergallery.com. — Patrice Elizabeth Grell Yursik
Cuban Import
Make time for Tiempo Libre
SAT 11/12
Cigars, old American cars, colonial buildings, sugar cane, and strong, sweet coffee. These images evoke Cuba as much as a Celia Cruz number. Music is one of the island's most popular exports, and Tiempo Libre is the hottest new band to emerge. The group — formed as a side project during the musicians' tiempo libre, or free time — plays timba, a fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz, salsa, reggae, funk, and other forms. Six of the members of the band were childhood friends in Cuba and attended music conservatories there. Tiempo Libre comes to town tonight to promote its new album, Arroz con Mango. Spend your free time well at Salsa Rueda Congress of the Americas at the Radisson Hotel, 1601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Showtime is 11:00, and tickets cost $20. Call 305-298-5562 or visit www.salsaruedacongress.com for more information. — Ilona Solomon
Wolf's Tale
Grandpa's a big bassoon!
SUN 11/13
What could be better than perennial field-trip favorite Peter and the Wolf? How about Peter and the Wolf and Friends? In today's Sunday Afternoons of Music for Children presentation, the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra will perform the Prokofiev classic and also demonstrate the "four families" of the orchestra. Grownups might recognize guest narrator Martin Bookspan as the commentator on PBS's Live from Lincoln Center. If you can refrain from hunting him down for sport, Peter-the-Mime will provide entertainment and refreshments after the concert. There will also be a "petting zoo" where the children can touch and play actual musical instruments. The hunting begins at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Gusman Concert Hall on the University of Miami campus, 1314 Miller Rd., Coral Gables. Tickets cost $10 for children, $12 for adults. Call 305-358-5885. — Margaret Griffis
