Friday Happenings: Keeping Up with the Jonases

Cape Music

Gritty chanteuse Aimee Mann drives sideways into the Cape Cod Melody Tent, rewarding all those who drove fueled by cigarettes and red vines to see her. With Duncan Sheik, the guy who can barely breathe. Cape Cod Melody Tent (21 West Main Street, Hyannis), 8pm, $35+.

Maine Music

If you missed seeing Wilco in Lowell last Saturday and want to spend this afternoon or evening traveling up to Maine, you can check out the band at the Maine State Pier in Portland. The alt-country rockers are touring to support the release of a new, more or less self-titled, record. (And they come from in between the coasts. Yes, there are people there!) Maine State Pier (Commercial Street/Franklin Arterial, Portland, ME), 7pm, $37.

Kiddie Music

The Jonas Brothers defile the TD Garden with noise that is purported to be music. Stay far, far away, unless you are a tween girl. TD Garden, 8pm, $your soul.

The Beat Is On

ArtBeat, the Somerville Arts Council's celebration of the Arts in Davis, begins today/tonight with an exciting schedule of events that involves a parade workshop, a number of bands (including Magic Magic), and, most importantly, a Black Hole Robot Dance Party. Don't get sucked in—you might never get out! 5pm, Davis Square, Free.

More Substantive Than Indie Rock DJs

Wait, is Emerson College doing something that doesn't involve hipsters? How confusing. The school hosts the Multicultural Writers Conference this weekend, giving writers the opportunity to pony up some cash to hone their craft in workshops with Jennifer Baszile, Emily Bernard, Reginald O'Hare Gibson, and Kim McLarin. It actually looks pretty cool. It's too late to submit a piece to be workshopped, but maybe you can charm your way in to some panels or readings. Emerson College (120 Boylston St), all day today and tomorrow, $350-650.