Thursday Happenings

Piano Men

NEC faculty member Anthony Coleman digs self-proclaimed jazz founder Jelly Roll Morton enough that the noted avant-garde performer dedicated his most recent records to Morton's dusty compositions. He brings this work to the stage tonight, in a concert that is dedicated equally to the Morton's memory and that of Coleman's late partner, Suzanne Fiol. The concert will also feature a tentet of NEC students, "coached" by Coleman, and the premiere of two new works. Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory, 30 Gainsborough St., 8 p.m. Free.

Animal Parties

Montreal band King Khan & BBQ Show evoke the soul-drenched garage rock of yesteryear. King Khan himself swears fealty to Sun Ra and George Clinton, but if you visit the band's Myspace page and close your eyes, you might think you have found the newest installment of the Nuggets compilation. Performing with Dum Dum Girls and the Downbeat Five. Middle East Downstairs, 472 Mass. Ave., 8 p.m. $12.

Weird Music

Cambridge's Sunburned Hand of the Man might be the weirdest band on its bill tonight, but that's not for lack of trying on the part of the other acts. Locals Doomstar! and Ghost Box Orchestra do the drone thing with varying degrees of heaviness, and San Francisco's Wooden Shjips melts faces. P.A.'s Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave., Somerville, 8:30 p.m. $7/$10.

Radio, on Stage

The Post-Meridian Radio Players bring Orson Welles's infamous War of the Worlds radio adaptation to the stage every year near Halloween, and this year is no different. Featuring Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band and a live foley team. Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, 8 p.m. (reprised Saturday at 2 p.m.) $15/$20.