On the Beat: Sept. 24-Sept. 30

DIONNE FARRIS

Jesse Winchester

The draft-dodging Memphis singer - headlining the Trenton War Memorial’s Patriots Theatre (125 W. State St., Trenton) tonight – always has his motherland on his mind when constructing a brand of Biloxi folk from over the border in Canada throughout his ’70s heyday. Even with a songwriting style deep-rooted in Americana – including popular numbers “Yankee Lady” and “Mississippi, You’re On My Mind – Winchester’s draft status kept him from touring the states until 1977 when President Jimmy Carter granted the folk icon amnesty. He’s also known for his work with Jimmy Buffet, Reba McEntire and Elvis Costello. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $30. All-ages.

Dionne Farris

Before winning a Grammy in the early ’90s and bringing the idea of rap alternatives to the mainstream, the Arrested Development singer – headlining The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) tonight – was a Bordentown Regional High School drama queen with a golden voice, who, rumor has it, became a controversial person of interest in 1987 when she was picked to play a black Annie in the school’s musical. You have to start somewhere, right? Farris went solo after a few years and a Lollapalooza slot with the Afro centric hit makers – picking up a Grammy nod for her crossover R&B hit “I Know” in ’95 and a monumental performance on “Saturday Night Live.” According to the promoter, Farris has never played her hometown. About 100 tickets are available. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door. All-ages.

Rorschach

The Paramus crass-core slime-ballers - who transformed into New Brunswick’s Deadguy by Rorschach’s 1993 dismantling - reunion at Asbury Lanes (209 4th Ave., Asbury Park) tonight. Show starts at 8 p.m. The Black Kites and Torchrearer round out the bill. Tickets cost $12. All-ages.

DJ Randy Now

Bruce Springsteen’s 60, so the City Gardens icon celebrates rock ’n’ roll aging with an “All Bruce! All Night!” spin cycle at Jester’s Café (233 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) tomorrow night. If Bruce recorded it, Now’s got it. And when his rare vinyls are in rotation, it’s “E Street Shuffl(ing)” all night long. Sets start at 10 p.m. Free. 21-plus.

A Dream Worth Dying For

Bensalem screamcore sentimentalists – opening for Tomorrow Never Dies at Championships Sports Bar and Grill (931 Chambers St., Trenton) on Saturday – finds tiny spaces in-between their dog-barking vocal terrors for small doses of mawkish melody. Go if you think Atreyu should be pushed into a ditch of hypodermic needles, believe Victory Records still puts out innovative “hardcore,” and if you score with chicks even when wearing black nail polish to the prom. Show starts at noon. Slutty Earth, Jaws of Gerberus, Centuries, Skattered and Among the Forgotten play, too. Tickets cost $10. All-ages.

The Blue Pages

The emo-pop pretty-boy Bostonians play The All Call Inn (214 Weber Ave., Ewing) with ragga-rockers 14 Points on Saturday night. Show starts at 9 p.m. A Love Like Pi plays, too. Tickets cost $5. 21-plus.

Dinosaur Eyelids

Gripping psyche-metal meltdowns – elephant riding through Championships Sports Bar and Grill (931 Chambers St., Trenton) Saturday night - uncover the Skillman group’s affection for chugging, Clutch-influenced stoner-core. Also for fans of Fu Manchu, muttonchops and Kyuss. Show starts at 9 p.m. Sincerely ME and AJ Destefano play, too. Tickets cost $8. 21-plus.

Amy Speace

The Judy Collins-managed cowgirl from Jersey City plays way-too-honest blues-pop for Aimee Mann fans - pours her heart out onto the floor of The Record Collector (358 Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown) on Saturday night. Also fun for Sarah McLachlan and Sheryl Crow fans. Show starts at 7:30. The Bongos’ James Mastro joins Speace on stage. Kim Yarson, opens. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $15 at the door. All-ages.

DJ Pat Money

Rider’s big man on campus’ pop mixes at The All Call Inn (214 Weber Ave., Ewing) Tuesday night makes college co-ed crazy. Sets start at 9. Free. 21-plus.

Scott Frost’s On The Beat concert listing appears in The Trentonian every Thursday. If your band is playing around town, email the On the Beat webline at djscott111@aol.com.