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Catch Questlove and other SXSW acts in Philadelphia in the coming weeks. (Photo by M. Kennedy for GPTMC)

Many are still either buzzing about or recovering from the five-alarm South by Southwest (SXSW) music and media conference that finally blew out last Sunday, March 20.

Tens of thousands made the record-breaking pilgrimage to the Mecca of indie music festivals this year. A little chaos doesn’t faze Philadelphians, though — amid more than 2,000 cutting edge performers spanning from Odd Future to Kanye West, Philadelphia acts held their own, headlining events, drawing crowds and overpowering sound systems.

For those who missed the rock ‘n roll revelry, here are our top picks for must-see SXSW performers with upcoming shows around the city:

• Mose Giganticus: Dock Street Brewing Co., April 2, 2 p.m. While he describes his band’s sound as “synthesizer bass heavy progressive stoner metal” — try saying that fast two times — Mose Giganticus front man Philadelphian Matt Garfield sums up his SXSW experience much more pithily: “Finding parking.” Adding to the stress, the hard rockers blew the power out four times within 20 minutes at their first showcase. Click here for tickets.

• Marsha Ambrosius: TLA, April 4, 9 p.m. The songstress, a previous Philly 360 Creative Ambassador, first gained career traction as a member of the GRAMMY-nominated hip hop/neo-soul duo, Floetry. Now she’s found solo success with an anti-homophobia-themed video for her hit “Far Away” and a national tour that includes fellow Brit Melanie Fiona. She could sing the phone book and inspire chills. Click here for tickets.

• Toro Y Moi: First Unitarian Church, April 12, 8 p.m. He’s not from Philadelphia, but sonic chameleon Chazwick Bundick is a hero among the PBR-swigging patrons of Passyunk Avenue and any other hipster with a pulse. Esquire named him an SXSW band to add to your iPod immediately, but better yet, catch him in person. Click here for tickets.

More, below.

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Sample the burger yourself at the April 15 screening. (Photo courtesy Smokin' Betty's)

The Food Network’s Outrageous Foods will be spotlighting Smokin’ Betty’s very outrageous Tur-duck-en Burger on its April 15 episode.

Three layers of succulent meat (fresh ground turkey, chicken and truffled duck mousse) are expertly topped with Southern style gravy, homemade cranberry sauce, sweet potato ribbons and a stocky piece of stuffing all piled on a LeBus Country White bun.

Host and native of West Chester Tom Pizzica sought out Smokin’ Betty’s to film the building of this culinary trifecta just last month. The one-day shoot showcased the Midtown Village restaurant and toasted its culinaryundertaking. The episode is set to air Friday, April 15 at 10 p.m.

Join Smokin’ Betty’s for a screening, plus see behind-the-scene photos and enjoy delicious treats including the mini version of the Tur-duck-en Burger, red velvet cake and crafty brews.

Food Network’s Outrageous Foods at Smokin’ Bettys
When: Friday, April 15 at 10 p.m.
Where: 116 S. 11th Street
Cost: FREE
More info: www.foodnetwork.com/outrageous-food

Catch Kevin Smith live at the Keswick.
(Photo courtesy Keswick Theatre)

Kevin Smith is hosting a limited speaking engagement at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside on Saturday, April 2 at 8 p.m.

The New Jersey native is an accomplished actor, writer, filmmaker, comic book store owner and creator of comedy cult classics including Clerks, Mallrats, Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Chasing Amy.

Smith’s everyman persona has earned him a devoted fan base, a well-deserved honor given the credit due him for helping to revive the raunchy teen comedy genre.

Tickets for Kevin Smith are $47.50-$67.50 and can be ordered online; via 24-hour phone charge at 1-(800) 745-3000; or at the Keswick box office Monday through Saturday noon to 6 p.m.

Special offer for uwishunu readers: 20% off tickets! CLICK HERE. The special promo code is “red” (not case sensitive).

This code will be active from through April 1, provided the show still has seats available.

Kevin Smith at the Keswick Theatre
When: Saturday, April 2, 8 p.m.
Where: Keswick Theatre, 291 N. Keswick Ave., Glenside
Cost: $47.50-$67.50 (20% off for uwishunu readers!)
More info: www.keswicktheatre.com

Even one hour of electricity savings makes a huge difference. (Photo courtesy Ritz-Carlton)

The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia and its restaurant 10 Arts Bistro & Lounge are holding a “Lights Out for Global Earth Hour” event, tomorrow, March 26 from 8:30-9:30 p.m.

Earth Hour, a growing global movement organized by World Wildlife Fund, challenges households and businesses to turn off non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour, in order to raise awareness for climate change.

Accordingly, the Ritz-Carlton is planning to turn off much of its lighting during Earth Hour (keeping within a level of safety). That means the hotel will turn off all exterior lighting and all non-essential public area lighting. As far as guest rooms, the hotel is leaving that up to the individual guests’ willingness to participate.

Lights will also be dimmed at 10 Arts, and during this special hour, guests will be invited to sip on a specialty cocktail in honor of the movement. The cocktail is, fittingly, called “In the Dark”: Finlandia Lime, muddled organic mint and lime, splash of Sprite ($8.30).

During last year’s Earth Hour (it was founded in 2008), a record 128 countries and territories joined in on the global display, including iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Americas.

You can participate in Earth Hour Philadelphia in your own home, of course. Click here for 10 ideas on how to spend the hour of darkness productively.

Lights Out for Global Earth Hour
Where: The Ritz-Carlton and 10 Arts, 10 Avenue of the Arts
When: Saturday, March 26, 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: www.earthhour.org

There are lots of major events at Philadelphia's museums this weekend. (Clockwise from top: R. Kennedy for GPTMC, courtesy NCC, courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art

The weather may be less glorious than last weekend’s, but the drab forecast doesn’t reflect the quantity or quality of things to do tonight, tomorrow and Sunday.

Our top picks for the weekend, below:

Friday

Art After 5: JD Walter at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Friday Night Flights at Ristorante Panorama

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre’s Hamlet

Prohibition screening with Ken Burns at the National Constitution Center

TFI After Dark at the Franklin Institute

Superior Donuts at the Arden Theatre

Saturday

Scrapplefest at Reading Terminal Market, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Roberto Capucci: Art Into Fashion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

The New Mural Arts African American Iconic Images Collection Guided Mural Tour

12th Robert F. Looney Memorial Event at the Free Library

Oyster House Shucking Contest

Barrels on the Brandywine

Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America at the National Constitution Center

Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Sunday

Paris Through The Window: Marc Chagall And His Circle at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Regional at Temple’s Liacouras Center

Bizarre Beasts: Past And Present at The Academy Of Natural Sciences

Anatomy/Academy at The Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts

Exile Among Expats: James Joyce in Paris at the Rosenbach Museum & Library

Philadelphia Theatre Company’s Let Me Down Easy

The new snack menu includes bites like Swedish meatballs and pigs in blankets. (Photo courtesy Jones)

Jones has recently introduced a great new bar snack menu, available Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. and every evening from 10 p.m. until close.

The menu stays within Jones’ focus of traditional comfort food items and are all homemade. Plus, the price is right: nothing is more than $8.

Featured items include Pigs in a Blanket wrapped in fresh puff pastry ($6); Muhammara (a traditional Middle Eastern red pepper dip) served with crispy seasoned pita chips ($7); Pretzel Bites served with a horseradish mustard ($5); Swedish Meatballs ($6); and BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders ($8).

You can pair your noshes with one of Jones’ creative cocktails or a glass from the extensive beer and wine lists (no happy hour specials, but still totally worth it).

Jones
700 Chestnut Street
www.jones-restaurant.com

As we reported this week, Tastykake is returning to Citizens Bank Park for the 2011 season.

Thanks to a custom cooler to keep the cakes from melting, you’ll be able to chow down on Chocolate Cupcakes, Butterscotch Krimpets and Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes, plus Sugar-Free Tastykakes available at the new Philly Fresh stand. (Check out our coverage on what’s new at Citizens Bank Park for more information on the latest concessions, an MLB food ordering app and more.)

In honor of the much-missed partnership, Tastykake is running a “Phan Phrenzy” promotion:

1) Get a friend to “like” the Tastykake Facebook page as a new fan;
2) Ask that friend to then post on the Tastykake fan page wall, mentioning that YOU sent them;
3) You’ll both be entered to win two tickets to Opening Day!

You have until Wednesday, March 30 at 5 p.m. to enter.

Tastykake Phan Phrenzy [Facebook]

Former Eagles quarterback and NFL’s #1 game-tape guru Ron Jaworski will give an exclusive play-by-play view inside his book The Games that Changed the Game: The Evolution of the NFL in Seven Sundays, at the Gershman Y next Tuesday night, April 12.

As he does in the book, Jaworski will break down film from seven momentous professional football games, including analysis of coaching philosophy and the brilliant strategists behind each play.

Co-authors Greg Cosell and David Plaut, also NFL film gurus, will join him in discussing everything from sophisticated blitzing schemes to the rise of the vertical passing game.

Witness their take on seminal strategic breakthroughs that revolutionized play on both sides of the ball. Engage in a Q&A and book sale/signing afterwards to learn the latest in football lingo from a Monday Night Football analyst and renowned NFL MVP.

Ron Jaworski Talk and Signing
Where: Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad Street
When: Tuesday, April 12, 7 pm
Cost: $5
More info: www.gershmany.org

If you haven't had fried chicken and waffles, you don't know what you're missing. (Credit: iStockPhoto)

Today, March 25, is International Waffle Day. As per usual, we want to assist you in celebrating by providing you with our top picks for delicious, inventive, gourmet waffle dishes.

In the city that’s home to Kandy Kake Sliders (brisket patties sandwiched between Peanut Butter Kandy Kakes) and Philly Tacos (Jim’s cheesesteak wrapped in a giant slice of Lorenzo’s pizza), we’re not talking run-of-the-mill buttermilk waffles, or waffles of the chain cafe variety here, delicious though they are.

We’re talking about creative new takes on the classic waffle and adventurous new waffle pairings that elevate it beyond the standard breakfast dish: like Belgian Stout Waffles with Belgian Stout Beef Stew, an awesome duck and waffles combo, and, of course, Fried Chicken and Waffles.

All of our top picks, below:

• Jones: This cozy Brady Bunch-living-room-themed Stephen Starr spot does comfort food with an inventive flair. And the Fried Chicken and Waffles is a perfect emblem: the dish consists of one fried breast and one fried thigh, half a Belgium waffle (the waffle batter is specially made with malted vanilla flavor), and gravy (a chicken velouté sauce, with diced onions, celery, carrots and pulled poached chicken). No wonder we have it from an inside source that this dish is “definitely a top five seller” at Jones.

• A Full Plate Cafe: This Northern Liberties spot is vegetarian- and health-nut friendly (think quinoa tabouli and root vegetable ratatouille), but nonetheless serves fried chicken cutlets over a Belgium waffle drizzled with BBQ syrup (that’s maple syrup mixed with BBQ syrup, but they’ll also serve the two sauces in separate containers if you’d rather). This dish stays on the menu year-round despite seasonal changes. We wonder why?

• Bridgid’s: As the self-proclaimed first establishment in Philadelphia to specialize in Belgian beers, it’s only fitting that they serve a Belgian Stout Waffle with Belgian Stout Beef Stew on their everyday menu. But it’s more surprising to see Panko-Breaded Chicken With Waffles topped with maple syrup on their Sunday brunch menu.

• Dutch Eating Place: For true homestyle cooking, Reading Terminal’s Pennsylvania Dutch counter serves up homemade chicken pot pie, shoo-fly pie with homemade whipped cream, farm fresh yogurt and the like. Their take on waffles: Creamed Chicken and Waffles served with homemade mashed potatoes, corn and gravy. The catch: they only serve this special every four weeks. We have your back — the next rotation starts the week of April 11.

• Supper: Chef Mitch Prensky serves up seasonal American cooking, but puts a French twist on chicken and waffles. His Duck and Waffles, a crispy confit duck leg atop a pecan sage waffle, served with farm cabbage and maple bourbon jus is considered a “staple” on the dinner menu. And, equally creative and palate-pleasing, you must try the Red Velvet Waffles with sweet cream cheese mousse, toasted pecans and bourbon cherries for brunch.

More, including some super decadent sweet waffle options, below.

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The show borders on the macabre, but is not without comedy. (Photo by Johanna Austin courtesy Azuka)

Azuka Theatre wraps up its 11th season with the world premiere of local award-winning writer Jacqueline Goldfinger’s the terrible girls, running now through April 3 at The Latvian Society.

A quite wicked Southern gothic comedy of loyalty and obsession, the terrible girls follows three women employed at a homely diner off the interstate who harbor terrible secrets, both together and from each other.

Smoky, provocative and refreshing, the piece is a non-mundane portrait of the modern South. As the best theater does, it forces us to reflect and leaves us in awe of what we witnessed on stage. Plus… there’s fake blood and a great soundtrack and lots of laughs.

Tickets are available by calling (215) 733-0255 or online.

Azuka Theatre’s the terrible girls
When: Now through April 3
Where: The Latvian Society, 531 N. 7th Street
Cost: Tickets cost $10-$25
More info: www.azukatheatre.org