The ladies and gents at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (201 SW Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale) are probably beating the dust from their red carpet at this very moment. Her highness Daniela Mercury, the undisputed queen of samba-reggae, and her royal entourage are making their way to South Florida. The Bahia-born Mercury has risen to uber-star status in her native Brazil with her juiced-up rhythms, unstoppable percussion, and powerhouse vocals. The sound is an original mix of salsa, samba, reggae, hip-hop, and provincial flavor from her hometown of Salvador. Mercury's music can be considered the embodiment of the Brazilian spirit of diversity, exuberance, and optimism. The singer got her start playing on the backs of trucks during Salvador's yearly Carnaval and has been shooting to the top ever since. When one considers the scope of her creative fury, this comes as no surprise. She writes her own songs, is a classically trained dancer, has been a working actress, and takes time to moonlight as a writer. Mercury has made sure that the blazing colors of Bahia would not be excluded from the fabric of contemporary world music. The show itself is an electrifying testimony to the power of traditional Latin and Caribbean beats and rhythms with a unique and distinctly modern flair. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. with preshow entertainment and a happy hour with specialty themed drinks. Tickets cost $19 to $49. Call 954-462-0222, or visit www.browardcenter.org. -- Alexis Berkowitz
SAT 6/28
Need a Remedy?
Among the mish-mash of incestuous South Florida band relations, the Remedy Session came together in the late '90s, forming from the remnants of bands such as Grass Patch and Red Shift. Bassist Lori Marsh, guitarist Chris Polito, and drummer Alex Osuna churn out powerful, melodic tunes that are a little bit indie and a trifle bit rock 'n' roll. Come see them kick out the jams for their last show before they head out on a West Coast tour, and choose from more than 100 beers at the Billabong Pub (3000 Country Club Ln., Hallandale Beach). Jupiter Sunrise and Kicking Howard open. The show starts at 9 p.m. and costs $4. Age 18 and older. Call 954-985-1050. -- Audra Schroeder
SUN 6/29
Harmonious Harmonicas
South Florida hypes the harp
Harmonicas, harmonicas, harmonicas! Get your harps right here! Until now, Cheers Food & Spirits (941 E. Cypress Creek Rd., Fort Lauderdale) has been known primarily as the place to go for a final hour of drunken debauchery once all the other bars have closed. That image alone has fostered some interesting times at 4 a.m., when every late-night clique, from bikers to punks to pretty boys, smash themselves in shoulder to shoulder. Doubtless, that will continue, but from now on, Cheers has another item to crow over. The bar hosts the "First Annual Blues Society Harmonica Blowout" from 3 to 7 p.m., featuring Sonnie and the Roadkings as well as a horde of local harpists, all eager to prove they rule the harmonica-playing world. Free food and drink specials make the $5 cover charge well worth it. Call 954-771-6337. -- Dan Sweeney
FRI 6/27
Get Your War On
South Pacific in South Florida
War, romance, music, racial prejudice, misunderstanding. Yes, all these ingredients make for a compelling story. And all these ingredients find their way into Florida Atlantic University's production of South Pacific. Based on two short stories from James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, the play focuses on two very different love stories. One involves a Navy nurse named Nellie (say that three times fast) and a French painter named Emile, while the other tells the story of forbidden love between a Navy lieutenant and a young island woman named Liat. Of course, there are song-and-dance numbers as well, including the classic ballad "Some Enchanted Evening." South Pacific runs June 27 to July 19 at FAU's Schmidt Performing Arts Center (777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton). Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Call 561-297-3606. -- Audra Schroeder
TUE 7/1
Those Eva Guys
In one of those superlative hyperboles that has done a lot to make Rolling Stone the laughingstock of the music-journalism world, a story in the rag's latest edition calls goth rockers Evanescence "the biggest new rock group in America." That, of course, leaves most people wondering "Eva who?" With a big hit on the Daredevil soundtrack, the group's debut album, Fallen, kicked off at an eye-opening number seven, but the misleading song in question, "Bring Me to Life," is only one half of the group's sound -- the other half of Fallen sounds like Tori Amos gone goth. Hear for yourself as Evanescence comes to Pompano Beach Amphitheatre (1801 NE Sixth St., Pompano Beach) at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $18. Call 954-946-2402. -- Dan Sweeney