The Golden Republic

With today’s CD release show, area glam-pop act The Golden Republic unveils its second disc on the Astralwerks label (Badly Drawn Boy). Formerly known and loved as The People, the KC-based quartet is well on its way to national fame. Catchy as can be and versed with Bowie-meets-Nada Surf pop sensibilities, the group actually has a shot at living up to its name. The Golden Republic will make a 5 p.m. in-store appearance today at Kief’s Downtown Music, 823 Mass., and will join Dead Girls Ruin Everything and Darling at Sea 7 p.m. (early show) today at The Bottleneck, 737 N.H.

Charlie Robison

Texas-reared singer-songwriter Charlie Robison (and husband to Dixie Chick Emily Robison) makes radio-ready country rock with one foot firmly planted in the “alt-country” camp. Fiddles, dobros and plenty of pedal steel guitar decorate his musings on love, booze, marijuana and heartbreak. Robison joins OK Jones 7 p.m. Sunday at Grand Emporium, 3832 Main St., Kansas City, Mo.

Sharon Jones

When you hail from the hometown of James Brown, you better not funk around. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings know funkloads more than most modern bands about lighting a keg of “soul dynamite” when they hit the stage. The band had been cutting slabs of classic funk for years on the Daptone label, which harkens back to classic JB proteges such as Marva Whitney and Lynn Collins. When you have an act that shares members with Antibalas Beat Orchestra and dons names like “Funkyfoot,” “Binky” and “Bugaloo,” — it’s hard to argue with that. Sharon Jones joins Josh Powers 10 p.m. today at The Bottleneck, 737 N.H.

‘Have a Heart’

The folks at Van Go Mobile Arts are hoping you’re tired of the traditional box of chocolates or bouquet of roses this Valentine’s Day. The nonprofit’s annual “Have a Heart” show features artwork created by youths employed in the SuperJAMS program. Lawrence artist Cathy Ledeker supervised the apprentices this year as they created decorated boxes, picture frames, glass bowls and magnets, hand-painted ceramic tiles and greeting cards. Van Go provides arts-based social services and job skills to at-risk youth. A reception for the exhibition is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Van Go studios, 715 N.J. The show will remain on view through Feb. 18.

‘Magic School Bus’

Based on the award-winning TV series and the best-selling book series by Scholastic, the live theatrical show presents two wild adventures: “The Traveling Sound Show” and “Recycling.” The performance includes “teacher extraordinaire” Ms. Frizzle, her reptilian sidekick, Liz, and her students: reluctant Arnold, jokester Carlos, energetic Wanda and the bookish Dorothy Ann (D.A. for short). In addition to the shows, a science workshop on sound waves and recycling will be in the second-floor lobby of the Lied Center between shows for children ages 4 to 10. “Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus-Live!” will be performed at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday at the Lied Center.