PROMOTIONAL PHOTO

Kara DioGuardi (see Friday, Nov. 20)

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19

Music: Take Our Word for it

Two awesome live music choices tonight, if either is your bag. NYC folk/alt-country/indie rock outfit Pablo returns to The Space (295 Treadwell St., Bldg. H, Hamden; 203-288-6400, thespace.tk) at 7 p.m., playing with Grogan Social Scene and What's Left of the Trees ($10). Or you could check out Los Angeles duo El Ten Eleven at Café Nine (250 State St.; 203-789-8281, cafenine.com), whose brand of post-rock is lively enough that it's acceptable to dance along. Fake Babies opens. 9 p.m. $6.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20

Art: A heart-healthy Choice

TS Rogers has used his clean illustrative artistic talents for CD artwork and local business signs, and even a few of the Advocate's covers. Tonight, his solo show Teaessare Can Read opens at Channel 1 (220 State St.; 888-SHOP-CH1, channel1online.com) from 6-10 p.m. He's illustrated his interpretation of scenes from some of his favorite books (check out the promo video on Channel 1's Web site, where he appears to drink the entirety of Of Mice and Men after turning it into a book smoothie in a blender). The show, the second in a series of three Channel 1 exhibits highlighting local artists who've been successful in the world of commercial art, is on view until Jan. 31.

Talks: Songs that make the whole world sing

She puts the words and melodies into the mouths of some of the decade's biggest pop stars, but tonight you can hear her speak for herself. Songwriter and "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi, who joined the show during its eighth season, knows her way around the entertainment business. Tonight at SCSU's Lyman Center (501 Crescent St.; 203-392-6154, tickets.southernct.edu), she'll speak about the music business and share some of her songs, followed by an audience Q&A. Joining her will be SR71's Mitch Allan, who's gone on to co-write songs for the likes of the Backstreet Boys, Every Avenue, Jonas Brothers and "American Idol" finalists Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry's Daughtry, Kris Allen and Bo Bice. 8 p.m. $10.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21

Film: Man Vs. wild

Stage parents beware: You soon might have competition from local pet owners. Soul Friends, Inc., a nonprofit organization helping children deal with trauma, grief and other emotional challenges through animal therapy, is hosting their first Petflix Film Festival today at the Showcase Cinemas in North Haven (550 Universal Dr., North Haven; 203-234-8000, soul-friends.org). It features 5- to 10-minute short films starring area pets aiming to highlight the therapeutic benefits of interacting with our furry four-legged friends. 10 a.m.-noon.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22

Art: Celebrating your inner Van Gogh

Sometimes the best thing to do on a Sunday in November is to work on something you've been putting off for a while, be it housecleaning, exercise or picking up a new hobby. Café Nine (250 State St.; 203-789-8281, cafenine.com) has you covered for one of those today, with another installment of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School (myspace.com/sketchynewhaven). This month, Pam Terror and Stella Fawkes model and pose for the three-hour life drawing and booze session entitled "New World Old World." Plan on bringing your own art supplies, but we're pretty sure the Nine has all the alcohol you'll need. 4:30-8 p.m. $5.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 23

Fund-Raisers: First Helpings

Help the Derby Historical Society keep its programs up and running by attending this year's Thanksgiving reception, which includes "Dinner with David Humphreys," where local historical reenactor David Loda portrays the army colonel during the American Revolution while you eat. Grassy Hill Lodge, 77 Sodom Lane, Derby; 203-735-1908, derbyhistorical.org. 5 p.m. $40.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24

Books: We know This Much Is True

Author and Connecticut native Wally Lamb isn't just an accomplished author (two of his novels have made Oprah's Book Club list), scholar and teacher. He's also a captivating speaker. If you missed him last week at the Scranton Library, fear not: He's discussing his new book Wishin' & Hopin': A Christmas Story, again tonight at the Mystic Arts Center. You can buy a copy of the book there and get it signed, too. 5:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 25

Music: Story of a band

Musicians and songwriters all over the world are striving for one thing: a hit song. It's the holy grail for those seeking mainstream success. However, it's easy to discount a band that only achieved this once in its career. But does being a one-hit wonder really matter if that song was so catchy and memorable that almost 10 years later, it's still on iPods and playlists? You might not remember it, but Nine Days' "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" with its unforgettable opening line that starts with "This iiiiiiiis ..." and sweet powerpop harmonies has stood the test of time as it is still awesome. Hopefully they'll play it tonight when they swing by Mohegan Sun's Wolf Den (1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Montville; 888-226-7711, mohegansun.com) for a free 8 p.m. show.

Music: Threefer

If you'd rather pay for some live music, the Oakdale Theatre (95 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford; 203-265-1501, oakdale.com) has Brand New, Glassjaw and Crime in Stereo tonight. Long Island alterna-emo rockers Brand New, fronted by brooding tortured soul Jesse Lacey, are touring in support of their new record Daisy, and should not be missed. Pit tickets are sold out, but some say that the seats provide much-needed personal space buffers at what will surely be a packed show. 7:30 p.m. $16.50.