Six Picks: Jam band, rockin’ metal, Oscar-worthy movie, ‘Guys & Dolls,’ beer fest, DJ Dash Berlin

Umphrey's McGee

Umphrey's McGee is a jam band with the chops to support its wide reach, chameleon sweeps of styles and underlying sense of humor, whether they are saluting their prog-rock influences on the "Mantis" album or singing about fried chicken and 40-ounce brews. They bring their epic live show to the Silverton at 8 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $22; call 263-7777.

-- Mike Weatherford

Every Time I Die

Every Time I Die's frontman, Keith Buckley, used to be an English teacher, which may explain such pun-heavy song titles as "We'rewolf," "Guitarred and Feathered" and "Partying is Such Sweet Sorrow." That last tune is from their new disc, "Ex Lives," out Tuesday, which leavens the turgid crunch of metallic hardcore with a down and dirty rock 'n' roll groove. See them at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip, 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 day of show; call 733-7625.

-- Jason Bracelin

'We Need to Talk About Kevin'

If you're still in the mood for Oscar post-mortems, another coulda-been-a-contender finally opens today: "We Need to Talk About Kevin," featuring Tilda Swinton's multiple award-winning portrayal of a mother trying to deal with grief -- and guilt -- following her teenage son's high-school killing spree.

-- Carol Cling

'Guys & Dolls'

I'll bet you a dinner in Havana that Las Vegas Academy Theatre's production of "Guys & Dolls" will be a winner like a horse named Paul Revere, and a person who misses it could develop a cold. The wise-guy musical is at 7 p.m. today and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at 315 S. Seventh St. Tickets are $18; call 800-585-3737

-- Mike Weatherford

Beer fest

Brew's Best, a festival of craft beers from breweries based locally and farther afield and a benefit for New Vista Community, will be on tap from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at The Village at Lake Las Vegas. Samples of more than 80 beers will be offered, including those from Boulder Dam Brewing Co., Barley's Casino & Brewing Co. and Big Dog's Brewing Company. Admission, which includes a sampling mug and unlimited samples, is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. For advance tickets, visit www.NewVistaNV.org.

-- Heidi Knapp Rinella

DJ Dash Berlin

Dash Berlin DJs tonight at Marquee nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, then Tuesday at Lavo at the Palazzo. The DJ-producer, originally from the Netherlands, is a top progressive-trance pop writer. His biggest hits feature arena synths, danceable BPMs and women singing in middle to high registers, as in "Till The Sky Falls Down" (featuring Vera), "Waiting" and "Disarm Yourself" (both with Emma Hewitt on vocals).

-- Doug Elfman