Toronto’s Royal Wood Plays Club Cafe; Quantum Theatre Q Ball Party at Union Trust (Sat., 2/25/17)

1) First, Royal Wood is his real name. Second, he is an Ontario, Canada, native currently based in Toronto, and if the Juno Awards (Canada’s Music Awards) were more popular stateside, then you might have heard of him. Wood has been nominated for a Juno twice: once in 2011 for Songwriter of the Year and again in 2013 for Adult Alternative Album of the Year. That album was 2012’s We Were Born to Glory, and glorious it is. “Not Giving Up” is lush with the piano sound that Wood perfected in Montreal jazz clubs while a student at McGill University. His newest LP is 2016’s Ghost Light, 90 percent of which, according to his website, he performed himself. The other 10 percent came courtesy other Canadian musicians, such as pop singer Hannah Georgas. Felicity Williams, who has played with Bahamas, also appears. He is touring both the U.S. and Canada, including at stop at Club Cafe. Diana Chittester opens. 7 p.m. 56-58 S. 12th St., South Side. (CM)

2) Three things to know about Quantum Theatre: They do wild and crazy theater. And like other theater companies, fundraising is an important necessity. And even their annual fundraiser is wild and crazy fun. This year’s Q Ball—a dance party that doubles as a participatory multimedia theatrical production (whew, that was a lot of syllables but worth it)—is titled Painting With Light. No worries about staining your fancy clothes, because light doesn’t stick to fabric, and costume-dressing is encouraged. The theme is 19^th-century classical-throwback knock-em-dead. The Quantum crew is building “tableaux” inspired by the paintings of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Everett Millais, and others who may or may not have been members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which incidentally was a real thing. Dance music is provided by DJ Soy Sos, not a member but quite real. As for the light, expect phosphorescence; also expect food, drink, etc. Dance Party tix for the Q Ball are $60 ($75 at the door) or go for the “VIP Experience” at $225 (must be booked before the day of the party). Dance Party 9 p.m. – midnight; VIP special includes a 7-9 p.m. extravaganza as well. Union Trust Building, 501 Grant St., Second Floor. Downtown. (MV)

3) Phase IV is a rockin’ cover band from Cranberry, which is nice since they are playing Jergel’s Rhythm Grille tonight in the neighboring community of Warrendale. The Phase IV band is a highly social animal, playing well-known covers and prized back-catalog goodies from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, while making sure the audience is having a great time. The band is composed of the talented and charismatic Anthony Bertonlino on bass guitar, Dustin Bush handling lead vocals and guitar, Ron Roman on drums and backing vocals, and Mark Redilla on guitars and backing vocals. Hit songs in Phase IV’s repertoire include “Big Country,” “Hard to Handle,” “American Girl,” and “Hey Jealousy.”  This is a fun band to get out and party with. 9 p.m. 285 Northgate Dr., Warrendale.

4) The Sun King Warriors march to the beat of a different drummer and that drummer is Jim Donovan. Continuing his love of drum music from various world cultures, he works these rhythms into rock ‘n’ roll music. Donovan first rose to fame as the founding drummer of jam rockers Rusted Root. See Donovan and the Sun King Warriors tonight at Center of Harmony Opera House in Harmony, PA. 8 p.m. 253 Mercer St.

5) The Pitt men’s basketball team and coach Kevin Stallings—whose done an admiral job of keeping the team together through some extra adversity this season— take on Roy Williams and his North Carolina Tar Heels squad. Tip-off is at noon. This is the Panther’s last Home Game of the season before the ACC Tournament in NYC. Hail to Pitt! Petersen Events Center, 3719 Terrace St., Oakland.

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