Thursday
So the quarter is nearing the end quickly, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do besides study and dream of Spring Break. Rather, join the funk-jazz band Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet tonight at 9 at SOhO. It’s sure to be something a little out of the ordinary to break you out of your finals blues. Also, National Geographic’s Paul Sereno will be unleashing the mystery of dinosaurs at Campbell Hall this evening. If you were one of those kids that couldn’t get enough of “The Land Before Time,” Sereno will fill you in on the not-as-cuddly-as-Littlefoot dinos of Africa. The show starts at 8 and tickets are $10. Call 893-3535 for info.

Friday
Haven’t seen an opera lately? Well lucky you because Artsweek has yet to see a good one. However, if you have an open mind and $20 to spare, join the Lobero Theatre in welcoming Cosi Fan Tutte. Sure you won’t be able to understand it, but when that fat lady sings, it’ll all be worth it. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Oh, those Pacific Northwesterners and their indie rock. Come see Jupiter Ghostfire, the Jealous Monks, Whysp and Photobooth perform tonight at little-known corner club, Jojo’s, located at 1134 Chapala St. in downtown Santa Barbara. Tickets for this all-ages show are a paltry $5 and show starts at 8 p.m. Call Jojo’s at 564-8400 for more info.

Saturday/Sunday
You know Yo-Yo Ma was teased relentlessly when he was growing up, but now he has blossomed into the world’s premier cellist, which, though still geeky, is quite impressive. I mean raunchy ol’ Xtina hasn’t won 14 Grammys, has she? Come see what all the fuss is about. The show begins at 4 p.m. in Campbell Hall. Tickets are $25 for students, but they sold out long ago, so find a friendly scalper. Her hair is bigger than Beyonce’s and her mouth is as dirty as Missy’s, so come to Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre tonight to catch MTV’s newest darling, Kelis, who will teach you to milkshake, but she’ll have to charge $20. The show starts at 8. Visit www.theroxyonsunset.com.

Monday
So she sucked faces with Madonna, got married for a nanosecond, then repented to God in front of a live audience, but she still rocks your celebrity-ruled world. Catch Miss Spears tonight at L.A.’s Staples Center as she gyrates her way into your heart. Tickets start at $42 and head upwards of $100. The show begins at 7:30. Visit www.ticketmaster.com for tickets. Also tonight, acclaimed writer Anne Lamott will be reading some excerpts from her many books, including Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. It’s a great chance to hear Lamott’s work the way she wants it to be read. Tickets are a measly $8 and the show starts at 8 at Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 for more info.

Tuesday
Fans of big-man-gone-little John Popper will be pleased to hear that “Run Around” band Blues Traveler will descend upon the House of Blues Sunset Strip for two nights this week (Monday and Tuesday) buttering up audiences with their unique blend of blues and pop. So put on your ruby slippers and try and slip in the back door; otherwise fork out the $22.50. Just a couple of blocks away, impressive 12-string guitar player/singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson will be showing off songs from his latest album Beneath These Fireworks as well as showcasing his killer pipes that has him compared to the likes of David Gray and John Mayer. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the Troubadour, located at 9081 Santa Monica Blvd. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday
It’s 80s band reunion night to the South of us this evening. So if you missed Sebastian Bach and the gang from Skid Row, tonight is your night to relive all of your hair-band fantasies. True to their metal roots, they will be headlining Whisky a Go-Go. Doors open at 7:30. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com. As we all well know, one thing leads to another; that’s why new-wave sweethearts the Fixx will be swinging by the House of Blues Anaheim to reminisce of times past and bring you up to date on their newest release Want That Life. Just a little trip down the 101 to the 5 will lead you to this venue. Tickets are $12. Visit www.houseofblues.com for more info.