Liquid Swords. If that isn’t reason enough to catch GZA perform on Friday, March 11 at Dickens Pub, consider this: The Genius played one of the most inspired sets of last year’s Sled Island, outshining notable bill-mates Fucked Up and No Age. Maximillion Justice still has it. And you’d be a fool to miss his performance.

Not that there aren’t non-Wu Tang related diversions. That same night, carefree urbane woodsman Deon Bylan, perhaps Calgary’s answer to Jim Cuddy, hits the Ironwood, while Nelson, B.C.’s Wassabi Collective brings its easygoing mélange of jazz, folk and reggae to the Gateway. Elsewhere, Palomino hosts the local delights of Magnetic North, Sandy Cassels, Selective Coal and the underrated, understated folk of Forest Tate. Now that’s what we call a Friday.

Next: The best holiday of the year — St. Patrick’s Day, doye — arrives early when Toronto Celt-punk legends The Mahones land at the Distillery on Saturday, March 12. Celebrating two decades of hard-livin’ and hard drinkin’ (and somehow, escaping it without resembling Shane MacGowan), these lovable lushes will be unveiling tracks from their new album, Black Irish. Or for hard-livin’ done Prairie-style, head to the Marquee Room, where country-punks Black Dirt of the West heads a bill with James Dangerous and the CIA and The Pines. Lovable Montreal folkies Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few’s date at the Ironwood warrants a nod, too.

Moving along, head for a serving of hot dogs and all-ages excellence at Tubby Dog on Sunday, March 13, when the tri-pronged punk bill of White Lung, Nu Sensae and B-Lines join local faves Grown-Ups. Experience a little slice of Vancouver in Calgary, and if you haven’t already, read Devin Friesen’s article on this page for more information.

Finally, wrap up the week with the righteous jams — no, not the slinky Boston hardcore act — of locals Brain Fever and Being a Bear. Expect furious, female-fronted rage from Brain Fever, while Being a Bear is a history lesson in emo: Flecks of Revolution Summer yelpage, vessel-bursting Level Plane belligerence and ear-pleasing pop-punk are all evident in its songs. Which is just as wonderful as it sounds.