March is upon us at last. With the winter drawing to a close, here’s how to start spring off with a bang. Houston heats up in more ways than one.

Friday 03-12 through Monday 03-15

South by Due East, Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, 1031 E. 24th St., Fri 5p-2a, Sat-Sun 3p-2a. Independent music festival featuring local Houston bands, too many to name individually. 10-M03-1

Saturday 03-13

Menil Community Art Festival, Menil Campus, 1515 Sul Ross, 11am-4pm, free admission. 10-M03-2

Saturday 03-20

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline, 7pm, $20 in advance/$23 day of show. The best of two styles: 60s British rock and modern alternative, rolled up into one with a little bit of psychadelia thrown in for good measure. BRMC hails from San Francisco and this is the Houston stop on their tour. 10-M03-3

Spacetaker APOCAYLPTO Gala, Winter Street Studios, Winter Street, 7-11pm, $60+. 10-M03-4

Friday 03-26

Gilberto Gil, Jones Hall, 8pm, $22-$57. Brazilian musician with a unique style (Tropicália) blending bossa nova, rock, African, Bahian folk, and Portugese Fado. 10-M03-5

Edited 2010 March 09: the correct ID numbers begin with “10-” not “03-“