Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 will play at the Cat's Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro, tonight. Hitchcock, a critical and cult favorite for decades, came to prominence with The Soft Boys in the 1970s and then with The Egyptians in the 1980s. Venus 3 includes Peter Buck and Bill Rieflin of REM and Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows. Eric Choir will open. Showtime is 9 p.m. Too late for advance tickets; admission is $17. 967-9053, www.catscradle.com.

THURSDAY

Los Angeles-based Maria Taylor will play at Local 506 Thursday night, with Whispertown 2000 opening. Admission is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. 942-5506, www.local506.com.

FRIDAY

The Ackland Art Museum at UNC will screen the award-winning documentary film 'Mountain Top Removal' on Friday at 8:15 p.m. in the Hanes Art Center Auditorium. Director Michael O'Connell will introduce the film and take questions from the audience. The film explores the ways in which mountaintop removal coal mining is leveling forests, destroying communities, and threatening water supplies across Southern Appalachia. Admission is $5 to the general public, free to Student Friends of the Ackland.

SATURDAY

Katharine Whalen's Lucky will play at the Cat's Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro, Saturday night. The Jon Shain Trio and Sally Spring with the Ted Lyons Experience will open. Showtime is 8 p.m. Admission is $10. 967-9053, www.catscradle.com.