Friday

Rosie Thomas’ comedic persona, Sheila Saputo, sometimes opens her live performances. Though the Saputo schtick is mildly funny, it seems to be more fun for Thomas than for the audience. Maybe she should stick to singing: Recently, Thomas tried her hand at pulling an April Fool’s joke on the tastemakers at Pitchfork Media, claiming to carry the baby of beloved bard Sufjan Stevens, with whom she is currently recording. Just ask any dude: A woman saying she’s pregnant with your child has very limited comedic value. Hearts were broken by the news while Thomas’ Q Score soared. Days later, she admitted the baby-mama drama was just a hoax. That’s what Pitchfork gets for giving her last record a 5.9 and calling her the “Sarah McLachlan for the hipster haircut set.” Luckily, Thomas still has a dulcet singing voice, and last year’s If Songs Could Be Held was an appropriate showcase of her earnest songwriting. Sure, the music sounds a little Lilith Fair, but it’s just as much Aimee Mann as it is Sarah McLachlan. Maybe Stevens will lend her some of his indie cred for the new batch of songs they’re recording—as long as she promises to play no more pregnancy pranks and leave the gags to Gallagher. See Thomas perform at 7 p.m. at Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Ave. East, Vienna. $10. (703) 255-1566. (David Dunlap Jr.)