Looking ahead

As I look ahead through the end of March and beyond, I see a number of shows - some local, but mostly touring acts - that are going to be on my radar and maybe should be on yours . . .

Near . . . Some recommended shows in the coming week include:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo at the Aladdin Theater on Thursday - 8 PM, $31
Also on Thursday, Irish band Flogging Molly at the Crystal Ballroom - 9 PM (For ticket information visit www.jdstudiono7.com)
LiveWire Radio taping at the Aladdin on Friday with musical guests Amelia and the March Fourth Marching Band - 8PM $15
James Low and Caleb Klauder on Saturday night at Mississippi Studios - 7 PM, $10
A three day run of shows at the Schnitz (as part of the Symphony's Pops program) is called Women in Blues and features Betty LaVette, Shemekia Copeland and Marcia Ball. Understand they will play separately and together - great opportunity to see and hear three of the best "blues divas" . . . . Saturday and Monday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 3 PM. $15 - $80.

Further . . . . March goes out like a lion with all of the great live music choices during the second half of the month.

Monday, March 17 - KMRIA at Crystal Ballroom. What's become a St. Pat's tradition, KMRIA (an allstar Portland band - singer Casey Neill, Chris Funk and Jenny Conlee of the Decemberists, Ezra Holbrook of Dr Theopolis, Scott McCaughey of Minus 5 & REM sideman, Hanz Araki of The Whyos & Paperboys, Jesse Emerson of Amelia, and Derek Brown of Eels and James Low & the Wreck) fills an evening with beer and Pogues music. A tribute to the Irish punk rockers that often sounds better than the original. This is a ton of fun if you're going out to celebrate the Irish (or whatever your excuse is to stay out late and drink on a Monday night).

Wednesday, March 19 - Now a New Yorker, Steve Earle, with Allison Moorer opening, brings his Washington Square Serenade tour to the Aladdin 8 PM $35 (sold out, but that shouldn't stop you from showing up if you really want a ticket)

Friday, March 21 - Richard Julian, the very fine NY-based singer and songwriter at Mississippi Studios - 7 PM, $10

Sat & Sunday, March 22 & 23 - kd lang at the Aladdin (sold out - but give it a try if you really want to go)

Wednesday, March 26
Casey Neill and Mike Coykendall @ Mississippi Studios, 8 PM, $7
Teddy Thompson at the Doug Fir, 9 PM, $15

Friday, March 28
Lloyd Jones w/Janice Scroggins and Carleton Jackson @ Mississippi Studios. Great trio doing a live recording! 7 PM $12
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band 8 PM, Rose Garden $75 & $100 (sold out, but often tickets available day of show)

Saturday, March 29 (go ahead, try to pick something . . .)
Jim White @ Lola's Room, 7 PM $15
Rachael Harrington @ Mississippi Studios, 7 PM $12
X , doing their 30th Anniversary tour @ the Crystal Ballroom, 8 PM $20
Asylum Street Spankers @ the Aladdin, 8 PM $18
Bob Schneider @ the Doug Fir 9 PM $15
Jeffrey Foucault @ Mississippi Studios, 10 PM

Even further . . . coming in another post . . . sometime, but probably not this week.

Let me know if you have anything to add to this impressive March show list. I'm sure I missed a few and I didn't include a lot of the rich local scene that you can find almost every day somewhere in the city. So get out and support live music!