Here comes the sun . . . and music

Bright, yellow, warm . . . it seems familiar, though I'm having trouble placing it . . .

Whether clear, cloudy or rainy, at least the music is usually shining in the Rose City. So what's up for the weekend?

Friday feels a little underwhelming (for me anyway), but Saturday looks like plenty of great choices to catch some tunes.

My recommendation for tonight is to go catch some post-work happy hour or early music at the Laurelthirst, the White Eagle, Produce Row, the Alberta Street Public House, Imbibe, Mississippi Pizza, the Edgefield, the Someday Lounge, or a host of others where you can hear great local music, grab a brew and a bite, and be home by 9 if you drive really slow. Will take the edge off a long work week. If you're looking to stay out late and rock out a bit, head over to the Doug Fir Lounge for The Minus 5 and The Dimes (9 PM, $10)

Saturday
I have three great picks for Saturday night.

First, Mary Flower and Fiona Boyes are at the Alberta Street Public House. Celebrating their recent nominations for 2008 Blues Music Awards, Fiona and Mary will be doing two shows at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. They'll perform both individually and together. This will be a great evening of blues, both modern and traditional, with two of Portland's tastiest guitarists. $15

The Lewi Longmire Band will be doing a CD release show at the Mission Theater. Lewi has been one of those prolific locals who seems to be playing with everyone everywhere. This perception is for good reason, as this article from the Willamette Week attests. But on top of being a multi-instrumentalist supporting and recording with some of our best local artists, Lewi is an excellent songwriter and bandleader himself who has produced his second solo effort, Fire 'Neath the Still . . . Caleb Klauder opens. 9 pm, $10

Loch Lomond is doing two shows at Mississippi Studios. Come out and hear Richie Young and his chamber folk ensemble. This band makes beautiful music . . . one of Portland's best indie bands. 7 & 10 PM, $12.

There's three . . . can't go wrong with any of them . . . . hey, you can even try to catch two!