Weekend picks ... Dec 9 & 10

Here's a few as you plan your weekend ...

Friday

Where I'll probably end up tonight is at Duff's Garage for the Texican double bill of two of my local faves - Ron Rogers & the Wailing Wind and Rich Layton & the Troublemakers. Texas natives - one a dry wind from west central, the other Gulf coast swampified .... but they meet with a common music vocabulary ... and you definitely can dance to it.  The bands will alternate sets through the evening and do a little collaboratin' ... 9 pm, $8



What else?  Well, Christmas/holiday are events in full swing - couple to call attention too include the annual Holidays With The Trail Band at the Aladdin.  These shows always sell out,  but there's probably a few tickets left to the remaining performances tonight, and matinee and evening shows on Sunday.  This is an outstanding production from Marv and Rindy Ross and the fine musicians of the Trail Band.  Musically rich, warm, cozy, fun for the holidays ....  Or, over at the Alberta Rose it's the White Album Christmas with the Nowhere Band and the Wanderlust Circus ... the performances on Friday and Saturday unfortunately are sold out ... so you might want to put this on your radar for next year - its a very cool mashup of Beatles, circus, and holidays.  Finally, there's a free event in Pioneer Square at 1:30 pm on Saturday afternoon - it's time for the 21st annual Tuba Christmas Concert ... 200 tubas playing holiday tunes ... ok, definitely beats Mariah Carey.

Other shows tonight include:
Naomi Hooley is at the Beaterville Cafe - playing as duo with Rob Stroup ... 8 pm, no cover

Thad Beckman and Kurtis Piltz are at Vino Vixens ... Thad is one of the best guitarists in town - plus a pretty fair singer and songwriter to boot ...  8 pm, $5

Some fine uptempo blues will be rockin' Knuckleheads with Kevin Selfe ... 8 pm, no cover

The psychedelic pop rock of Portugal The Man will fill the Crystal Ballroom ... 8 pm, sold out - but maybe tickets can be found at the door.

 ... and there's some fine jazz with the Devin Phillips Quartet at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $10

Reminder for this weekend (Xmas gift alert!) - the annual Voodoo Catbox poster sale takes place at Music Millennium on Saturday and Sunday ... from one of the best (and my favorite) poster artists anywhere, Gary Houston.

Saturday
Just a couple of shows I want to mention ...

My pick show of the evening is again at Duff's, with The Strange Tones' Christmas Album release show ... yep, it's a Crime-A-Billy Xmas ... with musical mayhem from the rockin-est crimefighting band anywhere ... direct from the secret volcano hideout with the Volcano Snow Vixens, special musical guests, and more ... 9 pm, $10 ($2 discount for CBA members) ... doors at 7:30 to grab a seat



Alan Hagar is at the Muddy Rudder for some outstanding acoustic blues ... 8 pm, no cover

Get out and enjoy the weekend!