Good stuff coming up

Whoa ... is it already November 21st? Dang, the time flies. Still having a hard time getting back to regular posting (and don't even ask me about getting back to regular exercise) ... but I'm going to grateful I'm writing today and try to have no judgement about my recent lazy-assed ways.

Tonight and through the weekend are some great shows, including:

Thursday

Todd Snider and Friends are doing a benefit for Street Roots at the Alberta Rose Theatre. Friends include Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, Kevin Kinny, Ashleigh Flynn, Chris Funk, and a bunch of other great musicians. All proceeds benefit Street Roots ... 8 pm, $35


Some of you know Dick Brainard, one of the biggest cheerleaders for Cajun and Zydeco music and dancing in town. He's having a birthday tonight - an excuse for great music and dancing at the Alberta Street Pub with an all-star band led by Paul Brainard, along with Reggie Houston, Steve Kerin, Peter Dammann, and who knows who else will join in ... 7:30 pm, $10

Austin's Band of Heathens will be at Mississippi Studios ... 9 pm, $12

Friday

Did you discover American blues through the British Invasion of the 60s? I know it was my route to the roots. Tonight at Duff's is the second annual British Blues Explosion! featuring a host of Portland artists celebrating the great British bands (like the Animals, Stones, Yardbirds, Kinks, Fleetwood Mac, Cream, and Savoy Brown) that lovingly returned the blues to the States with passion and stacks of Marshalls. Rich Layton, John Koonce, Robbie Laws, Greg Georgeson, Steve Kerin, and to kick it up a notch in 2013, British sax legend Chris Mercer, a charter member of John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers. Last year this sold out before the first note was played, so show up early and be ready to rock! ... 9 pm, $15

For something a bit different and quite adventurous, at the Alberta Rose it's Holcombe Waller's "Wayfinders" presented with FearNoMusic with special guest China Forbes. Wayfinders is a song cycle exploring the simple yet multivalent question: Where are we? This unique evening features Waller's performance supported by the aptly named FearNoMusic ... 7 pm, $25 /$15 for students, seniors, & artists

Catch Hillstomp at Mississippi Studios ... 9 pm, $10


Saturday

Another great night at Duff's celebrating Karen Lovely's birthday and Janefest! (those of you who know Jane Manning know what a blast of an annual party she throws). Tonight it's Karen's outstanding Prohibition Blues show, celebrating the great (especially female) blues/jazz artists of the 20s & 30s. This is a smokin' hot show ... 9 pm, $15 ... Advance tickets online at www.tickettomato.com/‎

 Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen with special guest Amanda Richards will be at the Alberta Rose. When you can claim membership in The Byrds, The Dillards, The Flying Burrito Brothers and the Desert Rose Band, you have been a vital part of the fabric of Americana music for nearly half a century ... 8 pm, $25

On the radar and closing fast:

The 3rd annual The Next Waltz at the Alberta Rose on November 22 & 23
David Bromberg Quartet @ the Aladdin on December 4th
Joey DeFrancesco at Jimmy Mak's on December 4th
The Lone Bellow @ the Aladdin on December 8th
Robbie Fulks @ Mississippi Studios on December 16th

Of course there's more, but that's where I gotta stop today ...