Before I'm outa here . . .

Busy weekend coming with some great choices . . . .

As I've already mentioned check out the schedule for the Portland Jazz Festival . . . great music beginning this weekend and continuing through next. If you don't mind loosing a little sleep I recommend heading to The Cave for the late night jams. I'd also check out some of the smaller venues for shows that are part of the festival. This is a world class event that almost didn't happen this year . . . so get out and support it.

Other musical treats include . . .

Thursday
Thursday is always a great locals night - mostly free or inexpensive . . .
The Thad Beckman Trio is at O'Connors. 6:30 PM, $5
Lewi Longmire holds down the Thursday happy hour at the Laurelthirst. 6:30 PM, free
Lauren Sheehan is at the Muddy Rudder. 8 PM, free
Lisa & Her Kin are at the White Eagle. Wear your dancin' shoes. 9 PM, $4
Rollie Tussing is at Biddy McGraw's. 9:30 PM, $??
CaraVanGough is at Duff's Garage. A cello at Duff's? Whoda thunk. 9:30 PM, $??

Friday
Besides the Jazz Festival, there's some great live music out and about . . .

It's the monthly taping of LiveWire! Radio at the Aladdin with music guests Talkdemonic and Point Junction, WA. 8 PM, $20

The Alberta Street Public House has folk songstress Ann Heaton. 7 PM, $10

Fernando is doing a recording release party at Dante's to celebrate True Instigator . . . a recording he's only making available online and for free. Download it here and check out the show. I've been enjoying the new tracks and the show should be excellent. 9:30 PM, $7

And another opportunity to get ready for Mardi Gras with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at the Roseland. Should be a pretty racous evening of Big Easy brass and sass. 9 PM, $20-30

Saturday
It's the much anticipated first show at the renovated Mississippi Studios with one of my absolute favorites, Dave Alvin . . . . Hope you have your ticket to help christen the new space. It's sold out, but there may be some tickets at the door. 8 PM, $25

The Crystal Ballroom has an Oregon 150th Birthday Celebration with a host of bands including the Freak Mountain Ramblers and Jackstraw. 7 PM, $8

Jon Koonce & The Gas Hogs will be rocking Duff's Garage. 9 PM, $??

The Portland Soul Allstars will be doing two Valentine's Day shows at Jimmy Mak's. 6:30 & 9:30 PM, $15

Miss Michael Jodell & The Slow Healers and Paul Brainard's Burning Sensations are at the Laurelthirst. 9:30 PM, $??

Sunday
After too many late nights, it's a perfect day to chill at the Edgefield to the fine fingerpicking of Mary Flower. 5 PM, Free

But I'll miss everything in town this weekend, as I will be in Austin enjoying the scene in one of my favorite music cities . . . . will be back mid-week and ready to jump into another great weekend of music in the Rose City. See ya at a show . . .