Music to keep your cool

It's hot. How hot is it? It's so hot . . . . (fill in) . . . We do love our weather events. Cold snaps, thunderstorms, snow flurries . . . get those reporters outside to tell us what we already know. Hey . . . it's just the weather!

But here's a few today to beat the heat (air-conditioning at no extra charge):

Tonight's downtown Music on Main show has been moved inside to the air-conditioned rotunda of the Antoinette Hatfield Hall (that's the lobby of the Performing Arts Center). Coolly rock out to Lewi Longmire. A fine way to end the work day or start your evening . . . 5 pm, free

Little Sue has her weekly Wednesday happy hour at Biddy McGraw's. . . 6 pm, free

You're running our of chances to catch the amazing Kate Davis before she leaves for NY. Catch her fine bass playing and vocals with Ron Steen on drums and Randy Porter on piano at Wilf's. . . . 7:30, $5 (she will also be there Thursday night)

The sweet harmonies of The Ditty Bops will be at the Aladdin. Their music has been described as genre-defying, bearing influence of Western Swing, Ragtime, Gypsy-Jazz, Pop, and Vaudeville-era Musical Theater. . . . The band is also well known for its elaborate live shows, which incorporate theatrical elements complete with props, costumes, and skits. Interview magazine says, "these vaudevillian vamps are putting the show back in showmanship." . . . 8 pm, $20

Believe me, it will be cooler by the river . . . so if you want to brave it for some outdoor music this evening, The Troublemakers will be layin' down their appropriately hot, swampy, harmonica-fueled mix at Willamette Park . . . 6:30 pm, free POSTPONED DUE TO HEAT!

. . . and keep in mind Alejandro Escovedo and Jesse Winchester at the Aladdin on Thursday and Pickathon this weekend out at Pendarvis Farm (great lineup!).