Okay . . . time for some mid-week treats

Some fine shows to check out on Wednesday and Thursday . . .

Wednesday
Little Sue celebrates her birthday tonight at her weekly happy hour show at Biddy McGraw's. Stop by for music, b-day wishes and cupcakes! ... 6 pm, no cover

Fine night of music at the Laurelthist starts with Hillstomp holding down the happy hour slot. Hmmm . . . NE Portland, 6 PM? Alice Stuart has the late show ... 9 pm, no cover

There's a cool little literary/music event tonight at Mississippi Studios. Anyone a fan of Paul McCartney? (I know a few, yes?) . . . It's your lucky day, as the show will celebrate the release of Portland's own (and Oregonian columnist) Peter Ames Carlin's Paul McCartney: A Life. Peter will be there along with a host of Portland's best performing songs of, yes you guessed it, Sir Paul. Nick Jaina, Jim Brunberg, Ashleigh Flynn, Matt Sheehy, Teisha Helgerson, Sneakin' Out, and others will join the celebration ... 8 pm, $7

Thursday
Another fine night at the Laurelthirst starts with the steady Thursday happy hour with Lewi Longmire and band. It will be followed by Tom Waits for No Man: a benefit for Tom Nunes. Tom crashed hard on his bike a while back and, though recovering nicely, has medical expenses to deal with. His friends led by Little Sue have put together a cool little show featuring Sue, Tom, Casey Neill, Lewi Longmire, Chet Lyster, Ezra Holbrook, Stephanie Schneiderman and others. Should be fun and some needed help for Tom ... 9 pm, $10

Speaking of benefits, there's a holiday benefit supporting St. Francis Dining Hall over at the Crystal Ballroom featuring Everclear ... 9 pm, $20

There could be a lot of traffic between the Laurelthirst and the Kennedy School, 'cause the Freak Mountain Ramblers will be performing a free all ages show there at 7 pm.

For something a bit different, the March Fourth Marching Band will be bringing their beautiful chaos to the Wonder Ballroom for two shows at 7 and 10 pm - early show is all ages too . . . march (or dance) forth . . . . $15

Veteran keyboardist and singer Bill Champlin (Sons of Champlin, Chicago) is in town for two shows at Jimmy Mak's . . . 7:30 & 9:30, $20

 . . . and it's just the middle of the week . . .  get out!