Weekend highlights

There's a few standout shows to note for the coming weekend ...

Saturday
Saturday presents a difficult dilemma for me. How can I be in three places at once?  On any night I'd be at one of these shows in a heartbeat ... but when they are all on the same night? Okay people, who's checking the master schedule? ... Oh yeah, there isn't one ..... so (help me out here) some of you need to show up at each one of the following:

At the Doug Fir is the previously mentioned Casey Neill & The Norway Rats CD release show ... 9 pm, $10

Over at Mississippi Studios Stephanie Schneiderman and her band will headline a triple bill with Garrison Starr and opener Pat Kearns ... 9 pm, $12

And it's a birthday party at Duff's with Lloyd Jones. Lloyd turned 60 this week and is throwing a bash with his band and a host of invited friends. It will be fun, festive and go until late. Lloyd is one of the most respected members of the blues music community in Portland, and finds it hard to believe he's been at it for 40 years! Come out and help my good friend celebrate ... 9:30 pm, $??

Sunday
There's one I want to mention, and it's a benefit show at the Kennedy School. The 6th Annual Shakers Ball raises money for local Parkinson's disease organizations, and is the brainchild of songrwriter Rob Barteletti. This year's lineup will feature Rob Stroup & the Blame and Nick Peets. You can read more about it at Oregon Music News here. Will be a fine afternoon of music for a great cause ... 2 pm, $10