Music for a school night

Having solid early evening music choices is important. Some folks just like to get out early and end the evening in time to get enough rest for the next day ... makes sense for a lot of us, especially during the work week. For others, it's a great way to get to more than one show in an evening. (yeah, I've been know to do that) ...

Looking over the middle of the week in Portland, there's always great choices - some of them come round every week with regular happy hour shows. I know I often point out Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Laurelthirst, Duff's, Biddy McGraw's .... but they aren't the only ones, but do feature artists that I particularly enjoy.

So tonight you have your choice of Chris Miller at Duff's (6pm, $2), Little Sue at Biddy's (6pm, no cover), Chris Robley at the Laurelthirst (6pm, no cover), and Big Monti at the Trail's End (7pm $?). There's also Freedy Johnston in town for an early free in-store set at Music Millennium (6pm), before his show tonight at Mississippi Studios (9 pm, $12). Another good one is Fiona Boyes is in town with a gig at Halibut's (8pm, no cover).

Thursday early music choices include Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (6pm, no cover) - this is my fave happy hour show each week - Lewi and band just delivers some of the best rocking music anywhere. Also the Portland Playboys at Duff's (6pm, $2), Lloyd Jones at Tommy O's in Vancouver (6pm, no cover), Mel Brown's B3 Organ Band at Jimmy Mak's (8pm, $5), Ron Steen's invitational jazz jam at Doc George's Jazz Kitchen (8 pm, no cover).  There's also Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside at the Kennedy School as part of their McMenamin's Great Northwest Music Tour (7pm, no cover).

Two nights, lots of great music, and home to bed at a reasonable hour. Just think how much better work will feel the next day after a fine dose of live music. Good for the body, good for the soul.