Off to NY, but before I go ...

Wow, what a crazy, busy week tying up loose ends before heading to NY for twelve days (and no snow in the forecast!) ... but did manage to have a heck of a great time at the Aladdin on Wednesday at the Voice of the Wetlands show. Kudos to Tab Benoit for his passionate message about the issues in the Gulf being all of our responsibilities and to not stand by on the sidelines while the wetlands loose an acre a day. Time to raise our voices and be heard in DC about this. And big thanks to Tab for his impromptu announcement about the upcoming Gulfsongs / PDX 2 Gulf Coast benefit show that will be at the Alberta Rose on April 20th, the anniversary of the oil rig explosion (acts TBA, so stay tuned).

The other thing keeping me busy is helping plan the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Mardi Gras Ball scheduled for  Saturday, March 5th .... you can find info about it here or on Facebook.  It will be big fun, so get your tickets ASAP!

So, music this weekend.  I think Marychris is going to jump in with some recommendations, but here's my short list (or not so short):

Big goings on in town is the start tonight of the Portland Jazz Festival.  Great acts, great event ... find out all about it at Oregon Music News or at the Oregonian.  They have way more info than I can put up here.  Try to go to at least one show.  Sorry I'll be out of town and miss the entire event!

Friday
Live Wire Radio at the Alberta Rose Theatre .... 7:30 pm, $20

Sasspirilla is at the Laurelthirst for happy hour ... 6 pm, no cover

The Stolen Sweets are at the Secret Society Ballroom ... 6 pm, $5

... and they'll be followed by the Ladytown CD release show. Rob Stroup & the Blame play too ... 9 pm, $7

Hot from his co-staring role on the Tom Russell show,  Thad Beckman will be at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover

Lloyd Jones will do a solo set at Vino Vixens ... 8 pm, $5

Miriams Well will be at Plews Brews in St Johns (with horns!) .... 9 pm, no cover

Yo La Tengo is in town and at the Wonder Ballroom ... 9 pm, $20

Colleen Raney is at Biddy McGraw's ... 9:30 pm, no cover

The DK Stewart Sextet is at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $??

Cool show at Dante's is  Barstool Blues: A Celebration of Neil Young's Greatest Records with a host of PDX's finest ... 9 pm, $10

I'll let Marychris take it from here .... but I'll be keeping an eye on what's going on and chime in if there's something I think you really need to hear about ....