March may be drippy, but music is our sunshine

As we look forward to days without drizzle, there's plenty of music this weekend that will shine on our pale complexions ...

Friday
I know that I always look forward to first Fridays for two really dependable shows .... At happy hour, it's the James Low Western Front at the Laurelthirst (6 pm, no cover). It's been a busy week for James, coming off recording for a new CD, opening a show at the Alberta Rose on Wednesday and two shows tonight.  He and the band also are part of Matty MacDonald's CD release party at the Secret Society Ballroom (9 pm, $10)

The other first Friday show is  Rich Layton and the Troublemakers at Vino Vixens.  Comfortable room where the band plays with a lighter touch ... you might not be dancing, but definitely grooving to Rich's fine songwriting and the band's tasteful choices of covers ... 8 pm, $5

Viva Voce, Damien Jurado and the Brothers Young provide a strong triple bill at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $14

It's another edition of Live Wire! Radio at the Alberta Rose Theatre with guests Wesley Stace/John Wesley Harding (depends if he's there as author or musician - yes, Wes is a two-for-one deal kinda guest) ... Chervona and The Thermals will definitely play music .... 7:30 pm, $20

The award-winning musical, Ghosts of Celilo, begins a two weekend run at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts ... tickets are $25-55 ... matinee (2pm) and evening (7:30) performances.

It's March 4th, so that means the March Fourth Marching Band celebrates its eight anniversary at the Crystal Ballroom with two shows ... story here .... there's an early show at 6:45 that is all-ages and kid-friendly ($10/$13) and an 21 and over show at 10 pm ....($20)

LaRhonda Steele and Chuck Barber will be at Vie de Boheme Winery ... 8 pm, $??

and ...the Knuckleheads are threatening musical mayhem at Duff's Garage ... 9 pm, $??

Saturday
Being rather self-serving, I'll continue to recommend you come out to The Mysti Krewe of Nimbus Mardi Gras Ball tonight at the Norse Hall.  Why?  Because it's going to be really fun and celebrates Louisiana culture and Mardi Gras as authentically as possible. (And because I'm a member of the Krewe and helped get this event organized.) Music (Steve Kerin's Atomic Gumbo with special guest DK Stewart, and the Too Loose Cajun/Zydeco Band with guest Reggie Houston), food (from the Swamp Shack), costumes, masks, commemorative medallions, beads, Cajun and Zydeco dance lessons, king cake, a King and Queen ... all for only $25.  Come on, you know you want to go.  Festivities begin at 7:30 pm Laissez les Bon Temps Roulez!


So maybe you don't really feel like a Mardi Gras party (OK, I can accept that) ... if not, here's a couple of shows you should consider:

At the Alberta Rose Theatre, Tony Furtado will be doing a CD release party for his outstanding new recording, Golden.  This, his 15th and first all-locally recorded CD, is rapidly rising in the charts.  Tony and his band will be joined by Scott Law and few other special guests.  If I wasn't at the Ball, this is where I'd be .... 8 pm, $15

And it the big touring show of the weekend, the North Mississippi Allstars will do a special free appearance at Music Millennium at 5 pm .... then at the Wonder Ballroom ...  8 pm, $18