Ellington

The weekend gets kicking Thursday night at Martin's with Spoonfed Tribe and Zoogma. The Fort Worth Weekly voted Spoonfed Tribe "Best Hard Rock Band" and "Best Rock Album of 2008." With band members Kaboom, Gouffahtts and frontman Egg Nebula all trading rounds on various percussion and horns, you are going to get a first-rate fusion-rock tribal jam to delight the senses. Check them out at spoonfedtribe.com.

Martin's takes it back on Friday featuring Cedric Burnside and Lightnin' Malcolm with area favorite Juke Joint Duo. You might know R.L. Burnside's grandson, Cedric, and his uncle, Garry, performing as the Burnside Exploration. Both groups elicit a tight Mississippi Hill Country jam for any fan of the North Mississippi Allstar jukes.

One of 930 Blues Caf钩's most popular acts, Michael Burks, returns to Congress Street this Friday and Saturday. Mr. Burks garners loyal fans. He is the sort of blues-guitar god whose whole body֖from the heart to his toes֖goes into every note. It's a great introduction to local blues if you're new to 930.

Also Friday night, the Magnolia Roller Vixens are hosting an '80s-themed fundraiser at Dick and Jane's, starting at 9 p.m. With five roller-derby leagues in the state, stand by for the first match. On Saturday night, Club Sin is hosting a killer electronica deejay battle with DJ Brayks, Curtis B (CD Release), Dragon, Surreal vs. Devil on Ice, $10.

The Mississippi-born Atlanta singer/songwriter favorite Caroline Herring returns to Hal & Mal's this Saturday night. You can hear Herring's Mississippi roots in every word of her songs. Her concerts are like your own personal nostalgia, walking through the pages of the past one song at a time. Check her out at carolineherring.com.

Next Wednesday, Gallery One-to-One offers a must-see reason to get out on a work night. Local indie-punkers ¡Los Buddies! support the San Francisco power-pop outfit The Pleasure Kills in the Millsaps Arts District. Think of The Pleasure Kills as the perfect blend of early dance/punk Blondie, with all the hard-edge, high-energy power pop that a vivacious female singer named "Lydiot" could bring. This is the most fun allowed by law on hump day, bar none. Stream them at myspace.com/thepleasurekills.

Next Thursday, Aug. 28, go see area jazz favorite Sherrill Holly for the Mississippi Museum of Art's monthly installment of Jazz, Art and Friends, 6-9 p.m. $7. You may remember Holly from his performances with the Jazz, Blues and More series at the Alamo. You can catch the latest art exhibit while you're there.

Rock 93.9 favorites Black Stone Cherry will be at Club Fire, next Friday, Aug. 29. The Southern rock band from Edmonton, Ky., will perform standout tracks from their recently released album "Folklore and Superstition." Then, next Saturday, Aug. 30, Club Fire will bring in Paul Thorn, while Martin's will host southern rock favorites The Electric Mudd.

Mark your calendar and head to Battlefield Park on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1, for the 3rd Annual Mississippi Experience. R&B icon Bobby Rush will headline a full day of events, starting at 1 p.m., with hip-hop, blues, gospel and more. Free show!

Tickets are on sale now at Be-Bop for Corinth alt-rockers Saving Abel at Hal & Mal's, Friday, Sept. 12.