Ellington

If you're picking up this issue hot off the press on Wednesday, check out '60s jam icons The New Riders of the Purple Sage tonight at Martin's, 10 p.m. This is the same country psych-rock Dead spin-off band that Jerry Garcia performed with in the '60s that produced the hit song "Panama Red." In 2002, the New Riders received a Lifetime Achievement Award for their music from High Times magazine. What more do you need to know? Check them out at www.thenewriders.com.

The free pick of the fortnight is U.K. Brit-rockers GST Cardinals at Fenian's next Thursday, Oct. 9, 8 p.m. These are not your usual Irish pub ditties. These guys have been opening for The Holloways and The Fratellis at European festivals. Stream them at www.myspace.com/gstcardinals.

The Jackson Arts Collective is having their annual fall showcase in Hal & Mal's Big Room next Friday, Oct. 10. They'll have art, dance, spoken word and music. The music on slate offers something for every taste with 7even:Thirty, Passenger Jones, Storage 24, Wooden Finger, Trill'Agy, and 5th Child; 7 p.m. For more info go to www.jxncollective.org or call 601-497-7454.

Next Saturday, Oct. 11, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra is performing their Bravo I concert, "Opening Gambit," at Thalia Mara Hall, 7:30 p.m. Unlike the Pops series or intimate concert series, the Bravo performances include the larger, full orchestra like most high-art concerts. Tickets are $15 at 601-960-1565 or www.msorchestra.com.

A must-see this month is the family-friendly Broadway percussion show STOMP at Thalia Mara Hall, Oct. 14-15. Then next month, the Beatles "Rain" will come to Thalia Mara Hall Nov. 17-18. Both shows are Broadway-quality performances with reserved seating, so call 601-981-1847 for tickets, soon.

Voodoo Music Experience is fast approaching in New Orleans Oct. 24-26. One of the biggest outdoor music festivals in the country, consider all three days mandatory. At least take off a half-day Friday and Monday. Some of the major performers include Stone Temple Pilots, Angels and Airwaves, TV on the Radio and Erykah Badu on Friday. Saturday serves up Thievery Corporation, Fishbone, Nine Inch Nails and Mars Volta. Sunday's slate includes REM, Butthole Surfers, Cold War Kids, Tokyo Police Club and 40 others. The smaller stages will host New Orleans bands and lesser-known regional acts, while the two big stages keep the action going with the national acts. The cost is $50 a day with no in/out privileges or the three-day armband for $125, which goes up to $150 at the gate. It's an all-ages, no-chairs-allowed festival, but with the VIP pass you can snag seating and restrooms with no lines for $450. See all 130 bands, watch for the hourly updates and get tickets at www.thetenthritual.com.

October in Mississippi is truly magical. The Mississippi State Fair is here through Oct. 12 and officially sounds the opening gong for good times. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the state fair mojo is '70s strong with Blue Oyster Cult and Molly Hatchet. The musical lineup for the rest of the fair includes Charlie Daniels Band Oct. 2, Puddle of Mudd Oct. 3, Keith Sweat Oct. 8, Rodney Atkins and Sweetwater Jade Oct. 9 and Lifehouse Oct. 10. Each show is $5 in addition to the fair entry fee, with tickets at the door, at Be-Bop, the coliseum box office or at 601-355-5252.

Long live the purple sage.