fun., Bruce Cockburn, Guggenheim Grotto, Bob Marley, Record Store Day and way more: Under-the-Radar Concert Picks

Jim Avett
7:30 p.m. Monday
Free admission, $10 donation suggested for In The Image SHOES program
One Trick Pony, Grand Rapids

If you thought last week was nuts, take a look at this one: From fun. to Bob Marley to Bruce Cockburn to Record Store Day and plenty in between, it’s a musical buffet appealing to all tastes. Really. And it all starts tonight (Monday).

North Carolina singer-songwriter Jim Avett creates the sort of acoustic country/gospel that really deserves careful listening, which makes his appearance at downtown’s One Trick Pony as part of WYCE-FM’s Hat Trick Concert Series an ideal setting. As usual, there’s no cover, but a hat will be passed for In the Image’s SHOES program which provides shoes to at-risk elementary schoolkids.

fun., Miniature Tigers
7 p.m. Wednesday
Sold out
The Intersection, Grand Rapids

With the slow-rock vibe of “We Are Young” propelling New York’s fun. to new heights of pop popularity, the trio even found itself featured in the latest issue of Rolling Stone magazine, which described its “Some Nights” album as meshing “big Broadway-ready hooks with Kanye-style electro-pop production.”

It must be working, because the band has sold out its mid-week show at The Intersection as it rolls through its first major headlining tour.

Guggenheim Grotto, Patchwork
9:30 p.m. Thursday
Free
Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids

Irish alt-folk/pop duo Guggenheim Grotto brings its U.S. tour – and its artful harmonies and infectious melodies – to West Michigan on Thursday, with Grand Rapids’ own Patchwork opening the show. Interestingly, both bands are encouraging fans to help them finance their next recording projects. Get info about Guggenheim Grotto here, with Patchwork’s Facebook page providing some details about the six-piece band’s efforts to produce its first album.

(By the way, Founders hosts its annual Black Party — a celebration of its “darkest, richest, blackest beers” — all day on Saturday, with performances by Vermont Americana outfit Chamberlin, North Carolina funk-rock group The Stereofidelics and Founders’ own Oracle starting at 6 p.m., $10.)

“Marley,” the movie
8 p.m. Friday
$6
Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids

I don’t usually feature films in my under-the-radar list, but this is a worthy exception: The documentary “Marley,” from Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (“The Last King of Scotland”) gets an exclusive West Michigan premiere at Wealthy Theatre on Friday, and from all indications, it’s a stellar, in-depth look into the life of one of music’s most influential artists, the man who changed the face of reggae. Macdonald told Rolling Stone that he wanted to show “who was behind the legend and the posters.” Only one other Michigan venue currently is scheduled to show this flick, so take advantage of the opportunity.

Al & the Black Cats, The Bad Engrish, Ironclad
8 p.m. Friday
$7
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids

I’ve followed The Black Cats since their punk-styled rockabilly career took off a few years ago, with a diehard, crazy following in Europe that remains impressive for an outfit that was founded in little ol’ Lowell, Michigan. The lineup has changed a bit but the attitude has not. The band kicks off its U.S. tour with its first GR-area show in a year at Tip Top Deluxe, with Colorado’s Bad Engrish and Ypsilanti’s Ironclad opening the show. The Black Cats’ Tony Cozzaglio expects “a pretty crazy show” in the smallest venue the band has played in years. “I know we’ve got people driving from all over the state for it, as well as from Colorado, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.” (Perhaps just as cool, Kansas-based gypsy/jazzgrass outfit Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy and punk-bluegrass’ Rickett Pass play Tip Top on Saturday night, $7 21-and-older, $5 18-21.)

WMEAC Earth Day Celebration Concert
7 p.m. Friday, doors open at 6 p.m.
$15 ($10 for those with a GRPL library card)
Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids

Time to give the Earth its due. With performances by Jim Shaneberger, Karisa Wilson String Band and Steppin’ In It, this is the sort of rootsy concert absolutely apropos for Earth Day. The West Michigan Environmental Action Council, with support from Founders Brewing Co. in partnership with WYCE-FM and the Grand Rapids Public Library, will also serve up educational programming, a cash bar and food from What The Truck.

Bruce Cockburn
9 p.m. Friday
$25
Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center, Grand Rapids

Bruce Cockburn really needs no introduction. The legendary Canadian singer-songwriter has turned the term “folk-rock” on its ear over the years, through two dozen albums and hundreds of bracing live performances. He brings his musical wisdom — and some eye-poppingly incredible guitar-playing — to Calvin College this week as part of the Festival of Faith and Writing. Get tickets online here.

Michael Sobie, Ron Getz/Don Julin Group,
Duncan McMillan Trio, Randy Marsh/Ron Getz Trio
Various times, Friday and Saturday
Free admission
Ottawa Tavern, Grand Rapids

Although it’s been featuring live jazz for a couple of months, downtown’s Ottawa Tavern (at Ottawa Avenue and Pearl Street NW) officially kicks off its “grand opening” this weekend with a series of performances on two stages, starting with pianist Michael Sobie playing during the lunch hour on Friday. And the jazz just keeps coming: Check out the full schedule at the tavern’s website here. (By the way, if you haven’t had enough, Organissimo returns to the HopCat Jazz Jam at the HopCat on Ionia Avenue SW at 7 p.m. Sunday.)

Domestic Problems
9:30 p.m. Friday, 3 and 10 p.m. Saturday
$10 evening, $5 all-ages afternoon (funds to Kids’ Food Basket)
Billy’s Lounge, Grand Rapids

One of Grand Rapids’ most beloved rock bands, Domestic Problems, sets up house for two days at Billy’s Lounge in Eastown, with two evening shows for the 21-and-older crowd, and a newly booked, special all-ages show at 3 p.m. Saturday, with proceeds from that event benefiting Kids’ Food Basket.

Record Store Day
Saturday
Free, except whatever you spend on cool releases
Vertigo Music (Grand Rapids), Corner Record Shop (Grandville)

Indie record stores deserve all the pats on the back – and vinyl/CD/cassette sales – that they get as they provide the kind of personal service lacking in the retail music industry as a whole. And Record Store Day has become a real event across the nation as artists release special EPs and vinyl exclusives, and bands perform at shops to help give them a boost. This year, Vertigo Music on S. Division Avenue will feature Pistolbrides, City Center (featuring Fred Thomas), Cabildo, Corrosive Kids, Weird Signals, Shores and DJs Crooked Leg Craig, Snax and Spyder Murphy. Meanwhile, the Corner Record Shop on Chicago Drive SW in Grandville has lined up Nathan Kalish & the Wildfire, The Boss Mustangs, The Real Lazy Genius and Dave Hardin (starting at 1 p.m.), with Kevin Matthews doing a live podcast. Of course, many other stores – from East Lansing to Holland to Kalamazoo – are offering specials. Read the story in the April issue of REVUE Magazine here.

American Heartbreakers , White Rabbit
8 p.m. Saturday
$10 (with $2 going to Fallen Warrior Memorial Fund)
Westwood at the Crossing, Belmont

Hard to beat this: The American Heartbreakers, Michigan’s premier Tom Petty tribute band – led by Jack Leaver and Dennie Middleton – playing the rocker’s biggest hits and some amazing deep cuts, with “old-school rock” band White Rabbit opening the evening. Some proceeds will help support the Fallen Warrior Memorial Fund, which Middleton has spearheaded. Westwood at the Crossing is located at 5760 W. River Drive NE in Belmont, north of Grand Rapids.

Jerrod Niemann, Kari Lynch Band, Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son
7 p.m. Saturday
$15.93 advance, $18 day of show
The Intersection, Grand Rapids

Country singer Jerrod Niemann’s Grand Rapids concert may be just as notable for having two of West Michigan’s best country bands on the bill for the 16-and-older show at The Intersection: The Kari Lynch Band and Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son. (Oh, and the front lounge features singer-songwriter Griffin House, with Grand Rapids’ own Flashing Blue Lights opening the all-ages show, $12/$15.)

Edie Carey
8 p.m. Saturday
$18-$110
Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake

This Spring Lake venue’s next Pin Drop Concert features Chicago singer-songwriter Edie Carey (who’s also playing a private show in the Grand Rapids area on Friday night).

She’s a veteran performer who has released seven CDs, with the latest featuring guests such as Shawn Mullins and Glen Phillips. Details here.

Jason Eller, Stone the Manic,
Romance for Ransom, Pass of Aggression
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Free; cash and hair donations accepted
Rogers Plaza, Wyoming

Talk about cutting things short for a good cause. Hard-gigging Grand Rapids rocker Jason Eller will do just that on Sunday afternoon, all while performing his “diesel-fueled acoustics” on stage at Rogers Plaza off 28th Street SW in Wyoming. Yes, Eller will celebrate his birthday by having his 16-inch locks sheared by King’s Room Barbershop, donating the hair to Wigs 4 Kids, which gives a boost to children dealing with hair loss.

And that’s not all: The Locks 4 Rock benefit show for Wigs 4 Kids also features hard rock performances by Stone the Manic and Pass of Aggression, and the rock/pop of Romance for Ransom. Folks who attend will be encouraged to donate their hair (at least 10 inches long, not chemically treated, and not more than 10 percent gray) or their money to the cause, with a raffle also taking place for donated items, including a Pop Evil guitar. Food, music and face-painting also will be part of the event. So, all you long hairs, get trimmed for good reason on Sunday to a fabulous live soundtrack. Hey, it’ll grow back. Here’s the schedule: Noon, Stone the Manic; 1 p.m., Jason Eller; 2 p.m., Romance for Ransom; 3 p.m., Pass of Aggression.

Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com