Caroline Herring launches the week at One Trick Pony on Monday night.
Caroline Herring
7:30 p.m. Monday
Free, donations to KidsFirst
One Trick Pony, Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is always looking for an excuse to party. This week, it doesn’t need one. Between a couple of high-profile, musical birthday bashes, Cinco de Mayo and some interesting tour stops, things will be hopping. And why not kick it all off on a Monday night……
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WYCE-FM’s Hat Trick Concert Series continues with Georgia-based singer-songwriter Caroline Herring, who has roots in Mississippi and Texas. With four albums and an EP to her credit, Herring has earned accolades in Austin and Atlanta, and her 2008 album, “Lantana,” was listed among NPR’s best folk albums of the year. As usual, admission to the show if free but a hat will be passed for $10 suggested donations to KidsFirst at D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s, which provides emergency shelter services for Kent County youths.
Theory of a Deadman
Theory of a Deadman, The Last Vegas, Stellar Revival
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, doors open at 6:30 p.m.
$20 advance, $25 day of show
The Orbit Room, Grand Rapids
Canadian hard-rockers Theory of a Deadman will bring their Self-Titled Tour 2012 to The Orbit Room, with The Last Vegas and Stellar Revival also on the bill. The band has a new album, “The Truth Is …,” slated for release on July 12. Get details about the show at The Orbit Room site.
Joanne Shaw Taylor will tear it up at the Tip Top on Wednesday.
Joanne Shaw Taylor
7 p.m. Wednesday
$10
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids
Relocating a few years ago from Great Britain to Detroit, blues guitarist and singer Joanne Shaw Taylor not surprisingly has impressed a host of fans with her soulfully raspy singing and inspired guitar work. (Hey, The Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart asked her to tour with him when she was just a teenager.)
Taylor told me in an interview a couple of years ago that she considers herself “more of a rock-blues guitarist,” so I’m sure she’ll tear it up in the intimate confines of the Tip Top.
Local Blues Matter Benefit
7 p.m. Thursday
$5
Billy’s Lounge, Grand Rapids (Eastown)
The local blues scene certainly does matter. So, support it and support WGVU’s 88.5/96.3 FM by attending Thursday’s Billy’s Lounge show featuring some of West Michigan’s best blues outfits: Hank & the Hawktones, Blue Molly, Soul’d Out and the Jimmie Stagger Band. It’s a $5 donation at the door.
Alcoholic Faith Mission
Alcoholic Faith Mission
9:30 p.m. Thursday
Free
Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids
Splendidly inventive Danish indie-pop band Alcoholic Faith Mission brings its North American tour to Grand Rapids for a free show at Founders, along with Boston’s You Won’t and Grand Rapids’ own Tokyo Morose. If you haven’t heard this cucumber-cool band, it’s amazing stuff. Check out the AFM website. (Also, attention Grateful Dead fans: Chicago tribute group Terrapin Flyer returns to Founders at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, $5.)
Jeffrey Kohane, Folias
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 6:30 p.m. reception
$15-$35
St. Cecilia Music Center, Grand Rapids
As part of the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, pianist Jeffrey Kahane will perform in Grand Rapids with members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. West Michigan’s own Folias play the 6:30 p.m. pre-concert reception.
Ambrosia comes to Grand Rapids to celebrate with Aris Hampers.
Aris Hampers Birthday Bash
with Ambrosia, Troll for Trout
7 p.m. Friday, doors open at 6:30 p.m.
$20
The Intersection, Grand Rapids
Ambrosia occupies a special place in the history of prog-rock, with its pop-flavored hooks meshing with intricate musicianship to vault it to Top 40 success in the late ‘70s with five hit singles (“Holdin’ On to Yesterday,” “Biggest Part of Me”). And DJ Aris Hampers occupies a special place in Grand Rapids’ music history, having influenced a generation of listeners with his cutting-edge radio smarts – including exposing them to Ambrosia’s songs when few knew anything about the band. To help celebrate Aris’ birthday, Ambrosia returns to Grand Rapids for the first time since an outdoor show two years ago that drew a huge crowd of fans downtown. Troll for Trout will open the too-many-candles-to-blow-out party.
Head back to Spins on Music later this week when I’ll feature an interview with Ambrosia’s Burleigh Drummond, chock full of interesting tidbits you won’t want to miss.
And Aris isn’t the only one celebrating a big birthday, so if you play your cards right you can hit a second show the same night: After Ambrosia, head to the Tip Top Deluxe for the Jimmie Stagger Birthday Bash, featuring the iconic local blues guitarist along with Junior Valentine, Hank Mowery, Troy Amaro and Tim Cowart.
Karisa Wilson's "Stronger"
Karisa Wilson String Ensemble
8 p.m. Friday
$5
Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake
As part of Seven Steps Up’s f&3 Acoustic Friday series, Grand Rapids’ Karisa Wilson celebrates release of her new album, “Stronger,” with a special show in a special place that should really show off the considerable talents of this singer and multi-instrumentalist. Seven Steps Up follows that at 8 p.m. Saturday with one of its Pin Drop Concerts, this one featuring the Northwest Washington duo of Dave McGraw and Mandy Fer, who’ll bring their captivating Americana music to the venue, $18-$54. They’re touring behind their latest album, “Seed of a Pine.” Get details about both shows here.
Cinco de Mayo jazz with
Grupo Aye, Jack Lewis/John Gist Latin Ensemble
8 p.m. Saturday
Free
Ottawa Tavern, Grand Rapids
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with some bracing jazz. West Michigan’s 10-piece Grupo Aye for the first time at Ottawa Tavern will deliver its authentic salsa – and fill up the dance floor – at 8:30 p.m. Saturday when it performs on the Bite Stage. Meanwhile, starting at 8 p.m., pianist Jack Lewis and saxophonist John Gist will unleash their Latin ensemble on the Tavern Stage. (Other Ottawa Tavern jazz firsts this week: Sons of the Desert at 6 p.m. Thursday, and Ann Arbor’s Ben Jansson Quartet at 8:30 p.m. Friday.)
William Beckett
William Beckett
7 p.m. Sunday
$12
The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids
Chicago alt-rock/pop artist William Beckett, formerly of the band The Academy Is…, performs on Sunday night at The Pyramid Scheme, touring behind his brand new EP, “Walk the Talk.” Admission to the all-ages show — the third date on Beckett’s national tour — is $12. Cara Salimando opens the show. (Also He is We plays The Pyramid Scheme at 6 p.m. Saturday, $12.) Get ticket information for Pyramid Scheme shows here.
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