Jam for a cause on Thursday night at The Answer Brewpub. Led by DJ Williams Projekt (who will perform), the Projekt for Progress benefit will raise money for ACE Liberia and The Ann Sandell Independent School. The cost $20 to get in ($15 in advance) and that includes drinks and appetizers. The event runs from 6 PM until 10 PM.
ACE Liberia's vision is to nurture, inspire and support the development of strong citizens that will contribute to the development of strong communities.
The Ann Sandell Independent School is a K through 9th grade community based school for underprivileged youth that might not otherwise benefit from basic education due to limited access to public schools.
Here's DJ Williams Projekt last month at The Broadberry:
On Thursday at Strange Matter, low-fi indie rocker Alex G (out of Philly) will play an early show so you can still get home and get up for work in the AM. The doors open at 7 and music starts shortly thereafter. It's $12 in advance, $14 day of show. Porches and Your Friend open. Here's Alex G's new video for "Mud":
The lovely and talented Bonnie Raitt is at the Carpenter Theatre Thursday night. Very few tickets remain. Tix range from $65 to $99. Show starts at 7:30 with openers The California Honeydrops (not to be confused with the California Raisins). Her new album, "Dig in Deep" is getting great reviews. Here's Bonnie on "The View" the other day. There is a good interview before she performs. If you want to skip right to the performance of "Gypsy in Me" from her new album, skip to about 4:00.
Friday night, I'll be at a show with Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke at The National. Tix are $23 in advance, $28 day of show. Doors open at 7 and show starts at 8 with opener Brother Hawk. Though Blackberry Smoke started in 2000 in Atlanta, the look and sound like they were sharing the stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker Band in the '70's and that's not a bad thing. These will be one of their last shows on the East Coast for a while so catch 'em now. Or you can catch them at Bike Week in Daytona when they play with Buckcherry. Things could get out of hand at that show. Here's a little acoustic Smoke recorded in January:
If you want to keep your Southern rock vibe going through Saturday, head to The Broadberry Saturday night for Allman Brothers tribute band, Skydog. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9:30, no opener. It's $10 in advance, $12 to get in. They'll be celebrating the 45th anniversary (to the day) of the Allman Brothers Fillmore East concerts so Skydog will perform the same setlist. Here they are doing "Midnight Rider":
There are four St. Pat's day festivals going on Saturday afternoon. Here's some basic info. Music-wise, I didn't recognize any of the bands so I'm assuming they will be cover bands or Celtic music, which should provide fine background music for quaffing green brews, wherever you may go. All are FREE.
Sine Irish Pub throws their St. Pat's Street Party from 10 AM to 3 AM (remember we set the clocks forward at 2 AM, so technically...) in Shockoe Slip
Over in Shockoe Bottom, Rosie Connolly's Pub has their St. Patrick's Street Party. That starts at 11 AM and goes until whenever.
The First Annual Shockoe Bottom Blarney Bash takes place at 17th St. Farmer's Market from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Shamrock the Block takes over The Boulevard from Leigh St. to Broad from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Saturday night at The National, it's Americana dobro artist Jerry Douglas and the Earls of Leicester. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:30 and no opener is listed. This is a reserved seat show and tix are $30 and $23. Let's keep the Celtic vibe going. Here's Jerry playing "Route Irish":
Things keep rolling Americana style Sunday at Hardywood with Miss Tess & The Talkbacks and The Atkinsons and a lot of great American craft beer. The tasting room opens at 11 AM and the music runs from 2 PM to 6 PM. It's FREE to get in. Here's Miss Tess & The Talkbacks "I Can't Help Myself":
Sunday night at The Camel old school but young guy soul/R&B/blues/rock artist Eli "Paperboy" Reed checks in to move you. Tix are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with openers Jeremy and the Harlequins, Chris Leggett, DJs Marty Key and Aaron Bushman. Apple Music recently picked his new single, "Hold Out", as one of their "Best of the Week", so here it is. This song really moves so give it a listen.
If New Orleans funk is more your thang, get thee to The Broadberry Sunday night for The Royal Southern Brotherhood with The Seedz opening. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8. Tix are $15. Royal Southern Brotherhood is led by Cyril Neville of The Neville Brothers and The Meters. Here's RSB putting a bluesy spin on the New Orleans classic "Fortune Teller":
Speaking of the blues, one of the great bluesmen of all time, as proven by his recent induction into the Blues Hall of Fame, John Mayall will be at The Tin Pan Sunday night. Tix are $75 advance, $80 at the door. Doors open at 6, show starts at 8. John is still going at 82. He's got a new album out ("Find a Way to Care") and is not slowing down. Here's John in 1988:
Have a great weekend! I will definitely see you at Blackberry Smoke and possibly elsewhere. I'll leave you with some Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks. Dan died a few weeks ago and here he is on my old favorite, "The Flip Wilson Show".
Tony Jordan
