Lots of bands come through Tucson, but few decide to record a live album here.
Maybe local Nick Luca knows something those others don't.
He'll be recording his upbeat rock live Friday at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St.
However, if you're feeling scant in the wallet or generous in the heart, you can bring a canned food item and get a discount on the $5 cover.
The show starts at 9 p.m. with Little Sisters of the Poor and Loveland.
– Kevin W. Smith
Commodores' show to benefit Sunnyside schools
Nope, Lionel Richie will not be dancing on any ceilings at the Desert Diamond Center Saturday night.
Richie won't be in the house, but members of his former band, the Commodores, will.
"Brick House," "Nightshift," "Three Times a Lady" — c'mon, you know them.
The group will no doubt perform all its hits in a benefit for the Sunnyside Unified School District Foundation at the Desert Diamond Casino, Interstate 19 and Pima Mine Road.
The 11th annual "Laughter on the Sunnyside" benefit starts with a silent auction, followed by dinner. Then the Commodores will smooth the place over like butter.
The only thing left to wonder about is how "Easy" your Sunday morning will be.
The auction begins at 5:30 p.m. The dinner-seating tickets are $150. Just seeing the Commodores will run you $35 in advance through ticketmaster.com or $40 at the door.
– Kevin W. Smith
Venue for all-ages show Saturday is indeed fitting
There's just about no place a band won't rock.
If you've got a working electrical outlet, you've got potential for a show.
In similar fashion, a local all- ages rock show will be held at FitCenter, 5555 E. Fifth St.
Tucson's Less Than Famous will play with Fight to Live and Knife Vs. Face.
Many people older than 21 might scoff at seeing a concert in the same place with someone who lifts weights, burns calories and sweats, but teens will go see a good rock show just about anywhere.
And that's why they are the keepers of the rock flame.
The show starts at 6 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5.
– Kevin W. Smith
Birdmonster to perform at Plush in Friday show
There are many sides to Birdmonster.
The San Francisco band keeps an entertaining blog at birdmonster.blogspot.com that is more exciting than the band was when it rolled into Plush last year on a heap of buzz and played a mostly subdued set.
In a subsequent show, Birdmonster delivered an energetic, straight-ahead, sometimes punky, but overall fulfilling rock show.
One can only wonder which Birdmonster will show up Friday night at Plush.
Fans can take comfort in the Swim, an exciting local pop-rock up-and-comer. The show's other poppy opening act, Division Day, seems to have played with Birdmonster almost every time it's been here.
For $6 on a Friday at Plush, it shouldn't be a bad way to spend the night. The show starts at 9:30 p.m.
– Kevin W. Smith
'Happiest Place on Earth' seeks college musicians
Who's a member of the band that's made for you and me?
"Y-O-U" if you pass muster at Disneyland Resort All American College Band tryouts this Saturday.
Mickey, Goofy, Donald and the gang are looking for a few good college musicians to join them for a nine-week summer engagement, performing five days a week at the "Happiest Place on Earth" in Anaheim, Calif.
The program offers free housing and a weekly stipend of approximately $400 a week.
Tucson tryouts will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis and will take place in the Music Building at the University of Arizona. Students must be at least 18 years old and be proficient in sight-reading.
For more information, go to corporate.disney.go.com/careers/wdw_career_programs_college band.html.
– Gerald M. Gay
Alan Jackson to tour with Brooks & Dunn
Talk about your dream tour: Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson on one ticket. The biggest question: Who is the headliner, who's the opener?
The answer is probably neither, or both. They likely will have equal stage time, and they'll flip-flop on who starts the show, who ends the show.
So just how fabulous is this on the scale of fabulous country tours? Consider:
Between them, the two acts have 50 No. 1 hit singles, album sales approaching 80 million, Grammys, Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards, People's Choice and Billboard awards, and a solid record for arena sellouts.
Also on the lineup — newcomers Jake Owen and Catherine Britt.
The tour kicks off May 10 in Virginia and stops in Phoenix at Cricket Pavilion Oct. 7. It's expected to run through Oct. 21 with stops in Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Washington, D.C.
Ticket information has not been released.
– Cathalena E. Burch
Nice Boys bring '70s vibe to Vaudeville Cabaret
Sometimes people want just straight-up rock.
Portland's the Nice Boys probably won't change your life, but they could improve your night this Saturday.
The Oregon band has a '70s glam look and sound — with hints of Kiss, David Bowie and the Kinks.
Its self-titled 2006 album has enough pop hooks, melodies and fake British accents to anticipate an entertaining live set for $5.
Playing ahead of the Nice Boys will be the Okmoniks, Birthday Suits and Time Flys beginning at 10 p.m. at Vaudeville Cabaret, 110 E. Congress St.
– Kevin W. Smith
Tickets for Connick concert in Phoenix on sale Monday
Tickets go on sale Monday for Harry Connick Jr.'s May 15 concert at Phoenix's Dodge Theatre.
Connick Jr. and his Big Band are touring the country with his My New Orleans Tour 2007, an outing that captures the moods and spirit of the jazz-blues singer's native New Orleans.
Tickets are $35-$68 through Ticketmaster, 321-1000.
– Cathalena E.Burch
