the hum / By Bob Doran

Bye Bye Buju

It wasn’t enough for Nocturnum’s Gil Miracle. “We tried for a week to get a statement from them, and we finally got that from Buju, but it was too little, too late,” said Miracle in a call on Monday. “This won’t end until he comes forward and really denounces what he said. In the end, canceling the show was just the right thing to do.”

So much for what’s not happening; let’s move on to what is happening this weekend at Nocturnum. Saturday they have A Hawk and a Hacksaw, with music about as far from dancehall reggae as you can imagine. Based in Zuzax, N.M., AHAAH’s core members — violinist Heather Trost and percussionist Jeremy Barnes (who played drums in the Elephant 6 indie band, Neutral Milk Hotel) — make music firmly rooted in Balkan folk traditions. Since their last couple of records were down with a Bulgarian band, Hun Hangár Ensemble, I’m not sure what they’ll do on this tour, but I imagine it’ll be very cool. They’re traveling with Damon and Naomi, a dream-pop duo pairing Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang, both former members of the ’80s indie trio Galaxie 500.

You’ll hear a bit of Balkan in the music of the local a capella group AkaBella, who celebrate the release of their first album, The Beltane Sessions, witha party next Saturday night, Oct. 17, at Redwood Raks. Of course, East-Euro is only one style they draw on in their haunting collection of songs from around the globe, threading together traditional African and Cuban vocal styles, Hebrew and gospel music, a touch of reggae, even trad Japanese. It’s an impressive offering that demonstrates the universality of the human voice, the first instrument. Joining the party Saturday: the all-women West African drum troupe Guinea Gbe, songster (and “heart throb”) Berel Alexander and DJ Knutz, who will provide “funky vintage grooves” for dancers.

The neo-surf band Robbie Allen and The Outer Edge brings two nights of “acid surf rock” to Humboldt, playing Friday at Six Rivers Brewery and Saturday at the Wave at Blue Lake Casino. Allen was schooled by The Ventures (he plays guitars made by the legendary surf masters), but he also sites The Mermen as inspiration for his surf instrumentals.

Humboldt Hoptoberfest is back, Saturday from noon until 6 p.m. in Blue Lake’s Perigot Park.Of course they’ll have beer (from at least nine North Coast breweries). Bands include DogBone, The Brendas, Good Company and Fear Mia, a folk/funk/bluegrass outfit from Los Angeles. All proceeds go to the Blue Lake Education Foundation, supporting music, sports and arts programs at the local school.

Speaking of school benefits: Coastal Grove Charter School has its annual Medieval Festival of Courage Saturday and Sunday out by Mad River Hospital. You’ll find the usual Renaissance Faire fare — wandering minstrels, jousting knights, etc. but also some surprises: Joanne Rand plays Saturday (3:15 p.m.) as does Dead cover band The Miracle Show (5:45 p.m., early enough for their gig at the Red Fox later that night). Sunday’s festivities end with a set by The Fickle Hillbillies, another less-than-medieval rock band.

The Humboldt Council of the Blind benefit at the Alibi Saturday features punky Irish tunes by The Smashed Glass and tongue-in-cheek rock by Splinter Cell, whose bass player, Jimmy, is some sort of HCotB muck-de-muck (and a very cool guy).

Sunday at the Mateel, Just ’Cause presents an evening of spacey electrodance music with remix masters The Glitch Mob, R/D, Danny Corn and Christopher Cadence with VJ Rhett Bice providing visuals.

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