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The Arcata Vet's Hall Bar (on the corner of 14th and J streets, downstairs) has been undergoing something of a renaissance lately. Thanks to the efforts of a younger crop of local veterans, there is a brand new beautiful redwood bar in the basement and shows have started to crop up there semi-regularly. Similarly, what started as a wild idea at the Alibi has blossomed into a local institution: The Songwriter Circle of Death is celebrating its 15th gathering at the Vet's Hall Bar at 9 p.m. The format is simple: The artists show up with their chosen acoustic instruments and each play songs ranging from punk to country to blues and bluegrass. Tonight will feature TheBoredAgain (aka a guy named Dave from Eureka who plays punk tunes on his upright bass), Portland transplant Gabe Rozzell and Blue Lake bluegrasser Turtle Goodwater ($3).

The Outer Space in Arcata is putting on a good one tonight for all of you garage and art-punk fans. Oakland's Everyone Is Dirty pull a beautiful and, dare I say, grungy sound from vocals, electric violin, guitar, bass and drums. Meanwhile, openers The Monster Women are garage rock done right and SLOP translates sparkly femme-punk into three languages starting at 7 p.m. ($8).

The Alibi is hosting a benefit show for the Breast Health Awareness Project, a support group for women facing breast or gynecological cancers. Three DJs will be spinning dance music from 11 p.m.: DJ Anya, DJ King Maxwell and DJ Crazy Leggs ($5).