Hit the Lawn 

Thursday

Cruzin' Eureka's Poker Run meets up this evening at Vista Del Mar in Eureka at 6 p.m. and there's local music to welcome the cruisers. You'll find well-dialed blues-rock band Cold Blue Water in the parking lot, jamming away along with Ghost Train in front of some pretty fine looking classic cars. Check it out — the music and the view are free. At the same time in Blue Lake, you'll find some folky fiddle tunes courtesy of Fingal, who are doing the free gig thing for you so let 'em know you appreciate it. Ian of the Alibi informs me that some local outlaw country is on the bill tonight from Blue Lakers Barn Fire, who are welcoming Portland punkers P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. (notice the periods between each letter) to the 'bi with music starting around 11 p.m. and for only $5.

Friday

Arts! Arcata is in full swing tonight starting around 6 p.m. so you'll be able to check out plenty of fine local musicians hawkin' their sonic wares. Over at Wrangletown Cider Co. — remember the old recycling center? — you'll get your first dose of local electric Americana band Rogues' Gallery around then. At 6 p.m., the Mad River Brewery Tap Room welcomes Frogbite, who I'm told play "Amphibian Rock," so that's not something you'll want to miss. It's a free show, as is the one happening at the Logger Bar just three hours later with out-of-towners Gun Hill Royals, who hail from the City of Angels and are West Coast country rockers playing "rug cutters and barn burners" with country waltzes thrown in for good measure. Band member Kyle seemed like a good guy via email and is excited to play up in the Lake o' Blue. Give the guys a warm Humboldt County welcome at this free show. I still haven't had the chance to see Portland's Roselit Bone but I've heard nothing but rave reviews regarding this "apocalyptic cowboy" band so take that for what it's worth. The band is joined by local country band Mojave Green at Siren's Song Tavern at 9 p.m. No word if this is a free show but you'll get your money's worth even if you have to cough up a few shekels. Local Pink Floyd tribute Money (including yours truly) returns to the Wave Lounge at the Blue Lake Casino at 9 p.m. for a free show to celebrate keyboardist Tomek's birthday. He loves whipped cream vodka, so buy him a shot. If you missed Rogues' Gallery earlier this evening, catch 'em opening for the No Good Redwood Ramblers tonight at 9:30 p.m. at Humboldt Brews, where I'm hearing the Ramblers will be joined by local fiddler Evan Morden at this bargain of a $5 show.

Saturday

If you're familiar with Lawnstock, you'll know it's an annual music festival put on by the Zwerdling family to benefit a local child with medical needs. This year the festival is helping Kiarra Plante, who has type III hereditary angioedema, and making its public debut at Perigot Park in Blue Lake at 11 a.m. with the following performers: Ghost Train, Dynasty One, The Detours, The Yokels, That Buckin' String Band, Rachel Beccaria and Nashville native Amanda Fields, though in what order I'm not sure. A $10 bill will get you into this festival with proceeds, of course, going to a great cause. Make sure to thank the Zwerdlings for putting this festival on each year. With live music starting at 1 p.m., the Blocksburg Harvest Faire gets underway at Blocksburg Town Hall with above-mentioned Gun Hill Royals along with The Knights of the Van Duzen, Austin Alley and The Ringo Family Band. It's a free festival, so live it up. The Detours return to the Mad River Brewery Tap Room at 6 p.m. for a free show. Then at 9 p.m. at the Mateel, reggae star Anthony B makes an appearance with support from Altar Tones. An even $30 will get you in for this hot shot in Redway. If Grateful Dead tunes are more up your alley, check out Play Dead at Humboldt Brews at 10 p.m. and for $10.

Monday

New York jazz is on tap at the Palm Lounge in Eureka at 7 p.m., courtesy of locals Brian Post & Friends. Looks like it's a free one tonight and, if so, don't be afraid to tip the band. These are musicians who've honed their chops so thank your lucky stars they love playing out locally for you jazz heads.

Tuesday

Jazz is the genre that owns the beginning of this week with The Low Notes at Mad River Brewery at 6 p.m. tonight for free. Over at Humboldt State University, the Redwood Jazz Alliance just so happens to be opening its 2017-2018 season tonight at 8 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room with Honey and Salt by jazz drummer Matt Wilson. For those of you who may not know, Honey and Salt is a collection of poetry by prairie laureate Carl Sandburg and this show tonight is music inspired by the midwest barn bard. Somehow I ended up with my grandfather's copy of said collection of poetry when I was in high school and — while I'm showing off — would highly recommend "Love is a Deep and a Dark and a Lonely," "Cahokia," "Lackawanna Twilight" and "First Sonata for Karlen Paula." It turns out Mr. Wilson is also a fan and Illinois native. He's joined by cornetist Ron Miles, multi-reedist Jeff Lederer, bassist Martin Wind and pianist/vocalist Dawn Clement. They'll ask only $15 from you (or $10 from HSU students) to get in. Nine-piece "powerfunk" group from Brooklyn Turkuaz makes a stop at Humboldt Brews tonight at 9 p.m. to get you funked up and grooving. With influences such as Sly & the Family Stone and the Talking Heads, you know it'll be a good time. $20 will get you in to this show. Wear something you don't mind sweating in.

Full show listings in the Journal's Music and More grid, the Calendar and online. Bands and promoters, send your gig info, preferably with a high-res photo or two, to [email protected].

Andy Powell is a congenital music lover and hosts The Album of the Week Show on KWPT 100.3 FM Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Music can change someone's world.