8/25/11: Today’s Tips: Thursday

MUSIC: Brad Mehldau @ Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall, Lenox. The jazz piano man with the magic touch can definitely get edgy, but melody is always the sharp focus, as he proves once again on his new double-CD/single DVD release, “Live In Marciac.” 8pm. $18-$52. Related story/

MUSIC: Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes @ the Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield. Jersey’s hard-working, blue-collar musical legacy is still in good hands with this rollicking horn-fueled veteran combo with more than 30 albums to their credit. 7:30pm. $15, $35, $55; VIP $60. Related story.

FOOD/MUSIC: Grand Street Eats @ Grand Street Community Arts, Albany. A seriously keepin’-it-local soiree with local food, local art and local music by Swamp Baby, Andy Sink (of the Sifters) and Dan Johnson & His Expert Sidemen. The event runs from 6-9pm, and admission is $20. Related story.

MUSIC: Three of a Perfect Pair @ Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. Adrian Belew, Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto. Really. Need we say any more? 8:30pm. $30. Related story.

MUSIC: The Dylan Canterbury Quartet @ Jay Street, Schenectady. The Jazz on Jay lunchtime concert series continues with the trumpeter and his band. 12noon. FREE.

MUSIC: Janis Ian @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. The veteran American singer-songwriter’s music remains honest and uncompromising, even after all these years. 6:30 & 9pm. $37. UPDATE: The 6:30pm show is sold out.

ARTS WALK: Downstreet Art @ various locations, North Adams. Visual art, music, family fun… 6-9pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Barry Manilow @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs. He writes the songs that make the world sing… although he didn’t write that one. Accompanied by the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. 7:30pm. $29.50, $39.50, $59.50, $79.50, $99.50; lawn $20. Kids 12 and under are admitted free on the lawn when accompanied by a paying adult. Related story.

MUSIC: Larry McCray @ River Street Pub, Troy. Veteran Chicago bluesman and national recording artist McCray teams up with bassist Frank Daley, Super 400 drummer Joe Daley and guitarslinger Matt Mirabile. 8pm. $15.

FILM: “Magic Trip: Ken Kesey’s Search for a Kool Place” @ Time + Space Limited, Hudson. A new documentary that examines the legendary 1964 LSD-fuelled, cross-country bus trip of Ken Kesey, Neal Cassady and the Merry Band of Pranksters – utilizing never-before-seen footage that they filmed themselves. 5:30pm. $7; students $5. Through Sunday, September 4.

MUSIC: The Damned Things @ Northern Lights, Clifton Park. The all-star line-up of members of Fall Out Boy, Anthrax and Every Time I Die come roaring into town in support of their debut album, “Ironiclast.” With Maylene & the Sons of Disaster, Fair to Midland, Hourcast and Enigmatic Heart. 7pm. $17.

THEATER/COMEDY: “Madame With an E” @ the Wood Theater, Glens Falls. Remember the ventriloquist act of Wayland Flowers & Madame? Well, Flowers has passed on, but Madame continues to live on with Rick Skye on her arm. 8pm. $30. Also on Friday.

MUSIC: L.B. Walker @ Waterford Public Library, Waterford. The bluesman wraps up the summertime Backlot Music Series. 6pm. FREE.

MUSIC: The Electric City Horns @ the Guilderland Performing Arts Center at Tawasentha Park, Guilderland. Horn-fueled rock ‘n’ roll. Rain or shine. 7:30pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Sensemaya @ Taste, Albany. Latin jazz ‘n’ funk. 7pm. $5.

MUSIC: Perpetual Grrove @ Jillian’s, Albany. With Jeff Bujak. 9:30pm. $15.

MUSIC: The Matt Maguire Quintet @ the Orchard Tavern, Albany. Mainstream jazz and funk. 7:30pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Deluka @ Wiswall Park, Ballston Spa. With Ten Pound Tiger. 6pm. FREE. UPDATE: Due to the weather, the concert has been moved to a covered building at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.