11/9/11: Today’s Tips: Wednesday

MUSIC: Pep Torres @ the Ale House, Troy. Blending ’50s-style rock & roll, rockabilly, doo-wop and R&B, the dynamic California-based Latin rocker has been called “the new Ritchie Valens.” Nippertown’s own rockabilly kingpins the Lustre Kings will serve as Torres’ backing band. 8pm.

MUSIC: Joe Bonamassa @ the Palace Theatre, Albany. Utica’s Smokin’ Joe has been firing up his blues-rockin’ guitar riffs around here since his pre-teen days at Pauly’s Hotel and Tiger’s Pub. 8pm. $51, $61 & $71. Related story.

MUSIC: Ray Manzarek & Robby Kreiger @ The Egg, Albany. Two founding members carry on the Doors’ musical legacy with Dave Brock stepping up to the microphone to fill Jim Morrison’s shoes. 8pm. $35.50, $44.50, $59.50; VIP $79.50. Related story.

FILM/MUSIC: “Warning Shadows: A Nocturnal Hallucination” @ Albany Public Library, Albany. The 1923 experimental German Expressionist silent film directed by Arthur Robison, bolstered with live, original music by Shape Shifting Shepherds. 7pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Ani DiFranco @ the Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield. The Little Folksinger from Righteous Babe Records is back, and maybe she’ll offer a sneak-preview of some material from her upcoming album, “Which Side Are You On?,” slated for release in January. With Melissa Ferrick. 7:30pm. $20, $35 & $55; VIP $60. Related story.

MUSIC: “Eve After Eden” @ Club Helsinki, Hudson. A classical cabaret in the upstairs ballroom featuring sopranos Hannah Goldshlack, Vanessa Langer, Heejung Lee and pianist Zsolt Balogh to benefit the Grace Smith House in Poughkeepsie. 6pm.

MUSIC: The Slow Death @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. It’s a Hump Day happy hour at Valentine’s. With Fake Boys, the Slaughterhouse Chorus and Dead Aces. 7pm.

MUSIC: Ken Gaines @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs. Soulful Houston-based singer-songwriter. 7pm. $5.

COMEDY: Laughs On Lark @ Elda’s on Lark, Albany. Local comedians showcase hosted by Matt Kelly and featuring Liz Barrett, Ava Kaye Levy, Jaye McBride and Aaron David Ward. 9pm. $5.

MUSIC: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones @ the Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton. The veteran roots rocker keeps it lean and mean on his latest album, “Eleven Eleven.” 7pm. $25. Related story.

MUSIC: “Piano Waves” @ EMPAC at RPI, Troy. A piano music program featuring Debussy’s “La Mer,” Vivier’s “Pulau Dewata, for piano ensemble with cello solo,” Feldman’s “Piece for Four Pianos,” Rosell’s “Homage to Terry Riley” and Ravel’s “La Valse.” 7:30pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Frontier Ruckus @ Jillian’s, Albany. The band heads into town in support of their new EP, “Way Upstate & the Crippled Summer, Pt. 2.” With the Sunny Side of the Street Band. 8pm. $10.