Comin’ Soon…

Kristin Hersh – founding member of the seminal Throwing Muses – rolls into the Saratoga Arts Center in Saratoga Springs at 7:30pm on Saturday, June 9 in “Paradoxical Undressing,” a solo performance of spoken word and music based on her acclaimed memoir, “Rat Girl.” The performance is part of the annual SaratogaArtsFest, which will take place around the Spa City from June 7-10. Details regarding ticket prices and on sale date TBA.

Veteran rocker Graham Parker is teaming up with the Figgs once again for a string of dates next month, and it looks like they’ll be kicking it off with a gig at Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany on Thursday, April 19 – just two days after the release of the Figgs’ new album, “The Day Gravity Stopped.” Details TBA shortly.

Jazz tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin and his band are slated to make a tour stop at the College of Saint Rose in Albany on Friday, March 23 (CORRECTION: Saturday, March 24), in support of his latest album, “Perpetual Motion.” The band will perform in concert at the college’s Massry Center at 7:30pm. Tix are $10. McCaslin will also offer a jazz workshop at 3pm that same day in the Massry Center Room 304. Admission to the workshop is free.

CANCELLED: The Celtic band McPeake was slated to play MASS MoCA in North Adams on Friday, March 16, but the band has cancelled their appearance.

But MASS MoCA didn’t waste any time in coming up with a replacement for the cancelled McPeake show. Dublin-born folk-pop singer-songwriter Susan McKeown – who will also be performing in concert at the Eighth Step at Proctors in Schenectady at 7:30pm on Saturday (March 10) – has been tapped to play MASS MoCA’s Club B-10 at 8pm on Friday, March 16. Tix are $12 in advance; $16 at the door; students $10. Michael Brunnock will share the stage at both shows.

Alt-country singer-songwriter Tift Merritt has scheduled a return appearance at Club Helsinki in Hudson for 9pm on Friday, May 4, and this time around she’s bringing her whole band with her. Ticket prices TBA.

CANCELLED, PART II: We are indeed sad to report that Lee Renaldo has dropped off the bill for the show at Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany on Wednesday, April 18, due to medical reasons. Presented by WCDB-FM, the show will go on, however, with Disappears (featuring Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley) and Lotus Plaza (the solo project of Deerhunter’s Lockett Pundt). Which still looks like a mighty fine show…

Super-rockers the Fleshtones are headed back to Troy for a guaranteed wild and crazy matinee (that’s right, an afternoon show) at Bat Shea’s on April Fool’s Day, Sunday, April 1. Big Frank & the Bargain Bingers kick off the frenzied festivites at 3pm.

In support of his brand new album, “Hellfire” on Alligator Records, veteran bluesman Joe Louis Walker is headed into Pauly’s Hotel in Albany at 8:30pm on Friday, April 13, with fellow guitarslinger Murali Coryell in tow.

CANCELLED, PART III: We were psyched for this one. But alas, we are thoroughly bummed out to report the cancellation of the Peter Case/Paul Collins combo band that was originally slated for Bat Shea’s in Troy on Thursday, April 12.

Bassist-trombonist Chris Brubeck led his band Triple Play into Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs along with a few special guests (including his dad Dave Brubeck) last year and they emerged with a new album, “Live at Arthur Zankel Music Center” on Blue Forest Records. Well, Chris Brubeck is headed back to Skidmore’s Zankel Center at 8pm on Friday, April 13, but this time around he’ll be leading the Brubeck Brothers Band, which also features his brother Dan Brubeck on drums in addition to guitarist Mike DeMicco and pianist Chuck Lamb. Tix are $12; seniors $7.

OPENERS: Babe City – the freshly formed all-female all-star quartet featuring Olivia Quillio, Meg Duffy, MaryLeigh Roohan (of MaryLeigh & the Fauves) and Caroline Corrigan (of the Red Lions) – made their stunning debut at Valentine’s Music Hall last week opening for Langhorn Slim. Now they’ve nailed down another prestigious booking – as the opening act for soulful singer-songwriter Sean Rowe at the Steamer No. 10 Theatre in Albany at 8pm on Saturday, March 17.

OPENERS, PART II: As announced earlier Guster brings their inaugural acoustic tour to The Egg on Wednesday, March 28, but they seem to be having a hard time holding onto an opening act for the show. Initially, comedian Jeff Garlin was announced as the opener, but he was quickly scratched. Then Nada Surf was advertised as the opener, but they’re off the bill now, too. According to Guster’s website Yellowbirds is currently holding down the opening slot for the Albany show.

SOLD OUT: The Trailer Park Boys show at The Egg in Albany on Thursday, May 3 is now officially sold out.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: The Egg in Albany has added three new shows to its calendar – comedian Billy Gardell, Dweezil Zappa Plays Zappa and, believe it or not, “A John Waters Christmas.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART II: The Michael Jackson tribute band Who’s Bad will be returning to Troy’s free Rockin’ On the River concert series at the Hedley District Riverfront this summer.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART III: Hold on! There’s a second Michael Jackson tribute show headed into Nippertown, too. Cirque du Soleil is bringing their “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour” to the Times Union Center in Albany in May. Tix go on sale at 10am on Monday (March 12).