6/4/12: Today’s Tips: Monday

MUSIC: Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys @ McGeary’s Pub, Albany. 7:15pm. FREE.

FILM/MUSIC/DISCUSSION: “Music From the Big House” @ Spectrum 8 Theatres, Albany. A documentary by award-winning director Bruce McDonald about the power of the blues to provide hope and redemption to the hopeless. Rita Chiarelli, Canada’s Queen of the Blues, takes a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the blues, Louisiana State Maximum Security Penitentiary, aka Angola Prison – what used to be the bloodiest prison in America. Her journey turns into a historic jailhouse performance – playing with inmates serving life sentences. With a short musical performance by Chiarelli and a Q&A session following the screening. 7pm. $13.

MUSIC: Three Quarter North @ Mabee Farm, Rotterdam Junction. The first of the season’s Howlin’ at the Moon concerts. With Dan Johnson and guitarist Mark Baptiste. 7pm. $3.

MUSIC: Naked @ Club Helsinki, Hudson. The soulful Julia Nichols leads the band, which also includes bassist Kyle Esposito, drummer Manuel Quintana and guitarist Chris Zaloom. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Katrin @ the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock. The Boston-based singer-songwriter celebrates the release of her new CD “Frail to Fearless,” produced by Jerry Marotta. With the Daydreamers. 8pm. FREE.

TALK: “The Jewish Composer and the Hollywood Musical” @ Congregation Knesset Israel, Pittsfield. Film historian and author Phillip Harwood focuses on the music and movies of Irving Berlin. 7:30pm. $12.

MUSIC: Mark Nomad @ The Lion’s Den at the Red Lion, Stockbridge. Slide guitarist. 8pm. FREE.

MUSIC: Born Low @ Valentine’s Music Hall, Albany. With Hardside and Hard Luck. 7pm.