THE WEEK AHEAD: What to Do

Taking a look at the the upcoming seven-day stretch, here are a few daily best bests for those of you planning ahead. Got other suggestions? Post ’em in the comment box below:

MONDAY: The Kooks @ Upstate Music Hall, Clifton Park. The Brighton-based British indie rockers roll into town in support of their album Let’s Go Sunshine. With Barns Courtney and Future Beats. 8pm. $28.

TUESDAY: “Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration” @ Proctors’ The Addy, Schenectady. A concert film tribute to the singer-songwriter on her recent 75th birthday. Featuring Brandi Carlile, Glen Hansard, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, Kris Kristofferson, Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Cesar Castro & Xochi Flores, Graham Nash, Seal, James Taylor, Rufus Wainwright and more. 7pm. $12.

WEDNESDAY: Spike Priggen & Friends @ HiLo, Catskill. Joined by guitarist Chris Erikson, bassist Andy Shernoff and drummer Doug Wygal, Priggen plays original tunes and nuggets from the songbags of Nancy Sinatra, Conway Twitty, The Jacobites, Roky Erikson, the Only Ones, Lucinda Williams, The Ramones, The Zombies, Johnny Thunders and Alice Cooper. 7:30pm. FREE.

THURSDAY: Chris Ware @ Skidmore College’s Tang Museum, Saratoga Springs. The award-winning cartoonist, graphic novelist and frequent New Yorker cover artist delivers the second annual Winter/Miller Lecture. 6pm. FREE.

FRIDAY: Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience @ the Cohoes Music Hall, Cohoes. Laissez les bons temps rouler as the big Mardi Gras weekend celebrations begin with the soulful, two-time accordionist-singer! With Professor Louie & The Crowmatics. 7:30pm. $28.

SATURDAY: The Back Porch Festival @ the Academy of Music, Northampton. Day Two of the three-day fest is headlined by dobro master Jerry Douglas and his trad bluegrass band Earls of Leicester. With Twisted Pine and Town Mountain. 7pm. $34-$49.

SUNDAY: For Motherjudge: An Afternoon of Fundraising and Celebration @ McGeary’s Pub, Albany. A fundraiser for Caroline MotherJudge, the creator and long-time host of the Best Damn Open Mic Ever, who is suffering from pancreatic cancer. Featuring These Are the Hits, Ramblin Jug Stompers, Jim Gaudet & the Railroad Boys and the North & South Dakotas. 12noon. Donations encouraged.