Jackson Free Press

In my mind, the Mississippi State Fair is the official kick-off to riding down the road with windows down, and hanging body parts out in the breeze. In my mind the acting for the Fondren Theatre's production of "Arcadia" on the lawn of the Cedars is just a little better with the temp in the 70's and a breeze floating by. Any of the outdoor fall events on the lounge list are more enjoyable this time of year. October is just a fine time to shift your social calendar into gear. So browse the expanded lounge list online a little slower these next few weeks.

Thursday your choice picks are the Irish music of Bounds Street at Fenians, D.J. D. Lo at Upper Level, Radio Theory at George St., or K.C. & the Sunshine Band at the fair. On Friday, W.C. Don's will host The GT's with members of Gone Borneo, and the post-punk troubadour known as DD Thunders. In homage to The Ramones and The New York Dolls, DD's acoustic guitar runs the gamut from originals to classic punk covers, not so far removed from Billy Idol's VH1 Unplugged gig.

The uncompromising King Edward Blues Band will join Jackie Bell, Ironing Board Sam at the 930 Blues Café this weekend, in a cavalcade of rhythm to wash those blues away. The Joint rocks out on Saturday with a hard triple bill of Fletcher, Benefits of Leisure, and Tyler Read.

The Mississippi Gospel and Bluegrass Opry will broaden its gospel and bluegrass roots this Saturday in the Pearl Community Room next to City Hall. They are doing well and the crowds continue to grow. Harmony & Grits and now joined by barbershop quartets and the traditional Irish music of Bounds Street, among others.

Sometimes you hear about an invigorating concept that makes you wonder why it doesn't happen more often. There is nothing quite like the sound of a full orchestra in Thalia Mara Hall, unless they are performing the score of a classic film while you are watching the film. Saturday night the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra will perform along with a screening of Charlie Chaplin's "The Idle Class" and "The Kid." Tickets start at $15 for adults and $5 for students thirty minutes before the show. Support this family fun function and perhaps we can create a reason for them to bring 35mm prints of "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter" to Thalia Mara. Sweet.

The must see show of the week is at Martin's, late Saturday night. The Sunshine Fix return with Saturday Looks Good To Me for your indie pop pleasures. Saturday Looks Good To Me is a beautiful organ-drenched, boy/girl, indie-pop, with a 60's Sha-La-La pop catchiness. If you dig Belle & Sebastian you will love these guys. You might know Bill Doss, front man for The Sunshine Fix from his days with Olivia Tremor Control. What better way to juxtapose some Belle & Sebastian indie pop, than some Elephant 6 style of 60's influenced psychedelic indie rock?! Hit the ATM for an extra $20, you'll want a CD.

Next weekend is the outdoor Voodoo Music Experience in New Orleans. With more bands and DJ's being added each week, the festival is already being touted as the number one festival in the country this year. If you can't make the three-hour trek though, next weekend is shaping up nicely here. Don't be fretting and thinking you don't have anything to do. Tune in. Turn on.

Herman Snell