Jackson Free Press

As we hit the stands, it's Turkey Day eve, Wednesday, Nov. 26. You can sleep late in the morrow, so why not do something interesting with your teenager tonight? Or are you a teenager looking for legal nightlife? Tonight is an oh-angst-ridden one, and if your parents share your affection for indie rock/alternative music, then you might invite them to Swell-o-Venue tonight for area favorites The Weeks (Jackson Esperanza band), Bear Colony (Little Rock Esperanza band) and Signals, 7 p.m. $8. It's an all-ages, no-alcohol function in Fondren. Check out the bands' MySpace pages to stream or Google some of the many positive online reviews that's buzzing them on the Colour Revolt coattails to national recognition.

With the extra day off this week, you might be anxious to get out of the house. What better way to give thanks than to see Vanilla Ice at Club Fire this Friday?! It's like looking at that mangled accident on the side of the road. You want to look away, but you just can't help yourself. You know the Iceman brings the heat and the lovely ladies, making downtown the place to party this weekend. Just up the road, Martin's will host the southern honky-tonk juke of Oxford favorite Jimbo Mathus Friday night. It's also Oxford night Saturday night at Martin's with the Mayhem String Band bringing the hotty-totty bluegrass love to Jacktown.

Rock 93.9 is having a Hog Wild Charity BBQ starting this Sunday at noon at Fire. I'll be posting details on our online music calendar for details. Stay tuned. The triple-bill rock fest of the week is at Fire next Wednesday, Dec. 3. Starting at 7 p.m. and rocking all night will be Saliva, Splendid Chaos and Aranda.

If you've never been to the Mississippi Museum of Art's monthly installment of Jazz, Art and Friends, next Thursday, Dec. 4, is a good evening for it. For $7 from 6-9 p.m. you can bask in the sultry sounds of jazz goddess Rhonda Richmond for your aural pleasure. Buy a glass of arty hooch at the bar, peruse the art and listen to one of Jackson's most sonorous divas.

As a child of the '80s, I cannot refuse a Saturday road trip to the Beau Rivage in Biloxi to see New Wave icons Duran Duran. I recommend hitting up the high-dollar standing-room-only floor tickets for the Saturday, Dec. 6, $60-plus. It's an all-ages show and the first time the Beau has pulled out the seats in front of the stage for a dance floor. That's what you call old-school pop stars wielding their power for good. Though I am near the 40 mark in years, I cannot imagine sitting for the decade's worth of dance hits these guys have recorded, influencing Franz Ferdinand, Killers, Bravery and VHS or Beta. Look for me in the front row.

If by chance you are not taking advantage of the lower gas prices and you're sticking to home, be sure to check out Entropy at Martin's next Saturday, Dec. 6. Entropy is the sort of get-on-top-of-you-jazzy-funk-jam outfit that does a body good. These guys are real-deal solid. Check them out at entropyfunk.com
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