America: Clockwise from left, Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek.
The folk rock band America will perform at the Opera House on Saturday.
THURSDAY, July 19
Theories of the Apocalypse Cosmic Charlie's, 388 Woodland Ave., 21+, 10 p.m., $5.
The Enders, The Loaded Nuns, Middle Class Mischief Green Lantern, 497 W. 3rd St.
Idiot Glee, Three Legged Race, DJ Rob Theakston Al's Bar, 601 North Limestone Street 9 p.m. An evening of local experimental pop and electronic music.
Superfecta Parlay Social, 257 West Short Street, 8:30 p.m.
Shawn Mullins Natasha's, 112 Esplanade, 8 p.m., $20. From the venue website: “Shawn Mullins lives in Atlanta, he writes the songs that you might have heard in your friend's car. Shawn's musical accomplishments include a dozen self-produced records, two number one charting songs, grammy nomination and thousands of live performances. One of his favorite accomplishments was the decision of the Austrailian Olympic Team to use his song ‘Shimmer’ as their anthem. Shawn holds a degree in music education from North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA where he served in the U.S. Army.”
The Kentucky Hoss Cats Willie's Locally Owned 805 N. Broadway, 7 p.m.
Barefoot Renegades Tin Roof, 303 S. Limestone Street 10:30 p.m., free, 21+
Central Bank Thursday Night Live presents Oh My Me Fifth Third Pavilion at Cheapside Park, 215 W Main St, 4:30 p.m. Free.
Outside the Spotlight presents Jason Ajemian’s Highlife The Void Skateshop, 518 E. High St.. 7:30 p.m., all ages, $5 suggested donation. From the artist’s website: “Formed at the Harold Arts Residency in Ohio, Jason Ajemian pulls all of his previous conceptual musics together under a solid roof with the HighLife. Ajemian creates scores for the band in the architectural drafting program AutoCAD. Titled Motion Maps, these scores guide the musicians through spaces and hallways of musical structures. His blueprints dictate the flow and motion of a musical set, opening the performers up to visual and descriptive influences, while leading them through a diverse musical landscape consisting of Ajemian’s orchestrated poems, American folk forms, Native American chants, Canadian sea shanties, Orbison, jazz expressive motion and balladry -- all filtered through the creative/improvised process in a unique communication of the moment.”
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FRIDAY, July 20
Nativity Singers, Onward Pilgrim and Italian Beaches (feat. Reva Williams) Cosmic Charlie's, 388 Woodland Ave., 18+, 10 p.m., $5.
Devine Carama presents Brown Sugar, Hip Hop showcase Al's Bar, 601 North Limestone St., 10 p.m.
Fancytramp, Mic Harrison & the High Score Green Lantern, 497 W. 3rd St. Mic Harrison, who used to play guitar for Superdrag and the V-Roys, will be bringing his high energy Americana to the Green Lantern on Friday. From the band’s bio: “Robbie Trosper (guitar), Brad Henderson (drums) and Vance Hillard (bass), all hail from Sevier County (the birthplace of Dolly Parton) and were kindred spirits. Together, Harrison and the High Score developed a combination of high octane honky tonk and power pop rock ‘n’ roll that has wowed audiences from Bonnaroo to Boston.”
Lexington Chamber Music Festival “July Series” Downtown Arts Center, 141 W. Main St., 7:30 p.m., free. The Lexington Chamber Festival will present a series of shows in non-traditional chamber music venues, featuring young visiting musicians through July 22. From the presenter’s website: “Comprised of two violins, viola, cello, piano and clarinet, the group will play pieces by the young composer Danny Clay, who recently was commissioned by the world-famous Kronos Quartet. Other featured music will include ensemble pieces by Maurice Ravel, Osvaldo Golijov, Milton Babbitt, as well as works by various traditional, main-stream composers.”
The Jacob Reynolds Band Tin Roof, 303 S. Limestone Street 10:30p.m., free, 21+
Still Kickin' Band Parlay Social, 257 West Short Street, 18+, 9:30 p.m.
Grace and Don Rogers, Jeri Katherine Howell, Joplin Rice, Zoey Barrett Willie's Locally Owned 805 N. Broadway 8 p.m. $5
The New Now Natasha's, 112 Esplanade, 9 p.m., $5. From the venue website:”We are a three piece piano, violin, and guitar ensemble that combines male and female vocal harmonies with the instrumentation. It is our pleasure to present a performance of traditional and jazzy songs to help spread a little joy.”
The Famous Deceptors Squires Tavern, 3429 Buckhorn Dr. 9 p.m., free, 21+. Lexington’s longest-running continuously active bar band brings their trademark re-arrangements and smashups to South Lexington with a new wrinkle: they’re writing original music again!
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SATURDAY, July 21
AMERICA Lexington Opera House, 430 W. Vine St., 7:30 p.m. From the venue website: “The volunteers of the Troubadour Concert Series are excited to bring the band AMERICA to the historic Lexington Opera House! With its breezy acoustic guitars, high vocal harmonies, and smooth production, America is one of the most popular U.S. folk-rock groups of all time, rivaling even the success of The Eagles. Aside from performing all their hits in the intimate concert setting of the Opera House, original band members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell are bringing a huge multi-media show with them while performing their songs.Their massive hit songs include: ‘A Horse With No Name,’ ‘I Need You,’ ‘Ventura Highway,’ ‘Tin Man,’ ‘Lonely People,’ ‘Sister Golden Hair.’”
The Other Brothers, Blackfoot Gypsies Green Lantern, 497 W. 3rd St.
Sasha Collette Al's Bar, 601 North Limestone Street, 10 p.m.
Better Off Dead Parlay Social, 257 West Short Street, 18+, 9:30 p.m.
Early Show: Amanda Shires Cosmic Charlie's, 388 Woodland Ave., 18+ 8 p.m., $8/$10.
Late Show: Ford Theater Reunion, Big Fresh, Kentucky Knife Fight, Tinderbox Circus Sideshow Cosmic Charlie's, 388 Woodland Ave., 18+, 11 p.m., $10.
Lexington Chamber Music Festival “July Series” West Sixth Brewery, 501 West Sixth St., 8:30 p.m., free. The Lexington Chamber Festival will present a series of shows in non-traditional chamber music venues, featuring young visiting musicians through July 22. From the presenter’s website: “Comprised of two violins, viola, cello, piano and clarinet, the group will play pieces by the young composer Danny Clay, who recently was commissioned by the world-famous Kronos Quartet. Other featured music will include ensemble pieces by Maurice Ravel, Osvaldo Golijov, Milton Babbitt, as well as works by various traditional, main-stream composers.”
Mark and the Pentones Natasha’s, 112 Esplanade, 9 p.m., $10. From the venue website:Since he first ventured down that long, narrow, dark hallway at age 12 to meet his mentor and teacher Hank Mackie, Penton's musical style has grown and evolved to make him a true master of his art.His self-described style is blues, funk and stuff. Throw some rock, gospel and soul into the mix and that only begins to touch the 'stuff' he is made of. As time passes and he transcends the spectrum of music he has mastered, his earthy soulful voice blends perfectly with his musical style to take his audiences to uncharted territory. Destination unknown but always worth the trip!
Howard's Creek Willie's Locally Owned 805 N. Broadway 8 p.m., $5
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SUNDAY, July 22
Murder By Death Cosmic Charlie's, 388 Woodland Ave., 18+, 10 p.m., $13/$15. Murder By Death takes as many cues from country-tinged, beer-guzzling anthems as they do heartbreaking chamber-influenced ballads. Their complex, lyrically-based songs have inspired a cult following. According to their website, this tour – their most ambitious yet – will feature many old songs they haven’t played in a long time (partly to honor the 10th anniversary of their debut album, “Like the Exorcist, But More Breakdancing,”) as well as new songs from their forthcoming album “Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon,” and an “an awesome stage set that (we) built to transform the room into MBD territory.”
Neulore Natasha's, 112 Esplanade, 7 p.m., $8. From the venue website: “Neulore was formed in Nashville, TN in the Autumn of 2009 to tell stories of hope. After releasing a well-crafted EP, "Apples & Eve", they have begun to take their heartfelt songs to the masses. With a live show that not only entertains, but affects, leaving the audience with a sense that anything is possible, Neulore is captivating the hearts of all who draw near. Describing their sound as "truth in modern tones" and boldly stating that "the new folk music has arrived" they are firmly rooted in the tradition of community, the pursuit of wisdom, and the telling of timeless stories from a fresh perspective.”
Lexington Chamber Music Festival “July Series” Downtown Arts Center, UK HealthCare Performance Center, 800 Rose St. 2 p.m., free. The Lexington Chamber Festival will present a series of shows in non-traditional chamber music venues, featuring young visiting musicians through July 22. This performance will be broadcast into the rooms of patients at UK HealthCare From the presenter’s website: “Comprised of two violins, viola, cello, piano and clarinet, the group will play pieces by the young composer Danny Clay, who recently was commissioned by the world-famous Kronos Quartet. Other featured music will include ensemble pieces by Maurice Ravel, Osvaldo Golijov, Milton Babbitt, as well as works by various traditional, main-stream composers.”
The Loaded Nuns, Hudson Falcons, All American Werewolves, Sonic Deville Green Lantern, 497 W. 3rd St.