JAZZ UNDER THE STARS

Thursday, July 9

Not sure what this means astrologically speaking, but it’s time again for the annual Jazz Under the Stars summer concert series, which kicks off tonight at the outdoor amphitheater of the Mary Baker Russell Music Center on the Pacific Lutheran University campus. In the wake of a rare double eclipse month, Jazz Under the Stars carries on with a decade of high-octane, free, outdoor jazz concerts at PLU, and regularly features big talent, emphasizing the nice collection of jazz artists we have residing here in the Pacific Northwest.  Show organizers say the event series has only been rained out twice (it heads indoors if it rains), so pack yourself a picnic, or enjoy free refreshments. This year’s kick off features well-known/loved Tacoma saxophonist Kareem Kandi. — Paul Schrag

[Mary Baker Russell Music Center Ampitheater, 7-9 p.m., no cover, bring blankets/folding chairs, 12180 Park Ave. S., Parkland/Tacoma, 253.535.7787]

DEADWOOD REVIVAL

Thursday, July 9

Bluegrass, at heart, is blue collar — and the same thing can be said about Tacoma. For this reason, Deadwood Revival’s foot stompin set at Doyle’s tonight is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Whether Subarus from the North End descend on Tacoma’s favorite public house in droves, or the dusty and faded denim of our city’s south and east sides shows up in bigger numbers, Thursday at Doyle’s is sure to be a good time. For fans of bluegrass, this one’s a no brainer. — Matt Driscoll

[Doyle’s Public House, 7-9 p.m., no cover, 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]

TACOMA OLD TOWN BLUES FESTIVAL

Saturday, July 11

We love blues in Old Town, where average incomes are still high enough to make listening to the blues sting just a little bit less. The Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival will be in full effect this Saturday celebrating its 17th year as the place to satisfy your jones for blue notes and foot stomping surprises. This year’s lineup includes Little Bill and the Blue Notes, Jerry Miller Band, DK Stewart, The High Rollers, Blues Redemption, Scooch Cugno’s Delta 88 Revivial, the Big Nasty, Al Earick Band, Sour Owl, and Chris Stevens and the Surf Monkeys with special guest Jay Mabin, Double Cookin, Michael Miller Band and others. The net proceeds of the Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival will benefit the Breast Cancer Awareness Center, so buy your tickets and go.  — PS

[Old Town Tacoma venues, 9:30 a.m. Bluesberry Pancake Breakfast featuring Double Cookin in the  Slavonian Hall, noon to 7 p.m. outdoor stage at Old Town Park (no cover), 12:15 and 4 p.m. Mountaineers Legends Stage, 8 p.m. evening shows in four venues, $5 shows, $20 all-day pass, North 30th and McCarver, Old Town Tacoma, tacomaoldtownbluesfest.net]

ROCK THE BOOKS

Saturday, July 11

There’s something undeniably attractive about getting away with inappropriate acts. Instead of satisfying this itch by indulging in murder or white-collar crime, howsabout you just be loud in a library? OK, but really loud. Saturday, the Makeup Monsters will bring their brand of punkish indie pop to the first installment of the Tacoma Public Library’s Rock the Books summer concert series. Hordes of hipsters and hipster-sympathizers will pack a small room at the Main Downtown Library and watch as James Hilborne & the Painkillers — the eerie calm before the storm — open for the Makeup Monsters and the inevitable sonic destruction of the Dewey Decimal System. It’s all ages, free, and an opportunity for a light rebellion. What more could you ask for? — Adam McKinney



[Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, Makeup Monsters, James Hilborne & the Painkillers, 7 p.m., all ages, no cover, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.591.5666]