Courtesy photos

The Superpowers

Toubab Krewe

TONIGHT

Eric Lindell

This Alligator records soul man is from New Orleans by way of Southern California, and sounds like it. Hear songs from "Low On Cash, Rich In Love," featuring his guitar and songwriting -- and a killer singing voice. Lindell is also on the bill at Saturday's Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival in Warm Springs (see listing below).

Details: 9 tonight. 202 Market, 202 Market Square, downtown Roanoke. $10. 343-6644, 202market.net, ericlindellband.com.

FRIDAY

Toubab Krewe

Up the hill in Floyd, yet another night of African-based pop music is on the menu. Toubab Krewe, out of Asheville, N.C., has traveled to Mali, Guinea and Ivory Coast to learn, jam and develop the style that has turned on so many people at FloydFest and other summer sites, including Bonnaroo.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday. The Sun Music Hall, 302 S. Locust St., Floyd. $15 advance; $18 at the show.  (540) 745-7880, thesunmusichall.com, toubabkrewe.com.

Hillbilly Casino

With Loud Clangin' and Bangin'

Before Alan Dever parted ways with the Mix's ownership, he booked this last show. Should be a good one, too, with the Nashville-based Casino boys blaring the rockabilly and some local favorites opening the show.

Details: 10 p.m. Friday. The Mix, 16 Campbell Ave., downtown Roanoke. $7, 21 and older. 344-4494, thehillbillycasino.com.

The Missionaries

With the China Cup Fit

Get a sweet dose of neo-folk and indie-pop from two Roanoke acts.

Details: 8:30 p.m. Local Roots Cafe, 1731 Grandin Road S.W., Suite 310, Roanoke. $5. 206-2610, myspace.com/themissionariesfolk.

BBQ Storytellers

Phil Norman of Blue Moonshine is hosting this night of songwriters in the round. Joining him are Monkey Fuzz's Will Farmer and two Baltimore-based players -- Andrew Grimm and Tim Bracken.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Friday. Blues BBQ, 107 Market Square, downtown Roanoke. Free. 344-5683, bluesbbqco.com.

Marshall Ruffin

Ruffin's a Richmond guy who went to Berklee College of Music and got a degree in jazz performance. Then he headed for southwest Georgia, where he got heavily into Ma Rainey. Now he mixes his roots-rock inclinations with multi-instrumental jazzy esoterica.

Details: 9 p.m. Friday. 202 Market, 202 Market Square, downtown Roanoke. $5. 343-6644, 202market.net, marshallruffin.com.

Charlie Louvin and The String Band

Decades after the heyday of the Louvin Brothers, surviving sibling Charlie remains relevant. He received a Grammy nomination this year for his latest self-titled record. Recent collaborators include Elvis Costello, Jeff Tweedy and Tift Merritt.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday. Rives Theater, 215 Church St., Martinsville. $15 in advance; $20 at the show. (276) 632-1413, charlielouvinbros.com.

SATURDAY

The Seed

With the Greg Ward Project

Roanoke's favorite reggae band won't be in town much longer -- a move to Washington, D.C., is set for July. Catch them at Martin's with opening act Greg Ward Project, a Harrisonburg-based reggae outfit.

Details: 10 p.m. Saturday. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, 413 First St. S.W., Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, myspace.com/theseedsound, myspace.com/gwpreggae.

Emerging Artists

One-Year Celebration Featuring Magic Twig Community, Poe Mack, Case Jones, Red Clay River, Nancy & Two Meteors and more

If you've heard it at an Emerging Artists night, hear it again. Every act booked over the past year is scheduled to put in work at the one-year anniversary celebration.

Details: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Roanoke Public Library, 706 Jefferson St., downtown Roanoke. Free. 853-1057, myspace.com/emergingartistsroanoke.

Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers

Kellogg's new record, "Glassjaw Boxer," is a cool collection of roots-rock with some pretty pop nuances. And hey -- 202's Gary Jackson keeps talking about this band, so the live show is surely worth catching.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday. 202 Market, 202 Market Square, downtown Roanoke. $12. 202market.net, stephenkellogg.com.

Paul Thorn

With Jesse Ray Carter

Thorn can just stand with his guitar and his storytelling song style and keep an audience enraptured -- and sometimes in stitches. For his newest release, "A Long Way from Tupelo!," he's brought along his band, which has been performing with him on the late-night talk show circuit. Carter, who opens the show, plays in the style of his hero, John Hammond Jr., and has his own style to boot.

Details: 8:30 p.m. Saturday. The Ellington, 421 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg. $20 in advance; $25 at the show. (434) 845-2162, theellington.org (online tickets sold out), paulthorn.com.

Upland Express

Shawsville bluegrass band picks for a charity event.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Oak Grove Pavilion, 635 Needmore Lane, Floyd. Free, but donations accepted. (540) 745-2096, ib4blugras@aol.com.

Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival

With Taj Mahal and the Trio, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tab Benoit and others

How could you do better than this for a weekend? Either one of the three is worth the road trip, but the three on one bill -- whoa, Nellie!

Details: 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Garth Newel Music Center, Warm Springs. $18 in advance; $25 day of show; free for ages 11 and under, but must reserve tickets. The festival's events on Friday and Sunday have sold out. (877) 558-7689, garthnewel.org.

SUNDAY

The Superpowers

Glenvar High grad Adam Clark brings his Boston-based collection of Afrobeat freaks back to Roanoke. If you're into the groove, this show will have it running deep for you. Go check out the band's MySpace page for some incredibly hip, in-the-pocket playing with cool melodies. If you can listen without something on your body tapping or swaying, you might want to make sure you're still breathing.

Details: 7 p.m. Sunday. Blue 5 Restaurant, 312 Second St., downtown Roanoke. $10. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com, myspace.com/thesuperpowers.

TUESDAY

Acoustic Endeavors

Get a belly full of hush puppies, then stomp it off to some solid bluegrass sounds with good vocals.

Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday. Blues BBQ, 107 Market Square, downtown Roanoke. Free. 344-5683, bluesbbqco.com, acousticendeavors.com.