Courtesy photos

Snarky Puppy

Courtesy photos

Jim Weider

Tonight through Saturday

Snarky Puppy

These jazz-funk cats from Denton, Texas, are nuts. North Texas jazz represent (if you know what I'm talking about, you will surely hit at least one of these shows). Led by bassist Michael League, the Snarksters usually travel about 10 deep, with a full horn section. The Dallas Observer named the band its 2008 best jazz act, writing that "along with the expected jazz influences (Pat Metheny, Chick Corea), Snarky Puppy is just as comfortable incorporating James Brown and even some Bjork into the mix."

Details: 9:30 tonight at The Lantern in Blacksburg ($6; 951-1019). 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 202 Market in downtown Roanoke ($5; 202market.net). More about the band at snarkypuppy.com.

Saturday

Jim Weider's Project Percolator

With Dave Eakin and Steve Hoke

For rock 'n' roll, it doesn't get much rootsier than The Band. Weider was the guitarist for that rock icon, in its post-Robbie Robertson phase. These days, his music is outer-spacier and more biting, with grooves that recall funk way more than folk-rock. His guitar skills are sharp, and his record "PERCoLAToR," includes such high-flying guests as John Medeski (Hammond B3) and Tony Levin (bass). And his live band includes veterans of Santana and Steve Kimock Band. Go to blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch/national_and_regional_artists for an e-mail Q&A with Weider.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Theater at Lime Kiln, Lexington. $20 in advance; $22 at the gate; $15 for students. (540) 463-7088, theateratlimekiln.com, jimweider.com.

Tonight

TK-421

Not only can these guys deliver the rock, makeup and all, but they're good folk. This show is a benefit for their friend Nikki Flint, whose family lost their home in Rockbridge County to fire last week. The band is asking for money and clothing donations to help out the family. The show is happening near the new El Rodeo on Orange Avenue Northeast.

Details: 9 tonight. 460 West Restaurant and Lounge, 460 Market Square East Shopping Center, 3400 Orange Ave. N.E., Roanoke. Donations requested. 400-7440, myspace.com/tk421band.

Amanda Pearcy and Cowboy Johnson

Check out an Americana duo from Austin, Texas, where that sort of thing is smiled upon.

Details: 7 tonight. Gillie's, 153 College Ave., Blacksburg. Free. 961-2703, gilliescuisine.com, myspace.com/amandapearcymusic, myspace.com/cowboyjohnsonmusic.

Friday

BBQ Storytellers: Phil Norman with Greg Klyma

Norman, a local singer/songwriter, teams with Klyma, of Buffalo, N.Y., to do some tunage.

Details: 6 p.m. Friday. Blues BBQ Co., downtown Roanoke. Free. 344-5683, myspace.com/bluesbbqco, klyma.com.

Harper and Midwest Kind

Blues didgeridoo, harmonica, guitar and wildness from this transplanted Australian.

Details: 9 p.m. Friday. Blue 5 Restaurant, downtown Roanoke. $5. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com, myspace.com/harperband.

AjF play songs of The Police

Good players play good songs originally recorded by a great band.

Details: 10 p.m. Friday. Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill, Roanoke. Free. 985-6278, martinsdowntown.com, myspace.com/aaronjasonfriends.

Polarity

This jam-rock outfit is loaded with good players.

Details: 10 p.m. Friday. Awful Arthur's, downtown Roanoke. $3. 344-2997, myspace.com/awfularthursdowntown, myspace.com/polarityonmyspace.

Friday and Saturday

The Urban Sophisticates

Greensboro, N.C.-based hip-hop-funk-rock with a hot backing band.

Details: 11 p.m. Friday, Awful Arthur's, Blacksburg. $5. 443-9109, myspace.com/awfularthur39sblacksburg. 11 p.m. Saturday. Awful Arthur's, downtown Roanoke. $5. 344-2997, myspace.com/awfularthursdowntown, urbansophisticates.com.

Saturday

Deral Fenderson

With The Bastards of Fate, Weird Paul Petroski, The Visitations

Craig County-based Fenderson's MySpace page proclaims: "Fight like a robot. Kill like a chicken." The Bastards of Fate, featuring Doug Cheatwood, are wildly entertaining just about every time out. The other two acts are out-of-towners who probably have some idea what they've gotten themselves into.

Details: 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The Lantern, Blacksburg. $6.66. 951-1019, myspace.com/thelanternblacksburg, myspace.com/fendersonia.

The Jordan Harman Band

Groovy acoustic rock reminds you of Jack Johnson, G. Love and other laid-back acts.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturday. Blue 5 Restaurant, downtown Roanoke. Free. 904-5338, blue5restaurant.com, myspace.com/jordanharmanband.

Rodeo Ruby Love

With Nancy and Two Meteors, Clocab

Our good pal DJ Dickie of Nancy and Two Meteors tells us that the headliner, from Indiana, is on a two-week jaunt it calls "Rodeo Ruby Love vs. The Great American Cities." See Dickie's band on the MusicCast -- blogs.roanoke.com/musiccast/n/nancy_and_two_meteors.html.

Details: 7 p.m. Saturday (doors open at 6 p.m.). The Water Heater, 813 Fifth St., Roanoke. $6. thewaterheater.blogspot.com, myspace.com/rodeorubylove, myspace.com/nancyandtwometeors.

Monday

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra

With Zuill Bailey

It's not just the Dvorak Cello Concerto. It's not just that Bailey, a Woodbridge native, is reuniting with the RSO, with which he recorded a live CD in 2005. It's not just that Bailey, a Telarc International recording artist, is prolific. Just so happens he also played cello on a little, ultraviolent HBO prison soap opera called "Oz." His character had murdered out of jealousy and received a 22-year sentence. In typical, unrealistic "Oz" style, he was allowed to play his 1744 cello once a day. Neither the cello nor "prisoner No. 97D43, Eugene Dobbins" survived the show's run.

Details: 8 p.m. Monday. Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre at the Roanoke Civic Center. $19-$47; $7 for students. 343-9127, rso.com, zuillbailey.com.

Tuesday

Spiritual Rez

This hard rock- and horn-soaked reggae act out of Boston stops in Blacksburg on its way to the Lake Eden Arts Festival at Black Mountain, N.C.

Details: 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Lantern, Blacksburg. $5. 951-1019, myspace.com/spiritualrez.