Thursday
Who says ska is dead? With dual headliners the Toasters and Catch 22, as well as solid supporting acts the Planet Smashers, Westbound Train and Kicking Sicily, the 'Ska Is Dead III' bash at Saratoga Winners (Route 9, Cohoes) at 7:30 certainly doesn't live up to its name.
Blues-rockers JD and the Straight Shot head into Red Square (388 Broadway, Albany) at 8 in support of their new debut album, 'Nothing to Hide' on JD Records. Special note to NYC sports fans: Lead singer and rhythm guitarist JD is actually Jim Dolan, who also just happens to be the chairman of Madison Square Garden and the president and CEO of Cablevision.
Friday
After a considerable hiatus, the Decadent Royals are back in the saddle (and the spotlight), as the charismatic vocalist OP Callaghan leads the rockin' combo into Tess' Lark Tavern (453 Madison Ave., Albany), sharing the bill with School Bus Yellow.
Next month, they're slated to begin recording their sophomore CD for Stupid White Boy Records, but at 8 p.m. you'll find metalcore combo Crimson Mask teaming up with Held Under, Killing the Day and Disregard to rip up the Hudson Duster (40 Third St., Troy) for an all-ages show.
The always reliable singer-songwriter Cliff Eberhardt celebrates the 15th anniversary of his debut album, 'The Long Road' (featuring a duet with his musical mentor Richie Havens on the title track), with a concert at Caffe Lena (47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs) at 8 p.m.
Saturday The Alan Payette Band, the Refrigerators, the Big Smoothies, Identity Crisis and the Outta Hand Band are donating their talents to ``Rhythm and Relief,'' a six-hour hurricane relief benefit in Scotia's Freedom Park beginning at noon. Stop by and donate money or much needed items like diapers, school supplies, clothes and bedding to be distributed to Gulf Coast residents by the Community Action Association.
A number of performance venues have raised money by selling custom-inscribed bricks for a walkway, and the folks at Old Songsare no different. For $40, you can get a brick inscribed with one of your favorite song titles. On Saturday, a fine group of folk-singing folks -- including Susan Trump, Bill Spence, George Ward, Roger Mock, Phil Teumim and others -- will ``sing the sidewalk'' during an Old Songs benefit concert. The buffet dinner begins at 6 p.m. followed by music at 8 p.m. Both are included in the $25 ticket ($15 for kids 12 and under).
With the Stockade Walkabout on Saturday, Moon and River Cafe (115 South Ferry St., Schenectady) will open early with live music throughout the day. On tap are Acoustica (1 p.m.), Hannah Imbesi (4 p.m.) and Steve Scarlata (5 p.m.).
The amazing singer-songwriter Ferron is back in action with ``Turning Into Beautiful,'' her first album of new music in a decade. She'll step into the spotlight at the Hudson River Theater (521 Warren St., Hudson) with Chris Pureka opening the show.
Jazz vocalist Marlene VerPlanck pays tribute to Irving Berlin and Cole Porter when she returns to the North Pointe Cultural Arts Center (Route 9, Kinderhook) at 8 p.m.
The Capital Region debut of progressive jazz-rock fusion band Tunnels -- originally slated for Saturday night at the Van Dyck -- has been canceled.
Geoff Muldaur -- one of the great folk-blues performers of his generation -- has a long list of credits (from the Jim Kweskin Jug Band to Paul Butterfield's Better Days) on his resume, in addition to his recent string of stellar solo albums. Catch him in action at Caffe Lena (47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs) at 8 p.m.
Sunday The Albany Musicians Association is sponsoring a benefit for the Al Colasessano family, whose home was recently destroyed by fire. The concert at Revolution Hall (425 River St., Troy) at 3 p.m. will feature the Bill Dexter Quartet, Peg Delaney with Colleen Pratt and the Linda Brown Jazz Project, followed by a jam session.
Christian metal band Stryper isn't just reunited; it's ``Reborn,'' according to the title of their brand new comeback album on BIG3 Records. The band -- featuring original members Oz Fox and Michael and Robert Sweet, as well as new drummer Tracy Ferrie -- spread the Word at Northern Lights (Route 146, Clifton Park). Tuesday The monthly Propaganda extravaganza at the Fuze Box (12 Central Ave., Albany) at 8 p.m. has been dubbed ``Albany Cares.'' The hurricane relief benefit features a busload of local musicians and poets, including Mitch Elrod, Mike Trash, Mary Panza, A.C. Everson, the Poet Essence and Scotty Mac. Suggested donation is $5, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross. -- Greg Haymes
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JD & THE STRAIGHT SHOT, tonight, Red Square
