Andy Dick
Friday, May 18
Historic Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. SE
8 p.m., $25-35, all-ages
Andy Dick will bring his new one-man show to the Historic Elsinore Theatre this month as part of a new series by Ravens Flight Creative and Hennepin Studios. The comedian, who recently starred on Dr. Drew’s reality television show “Sober House” and who has publicly stated that he has taken a new direction in life personally and professionally, is about as polarizing as an entertainer can be. But in live entertainment, it’s all about how many people dig the act enough to buy the ticket, not about pacifying the masses. If you’re a fan of Andy Dick, or are curious about where this show may go, purchase tickets at TicketsWest.com.
Sons of Huns, Hundred Dollar Jayhawks
Saturday, May 19
Pete’s Place, 356 State St. SE
10 p.m., free, 21+
Both the Cherry and Rose Cities seem to have a claim on garage metal lords “Sons of Huns,” but with the Huns recently minted as a “Best New Band” in Willamette Week’s end-all-be-all list, Portland may have won the tug-of-war. With that in mind, I still expect the band’s strong connections to our music scene to maintain a healthy dose of Sons O’ Huns in Oregon’s capital until, of course, they reach Metalocalypse popularity. I’d also like to note that five of the thirty bands on WW’s list the past three years have Salem roots: Youth (2012), Sons of Huns (2012), Brainstorm (2011), Typhoon (2010) and Wampire (2010). This fact is especially impressive when one realizes that musicians move from all over the world to be a part of the Portland music scene. It’s also a painful reminder that Salem doesn’t have the infrastructure or support to retain a lot of its home-grown talent.
Comedy is FREE!
Saturday, May 19
The Triangle, 3215 Liberty Rd. S
9 p.m., free, 21+
Anthony Lopez is scheduled to headline the 13th installment of the “Comedy is FREE!” at The Triangle, which also includes local regulars Jared Richard, Nariko Ott, Xander Devaux, and Whitney Streed and host Jesse Priest. For many of us, attending a comedy show isn’t a regular affair. Why is that? Also, why is that when a lot of these local comedy events tend to be free? What is there to lose (besides the performer’s dignity)? The evening will be capped by the band Boys Club, which the act advertises as “Salem’s favorite Ween tribute band.” Anyone else feel like that’s a challenge?
Sonny Hess
Saturday, May 19
Mac’s Place, 201 N. Water St. Silverton
9 p.m., $5, 21+
A pioneer for women in the traditionally male-dominated world of rhythm and blues, guitarist and vocalist Sonny Hess has remained a fixture on the Northwest blues rock circuit for decades, and for good reason — she can wail. Bring an extra few bucks, because the concert will serve as an album release for the regional legend. If you want to check out picturesque Silverton in the daylight, the 6th Annual Silverton Wine & Jazz Festival is happening earlier that day, with high school, college and professional performers. For more information on that event, visitwww.SilvertonWineAndJazz.com.
Rare Monk
Friday, May 25
Boon’s Treasury, 888 Liberty St. NE
9 p.m., free, 21+
Portland experimental rock outfit Rare Monk is fresh off trips to SXSW and NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) and ready to bring their funky psychedelic and danceable tunes toBoon’s Treasury. A quick read through their biography shows that the members are quite the wheelers-and-dealers with songs on X-Games and DC Shoes commercials and sponsorships with Ninkasi Brewing and Gallien-Krueger Amplifiers. In this day and age, musicians have got to diversify their scope to cobble together a living, and Rare Monk is headed in that direction with creative and polished music and business sense to match.
Dana Carvey
Friday, May 25
Spirit Mountain Casino, 27100 SW Salmon River Hwy
8 p.m., $15, 21+
Hey, it’s Garth! And … Pistachio Disguisey? Dana Carvey has had an enviable career by most comedians’ standards with a long run on Saturday Night Live and an iconic role as Garth Algar from“Wayne’s World” and its sequel. Unfortunately, he never quite worked out as a leading man (see Opportunity Knocks, Clean Slate and The Master of Disguise). However, Carvey has remained a force on the stand-up circuit over the years – most likely stemming from the two undeniable successes listed above. Anybody unsure of Carvey’s comedic genius needs to search “Garth Foxy Lady” on Youtube.com.
DarkHorse
Saturday, May 26
Clockworks Cafe, 241 Commercial St. NE
7 p.m., free, all-ages
If you’re a fan of early 70’s light folk rock like James Taylor, Cat Stevens or Simon & Garfunkel, you may want to give upstart local band “DarkHorse” a chance at a free show at Salem’s cultural hub. The band’s rhythm section may lack a bit of finesse, but that quintessential 70’s male folk singer drawl and the arrangement’s quasi-psychedelic finish is everpresent, and at least on recordings, spot-on. Some soothing tunes and a spring stroll around downtown may be enough to smooth over the fact that you were not able to get away for Memorial Day weekend.
The Peculiar Pretzelmen
Saturday, May 26
Brown’s Towne Lounge, 189 Liberty St. NE
9 p.m., free, 21+
Salem’s favorite adopted local band The Peculiar Pretzelmen are touring through Salem to perform at friend, fan, and Brown’s bartender Fawn’s birthday party. For those who don’t know, The Pretzelmen actually hail from Los Angeles, and play a brand of raunchy, howlin’ junkyard blues that screams “alternate-history vaudeville side show” until its vocal cords are shredded. At its root,though, the band is a collection of great entertainers that write good songs and always put on an energetic and fun show. If you can brave the crowd, The Pretzelmen are definitely worth a gander.
