From capital to capital

With one of its band members, Michael Manning, living in Salem, The Peculiar Pretzelman spans from this state capital to the reputed entertainment capital of the world, Los Angeles.

Heading up a warm-up tour, called "Wreck everything and ruin your life," in anticipation of a new album release, they play a show at The Space on May 9.

Their brand of bluesy, jazz-infused folk tunes is made by front man Kevin Lacey, Riverboat Gonzalez who plays mandola/banjo/wiesenborn/and tenor guitar, percussionist Deacon, clarinet/baritone saxist Party Paul Pate, and Michael Manning who plays musical saw and theremin.

The five-piece band that formed in 2006 feels that playing live adds a new dimension to their music.

"This, in part, is done with the wide array of eclectic instruments that are used and the fact that our frontman Kevin has the voice of an old time merchant barker (he could easily sell a pocket watch to a blind man)," Manning said.

Much like young children banging away in the kitchen, The Peculiar Pretzelman uses a drum kit made out of pots, pans, iron skillets and other found objects.

Ready to head out on a European tour, they have a series of Northwest shows to play first.

"We love the northwest and we're antsy from taking so much time off to record the new record so it's time to hit the road," Lacey said.

In negotiations for the release with a European label, they will cross the pond for a few months worth of touring following their northwest shows.

The new work is set to be released after the music is launched in Europe.

A little Carnavale through concert

The famous annual carnival in Brazil is usually most visible by the parades hosted in various regions of the country.

Here, the Salem Concert Band hosts its "Brazilian Carnival" concert on May 3 at the Historic Elsinore Theater.

Showcasing popular Latin rhythms such as the samba, exotic instruments and even a Brazilian military march are part of the musical event.

Beginning at 3 p.m., the concert opens with "The Sound of Brazil," arranged by Roy Phillippe that is comprised of "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars," "Meditation," "One Note Samba," "How Insensitive," and "The Girl From Ipanema."

The afternoon concert also includes an oboe solo by Shauna Purcell of Ennio Morricone's famous "Gabriel's Oboe," from the motion picture "The Mission."

Also in the program are selections from the Amazon.

The box office and doors open at 2 p.m., with seating started at 2:25 p.m.