Thursday, Feb. 21



Tuffy

      Catch the classic lo-fi experimental rock of Jacksonville's Tuffy alongside Miami's Paperdolls and Brooklyn, NY's Rejouissance at Doozers Pub, 7636 N Main St.


Take 6

      Ten time Grammy winners, Take 6 blend a little bit of jazz, a little bit of R&B and a whole lot of great gospel- a mixture that has named them one of best a capella groups in the world. The Alabama sextet comes to Jacksonville on Thursday. Tickets: $10-$38. UNF Fine Arts Center- 7:30 pm, Info: www.take6.com


Coco Montoya

      Over the course of his 30-year career, guitarist and vocalist Coco Montoya's explosive guitar playing and soul-driven voice have propelled him to the upper reaches of the blues-rock world. Averaging over 200 tour dates a year, Montoya packs clubs and theaters around the world. See why he's considered one of the truly gifted blues artists of his generation at Café Eleven. Tickets: $15. Café Eleven- 8:30 pm, Info: (904) 460-9311


Friday, Feb. 22



Casiotone for the Painfully Alone

      According to the TSI website, the name describes this group well. Check out his Bruce Springsteen cover at myspace.com/cftpa for a taste of this Chicago band that is making its way to the Sunshine State for a Florida tour. Joining them on the stage is Jacksonville's own new band SUNBEARS!, which features a couple of cats from Bernard making some "epic and spacious" sounds. Long Beach, CA has also sent indie pop by Dear Nora. TSI Discotheque is located downtown at 333 E Bay St. Go to clubtsi.com for more details.


Karamu African Cabaret

      One of the rare "adults only" events happening at The Ritz, Karamu! A Place of Joyful Meeting will be an evening of African style music, entertainment, food and fun. Get a sitter and enjoy this wonderful African cabaret. Tickets: $10. The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum- 7 pm, Info: (904) 632-5555


The 15th Annual Great Guitar Gathering

      The Great Guitar Gathering was started by Don Casper in 1993 as a fund raiser and performance venue for the guitar department at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. This year's show not only features the DA Guitar Orchestra but also includes two world class guest artists, Pierre Bensusan and Benjamin Verdery. Read the story on page 24 of this issue. Tickets: $13.50/students, $23.50/adults. Florida Theatre- 7:30 pm, Info: (904) 355-2787


Rascal Flatts: Still Feels Good Tour

      Five studio albums into their incredible career, the members of Rascal Flatts find themselves firmly atop the music world. The Grammy-winning country trio comes to the Arena this Friday with former American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler in tow. Tickets: $49.75 to $65. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena- 8 pm, Info: 630-3900 or www.jaxevents.com


Leon Russell

      Leon Russell is a music legend and perhaps the most accomplished and versatile musician in the history of rock 'n roll. In his distinguished and unique 50 year career, he has played on, arranged, written and/or produced some of the best records in popular music. Check out the legend this week at Freebird Live, Info: 246-2473


Bill Callahan

      Bill Callahan (formerly known as Smog, in and out of these parentheses) is hitting the road this month to share some tracks from his latest record, last year's Woke in a Whaleheart. Cafe Eleven is one of the lucky stops on the tour. Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater will also perform. Read the EU interview with him on page 25 of this issue. Tickets: $10. Café Eleven, St. Augustine- 8:30 pm, Info: (904) 460-9311


Steep Canyon Rangers

      The Steep Canyon Rangers have carved out a special spot in the world of bluegrass music, creating a sound that looks forward and backwards at the same time. The Rangers have built a reputation as a powerful, engaging quintet seasoned by constant touring. Check them out this Friday at Mojo Kitchen and see why. Tickets: $12. Mojo Blues Bar, Jacksonville Beach- 10 pm, Info: (904) 247- 6636


Dayfall

      According to their barely intelligible MySpace page, "Fate has led us to this dark and desolate place, where a special union of gifted souls are determined to shed some light and spread a feeling of hope throughout the masses." Georgia's Dayfall delivers a positive message with "dark, subliminal verses, melodic choruses, and rampaging breakdowns." For their Jacksonville debut they will appear live with Trains Followed Us, the Dirtygetcaughts and Endless Vertigo at The Hinge at 9th and Main. Go to myspace.com/battlefor9thandmain for more details. 9th & Main is located at 1850 N Main St in Springfield.


Saturday, Feb. 23



North East Florida Scottish Games & Festival

      See and experience all things Scottish: Clans, athletics, music & dancing, parade of tartans, bagpipes, reenactments, food & more! Join over 20,000 attendees at this action packed festival that includes activities and events for all ages. Admission: $10/ advance, $12/at the gate. Children 10 and under are free. Clay County Agricultural Fairgrounds- 9 am to 9 pm, Info: (904) 725-5744 or www.neflgames.com


29th Annual Jacksonville Model Train and Railroadiana Show and Sale

      Model trains are apparently a big deal, so big that Jacksonville has hosted a massive show for the past 29 years. Who knew? Over 325 tables of model train items in all scales and railroad memorabilia representing railroads that served the Jacksonville area will be on display with thousands of model railroad and railroadiana (that is, artifacts of currently or formerly operating railways around the world… thanks Wikipedia!) items for sale. Tickets: $7. Prime Osborn Convention Center- 9 am to 5 pm, Info: (904) 630-4000


Monster Jam

      There's nothing like an evening of monster trucks destroying a heap of defenseless junk cars to get the blood pumping. Bring the family out to the Stadium on Saturday to see Grave digger, El Toro Loco, Blue Thunder, Stone Crusher and more colorfully named vehicles in action. Tickets: $10 to $25. Jacksonville Municipal Stadium- 7:30 pm, Info: www.monsterjamonline.com


Southern Culture on the Skids

      Long the bards of downward mobility, Southern Culture on the Skids have always embodied "countrypolitan." The band has mixed high and low culture for decades, endlessly touring, serving up moonshine martinis and poultry picking for fans everywhere. The band is on tour now in support of their new album Countrypolitan Favorites and you can catch them live this Saturday at Jack Rabbits. Tickets: $15. Jack Rabbits- 7 pm, Info: (904) 398-7496


NOFX

      If the Sex Pistols are the godfathers of punk rock, NOFX is the drunken uncle puking in the corner and hitting on your mom. The legendary band has released 10 full-length albums over the past 20 years and recently followed up their 1995 live album I Heard They Suck Live!! with last year's They've Actually Gotten Worse Live!. See if either title is accurate on Saturday when Fat Mike and the boys come to Plush. Tickets: $20. Plush- 8 pm, Info: (904) 743-1845


Sunday, Feb. 24



Michael Bublé

      Canadian crooner Michael Bublé- whose delivery has drawn comparisons to such legendary vocalists as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett- debuted in 2003 with a self-titled album that has since sold more than 2 million copies worldwide, according to Reprise Records. In 2004, he was crowned Best New Artist award at that year's Juno Awards, the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys. He'll be pulling into Jacksonville this Sunday and if you don't already have tickets you're out of luck- this show is sold out. Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena- 8 pm, Info: 630-3900 or www.jaxevents.com


Bayside

      Long Island rockers Bayside developed their own style based on soaring vocals, powerful guitar work and brooding lyrics from influences as diverse as The Smiths, the Smoking Popes, and Nirvana, to the Cure, Stevie Wonder and Nick Drake. The band will perform live at the Freebird on Monday. Straylight Run, Four Year Strong and The Status will also be there. Tickets: $15/advance, $20/day of show. Freebird Live- 8 pm, Info: (904) 246-2473.


Ampleforth and Friends' Birthday Celebration

      Ampleforth says they will "form like Voltron in this bitch." Catch their brand of pop punk at this birthday celebration show at The Hinge at 9th and Main. Go to myspace.com/battlefor9thandmain for more details. 9th & Main is located at 1850 N Main St in Springfield.


Tuesday, Feb. 26



Pilobolus

      Surrender to the magic of Pilobolus, the world's most innovative modern dance ensemble. Based on a combination of physical strength and beauty, its artistry and signature moves involve entangled bodies that resemble a sort of living sculpture- one that moves constantly, defying gravity and entertaining audiences with both humor and the magnificence of human form. Read the article on page 27 of this issue. Times-Union Center, Moran Theater- 7:30 pm, Info: (904)632-3373 or artistseries.fccj.org


Wednesday, Feb. 27



Judah Friedlander

      Judah Friedlander, also known as the guy who always wears the trucker hat on NBC's 30 Rock, has been doing stand-up for 18 years and is a consistent crowd-pleaser. The self-proclaimed "World Champion of the World" is currently taking his comedy to the people and will be stopping by the Comedy Zone from Wednesday, February 27 to March 1. The Comedy Zone, Info: (904) 292-4242


Keb' Mo'

      Singer-songwriter and guitarist Keb' Mo's music is a living link to the Delta blues that traveled up the Mississippi River and across the expanse of America before evolving into a universally celebrated art form. His distinctive sound embraces multiple eras and genres, including pop, rock, folk and jazz. Tickets: $39 to $44 Florida Theater- 8 pm, Info: (904) 355-2787


Next Thursday, Feb. 28



Spring Home & Patio Show

      Whether it's a simple paint job or a major renovation, the 40th Annual Jacksonville Home & Patio Show has answers to your home improvement questions. With close to five hundred companies in the home improvement industry under one roof, you'll save time and money. This annual event takes place from February 28 to March 2. Tickets: $9/adults, $5/seniors and children ages 6 to 12, Free/children 5 and under. Prime Osborn Convention Center, Info: (904) 630-4000


Sylvia Browne- 2008 Farewell Tour

      After decades of traveling to hundreds of cities around the world to meet fans and share her otherworldly insights, Sylvia Browne is putting touring behind her to focus on writing new books and spending time with her family. Thankfully, Jacksonville is on the final tour's schedule. See her see dead people next Thursday at the Florida Theatre. Tickets: $40 to $85. Florida Theatre- 7 pm, Info: (904) 355-2787.