It's a big music week in metro Detroit that celebrates everything from folk to metal to going green. Here's a look.
A folking good time: A diverse mix of folk music revivalists, both local and national, will be offering up seven nights of music filled with modern -- and sometimes edgy -- interpretations of the rootsy sound as part of the Tangential Festival, set for Friday through April 24 at the funky Detroit performance space Bohemian National Home.
Kicking things off are Detroit country rockers the Volebeats and indie folkie Misty Lyn on Friday. Local songwriter-guitarist Nick Schillace will celebrate the release of his latest CD, "Landscape and People," on Saturday with Eric Carbonara and Mike Tamburo.
Other acts scheduled: Sunday: Tipton Saxophone Quartet, Orpheum Bell. Monday: Jennie Knaggs and the Sure Shots, Renee Bertsch, Matt Jones. Tuesday: American Mars, Birdgang. Wednesday: Jack Rose, D. Charles Speer and the Helix (members of Sunburned Hand of the Man and No Neck Blues Band) and Frank Pahl.
Wrapping things up on April 24, look for Jewels and Binoculars featuring Lindsey Horner, Michael Moore and Michael Vatcher playing the music of Bob Dylan.
Doors at 8:30 p.m. for all shows. 3009 Tillman, Detroit. 313-737-6606. For more: www.myspace.com/bohemiannationalhome.
Admission is $6-$10. Buy three or more shows in advance for $5 each.
Going green: Here's a chance to enjoy some music while showing your support for environmental causes.
The Crofoot in Pontiac is holding Earth Fest beginning at 5 p.m. Saturday. Musicians, artists and vendors will unite for a greener planet.
Music is on tap from musician-poet John Sinclair, who will perform with the Flint group Glowb. Also on the bill: funksters Muruga and Free Funk, disco-jazzers Macpodz, urban-soul artist Nadir, roots acts Rootstand, Mutual Kumquat and Joey Spina, reggae-tinged Ann Arbor Dub Project and indie rockers Honest Life and Slight Return.
There will be an art show with work from local artists, plus a gathering of nonprofit organizations. Official Earth Day celebrations take place worldwide on Tuesday.
The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac. 248-858-9333. For more: www.myspace.com/earthfestatthecrofoot.
Metal Mania: In the first of a series of planned gatherings from the folks at Metal City Entertainment, "Clash of the Metal Titans" is set for Saturday at the Token Lounge in Westland with fist-pumping metal from As They Sleep, Soldiers of Scrape, Battlecross, I Decay and Sin Theorem.
In an effort to shine the spotlight on Detroit's underground metal scene, monthly parties are being planned at a variety of venues, including the Crofoot in Pontiac (May 16) and the Machine Shop in Flint (June 6).
Metal City debuts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Token Lounge, 28949 Joy, Westland. 734-513-5030. For more: www.myspace.com/metalcityentertainment. $10.
Spin me Round: On Saturday, record stores nationwide will unite in celebration of Record Store Day, a way to honor independent record retailers.
Local rock bands Grayling and Monkey Jacket will perform at the Record Time in Roseville beginning 6 p.m.
27360 Gratiot, Roseville. For more: www.recordstoreday.com.
New name, no cover: With a nod to its owner PJ Ryder, the green brick building on Michigan Avenue is now known as PJ's Lager House. It also recently announced that it will offer free admission to all shows. What does that mean for the bands normally paid from door sales? Bands will be paid via a percentage of bar sales. 1254 Michigan, Detroit. 313-961-4668. For more: www.myspace.com/lagerhouse.
Good and plenty: Serving up indie rock with a heavy Beatles influence, the Good Things will release the first of a series of free downloadable EPs with a release party Saturday at the Magic Stick in Detroit. Satin Peaches and the Starling Electric also will perform.
"Mr. Heavy Foot," a four-song EP, will be available for free download through the group's Web site on Saturday, with additional freebies to follow.
Meanwhile, the band is working on another paid EP, titled "Side 2." It follows last year's "Side 1."
Doors are at 8:30 p.m. 4120 Woodward, Detroit. 313-833-9700. For more: www.thegoodthings.com. $8.
RACHEL MAY is a member of local bands Broadzilla and Novadriver. Send local music news to her at rmay@freepress.com.
