Baby, You're A Star 

Sure, sure, we've got some bands playing as the year's momentum picks up, but what about you? What about your chance to shine? Let's take a second to look at where and when you can go and place yourself on stage in front of an audience ready to adore you. (We can't promise that last bit.)

Thursday: Seize your moment

We'll start with a couple open mic opportunities. You've got your all-ages, 7 p.m. at Blondies, or you can be 21-or-over and bring your voice, instruments and/or your party shoes to Central Station and get down with Jimi Jeff starting at 9 p.m. No new material? You don't play anything? Karaoke's more your game? No problemo, Batman! Chris Clay invites you to Bear River Casino's Thirsty Bear Lounge, or you can sing it loud with KJ Leonard at Blue Lake Casino's Wave. Both options start at 8 p.m. and are 21-and-over.

Friday & Saturday: Scheinman's back in town

As mentioned in detail last week, Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy presents the music of German composer Kurt Weill ("The Ballad of Mack the Knife") with a slew of local players plus the former-local-now-internationally renowned Jenny Scheinman at the Arcata Playhouse. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are recommended, available at Wildberries, Brown Paper Tickets and by calling 822-1575. Tickets are $18 NPA students and Arcata Playhouse members, $20 general and $100 for a table for four with a bottle of champagne.

Friday: Groove thang

The fusion funk goes off at the Jambalaya with Roister, a supergroup consisting of Ray White (Frank Zappa, KVHW), Tom Fowler (Mothers of Invention), B Swizlo (MooGot2, The Getdown), Markus Messina (Mobile Chiefing Unit) and Marty Kondziolka. Do you like to shake it? There will be shaking it. The shaking starts at 9:30 p.m. and you must be 21-or-over.

Friday: This must be the place

If you're seeking to stay more within your comfort zone, try Naive Melodies — it feels silly to point out that Naive Melodies is a Talking Heads cover band, but we'll do it anyway — at the Wave Lounge starting at 9 p.m. Free and 21-and-over.

Saturday: More hits!

Sometimes people just want to have a couple drinks and nod along to their favorite blasts from the past. Humboldt has no shortage of bands willing to help with that. At the Firewater Lounge, Vintage Soul pours out rock, blues, soul and Motown tracks. In addition to being one of Humboldt's longest-running party bands, Taxi has a website (www.taxitheband.com) in which the cursor leaves a trail of flames. It's amazing. Where were we? Right — Taxi. Rock and country. Central Station. Finally, Dr. Squid rolls out the dance soundtrack at the Wave. All these shows start at 9 p.m., all are free and all require that you be of legal drinking age.

Saturday: Sweet and sour

Ah, a show for the adventure seekers. If you haven't heard Eureka's Companion Animal yet, check out "Tsunami Siren" on the band's Facebook page — it's catchy and endearing with enough clever musical arranging to nudge it past your average indie pop. And then go see them at the Palm Lounge, where L.A.'s Campfire Cassettes, a four-piece whose light alt-folk sound belies dark lyrics chronicling envy, lust, jealousy and obsession. They also sing "fuck" a lot, so if you're profanity-sensitive, consider yourself warned. Should be quite a fun show. Rounding out the bill, Todd'n'Todd. Show starts at 9 p.m., suggested donation is $5 and you must be 21-or-over.

Etc.

Full event listings in the Journal's Music and More grid, the Eight Days a Week calendar and online. Bands and promoters, send your gig info, preferably with a high-res photo or two, to [email protected].