Lilac City gets the blues
Back-to-back national blues acts land in town this weekend with Curtis Salgado and Mem Shannon.
Sort of a Northwest music legend, Portland soul and blues singer Salgado’s got a resume that speaks volumes of his accomplishments, though he has only registered on the national radar in the last few years.
Here’s the quick of it: Salgado played on Robert Cray’s debut album, inspired John Belushi to create the Blues Brothers when he saw Salgado perform in Eugene during filming of “Animal House,” and had a stint as lead vocalist with Santana in 1995.
Salgado has collected praise for his studio albums and live shows, including a WC Handy Blues Award for his “Soul Activated,” album.
Salgado appears Saturday at 7 p.m. at The Rock Inn, 8122 E. Sprague Ave. Advance tickets are $15, through TicketsWest outlets (800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest. com), or $17 at the door. Spokane’s Sammy Eubanks opens the show.
Another WC Handy Blues Award nominee, Mem Shannon and his band, The Membership, arrive at The Rock Inn on Sunday at 6 p.m.
Shannon’s latest album, “I’m From Phunkville,” finds the New Orleans soul and bluesman shifting styles of funk and jazz into the mix.
Tickets for Shannon are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Spokane’s Doghouse Boyz opens the show.
Club hoppin’
• Fresh off a two-month tour, melodic-hardcore act Coretta Scott (newly signed with Rise Records) appears tonight at Fat Tuesday’s, 109 W. Pacific Ave., with As Cities Burn, from Baton Rouge, La.; Her Candane from Salt Lake City, Utah; and Coeur d’Alene’s Death To Grays. Showtime is 7 p.m. There is a $5 cover for the all-ages show. Full bar with ID. Coretta Scott’s debut album is due out in July.
Also at Fat Tuesday’s: Local punk powerhouse The Creeps plays Saturday at 7 p.m. with Everything Beautiful, and One Word Solution. There is a $6 cover for the all-ages show. More local punk and hardcore action happens at 7 p.m. on Sunday with Derby, Nural, Amity and Unduhn. Cover to be announced.
• Milonga brings spicy dance music tonight at 10 p.m. to CenterStage, 1017 W. First Ave. Admission is $10. It’s a 21-or-older show. Now featuring a horn section, the local 10-piece all-things-Latin express continues its hot streak with deejay SuperVillain on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. at The B-Side, 230 W. Riverside Ave. There is a $5 cover.