Live Music Picks
SATURDAY, May 10
Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival
MARVELOUS MAVIS: The 15th annual celebration of Blind Willie McTell, Georgia's blues pioneer, takes place in his East Georgia hometown, Thomson. This year's headliner is Mavis Staples, who possesses one of the most sublime gospel-informed voices to ever grace the pop charts. Her hits with her siblings and father as the Staple Singers — including "Respect Yourself" and "I'll Take You There" — are timeless classics. Also on the fest's bill are Duke Robillard, Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, Geoff Achison and others.
THE 411: Gates open at 11 a.m. Festival begins at noon. $20-$25. Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival Site, Stagecoach Road and Washington Road, Thomson. 706-597-1000, www.blindwillie.com
SOLE SALVATION: Olson was co-founder of one of alt-country's finest combos, the Jayhawks. After leaving the Jayhawks in the mid-1990s, he formed the Creekdippers, which included then-wife Victoria Williams. In 2007, he released his first proper solo album, "The Salvation Blues," an album haunted by two spectres — Gram Parsons and the end of the Olson-Williams marriage. It's poetic, poignant and, ultimately, uplifting, and it's one of alt-country's finest moments of this decade.
THE 411: 8:30 p.m. $15. Red Light Cafe, 553 Amsterdam Ave., Midtown. 404-874-7828, www.redlightcafe.com
SUNDAY, May 11
SOMEBODY GET THEM A DOCTOR: Will the third time be the charm? This is the third date for this Gwinnett Arena gig. Reviews for the reunited rockers' Philips Arena show in February were wildly mixed. Some called it the worst show they'd ever seen, others were thrilled with the band's return, despite some sound problems. Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Alex Van Halen are joined by Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang, on bass.
THE 411: 7:30 p.m. $79.50-$149.50. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-813-7600, 404-249-6400, www.gwinnettcenter.com
TUESDAY, May 13
EAST MEETS WEST:
Fusing folk music traditions from around the world, this four-piece ensemble makes very old-school dance music for the new millennium. The unlikely marriage of Eastern European and Mexican influences is delivered with an indie-rock edge and theatrical flair. Get a taste of what the band is all about on the new album, "A Mad & Faithful Telling." With Basia Bulat.THE 411: 8 p.m. $20; $17.50 advance. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Little Five Points. 404-521-1786, www.variety-playhouse.com
CZECH MATE: Life imitates art as the co-stars of the sleeper hit film "Once," Glen Hansard, frontman of Irish rock band the Frames, and lovely Czech vocalist and pianist Markéta Irglová, recorded an album called "The Swell Season" back in 2005, before "Once" was filmed. The duo won an Oscar for best original song ("Falling Slowly") at this year's Academy Awards.
THE 411: 8 p.m. $29-$39. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2800, www.cobbenergycentre.com
