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The Big Ticket

Superjoint Ritual
See the music story. May 22, 8 p.m. Blue Cats. $18.

Sara Schwabe and Her Yankee Jass Band
Some sultry blues, all for you. May 22, 9 p.m. Preservation Pub. Free.

Flyer Exhibition
Celebrate three years of music at the Pilot Light. May 22, 9 p.m. Pilot Light. Free.

Mike Thomas and Mitch Rutman
Support your local acoustic folk rock duo. May 23, 9 p.m. Preservation Pub. Free.

Mary Lou O'Hern
CD release party. May 23, 7:30-9:30 p.m. New City Cafe. $5.

Coveralls
You request it, they'll play it (as long as it's an '80s tune). May 24, 10 p.m. The Spot. Free. 21+.

NUMB, Brood & Torture Project
Music for angry young boys. May 24, 9 p.m. Blue Cats. $5.

Rude St. Peters w/ the Voodoo Organist
Local faves return. May 24, 10 p.m. Pilot Light. $6.

Jobe Blues Band
If you haven't got yer fix yet—more blues. Baker Peters, 9 p.m.

Natti Lovejoys
Atlanta's favorite reggae band. May 29, 10 p.m. Preservation Pub. Free.

USAISAMONSTER w/ 7 Year Rabbit Cycle
Psychedelic-punk-anarchic-protest music. May 29, 10 p.m. Pilot Light. $5.

Cobra Verde w/ The High Score
Former Guided by Voices members with local up-and-comers. May 30, 10 p.m. Pilot Light. $8.

Crazy Train
A tribute to Ozzy. May 30, 9 p.m. Blue Cats. $8/$6 w/ college ID.

Nancy Brennan Strange & Friends
Benefit concert for the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance. May 30, 8 p.m. Laurel Theater. $15.

Nan Citty and Blues Voice
Six-piece local blues outfit. May 30, 9:30 p.m. Sassy Ann's. $4.

Festival Americana
Benefit for Steps House and Veterans Homeless Program. Day-long music festival includes Todd Steed, RB Morris, Hector Qirko, Leslie Woods, Michael Crawley and the Macdaddies, and more. May 31, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. City Streets Skate Park. (386-3286)

Chick Graning w/ Agent Zarkov
Knoxville native and former Scarce frontman with local boys. May 31, 10 p.m. Pilot Light. $5.

Sam Cockrell & the Groove
Well-known and much-beloved up in Chi-town, Sam Cockrell & The Groove is a powerhouse of blues. In 2000, the band finished second in the annual Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge in Memphis. At the same competition, lead guitarist Chris Forte won the coveted Albert King Award for best Blues Guitarist.
If the band lives up to the rave write-ups of its two CDs (Colorblind and I'm in the Business), this weekend's two shows at Sassy Ann's are the events to be at if you want to get up and shake that thang. With Cockrell alternating between silky smooth sweet soul and growly from-the-heart blues vocals, howling or purring guitar from Forte, and tight arrangements from the rest of the Groove, how could you not? (Scott McNutt)
SAM COCKRELL & THE GROOVE * FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MAY 23 & 24, 9:30 P.M. * SASSY ANN'S * $5 * 21+

Michiko Kon
Kon is a recycler. She doesn't reuse things in a larger, ironic Warholian sense, but in an earthy, ground-level sort of way. Her black and white photographs of everyday objects re-imagined from fish parts (yes, you read that correctly) echo Weston's fruit and veggie photos, which force you to look at the form and line of something you see every day. But, here, Kon goes one step further, reusing something that would get thrown out, and in the process, forces us to rediscover the familiar. These 50+ photos will dazzle with their whimsy and lusciousness and skill. Who knew something so icky could be so cool? (Adrienne Martini)
MICHIKO KON: STILL LIFES * THROUGH AUG. 10 * KNOXVILLE MUSEUM OF ART * 525-6101

Rockin'on the River
Bigger and better, that's the mantra for 100.3 The River's and Sea Ray Boats' "Rockin' on the River" concert series. One change is the addition of a land stage, where local acts will play and sell their merchandise. Then there's a bigger sound system, and more vendors, and more fireworks, and...basically, just more of everything.
The first concert features local musical act RMS, which will play crowd-pleasing covers. Then Americana rocker John Eddie (his single "Let Me Down Hard" has been getting airplay on the River) will take the water stage, warming up for the headliner, guitar instrumentalist Johnny A., who was a big hit at last year's Saturday Night on the Town. Pyro Shows will put on a fireworks display to conclude the evening on an appropriately festive note.
Look for other shows in June and August, too. (Scott McNutt)
ROCKIN' ON THE RIVER * SATURDAY, MAY 24, 4-9 P.M. * THE COVE AT LENOIR CITY PARK, FT. LOUDON MARINA * FREE