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The Big Ticket

Laura Blackley Band
Women who rock. And the guys do too. Thursday, July 15, 9:30 p.m. Preservation Pub. Free.

The High Strung w/ Jodie Manross
The kids are all right. Thursday, July 15, 9 p.m. Manhattan’s. $3.

Crimes of the Heart
The Pulitzer Prize-winner about sisters in Mississippi. Premieres Friday, July 16, 8 p.m. Black Box Theatre, continues thru Aug. 7. $15 general, $10 student/seniors, $5 every Thursday. Call 909-9300 for reservations.

Maya Lin’s Designs for East Tennessee
A study of the famous architect’s creations here and beyond. July 16 thru Sept. 19, Knoxville Museum of Art.

Greg Parker
You fell in love three weeks ago. He’s back to get his things. Friday, July 16, 10 p.m. Manhattan’s. $3.

Breakfast Club
Hot pink pumps? The ‘80s are truly back in style. Friday, July 16, 9 p.m. Blue Cats. $8 door, $6 w/ college ID.

Todd Steed & Suns of Phere
Love songs about Tina Wesson, Peyton Manning’s shirt and corndogs. Friday, July 16, 10 p.m. Barley’s. Free.

Rob Russell & the Sore Losers w/ the Everybodyfields and Adam Hill
Various shades of acoustic and electric country rock. Saturday, July 17, 9 p.m. Patrick Sullivan’s. $5.

Leslie Woods w/ The Rockwells and Bike Gang Knife Fighter
Scuff up your go-go boots. Saturday, July 17, 10 p.m. Pilot Light. $5.

Goose Creek Symphony
Earthy Southern rock of the ‘70s and ‘90s. Saturday, July 17, 9:30 p.m. Barley’s. $15.

Stateside
Originally from Knoxville, Stateside frontman John Paul Keith did time with the Viceroys (the initial incarnation of the now-defunct V-Roys) and Ryan Adams (who appeared on Stateside’s debut Twice as Gone) before forming his own band in 2001. Keith parted ways with the original lineup shortly thereafter, recruited replacement players for his alt-country project and recorded Phonograph, released earlier this year. Stateside’s sound is grandiose rock with a smidgen of twang, big chords accented with plump bass and a crisp backbeat for good, good measure. Bluesy, riff-heavy American Minor is set to open the show that’s sure to come in like a lion and go out with a roar. (Clint Casey)
Stateside w/ American Minor • Thursday, July 15, 9 p.m. • Patrick Sullivan’s • $5.

Someone Who’ll Watch over Me
Longstreet Productions’ Pat Burr swears she’s not intentionally making a political statement by choosing a play about three white men of different nationalities sharing a cell in Lebanon. “I never thought of Iraq,” she says, or Abu Ghraib or the thousands of detainees in Guantanamo Bay. What cinched the deal were the play’s sharp observations of how people deal with being trapped against their will—how they treat strangers, handle power struggles and keep their sanity. This cell and these men could be anywhere at any time. The hostages are played by James Francis, Robby Griffith and Donnie Cantwell, who did a bang-up job as Oscar Wilde in last year’s Longstreet production of Wilde West. Director Patrick McCray knows his way around comedy and will be able to bring out the humor and pathos in Frank McGuinness’ script, which is based on the true story. In these days saturated with news of strife and struggle, theater can show us how humanity triumphs even in the worst situations. (Paige M. Travis)
Someone Who’ll Watch over Me • July 16, 17, 23 & 24, 8:30 p.m. • Laurel Theater • $12 general, discounts for students and seniors • Call 523-3972 for info.

Afro-Rican Ensemble
Nothing makes you want to shake it like good Latin music. An array of hand drums pulsating poly-rhythms, piano that cuts tension and resolves dissonance with unmatched ease, carefully phrased melodic horn solos, a booming bass—all come together in an exciting blend of African and Latin cultures. The Afro-Rican Ensemble has gained international notoriety in recent years by playing jazz festivals throughout North America and rubbing elbows with legendary icons of jazz and Latin music. With a mix of members hailing from Puerto Rico, Cuba, New York and the U.S. Midwest, this group offers more than just a blend of jazz and Afro-Cuban music—it’s a celebration of different cultures weaving into an infectious world beat that takes you away to the barrios of Havana. That melting pot of styles makes it uniquely American. (Nick Corrigan)
Afro-Rican Ensemble • Saturday, July 17, 9:30 p.m. • Preservation Pub • Free.