LIVE MUSIC TONIGHT IN THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

B Sharp Coffee House Tacoma - Downtown. The Linda Myers Band. All Ages. 8 pm.

Bob's Java Jive Tacoma - Central. Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat, Power Skeleton, Trueno, Tummler and Solomon, Rexx 8 pm. $5.

• One of the things that tends to deter me from music with the "experimental" label is that it too frequently has a tendency to spiral out into free jazz journeys with no end in sight. My roots are too entrenched in pop construction for me to have much patience for 20-minute explorations. Toyboat Toyboat Toyboat never feel like they're noodling. Their avant-pop ditties are high on unorthodox instrumentation and off-the-wall ideas, but it all feels like it's in its right place. Of particular interest is the inclusion of a member who plays the Quintron, which is a rare synthesizer that functions off of exposure to light. It's propulsive, screwy music that lets things get experimental while always reassuring you that a sure, crazy hand is behind it all. - Rev. Adam McKinney
  

Dawson's Bar and Grill Tacoma - South. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Dawson's Stage, featuring Keith Klawitter Jazz Alliance, Steve Stefanowicz, Palmer Junction, The Randy Oxford Band, Junkyard Jane. 2 pm.

Doyle's Public House Tacoma - Stadium District. Eric Tollefson Band. 9:30 pm. NC.

The Gig Spot Gig Harbor. Mystery Machines, Suite Clarity, The Orange Version. All Ages. 7 pm.

Jazzbones Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Color Me Badd, with Mycle Wastman, William Jordan. 8 pm. $25.

Jezebels Olympia - Downtown. Shai. 9 pm. $20.

• Grab a date; Saturday's show at Jezebels will be historic. Early 1990s R&B harmonizers Shai rolls into Olympia. Not only does this show mark a significant visit from the platinum-selling crooners, but also a going-away party of sorts, as Jezebels - formerly The Mint and Barcode - will be shutting its doors after a decade on Fourth Avenue. Jezebels has been a part of the bedrock for hip-hop, rap and other urban shows, most popularly known for its famous dollar wells Wednesday nights, that left all competition in the surrounding 20 miles floundering and confused about what to do. Reportedly the venue will re-open as a live rock music venue, and rock a party that will surely be memorable with Shai singing and DJ Drastic spinning. And the number of live hip-hop venues continues to dwindle. - Jose Gutierrez
  

Louie G's Pizza Fife. Midstokke, Blue Helix, Late September Dogs, Jason Kertson & The Immortals. All Ages. 5 pm.

Maxwell's Restaurant + Lounge Tacoma - Downtown. The Kareem Kandi Band. All Ages. 8 pm. NC.

Metronome Coffee Tacoma - Sixth Avenue. Campfire Cassettes, Todd N Todd, Patrick Galactic 7 pm. NC.

The New Frontier Lounge Tacoma - Dome District. Mad Mardigan, Old Man Wizard, Shake It Off, Jugs of Blood. 9 pm. $5.

South 56th Street Tacoma. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Main Stage, featuring Little Bill & The Blue Notes, Junkyard Jane, Vicci Martinez, The Randy Oxford Band, Rich Wetzel's Groovin Higher Orchestra, Mike Vax, Jiggs Whigham. All Ages. 1:30 pm.

The Spar Tacoma - Old Town. The Echo Devils. 8 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Stonegate Stage, with Lance Buller Trio, Mitch Reems Combo, Lynda Myers Band. 2 pm.

Tacoma Dance Studio Tacoma. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Dance Studio Stage, featuring Kevin England Jazz Collective, Carole Kapeliela Jazz Trio, Malo Castro, Clave Con Jazz. All Ages. 2 pm.

Stonegate Pizza Tacoma - South. Tacoma Jazz & Blues Festival Stonegate Stage, with Lance Buller Trio, Mitch Reems Combo, Lynda Myers Band. 2 pm.

LINK: More live music Saturday, July 26 in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area