Sisqo plays the Urban Music Festival. American-Statesman file photo by Kevin Virobik-Adams
Urban Music Festival at Auditorium Shores. In its 11th year, the festival programmed to coincide with Texas Relays Weekend continues its mission to provide a family-friendly alternative to the club-centric social scene. Friday night’s main event is a 20th anniversary performance from Dru Hill, who celebrates two decades of soothing shattered romances with syrupy soul. In addition to old faves like “Wild Wild West” and “In My Bed,” the band will probably play “Change,” the anti-police brutality single they wrote last year in response to the death of Freddie Gray in their hometown, Baltimore. It’s less likely that singer Sisqó will play his solo hit “Thong Song.” Doug E. Fresh also performs Friday. The fest continues Saturday with Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. $36 daily, $65 for a two-day pass. Gates at 3 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. Saturday. 800 W. Riverside Drive. — D.S.S.
Also: Honk!TX kicks off three days of free musical mayhem on South Congress Avenue. The main party is at Jo’s Coffee with satellite shows at Toms, House of Wax and Cove boutique. A selection of Honk!TX acts including Minor Mishap Marching Band and Wino Vino keep the brassy bash going at Hotel Vegas later. … Fantastic NOLA groove machine the Funky Meters plays the Scoot Inn with Mingo Fishtrap. … Louisiana blues great Lazy Lester begins a four-night stand at Antone’s. … Woot woot! Kansas City emcee (and Juggalo magnet) Tech N9ne plays Emo’s with fellow fast spitter Rittz and more. …Country-folk songwriter Willis Alan Ramsey plays Threadgill’s with Brennen Leigh. … Folk guitar master Geoff Muldaur visits Cactus Cafe. … Sahara Lounge hosts an excellent night of international fusion with Cilantro Boombox, Atash and Macaxeira. … Documentarian and superfan of influential Texas punk band the Dicks, Cindy Marabito, spent 16 years putting together “The Dicks from Texas.” Celebrate the DVD release with 30 minutes of never-before-seen concert footage and performances from Black Irish and more at North Door. … Hip-hop, electro brothers Hippie Sabotage play a sold out show at the Parish. … Late-’60s hitmaking pop vocal group the Association is at One World Theatre. … The Mike Flanigin Trio with guitarist JimmieVaughan begins a weekend stand at C-Boy’s. … More than a dozen local musicians, including Tony Scalzo and Jon Sanchez, play the songs of XTC at Strange Brew to benefit the SIMS Foundation.
