South by Southwest might be over, but the music in Austin doesn’t stop. Here are our picks for the weekend of March 23-25.
OUR TOP PICKS
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Friday: Joe Ely, Denny Freeman at Saxon Pub. Ely has popped up around town for special appearances in recent weeks, accepting a special songwriting honor at the Austin Music Awards and taking part in the South by Southwest Blaze Foley tribute. Here’s a chance to hear a full set from the Texas legend at one of the city’s best listening rooms. $35-$40. 9 p.m. Come early for the free happy-hour show from guitar great Freeman, whose weekly gig here is among Austin’s top-drawing residencies. 1320 S. Lamar Blvd. thesaxonpub.com. — P.B.
Friday: KUTX presents Rock the Park at Mueller Amphitheater. Austin public radio affiliate KUTX 98.9 FM and syndicated NPR kids music show “Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child” return to the lakeside amphitheater for another round of family friendly — and free — concerts. Each show pairs a kids act with a grown-up band. The first installment features madcap duo the Telephone Company followed by Black Pumas, the new psychedelic rock ‘n’ soul project from guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada and singer Eric Burton. In addition to music, there will be face painting and food trucks. Music begins at 7 p.m. 4550 Mueller Blvd. kutx.org — D.S.S.
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Friday: Microsessions with Matt the Electrician, Suzanna Choffel, Raina Rose, Little Mazarn at Imagine Art. This once-a-month-or-so series that Paul Schomer started a couple of years ago — he calls it “speed dating for live music” — features short sets by four acts in separate rooms, with the audience rotating from room to room for the hour. At the end of this one, all four acts will play a final set together, at guest host Matt the Electrician’s behest. Everyone on this bill is worth seeing on their own; combined, it should amount to a fine evening of local music. $15-$20. 8 p.m. 2830 Real St. facebook.com/microsessions. — P.B.
RELATED: Suzanna Choffel boldly finds her way
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Friday: Gaby Moreno at Stubb’s (inside). With an enchanting voice, the Guatemalan singer-songwriter smoothly transitions between English and Spanish on songs that range from bluesy folk to soulful indie rock. She was a highlight at Pachanga Fest 2014, one of the Latino music festival’s final years. Her longtime collaborator David Garza shares the bill for this show. $12-$15. 10:30 p.m. 801 Red River St. stubbsaustin.com — D.S.S.
Saturday: Jerry Jeff Walker Birthday Bash at Paramount Theatre. Walker turned 76 last week and will have a new record out next month. The title, fittingly, is “It’s About Time,” as it’s been nine years since his last studio release. San Marcos’ Wittliff Collections recently opened an illuminating exhibit of artifacts from Walker’s half-century history as a classic American songwriter and transplanted Texas treasure. $40-$250. 8 p.m. 713 Congress Ave. austintheatre.org. — P.B.
READ MORE: Our interview with Jerry Jeff Walker
Los Pinkys celebrate 25 years of playing conjunto music on Saturday at Antone’s. JAY JANNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Saturday: Los Pinkys 25-year anniversary with Flaco Jimenez, Max Baca at Antone’s. When it comes to conjunto music, few groups in Texas do it better than Los Pinkys, who celebrate a quarter-century together with this show. Joining in the salute are Flaco Jimenez, the San Antonio legend of Tex-Mex accordion, and Max Baca, renowned for his work with Los Texmaniacs. $12-$14. 8 p.m. 305 E. Fifth St. antonesnightclub.com. — P.B.
ALSO PLAYING
Friday
Victor Wooten Trio at Paramount Theatre
Broken Social Scene, Belle Game at Stubb’s outdoor
Cigarettes After Sex at Emo’s
Weeks, Caroline Rose at Antone’s
Junior Brown, Lou Ann Barton at Continental Club
Jake Penrod, Little Mikey & the Soda Jerks at ABGB
Western Youth, Otis Wilkins at Cactus Cafe
Don Harvey & A Is Red, Jeremy Nail at Townsend
Duncan Fellows, Muff, Oysters, Vacuum Repair at Barracuda
Elias Haslanger Quartet, TripTrio with Lissa Hattersley at Elephant Room
Saturday
Riff Raff at Empire
Mike Flanigin Trio with Jimmie Vaughan & George Rains at C-Boy’s
Mickey Avalon & Dirt Nasty, Ekoh at Mohawk outdoor
Stumble Brothers album release, Flying Balalaika Brothers, Shaws of Awe at Mohawk indoor
Guy Forsyth & the Hot Nut Riveters CD release at Cactus Cafe
Johnny Chops & the Razors record release, Ray Prim, George Ensle at Saxon Pub
Black Basements record release, Desilu at Barracuda
Jai Malano, Rochelle & the Sidewinders at Stubb’s indoor
Hector Ward & the Big Time at One-2-One Bar
Bukka Allen at Townsend
Reverent Few, South Austin Moonlighters, William Topley at Continental Club
Pong, Queue Queue at ABGB
Sunday
Take Six at One World Theatre
Mark Goodwin celebration of life at Antone’s
Willie Pipkin birthday bash, Heybale, Marshall Hood at Continental Club
Soul of a Musician series with Carson McHone at Threadgill’s North
East Side Dandies, Charlie Christians at Parker Jazz Club