Erika Rich for American-Statesman
Saturday: Sara Hickman at El Mercado Backstage. Though this is being billed as the longtime local singer-songwriter’s “final Austin performance,” it’s not the ultimate arrival of the retirement she announced earlier this year, as dates in Arlington and Houston remain on her itinerary for early 2017. And somehow we expect that Hickman will still pop up now and again. But for her most devoted fans, this clearly is a night not to miss. $20. 8 p.m. 1302 S. First St. elmercadorestaurant.com. — P.B.
Saturday: “Heart of the City” SIMS Foundation benefit at Emo’s. The full title of this event is “True stories, sordid confessions, and music from the heart of the city,” which means the musicians will not just be playing songs, but also sharing tales about them. This could get interesting. Participants include Charlie Sexton, Erika Wennerstrom, Israel Nash, Nakia, Kathy Valentine, Riders Against the Storm, the Grupo Fantasma Horns and the Jones Family Singers. Proceeds benefit the SIMS Foundation, which provides mental health services for Austin musicians and music industry professionals. $50. 8:30 p.m. 2015 Riverside Drive. simsfoundation.org. — P.B.
ALSO PLAYING
Friday-Saturday
Good Vibrations III at Barracuda and Hotel Vegas
Weary Boys at Continental Club (with Leo Rondeau Friday, Croy & the Boys Saturday)
Friday
Steve Vai at the Paramount
Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas at One World Theatre
Yelawolf at Empire
George Porter Jr. & the Runnin’ Pardners, Conjunto Los Pinkys at Antone’s
Bonnie Bishop, Graham Wilkinson at 3Ten (plus Bonnie Bishop 5 p.m. in-store at Waterloo Records)
Metalachi at Stubb’s
Ooze Fest 2K16 with Ringo Deathstarr, Troller at Beerland
Dubfire at Kingdom
Dale Watson, Rosie Flores at White Horse
Joe King Carrasco at El Mercado Backstage
Tomar & the FC’s at ABGB
Greezy Wheels at Cactus Cafe
Eve & the Exiles at Evangeline Cafe
Saturday
Keb’ Mo’ at the Paramount
David Halley CD release at Townsend
David Wax Museum at Cactus Cafe
Kabaka Pyramid at Flamingo
Broncho at the Sidewinder
Moving Panoramas, Lowin at ABGB
Atash, Bonnie Whitmore at One-2-One Bar
Deadhorse, Black Thorn Halo at Grizzly Hall
Mike Stinson at Little Longhorn Saloon
Sunday-Tuesday
Gary Clark Jr. at the Paramount (Sunday-Monday sold out, limited availability Tuesday)
Sunday
Seu Jorge (“The Life Aquatic” Bowie Tribute) at ACL Live
A Gospel According to Jazz Christmas with Kirk Whalum, Norman Brown and Keiko Matsui at One World Theatre
Sect, Body Pressure at Mohawk indoor
Ian Moore acoustic duo at Strange Brew
Soul of a Musician series with Daisy O’Connor & Shawnee Kilgore at Iron Cactus North
Josh Fulero, Miss Lavelle White at Antone’s
Sophia Johnson Band at ABGB
Timberos del Norte at One-2-One Bar
Michael Koppy at Opa Coffee & Wine Bar
