The Ark: Steve Forbert
Folk-rock singer-songwriter from Meridian, Mississippi, who took New York City by storm in the mid-70s with his neo-Dylanesque blend of rough-mannered plain talk and romantic self-mythologizing. He's still best known for the songs on his early LPs, Alive on Arrival and Jackrabbit Slim, but his 90s CDs, The American in Me and Streets of This Town, have earned him greater critical favor as a deft chronicler of ordinary lives. Tonight he showcases songs from his new CD, Strange Names & New Sensations. $20.

The Blind Pig: Mason Proper
Offbeat local avant-noise pop-rock band.

The Circus: "Live Rock 'n 'Roll Karaoke"
Karaoke with prerecorded rhythm tracks and live guitars and keyboards by the Hartland trio Double Take.

Club Above: "Girl Bar in Ann Arbor"
Ladies night with dance music by a DJ.

Conor O'Neill's:
Jerry Sprague Band. Roots-rock band led by veteran local singer-guitarist Sprague.

The Earle: Jake Reichbart
Solo guitarist.

Elbow Room: "Mofo Karaoke."
With "the standard karaoke playlist crap plus 2,500+ obscure and awesome songs."

The Firefly Club: Los Gatos
Mambos and cha-chas by this local Latin jazz band that specializes in the music of Cal Tjader, the late San Francisco vibes player who ignited the 1950s mambo craze. Led by drummer Pete Siers, the group also includes vibes player Cary Kocher, bassist Kurt Krahnke, pianist Brian DiBlassio, and percussionist Jonathan Ovalle. Preceded at 7 p.m. by Latin dance lessons ($5 includes cover for the band). 8-11 p.m.

Goodnite Gracie: Laith Al-Saadi
An eclectic mix of jazz, blues, R&B, Motown, and pop, including many originals, by a trio led by this local singer-guitarist.

Live at PJ's:
DJ spins old-school dance records.

Melange Subterranean Bistro: Lucas Paul Band
Local quartet led by pop-rock singer-songwriter Paul.

The Necto: "College Night"
DJ Hardy spins Top 40 and hip-hop records.

The Quarter Bistro: Steven Springer.
Roots-rock, reggae, dancehall, and calypso by this former Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band singer-guitarist, winner of 4 consecutive Detroit Music Awards for Best Guitar Player. Some weeks, Springer is joined or replaced by jazz pianist John Hobart.

Rick's American Cafe: DJ Equinox
DJ spins dance records.

TC's Speakeasy: "Happy Hour Acoustic Sessions"
(6-9:30 p.m.) Popular local rock 'n' roll singer-songwriter John Latini hosts an acoustic open mike. Sign-up begins at 5:30 p.m.

TC's Speakeasy: Boywife.
Punk-rock band from Ypsilanti whose music draws on Chinese pop, Japanese classical music, and Mexican regional music. Opening act is Tipton Lea & the Victorian Army, a local classical-rock-electronica fusion duo.