The Ark: Loudon Wainwright III
This veteran singer-songwriter is known for his mordant, occasionally bitterly self-mocking, often poignant, and usually very funny original songs about himself, other people, and contemporary culture. His recent CDs include Little Ship, a deliciously unsettling tour of the soulscape of middle age, and Strange Weirdos: Music from and Inspired by the Film "Knocked Up," a collection that provoked New Yorker reviewer Ben Greenman to observe that "[Wainwright] has not only retained his sharpness of wit but has also learned to cut with greater skill." Opening act is Wainwright's daughter, singer-songwriter Lucy Wainwright Roche. $20.

The Blind Pig: Pussy Pirates
Local all-female postpunk avant-jazz quintet. Opening acts are the Chicago postpunk band Paper Mice, the Chicago postpunk surf duo Aleks & the Drummer, and local rock 'n' roll DJ J-Stat.

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: Drivin' Sideways.
(5:30-8:30 p.m.) Veteran local band fueled by vocalist Pontiac Pete Ferguson's alternately soulful and ornery vocals. Their country-based repertoire still features lots of classic honky-tonk, but they also cover everything from Chuck Berry and Johnny Burnette to the Beatles and James Brown. The band's guiding presence seems to be Elvis - including both large chunks of his repertoire and his attitude that any music he did suited him just because he did it. The band also includes guitarist George Bedard, bassist Chris Goerke, drummer Mark Newbound, and keyboardist Jim King.

Club Above: Latino Night
DJ Xcess plays salsa, merengue, reggae, and other Latin dance records. Also, salsa lessons, 9-10 p.m.

Common Cup: Peace on Mars
Alternative pop-rock trio from western Michigan.

Conor O'Neill's: DJ Big Daddie


The Earle: Rick Burgess Trio
Jazz ensemble featuring pianist Burgess, drummer Robert Warren, and bassist Russell Tessier.

Elbow Room: Bone Orchard Revival
Local alt-country duo of Jeni Lee Richey and Adam Arscott.

The Firefly Club: Easy Street Swingtet
(5:30-8 p.m.) Dixieland and swing by this local ensemble led by saxophonist and trumpeter Paul Klinger.

Goodnite Gracie: Lester Blues
Local guitar-based blues band.

Guy Hollerin's: Count Bracy & the Pleasure Tones
Detroit blues band.

The Habitat Ultralounge: Bugs Beddow Band
Versatile horn-driven R&B, boogie-rock, blues, and jazz ensemble led by veteran Detroit trombonist Beddow.

Live at PJ's: "Dance Night"
With DJ Nick Mixwell.

Melange Subterranean Bistro: DJ Zu
With a variety of dance music.

The Necto:
"Pride." DJ Jaces spins high-energy dance tunes in the main room. In the downstairs Red Room, DJ Mark plays retro music videos and DJ John G spins Top 40 records. In the Blue Room, DJ Mike spins techno records.

The Quarter Bistro: The Groove-Matist
Retro, Top 40, and hip-hop dance party with DJ Mechial White.

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

TC's Speakeasy: Roz
(5:30-8:30 p.m.) Local solo pianist.

TC's Speakeasy: The Macpodz
Immensely popular local jam band plays an invigorating mix of R&B, soul, rock, and hard jazz it calls "disco bebop." Opening act is Topaz, a highly regarded saxophonist from Austin, Texas, who plays a blues-soaked brand of jazz-funk that CMJ calls "new-school dub for late-night comedowns."