The endlessly quotable comedy classic “Spinal Tap” is the next film to be screened at Pothole Pictures, and the always-game local band The frost heaves and hales will set the stage for each showing by first performing, in full metal regalia, a live set of Tap anthems (“Big Bottom,” “Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight,” “Hell Hole” and others). At Memorial Hall Theater in Shelburne Falls on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Wear your own Spinal Tap costume and you’ll get free popcorn.
“Heavy metal is definitely a stylistic departure for the band,” said bassist James Lowe, “but we’ve gotten a huge kick out of learning the material and stepping into character as self-obsessed, testosterone-driven, substance-addled rock stars. (Only a couple of those adjectives normally apply to us.)”
They’re calling themselves The Spinal Heaves just for the occasion, and this isn’t the first time the band has appeared in character for the amusement of the early-arriving Pothole Pictures crowd.
Last year, before showings of “The Big Lebowski,” The frost heaves and hales did a full set of songs from the film’s soundtrack while dressed up as Autobahn, the band of German nihilists from the movie. It was such a success that the Pothole powers that be urged the Heaves to become Spinal Tap for a couple nights.
Lowe and company promise to cover the Tap’s early pop work, but that “the focus will definitely be on the hard rock.” In addition to the usual lineup (frontman Daniel Hales, guitarist Dan Mickus and bassist Lowe), they’ll be joined by guitarist Abdallah Hage-Sleiman and drummer Brian DiPippo.
Expect some spandex, Stonehenge and amps that go to eleven. The film is rated R.
The Dustbowl Revival brings its eight-piece roots/soul party to the Shea Theater in Turners Falls on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The 6th Upper Valley Music Festival brings over 30 acts (local and otherwise) to a handful of Greenfield venues, raising funds for the American Cancer Society and The Franklin County Relay for Life. The lineup for the all-volunteer event includes locals John Sheldon, Old Flame with Emma Ayres (above), Carinae, Chris Scanlon, Lexi Weege, Shokazoba, Zak Trojano, Span of Sunshine, Rosie Porter and many others, plus guest acts from Boston, Vermont, Rhode Island and Ireland. It all happens at the Arts Block, The Root Cellar and other Greenfield spaces on Saturday from noon to midnight. Children 12 and under attend for free. For details visit uppervalleymusicfest.com. (above)
Denny Laine, known for his time in Wings (and before that, The Moody Blues), performs the entire “Band on the Run” album, his Moodies’ hit “Go Now,” and more at the Iron Horse in Northampton on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Multi-instrumentalist Stuart Fuchs teams up with Sarah Carlisle for a concert of new original songs featuring ukuleles, guitar, upright bass and mandolin at Click Workspace in Northampton on Saturday at 7 p.m.
FlavaEvolution has been around for almost a decade, but the local jazz quartet is finally releasing its debut album, “White Elephant” (eight original compositions plus the band’s arrangements of songs by Radiohead, Imogen Heap and Chucho Valdes) and will celebrate with a show at New City Brewery in Easthampton on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Angry Johnny & the Killbillies and Easthampton Savings Band make up the double bill at the 13th Floor Music Lounge in Florence on Saturday at 8 p.m.
It’s a bluegrass band doubleheader with Mile Twelve (from Boston) and Old Salt Union (from Bellville, IL) at The Parlor Room in Northampton on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Old 97’s has a new record out (“Graveyard Whistling”) and the band takes the stage at the Iron Horse on Monday at 7 p.m. Nicole Atkins opens.
Uni Ika Ai (Brooklyn art-pop band with members of Lucius, Via Audio, Bobby and more) appears at the Iron Horse on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Manic Pixie Dream Girl starts off the night.
Theatrical trio Arc Iris (pictured at right) performs its interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s classic album “Blue” at The Parlor Room on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Beige, King Radio and Half-Ached finally get to play their Reanimate the Bay State show (rescheduled from a snow day back in February) at the Sierra Grille in Northampton on Thursday at 10 p.m.
Valley indie bands Ex-Temper, Jen Gelineau, Moon Power and Brickabrack play the Bing Arts Center in Springfield on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. An all-ages show.
Valley Jazz Voices, the all-ages vocal ensemble singing standards under the direction of Jeff Olmsted, will be accompanied by an all-star trio (pianist Andy Jaffe, bassist George Kaye and drummer Claire Arenius) at their Spring Concert at the 121 Club in Eastworks in Easthampton on Thursday at 7 p.m. An open mic will follow at 8 p.m., offering attendees the chance to sign up and sing a song or two with the house trio, or with their own musicians (bring your own charts and instruments).