The Weekend in Live Music, September 5 - 7

Friday, September 5:

*That retro-fried garage rock stuff that's going strong in the rest of the country doesn't often seep down here, so catch a little of while you can tonight, when the Seattle foursome the Boss Martians hit Churchill's. Click here for the scoop.

*The Microdots play the weekly indie-centric Friday-night shindig at the Vagabond. They're described as "trippy and funk-laced" -- wow, what a surprise! http://www.miaminewtimes.com/events/microdots-at-the-vagabond-1127370/ to read the full scoop.

*Brazilian forró seems to be on an upswing, and as proof, that genre's master Chico Cesar plays at the Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale. It's a Rhythm Foundation production, naturally. Click here for the whole story.

*More from Brazil: multi-instrumentalist Gustavo Fidelis plays for a crowd of his countrymen at Boteco. Hey, the guy even made it onto the Brazilian version of American Idol -- this means he's also got a pretty face]. http://www.miaminewtimes.com/events/gustavo-fidelis-1126468/ for details.

Saturday, September 6:

*If you like Florida-bred, loud-as-fuck rock and roll, there is simply no excuse to miss one of Torche's rare hometown shows at (where else) Churchill's. The cat's out of the bag folks -- Spin, Mojo, Decibel, and even Pitchfork have slobbered all over the band's second album, Meanderthal. Click here to read more about it.

*I guess Brazilians rule this weekend: Bossa Nova guitarist Lulu Santos hits the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. Click here to read more about him.

*The Bendy Pastorius Group plays at the Van Dyke Cafe. Yes, that's Pastorius as in the late, great Jaco; his twin sons are in the band. Click here to get the whole story.

*New Times 2008 Best New Rock Band, Mad Martigan, play at the previously unlikely location of Bougainvillea's Old Florida Tavern, in South Miami. Click here to read about why that's not so weird any more.

*Delray Beach's classy venue City Limits is back in action, and Yellowman's show might just tear the place down. Click here to read more about it.

Sunday, August 7

*Ah, Chris Isaak: the irrepressible, inscrutable crooner loved equally by sensitive yuppies and David Lynch acolytes. He plays at Pompano Beach Amphitheatre, and you can click here to read an interview with the man.

*As usual, if you're looking for punk rock and fake fatty-suit sumo wrestling on a Sunday, Area 7 in Ft. Lauderdale comes to the rescue with its Punk Rock Sundays. Click here to read more about the party.