As usual, there is much live music to choose from in Denver this weekend, including lots of local talent. Here are a few of the more promising prospects, to help narrow the search.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
The Rouge, a local indie band with a growing following, will be playing at the Marquis Theater tonight at 7:30 PM, along with The Still City, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, and Churchill. This is all-ages event! Tickets are $10 each, available from Soda Jerk Presents. The Marquis Theater is located at 2009 Larimer St. in Denver.

Swallow Hill presents Solas, touted as one of the best Irish/Celtic bands around, at the L2 Arts and Culture Center, 1477 Colombine St. in Denver. Also appearing is Alaskan bluegrass band Bearfoot. Tickets are $25 for Swallow Hill members, $27 for non-members, available from Swallow Hill. Show starts at 8:00 PM.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Regina Spektor has made quite a splash in the music scene in the past couple of years with her unique brand of acoustic alternative music. She’ll be appearing Saturday at the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson St. in Denver. Tickets are $32, available from livenation.com. Service charge may apply. This is a show for ages 16 and up; start time is 8:00 PM.

Local Americana-folk band Jonny Woodrose & the Brokenhearted Woodpeckers is having a CD release party at Larimer Lounge, 2721 Larimer St. in Denver. Also scheduled to appear are Tailored Rags, The Widow’s Bane and Murcureria. Cover charge is $7.00; show starts at 9:00 PM. (Jonny Woodrose is scheduled to start playing around midnight. Count on ages 21 and up for this show.)

Also remember…this weekend is the start of Denver Arts Week! Support the arts by supporting your local musicians.

Here are some possibilities for catching a good show this weekend in Denver…

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

Relient K (with Copeland and Barcelona)
Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Tickets $16.25/$20.00, available from Ticketmaster.com.
Ages 16+. Show starts at 8:00 PM.

Joe Pug (with Meg Hutchinson)
Swallow Hill (Daniels Hall), 71 E. Yale Ave., Denver
Swallow Hill was profiled here earlier this week.
Tickets are $18 ($16 for members), available from Swallow Hill.
Show starts at 8:00 PM.

(NOTE: Joe Pug is offering a free 5-song EP download on his website for those who join his email list.)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17
Elin Palmer (with Sissy Wish and Andrea Ball)
Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway, Denver
Tickets $8.00, available from the Hi-Dive website.
Ages 21+. Doors open at 8:00 PM; show starts at 10:00 PM.

For more information on these events, see my post on Examiner.com. If you go to any of these shows, leave me a comment on how it went!

I’ve had a house full of the flu this week, and I am not feeling too hot myself…but this is something I’ve wanted to get going, and somehow I found the time to start.

On Fridays, whenever it’s feasible, I plan to post “weekend picks” for live music in the Denver area. Among the many, many bands and artists who have shows around town (even during the week), I’m going to try and select a few weekend shows that look promising. This won’t be a comprehensive list, but if you’re in Denver looking for some live music on the weekend, this feature of the blog should (hopefully) increase the likelihood that you’ll be catching a good show.

So here’s the first go-round. Obviously I won’t be at all these, but if you go see one of these acts, be sure to leave me a comment afterward and tell me how you thought the show went. (By the way…you’ll also be able to see this list posted on my page at Examiner.com. And the list will likely get longer as the weeks go by, giving you more to choose from.)

Ready?

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9

Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut Street, Denver
Quirky, funny, and entertaining, Ft. Collins folk singer Danielle Anderson has gained a considerable following with a ukelele and a good dose of attitude. Appearing with Dan Craig, Benyaro and Dovekins. Tickets are $12, available from The Walnut Room. Show starts at 8:30 PM. Ages 21+.

Hot Buttered Rum
Fox Theatre, 1135 13th St., Boulder
They’re acoustic-bluegrass; no, more like rock; well, make that jazz…you just have to hear them play. They’re actually in town for two nights; Friday’s show is for all ages, and Saturday’s is 21+. Tickets are $16.50 advance purchase, or $20 day of show, available from Fox Theatre. Shows start at 9:00 PM nightly.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

Tempa and the Tantrums
Blue Moo’d Lounge, 5950 S. Platte Canyon Rd., Littleton
Blending blues and soul, the passionate lead singer of this local band is reminiscent of greats like Aretha Franklin or Janis Joplin, and is getting plenty of attention lately. $5 cover charge, show starts at 8:00 PM. All ages until 9:00.

Regret Night
D-Note, 7519 Grandview Ave., Arvada
Local alt/rock/pop band Regret Night has a reputation for putting on a lively stage show. Also appearing are TShirts 4 Tomorrow and All Bets Off. According to the band, this is a free show, but donations are accepted. Show begins at 9:00 PM. All ages.