Bloglander

FRIDAY
Even without their fearless leader Isamu “Som” Jordan, Spokane’s own hip-hop orchestra, Flying Spiders, have persevered in the past three years since Jordan’s death. But the multi-piece crew will never forget the rapper/writer/teacher. Friday, the annual Isamu Jordan Benefit heads to the Observatory with the help of local acts Bandit Train and the Smokes. The night will raise money for Jordan's family while celebrating the life and times of one of Spokane's biggest fans. As author Jess Walter wrote in the Inlander following Jordan’s death: “Som showed that, as an artist, you could burst with pride over being from Spokane and still push it to be better.” That rings true today as much as ever. The 8 pm show includes a $10 suggested donation.

Also, catch Karrie O'Neill free solo at Arbor Crest Wine Cellars tonight starting at 5:30 pm. We wrote about the local singer-songwriter's brand new album and upcoming national tour in this week's music section. 

SATURDAY
Bluesman and guitar virtuoso Johnny Winter passed away in 2014, but his band’s guitarist and producer Paul Nelson — the pair’s collaboration, Step Back, won the Best Blues Album Grammy in 2015 — fights to keep Winter’s legend alive. Saturday night, the Paul Nelson Band comes to the Bing Crosby Theater for a show full of delicious blues licks, a lifetime of memories and even a taste of Nelson’s latest album Badass Generation, which shows off everything from hard-edged rock to ambitious singer-songwriter tunes. Opening the concert is local rocker Peter Rivera (formerly of Rare Earth) along with Spokane blues guitarist Joe Brasch and keyboardist Danny McCollim. The show starts at 7:30 pm and is $20-$30. 

The 1975 recently took America by storm with their preening SNL performance earlier this year. Now, the British pop quartet hits up the Knitting Factory for the first time Saturday night. Read our preview article on the upcoming show right here, (and look for a review from us as well).