• Forego the gift, and even the cover, for MVL’s Birthday Bash, a free hip-hop showcase at Spin Nightclub on Thursday, Jan. 10 beginning at 9 p.m. The show features birthday girl Monica “MVL” Largy, Son of Thought and Mic Sol & Ace-One, and is hosted by Ephect.

• Catch three singer-songwriters at Big Car Gallery beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 11 for a reasonable suggested donation of $5. Lovely Houses (not his real name) and Jascha hail from the crossroads, and Brooks Ritter will make the trip north from Louisville.

• Jocks vs. nerds? Emos vs. emotionally repressos? Freudians vs. Jungians? No, the battle at Punk Rock Night on Saturday, Jan. 12 is between the Goths and the punks. Form 30, Order of the Black Hand and Project.44 will throw themselves into a wild musical scrum beginning at 10:30 p.m., and the winner will take home their fair share of the $7 cover.

• There’s a couple shows of note at 8 Seconds this weekend. RCA Nashville recording artist Chuck Wicks will take the stage on Friday, Jan. 11, and is sure to play his debut hit single, “Stealing Cinderella.” Just $10 gets you in and doors open at 6 p.m. And two-time WMFS Colgate Country Showcase winner Kristi Anderson is the Saturday night performer of choice.