Brickyard Tent Party
Slippery Noodle, 372 S. Meridian St.
July 25-26, 9 p.m., $10, 21+

It's become tradition: Whenever there's a major auto race, the Slippery Noodle pitches a tent for more music and more fun. This weekend, the Noodle brings in a combination of local acts, plus a national headliner that will make you think, "Oh yeah, I remember ..."

Friday night will feature music indoors by Big Mo & The Phat Groove (expect a mixture of blues, soul and R&B, all phat) and Phoebe & The Mojo Makers. Phoebe's brassy, sassy vocals will be backed up by a band tighter than a witch's elbow. Make sure you say hello to bassist Cedric Freeman. He loves the attention. Outdoors under the tent will feature the always-reliable Governor Davis & The Blues Ambassadors and Chris Shaffer's Why Store.

Saturday night, Phoebe is once again indoors, along with the guitar-driven blues of Benito & The Black Voodoo Band. Under the tent will be guitar/bassist/harmonica/singer Tony Cheesebourough (sometimes he does all of these during a single song). The national act this time around is an all-star revue of rock and roll, the Classic Rock All Stars. Name ’em: Dennis Noda (Cannibal & The Headhunters), Peter Rivera (lead singer/drummer for Rare Earth), Mike Pinera (original lead singer/guitarist for Blues Image plus Iron Butterfly and Alice Cooper) and Jerry Corbetta (original singer/keyboardist for Sugarloaf — remember "Green Eyed Lady"?). Expect a gaggle of tunes from the era.

In other Noodle news, mark you calendars for July 31 to see the Laurie Morvan Band. Her latest guitar-slinging album “Cures What Ails Ya” (Screaming Lizard) is worth a listen.

For a blues road trip, there is the Danville Blues Fest July 26 at the White Lick Arts Amphitheater in Ellis Park. Gordon Bonham, Gene Deer, Governor Davis, Mark Hendricks & The Party Line will perform. Gates open at 3:30 p.m., music starts at 4:30. Go to Danville-chamber.org for more information.


Matthew Socey is host of The Blues House Party, Saturdays at 10 p.m. on WFYI 90.1 FM