Beat Happenings

Spelling B: You can't spell BandB without "Band"! But if you're wondering why you'd want to spell BandB in the first place, well, uh, that's the name of Mississippi Nights' (914 North First Street; 314-421-3853) in-house production team. They work with the most promising local acts and showcase them on the Nights' celebrated stage. This Friday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m., check out Mia Vendetta (power-pop), Sparland (electric emo), Logos (blues-rock), Flee the Seen (female-fronted alt-rock) and Ava, Wait (happy hardcore). On Saturday, November 19, find the Upright Animals (Cicero's Battle of the Bands rockin' winner!), the Hospital Life (pop-punk), Dywer (funk-rock), Riverton (throwback) and Addien (post-punk).

Swiftly fly the years: Our little Baha Rock Club (305 North Main Street, St. Charles; 636-949-0466) is turning five! Wow — it seems like just yesterday we were rocking you gently in the cradle of St. Charles, spoon-feeding you Jäger and then teaching you how to grind. We fondly recall the first time you booked an act and the first time someone retched in your ladies' room. And who could forget the first time you sputtered those magical words: "Bud Girls"? And now, at your Saturday, November 19, birthday bash, you will host not only the Bud Girls, but also the Miller Lite Girls and the Jäger Girls! They'll serve up drink specials, contests and prizes while we dance to the band Reunion and a DJ. My, how you've grown! Happy birthday, Baha!

Sound the trombones:Don't ask LaMar Harris what kind of music he makes. "It's just music," he insists. "I hate the idea of being pigeonholed, like when someone says, 'Oh, it's funk? I won't listen to that. Soul? I don't do soul.' I just make music." Not that it'd be possible to label Harris anyway: His music infuses hip-hop, soul, go-go, spoken-word, funk, rap and the kitchen sink. And it's all there on his new CD, Your All, a disc of original, positivity-inspired music orchestrated by Harris, with plenty of guests (including Coultrain and Black Spade) needling the hooks. His release party is on Saturday, November 19, at Blueberry Hill (6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-727-4444) at 9 p.m. — and this is one show you'll want to see live, because, as Harris says, "It's the connection between the audience and the stage which creates the real music."

Contact the author kristyn.pomranz@riverfronttimes.com