Beat Happenings

Mmm, rock Candy: Western Kentucky native Candy Coburn (www.candycoburn.com) is reinventing country rock. This indie, Christian-influenced songstress blends the up-tempo glottal belt of classic Cher with the low-tempo crystal resonance of Heart's Ann Wilson, all while maintaining her brilliant smile. With a wide-ranging spectrum of country songs (she slants everything from blues to gospel), you may find yourself joining the rallying cries of "Gimme some Candy!" Celebrate the release of Candy's new CD, Rev It Up, on Saturday, September 16, at 9 p.m. at Blueberry Hill (6504 Delmar Boulevard, University City; 314-727-4444; www.blueberryhill.com). $6.

It's-a mitzvah: Moscow-born Svetlana Portnyansky (www.svetlanaportnyansky.com) has cornered the patchwork-music market. Weaving Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian and assorted other worldly musical styles into her repertoire, Portnyansky is like Streisand with an Ivy League degree in international studies. While she is most famous in America for performing the soundtrack to Spielberg's Survivors of the Holocaust and gracing the stage at Carnegie Hall, her stateside appearances (particularly in the Midwest) are rare. So be sure to catch this Jewish culture crusader on Saturday, September 16, at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center (2 Millstone Campus Drive, Creve Coeur; 314-442-3217). L'chaim.