Noteworthy live shows

When are the blues green? When they’re played in support of environmentally-sound principals, baby! This stellar local electric blues trio seems thrilled to be providing live entertainment for this high-profile event (billed as an opportunity for eco-friendly businesses and organizations to showcase their services and principles to like-minded citizens, while publicly calling on Rep. John Barrow to help stop global warming). Held in conjunction with the popular Starland Farmers’ Market, GreenFest features short speeches by local environmental advocates, book-ended by copious amounts of hard-rocking, funky, down-home music from Savannah’s most famed blues export. If you’ve never seen Culberson before, or not in a while, be advised: his current rhythm section of bassist Nate Saraceno and drummer Stuart Lusk is the finest he’s had in his whole career. Free for ALL-AGES. Sat., 11 am – 4 pm, Bull & 41st Sts.

Most folks only remember the youthful brotherly trio of Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson for their 1997 pop smash “MmmBop,” yet rather than fade away into anonymity (or worse yet, pull a Bonaduce), the scarily talented siblings drew on their wholesome family upbringing (and sizable earnings) to beat the odds. They formed their own label (their last CD is one of the most successful self-released records ever made) and continued to release incrementally mature albums of lush, organic, guitar-and-keys pop. While most ignore their efforts, diehard fans know they’re still making impressive heartland rock. Their latest tour (and album) finds the band donating some proceeds to help treat HIV/AIDS in South Africa. Around here, the big question on everyone’s lips is “Who’s expected to attend this show?” Will it be young fans of the band who are only now college age, or the mothers of those original fans who now feel free to fantasize about these freshly-scrubbed prodigies? You’ll have to show up to see. $34 advance or $36 day of show. Tickets at the SCAD Box Office (www.sacadboxoffice.com) or at 525.5050. Wed., October 17th, 7 pm, Trustees Theater.

This rough-around-the-edges, female-fronted local rock quartet straddles the line between vintage ‘70s power-pop (a la Cheap Trick or The Babys), ‘80s new-wave (a la Concrete Blonde or Berlin), and contemporary, girl-powered retro-pop-punk (think Shonen Knife, Sleater-Kinney, Holly Golightly). This special show is a benefit for a friend —and longtime participant on the downtown art and music scene— who’s recently been diagnosed with early-stage MS, and is facing a slew of medical bills and sky-high insurance premiums. In addition to the live music, there will also be a silent auction and raffles to help the cause. Minimum $10 donation at the door. Sun., 7 pm, Hang Fire.

Hands down, one of the most memorable and flat-out musically invigorating live shows I’ve ever had the privilege to attend was this acoustic Gypsy Jazz combo at this very same venue many months back. The intimate, no-frills environment (no seat’s more than 30 ft. from the low stage in this 100-capacity venue), lack of smoke or alcohol, and whisper-quiet listening room atmosphere made the perfect setting for such subtle, accomplished fretwork (Jorgenson was famously a member of the sorely-missed guitar super-group The Hellecasters), deft brushes trap drumming, and feisty, Euro fiddling (not to mention the way-cool clarinet cameo). World-class all-around, and easily worth every penny of the $35 ticket charge. Play yourself? $85 includes an afternoon master class on Gypsy Jazz history and techniques with Jorgenson himself! Reserve seats to either event by calling 748-1930. Sunday, 7:30 pm, Randy Wood’s Concert Hall (1304 E. Hwy 80, Bloomingdale) - ALL-AGES.

Live reading of new material by this bestselling author (Naked, Barrel Fever, Me Talk Pretty One Day) and snarky humorist (NPR’s This American Life, Esquire, The New Yorker). $33.00 to $43.50, at the Civic Center Box Office (phone 651-6556 or go to www.savannahcivic.com). Wed., 7:30 pm, Johnny Mercer Theater.