Yr. Weekend, Pt. 2: Mills-McCoin Rock ‘N Roll Circus + Helstar + Willow Waterhole Fest + Life In Color + Scout Bar Anniversary + More

It’s Saturday, April 12th, now, and there’s a ton of good stuff going on, but I’m going to have to keep it kinda brief; I’m in the car right now, heading down to Surfside with the munchkins. Here’s what you ought to try to catch today & tonight:

Third Annual Mills-McCoin Rock ‘N Roll Circus, featuring B L A C K I E, The New Mercies, Eddie Sussex, Alicia Pantolini Divertenti, Strange Danger Thrill Show, & more @ The Orange Show
Ah, dammit. I’m going to be missing this thing for the third time, and that kills me, because the Mills-McCoin Rock ‘N Roll Circus looks pretty awesome (and reports from folks who’ve been in years past seem to agree). There’s awesome, awesome music from genre-destroying rapper {B L A C K I E}, throwback rock from Eddie Sussex (aka {Tyagaraja} in Iggy Pop drag), Lucas Gorham‘s cool new solo project, {The New Mercies}, plus sideshow antics and big-top theatricalness, all at ever-cool venue The Orange Show. From everything I’ve heard about this show, it’s pretty one-of-a-kind. Don’t miss out like me…

Helstar (CD release)/Venomous Maximus/Warbeast/Sanctus Bellum/Termination Force @ Fitzgerald’s
Then, for something totally different, Fitz has a full slate of metal awesomeness going on, for H-town legends {Helstar}‘s CD release show. I’m particularly psyched about doom-metal dudes {Venomous Maximus}, myself, because they’re badass, but I’ve heard great things about the rest of the bands on the bill, to boot.

Willow Waterhole Music Fest 2014, featuring Gisele & Friends, Kelly Dean Band, Kyle Turner, Texas Brass Band, Warren Sneed Band, Luther & the Healers, Mark Dini, Houston H.S. for the Performing Arts musicians, Westbury High School musicians, Johnston Middle School musicians, & Parker Elementary musicians @ Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve (11AM-9PM)
I’m a little biased on this one, I’ll admit, seeing as this is in my ‘hood, but even putting that aside, this is still a very cool deal. It’s a great showcase of local jazz and blues folks, plus some truly, truly talented kids from the local schools. Honestly, some of the young musicians involved make my jaw drop, and the Willow Waterhole is a great place to just sit back and listen to awesome music while the birds wheel overhead.

Life in Color: Unleash, featuring Showtek, R3hab, & David Solano @ Minute Maid Park (5-10PM)
I’m not generally that much of an EDM head, it’s true, but this sounds like a hell of a lot of fun, even still. It’s billed as the world’s biggest “color party,” which I think means it’s a Holi kind of thing with brightly-colored powder being flung everywhere. And at the same time, you get to dance like mad to some big names in EDM; I’ve heard Showtek before and have been pretty damn impressed. Just wear clothes you don’t mind burning afterwards, right?

Scout Bar Ten Year Anniversary Party, featuring The Hunger, Downfall Rising, To Whom It May, & Saturate @ The Scout Bar (Clear Lake)
Hard to believe it’s been ten years since The Scout Bar transformed from a fratboy sports bar into one of the best metal/rock venues in the area. Virtual high-five to the guys in {The Hunger} for making it work for a full decade.

Runners-Up:
Craig Kinsey/Kevin Taylor Kendrick @ House of Blues
Jeff Bridges & The Abiders/Run Over Twice/Vinyl Ranch DJs @ Warehouse Live
Earth Day Houston, featuring Lost Element, Hounds of Jezebel, Jesse Roach, La Sien, Another Run, & Heather Rayleen @ Discovery Green (11AM-5PM)
Quiet Morning & the Calamity @ House of Blues
Phantom Rockers/The Dollyrockers/Girl 87/DJ Big E/Cornell Hurd @ The Continental Club
South Austin Moonlighters/Parker Millsap @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Local Live Houston Benefit Concert, featuring Hayden Jones & the Roosevelt House Band, Silent Hunters, Ornaments, & MUGSY @ Notsouh ($5/$8)
Robert Cray Band/Los Lobos @ Arena Theater
Ja-Ga Reggae Festival, featuring Errol Lee & The Bare Essential Band, Etana, Anthony Cruz, Neutral Sister & Claude Bryant and The All Stars, Dakeye Matial Law Band, T-ROCK, Soulifiya & The Black Lung Crew, Houston Caribbean Queen, Sugarnotch, Humming
The Battle for the Summer Slaughter Tour, featuring Adamantium, Air or Ivory, Blood of an Outlaw, Color Chemistry, Fallacy, I-Terra, The Hero Must Die, & Sins of the Sinless @ Walter’s
Haksaw Man/Ak’chamel/Tan Dragon Clan/Downtown Dave @ Last Concert Cafe
Hip-Hop Anonymous, featuring AC Gutter, Marley Duketii, Codean and the Grind Time Guyz, Jay Austin, Kenno Supreme, Guilla, & DJ Leckie @ Warehouse Live (Green Room)
Houston Roller Derby, featuring The Glenn Bryant Band @ Bayou Music Center