This weekend marks the return of Frannipalooza, which would be South Florida's premier blues event, were it not for the Sound Advice Blues Festival. In any case, the four-day fest kicks off Thursday with a performance by Australian bluesman Geoff Achison. When "Australia" and "music" are brought up in the same sentence, one may think of didgeridoo, but Achison's blues have all the earmarks of a man born in the Delta, even though he's from the Outback. Deep End and Dave Shelley wrap up the Thursday lineup. Friday includes local faves the Hep Cat Boo Daddies as well as Ernie Southern and Richard Johnston. Saturday, the final day of concerts at One Night Stan's (2333 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood), features Tinsley Ellis headlining with Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Sweethearts opening. But for Franni diehards, Sunday offers one more day of blues and roots at Harbor Grill (815 NE Third St., Dania Beach). Albert Castiglia headlines a day filled with free roasted pig, free live music, and FREE BEER. Tickets cost $30 for a three-day pass, which gets you into the Sunday show for free. Otherwise, Sunday is a $10 donation. With Franni ready to pull up and move to North Florida after 20-something years in the local music scene, this Frannipalooza is a must. Call 954-929-1566. -- Dan Sweeney
SAT 6/21
Charlie Pickett Picks It
How do you like your eggs?
Back in the 1980s, Charlie Pickett and the Eggs achieved no small amount of local fame for their firm belief in garage-rock and blues at a time when new wave meant that 1960s protopunk was more than passé. Alas, after a couple of albums, the band seemed to just fade away. But now that the '80s are out and garage rock is back in, so are Charlie Pickett and the Eggs. The group performs with fellow quasilegendary local band Psycho Daisies, which is hardly surprising, given that Psycho Daisies is John Salton's band, and Salton got his start with the Eggs. For the record, the current lineup of the Daisies features only Salton from the original band -- after all, half the original lineup is deceased. But with Two-Story Double Wide opening for the two hoary acts, an entertaining eve at Alligator Alley (1321 E. Commercial Blvd., Oakland Park) is all but assured. Show begins at 10 p.m. Call 954-771-2220. -- Dan Sweeney
THU 6/19
Silly Wabbit, We're Not Devo
Packing heat and taking names
Do rabbits wonder? Will music critics ever stop comparing jerky, bass-driven bands to Devo? The guys in Whirlwind Heat, a three-piece from Grand Rapids, Michigan, are inquiring minds that want to know. Their spastic, fuzzed-out, Moog-centric debut album, Do Rabbits Wonder?, was produced by the ubiquitous Jack White of White Stripes fame, so they already have that going for them. And while the band, composed of vocalist David Swanson, bassist Steve Damstra, and drummer Brad Holland, may cringe at the Devo comparisons, at least they don't wear matching red and white outfits -- yet. Whirlwind Heat opens for the White Stripes at Mizner Park Amphitheatre (Federal Highway at NE Mizner Boulevard, Boca Raton). Show starts at 8 p.m. Call 561-447-8144. -- Audra Schroeder
TUE 6/24
What About Heart?
Ann and Nancy Wilson shook up the male-dominated world of '70s rock with songs like "Barracuda" and "Magic Man" and breezed into the '80s with ballads like "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You." After a hiatus, the sisters Wilson are back with a new album, and they're coming to Mizner Park Amphitheatre (Federal Highway at NE Mizner Boulevard, Boca Raton). Tickets cost $35.50 and $42.50. Call 561-447-8144. -- Audra Schroeder
