Five Best Music Events in South Florida This Week

Ani DiFranco

Ani DiFranco is edgy, outspoken, and hugely influential. And although it's been a quarter-century since the singer and feminist icon released her self-titled debut album, DiFranco, as pointed out in a recent New Times piece, "remains the inherent insurgent, railing against the mainstream while others are merely wailing, taking relentless aim at issues surrounding sex, politics, and modern culture." In other words, a badass — Ani DiFranco remains a badass. Check her out this week at Culture Room.

With Ana Egge. Tuesday, October 6, 7:30 p.m. Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hgwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-564-1074; cultureroom.net. Tickets cost $25 plus fees via ticketmaster.com.

The Mountain Goats

With a song dedicated to wrestling legend Chavo Guerrero (entitled "The Legend of Chavo Guerrero") on their latest studio album, Beat the Champ, it's safe to presume the Mountain Goats are pretty big wrestling fans. “The songs are about wrestling, ostensibly, but they’re also about all these other things,” bassist Peter Hughes told Weld for Birmingham earlier this month. “They’re metaphors for a bunch of things. It’s wrestling as a metaphor for what we do, for being touring musicians." Interpret those metaphors for yourself with Hughes, Jon Wurster, and the diehard wrestling fan — and vocalist — of the bunch, John Darnielle, at Culture Room.

With Blank Range. Wednesday, October 7, 7:30 p.m. Culture Room, 3045 N. Federal Hgwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-564-1074; cultureroom.net. Tickets cost $20 plus fees via ticketmaster.com.

Dr. John and the Nite Trippers

Sometimes you can be at the "Right Place [at the] Wrong Time," but that was never the case for Mac Rebennack. Born and raised in New Orleans, Rebennack (a.k.a. Dr. John), as pointed out by New Times, "became one of the most influential proponents of that city’s signature sound, giving him a prominence that’s placed him on equal footing with New Orleans’ other great hometown artists." Not too shabby for an artist who used to dress up as "a spooky musical medicine man [with] elaborate costumes, glittery makeup, and a huge headdress."

Wednesday, October 7, 8 p.m. Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale; 954-761-5374; parkerplayhouse.org. Tickets cost $37.50 to $57.50 via ticketmaster.com.

Surfer Blood

Earlier this year, Surfer Blood's Thomas Fekete was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. While the guitarist is currently undergoing treatment, he will join bandmates John Paul Pitts, Tyler Schwarz, and Kevin Williams for one night to play Astro Coast, their 2010 debut album, in its entirety. Keep in mind, this is a benefit for Mr. Thom — don't forget to donate!

Performing Astro Coast with Dooms de Pop and Minimalist Blasphemist. Benefit for Thom. Saturday, October 10, 8 p.m. Jump the Shark, 810 NE 4th Ave., Fort Lauderdale; facebook.com/jumpthesharkevents. 

Fifth Annual ARToberfest 2

The start of fall is a pretty big deal in South Florida. When the best season of the year finally arrives, we don't just stock up on pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks — we celebrate with a weekend-long rager known as Artoberfest. Going on its fifth year, 2015's 48-hour block party will have 52 bands performing on four stages with over 60 local arts and craft vendors on Lake Worth's J Street. Here's to 70-degree temperatures and all-pumpkin everything! 

With Stratolites, Yardij, Dirty Sonic, Ba Roos, Steel Brothers Band, Fuzzhound, Fireside Prophets, My Electric Heart, Raggy Monster, and others on Saturday, October 11, 2 p.m.; With Space Coast Ghosts, JC Dwyer and the Blackbirds, the Psymatics, the Metropolitan, the Holidazed, Mylo Ranger, LFTD LVLS, and others on Sunday, October 11, 2 p.m. Propaganda, 6 S. J St., Lake Worth; 561-547-7273; propagandalw.com. Admission is free until 8 p.m., and costs $5 after. All ages.