The Big Gigs: Live music options for June 15-21

POP/ROCK

Minneapolis is extra lucky to have the Stone Arch Bridge Festival this year, albeit without its recently deceased founder, Ira Heilicher. Along with a Father's Day car show Sunday and a family art park all weekend, the new organizers have mostly stuck to the same riverfront-strolling format with multiple stages, art displays and food stops. Twang-rockers Romantica and the Evening Rig kick it off Friday night (7 p.m.). Live hip-hop maestros Heiruspecs top off Saturday's daylong lineup with A. Wolf & Her Claws, Sleep Study, Martin Devaney and many more (11:15 a.m.-10 p.m.). Sunday has pop-rockers Joey Ryan & the Inks, plus Van Stee, Roster McCabe, Dream Crusher and others (11:15 a.m.-7 p.m.) (Fri.-Sun., St. Anthony Main, Minneapolis riverfront. All ages. Free. www.StoneArchBridgeFestival.com.) Chris Riemenschneider

With his main band on hiatus, the Black Crowes' singer wasted little time launching the Chris Robinson Brotherhood. His new lineup includes Crowes touring keyboardist Adam MacDougall and guitarist Neal Casal, formerly of Ryan Adams' Cardinals. Their debut album "Ritual" arrived last week loaded with extra-psychedelic hippie soul-rock. Live shows so far have been long enough for intermissions and rounded out with numerous Dead/Jerry Garcia covers and some of Robinson's New Earth Mud tunes. But no Crowes. (8 p.m. Fri., Varsity Theater. $18-$20.) Riemenschneider

An arch-conservative, outspoken gun advocate and avid hunter (he has written three books on the topic and hosted a show on the Outdoor Channel), Ted Nugent also happens to be a guitar dynamo. Revisit "Cat Scratch Fever," "Wango Tango" and other Nuge favorites from his 1970s heyday. (8:30 p.m. Fri., Medina Entertainment Center, $38.) Jon Bream

The most exotic double bill of the week pairs Bermuda-born reggae singer Mishka, a former windsurfing champion who grew up on his family's boat in the Caribbean, and Anuhea, a young singer/songwriter from Hawaii who offers a slick mix of pop, modern R&B and reggae. Though Mishka has never risen above cult status since his irresistible 1999 hit "Give You All the Love," he consistently offers his own winning, folksy take on reggae. (8:30 p.m. Fri., Cabooze, $15-$17.) Tom Surowicz

The singer who introduced reggae to the States with the captivating film "The Harder They Come," Jimmy Cliff was as exciting two years ago at the Minnesota Zoo as he was in his 1970s heyday. The ageless Rock Hall of Famer will likely offer a taste of his new EP, "Sacred Fire," along with his classics "Many Rivers to Cross" and "You Can Get It If You Really Want." Minnesota hip-hop hero Toki Wright opens. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Zoo, $41.) Bream

Charles Schoen has been on board for all 50 years of the Del Counts. Yes, the band from the 1960s heyday of Twin Cities garage bands is still around, still singing "Let the Good Times Roll." The newest member is James Walsh, known for his years with Gypsy and the Underbeats. Expect many former members to sit in. (8:30 p.m. Sat., Medina, $12.) Bream

A long-awaited follow-up to 2004's legendary Rock for Karl concert -- sadly, though, with late Soul Asylum bassist Karl Mueller only there in spirit this time -- the Kill Kancer fundraiser will do Karl's memory proud with another fun mashup of Twin Cities music greats. The Jayhawks/Soul Asylum side band Golden Smog is reuniting for the show without Jeff Tweedy (who had to cancel) but with the addition of Chan Poling (Suburbs, New Standards), himself a widower due to cancer. Smog member Dan Murphy will also team with Dave Pirner for some sort of Soul Asylum mini-set, a warmup to their July 20 album-release party at First Ave. The Magnolias will also perform along with veteran screamer Curtiss A and young Howler Jordan Gatesmith. (7 p.m. Sun., Cedar Cultural Center. All ages. $15.) Riemenschneider

The Legendary Combo, aka Dr. Mambo's Combo, will celebrate its 25th anniversary as the Twin Cities' top purveyor of barroom R&B and rock party music. The membership has evolved over the years, featuring such bar stars as G Sharp, Margaret Cox and Billy Franze and world-class drummer Michael Bland. The group has attracted the likes of Prince, Bonnie Raitt and John Mayer to sit in. Expect guests -- though not necessarily big names -- for this two-night bash. (9 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Bunkers, $7.) Bream

An Oklahoma native, Broadway and TV star Kristin Chenoweth has long loved country music but didn't make a country album until 2011's "Some Lessons Learned," with producer Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Kiss, Peter Gabriel). In a breathy voice that suggests Dolly Parton without the overwhelming vibrato, she exercises her country chops on the twangy gallop "I Didn't" and the up-tempo, gospel-tinged "What Would Dolly Do," but leans on her Broadway instincts on such ballads as "What If We Never." (8 p.m. Sun., State Theatre, $39-$125. ) Bream

Cosmic cowboy Jerry Jeff Walker is the ultimate Texas troubadour -- a purveyor of cleverly crafted folk-country tunes and a formidable and witty storyteller. Twin Cities favorites G.B. Leighton open. (7:30 p.m. Sun., Minnesota Zoo, $41.) Bream

Formed by two lipstick-and-leather-strutting sisters from Bristol, England, 2:54 sounds like an unlikely cross between Garbage and the Melvins (whose lyrics inspired the band name). Their debut EP, "Scarlet," mixed by Alan Moulder (NIN, My Bloody Valentine), boasts loud, sludgy guitars and cool, attitudinal grunge-pop vocals. Quite a legit buzz is behind their Twin Cities debut. (9 p.m. Mon., Triple Rock. $10.) Riemenschneider

More full-time mom than music careerist, Lisa Marie Presley, 44, seems to have finally found her voice on her third album, the rootsy "Storm & Grace." Aided by producer T Bone Burnett, the England-based Presley delivers smartly crafted original lyrics with a languid voice that suggests Shelby Lynne or Cowboy Junkies' Margo Timmins more than Presley's famous father. (8 p.m. Tue., Fine Line, $20.) Bream

A rare and welcome touring show for St. Paul's Amsterdam Bar, Maps & Atlases returns from Chicago in support of its second full-length album, "Beware & Be Grateful." The quartet has maintained its quirky, experimental style with ample guitar noodling and choppy beats (think: Yeasayer), but singer/guitarist Dave Davidson stands out more as an accessible, charming frontman who even sings a bit like Cat Stevens. (8 p.m. Tue., Amsterdam Bar & Hall. $10-$12.) Riemenschneider

A big enough star in the Twin Cities to play the State Fair grandstand and fill the Minnesota Zoo for two nights, Brandi Carlile could be on the verge of finding mainstream success. Already a favorite on Cities 97 and 89.3 the Current, Carlile triumphed Monday on "The Tonight Show" with her new single, "That Wasn't Me," from her just-released "Bear Creek" album. Read an interview in Tuesday's Variety section. (7:30 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Minnesota Zoo, $58.) Bream

Once the leader of the raucous Rugburns, Steve Poltz has gone on to record a series of hit-and-miss CDs but he's a talent worth indulging -- a great live performer who's waggish, romantic, often hilarious and always full of surprises. The San Diego songwriter is featuring material from a new double disc recorded in Australia, "Noineen Noiny Noin." And he's vowed to give much of the proceeds from this gig to old pal Slim Dunlap's recovery fund -- a noble gesture. (8 p.m. Thu., Fine Line, $12.) Surowicz

COUNTRY

JAZZ

Jazz guitarist extraordinaire Paul Bollenback used to play here regularly in the 1990s, but sightings have been too few in the past decade, perhaps because the New York-based all-pro has teaching gigs at five different institutions of groovier learning. An excellent composer, he is a "guitarist's guitarist" whose fans include John McLaughlin and George Benson. (9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Artists' Quarter, $15.) Surowicz

Legends of jazz fusion and jazz-funk, bassist Stanley Clarke and keyboardist George Duke joined forces way back in 1981, earning a surprise hit with "Sweet Baby," and they've toured and recorded together sporadically ever since. This month's "Bring It" tour is their first collaboration in six years, time in which Clarke has been busy collecting Grammy awards (for his album "The Stanley Clarke Band" and Return to Forever's reunion disc "Forever"). Says Duke: "Touring with Stanley is always a good thing, because he's a nut. He's the younger brother I never had." (7 & 9 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Dakota Jazz Club, $40-$60.) Surowicz

BLUES

Minneapolis and St. Paul have more than their fair share of musicians named Curtis. But we're losing one soon -- Curtis Marlatt, purveyor of "bourbon-smooth blues" and longtime leader of Curtis and the Kicks. The guitarist, singer and songwriter, a Berklee grad who moved here in 1998 after long stays in California and Kentucky, is relocating to Texas soon. After an afternoon farewell party, his Kicks will just keep gettin' harder to find. (3 p.m. Sun., Minnesota Music Cafe, $5.) Surowicz

For the first time Cantus and the Rose Ensemble share a stage in conjunction with this week's Chorus America conference. The hourlong performance will feature highlights from Cantus' concert in celebration of the 1989 Baltic peaceful revolution, "On the Shoulders of Giants," and its program of American spiritual music, "That Eternal Day." Rose Ensemble will feature its acclaimed "Land of Three Faiths" program, highlighting sacred, secular and folk music of the three Abrahamic faiths. An excellent introduction to two exciting ensembles. (1:45 p.m. Fri., St. Olaf Catholic Church, 215 S. 8th St., Mpls., $20.) William Randall Beard