The Big Gigs: Upcoming shows in the week of entertainment

POP/ROCK The New Riders of the Purple Sage started around 1969 as an outlet for Grateful Dead members to indulge their taste for hardcore country. It evolved into a psychedelic country-rock band that opened Dead shows and made a few albums on its own. After disbanding in 1997, the New Riders resurfaced in 2005, led by longtime lead guitarist David Nelson and pedal-steel player Buddy Cage, and have found a home on the jam-band circuit. (10 p.m. today, Cabooze, $17-$20.) (J.B.)

A welcome twist on the hard-hitting blues-rock duo (see: Black Keys, White Stripes), the Black Diamond Heavies are co-led by an organ player -- not a guitarist! -- and he sings like a nutty Dr. John. His name is John Wesley Myers, and he's also a member of the Immortal Lee County Killers. He and heavy pounder Van Campbell, whose family owns a bourbon distillery (how's that for Southern cred), just issued their second album, "A Touch of Someone Else's Class," produced by none other than Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Ron Franklin and Chooglin' open. (9 p.m. today, 7th Street Entry. $6.) (C.R.)

On his 11th album, Nashville rocker Matthew Ryan's raspy voice still sounds decidedly Springsteen-like, but the vibe on "Matthew Ryan vs. the Silver State" is more emo and the sound more modern and majestic. His quieter, rootsy "Jane, I Still Feel the Pain" was heard on TV's "One Tree Hill." Headlining is Georgia singer/songwriter Josh Joplin, who sounds eerily like Michael Stipe. (8 p.m. Sun., Fine Line, $12-$15.) (J.B.)

Former teen idol and ex-Ashlee Simpson boyfriend Ryan Cabrera has let his hair and beard grow and jumped to an indie label. "The Moon Under Water," released last month, is mostly dark, sincere but cliched modern pop with a fondness for radio-friendly melodies. Opening is Ferras, who had a fleeting moment of fame this year on "American Idol" with an exit song. (6:30 p.m. Mon., Varsity Theater, $20-$25.) (J.B.)

How will onetime blues-rock wunderkind Kenny Wayne Shepherd's latest CD, "10 Days Out," transfer to the stage? Arguably his most fascinating album, the disc is essentially a documentary of his 2004 trip to the Deep South to play with aging blues figures including Pinetop Perkins, Etta Baker and Gatemouth Brown. It has none of the usual Shepherd guitar histrionics. (9 p.m. Thu., Cabooze, $33-$35.) (J.B.)

If you dig vintage soul, don't miss this delicious doubleheader at the zoo. Opening is mesmerizing British retro soul man James Hunter, the former Van Morrison backup singer whose new "The Hard Way" sounds like the 1960s with a taste of modern topics. Headlining is New Orleans soul queen Irma Thomas, who is offering one of her most ambitious albums, "Simply Grand," in August. Accompanied by 12 piano stars including Dr. John, Randy Newman, Henry Butler and Norah Jones, Thomas tackles new and old songs in an intimate format. In concert, she's more likely to stick to the songs that made her famous, including "It's Raining" and "Time Is on My Side." (7:30 p.m. Thu., Weesner Family Amphitheater, Minnesota Zoo, $35.) (J.B.)

COUNTRY

In 2005, the Lovell Sisters won a teen talent contest on "A Prairie Home Companion." This Georgia trio -- now 16, 18 and 21 -- suggests an uncynical, bluegrass-loving Dixie Chicks. In fact, their dispositions seem as sweet as their harmonies, but they parted ways with Lyric Street Records over creative differences so a major-label album hasn't happened yet. Nikki Matteson and the RueMates open. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center, $18-$20.) (J.B.)

JAZZ Prolific guitar great Bill Frisell manages to make music that is both groundbreaking and cozy. He's done it again on a brilliant two-CD set of mostly original tunes inspired by the visual art of a Seattle buddy, Jim Woodring. "History, Mystery" works like a postmodern suite, incorporating a few choice covers -- by Thelonious Monk, Lee Konitz, Sam Cooke and Mali's Boubacar Traore -- that suggest Frisell's endless curiosity. The CD features an expanded band with two horns and a string section, but this weekend he'll play with steel guitarist Greg Leisz, drummer Rudy Royston and Sex Mob bassist Tony Scherr. (8 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center. $30-$40. CANCELED DUE TO FAMILY EMERGENCY.) (T.S.)

Imagine McCoy Tyner cross-bred with Dr. John, and you get a hint of a typical set by New Orleans piano hero Henry Butler. He plays classic jazz, swing, rollicking Professor Longhair-style classic R&B, rowdy blues, bristling modern postbop jazz, gospel and spirituals, island grooves, classical music, avant fare -- you name it, Butler can do it with aplomb. Also a soulful, stirring singer, he has ready charm to match his remarkable technique. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Sun., Dakota. $15-$22.) (T.S.)

In town for the American Guild of Organists convention, German Hammond B-3 queen Barbara Dennerlein makes a belated Twin Cities club debut. She's been showcased on several wailing, no-holds-barred CDs for the Enja and Verve labels, communing with top-flight U.S. musicians including Ray Anderson, David Murray, Roy Hargrove, Dennis Chambers and Joe Locke. She's also played her share of church organs, and made a memorable recording with maverick classical piano great Friedrich Gulda. Now she'll trade licks with Twin Cities stalwarts Joe Pulice on drums and Pete Whitman on sax. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Mon., Dakota. $20-$25.) (T.S.)

REGGAE It's too bad the Wailers are still the only reggae band most American music fans know 28 years after Bob Marley's death, but that doesn't diminish the surviving members' legacy or sheer entertainment value, especially at an outdoor gig (insert coughing sound here). The touring lineup includes bassist Aston (Family Man) Barrett, keyboardist Earl (Wya) Lindo and guitarist Al Anderson, who all played on many of the landmark albums and toured with Marley in the '70s. They still play the classics, with vocalist Elan Atias admirably pulling off the unenviable job of trying to stand in for Bob. Local Afro-Carribbean-Latino greats the New Primitives open. (7:30 p.m. Wed., Minnesota Zoo's Weesner Amphitheater, $35.) (C.R.)

One Voice Mixed Chorus, Minnesota's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and straight-allies choir, celebrates its 20th anniversary with a concert that both honors the past and looks ahead to another two decades of working for social change. The event combines expert musicmaking with the chorus' trademark wacky humor. Dan Chouinard is host, and members of Kairos Dance are also guests. (7:30 p.m. Sat. & 3:30 p.m. Sun., History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul. $25-$10. 651-298-1954.) (W.R.B.)