Thursday's Pre-Valentine's Day Lowdown

Your Lowdown will kick today off by imploring you to check out the Lost Coast Outpost's Humboldt Valentine's Guide. Tomorrow is the big day. This is your two-minute warning.

As far as Thursday goes, tonight is your second and final chance to catch the aggressively authentic bluegrass and witty stage banter that is Dry Branch Fire Squad at the Arcata Playhouse. With nearly 40 years in the pickin' game, the midwest-born quartet mixes front-porch standards and modern ballads with folksy jokes about banjos.

(Added bonus: DBFS will melt the skin off the face of KHUM DJ Mike Dronkers live at 'round 'bouts 1 p.m. You will not want to miss that transition.)

Elsewhere in HumCo this evening, 94.1 KSLG per-see-naw-lay-tee Sherae O'Shag' will give a few local lovelorn losers one final pre-Valentine chance to not have to endure a lonely Feb. 14. The second edition of The Humboldt Hookup quasi-dating show takes place at ye olde Six Rivers Brewery. If you get off on public humiliation … see you there!

-Andrew Goff

EVENTS (SUBMIT YOURS!)

Buddy Reed

Old Town Coffee And Chocolates (Old Town) / 7 p.m.

Lowdown blues.

445-8600 / Web site

Oedipus The King and Women in Congress

North Coast Repertory Theatre / 8 p.m. / $20 / $12 students/seniors

NCRT continues its 30th Season with a special evening of two one-act plays originally performed in ancient Greece.

442-6278 / Web site

The Humboldt Hookup

Six Rivers Brewery / 8-9:30 p.m. / Free / 18+

Hosted by Sherae O'Shaughnessy. To sign up, email. Music by Electric Gravy.

839-7580 / sherae@kslg.com / Web site

Dry Branch Fire Squad

Arcata Playhouse / 8 p.m. / $18 / $15 members

"For more than a quarter of a century Dry Branch Fire Squad has played aggressively traditional bluegrass, capturing the soul of American music. Along with performing their authentic Appalachia-inspired songs, bandleader Ron Thomason captivates audiences with his hilarious stories."

822-1575 / Web site

Buddy Reed w/ Andy Fihn

Sushi Spot McKinleyville / 5:30-8:30 a.m. / Free

Local blues duo get lowdown and dirty.

839-1222 /

Sour Sour

The Local Cider Bar / 4 p.m.

"We will have at least 10 Sour beers on tap, probably more. Lots of new beers we haven’t had before, and a few classics we love!"

497-6320 / Web site

Peet Guercio

College of the Redwoods / 6 p.m. / $3

CR has a new theatre. Why not use it? Guercio is a standup comedian from Los Angeles who has hosted a game show for MTV, written for Comedy Central, and performed with Louis CK, Dane Cook, Sarah Silverman, and Daniel Tosh.

Sound Judgment

Ramone's (Old Town) / 6-8:30 p.m. / Free

Jazz and eclectic tunes.

445-2923 /

Open Mic

Gallagher's Irish Pub and Restaurant / 6 p.m.

Irish/Celtic music.

442-1177 / Web site

Jeff DeMark and The LaPatinas

Mad River Brewery Tasting Room / 6 p.m. / Free

Six-piece semi-acoustic band performs originals and covers.

668-4151 / Web site

Claire Bent

Libation / 7 p.m.

Local jazz vocalist.

825-7596 / Web site

Compost Mountain Boys

Shamus T Bones / 7:30 p.m.

Local bluegrass veterans encourage toe movement. Plus, meat.

407-3550 / Web site

Karaoke w/ KJ Leonard

Blue Lake Casino Hotel / 8 p.m.

When selecting your song, please keep in mind your audience would like to dance.

668-9770 / Web site

Gunsafe

Kate Buchanan Room / 8 p.m.

AS Presents local band showcase featuring Humboldt's favorite punk/county/folk explosion.

Making God Laugh

Redwood Curtain Theatre / 8 p.m. / $10

A family comedy that takes place in four scenes, each ten years apart, set at various holidays. Starting in 1980, the kids – a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former star football player – all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives.