BLUES, BLUES, BLUES: Just can't get enough of the blues? Terry O's Boondocks March Blues Blast, a series of national blues acts showcased at The Boondocks, 3306 N. First Ave., continues with three shows this week: Deanna Bogart at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 20; James Armstrong at 9 p.m. Friday, March 21; and Mark Hummel at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 26. Former member of Maryland-based western swing band Cowboy Jazz and saxophonist for Washington, D.C.'s Root Boy Slim, pianist/ saxophonist/vocalist Deanna Bogart's current work melds boogie woogie with modern jazz and rock. New Address, her newest release put out by Viceroots Records, was co-produced by Mary Chapin Carpenter and keyboarist John Carroll, and is widely considered her most sophisticated and spirited recording to date. She'll be tearing down the house with bassist Eric Scott, drummer Mike Aubin and guitarist Kajun Kelley, for a special ladies night--tickets are $3 for women, $5 for the rest. His last recent performance packed the house, and James Armstrong returns for an encore certain to pop the cork right off that giant concrete bottle of Chianti. Tickets are $5 for TBS members, $6 in advance and $7 on the day of show. Tone-Cool Recording artist Mark Hummel whips out his harmonica and newly found Chicago blues style in support of his recent release, Heart of Chicago, recorded with some of the Windy City's finest: Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bob Stroger of Muddy Waters fame, and Little Walter's original guitarist Dave Myers make guest appearances. Tickets are $5. For more information about any of these shows call 690-0991. IT'S NEWS: The 12th-Annual Tucson Folk Festival is coming up, scheduled for Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., and Sunday, May 4, 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. All events will be free to the public and held at El Presidio Park downtown. This year's festival will feature David Wilcox for two acoustic shows, and will include the first Songwriting Competition and Southwest Regional Fingerstyle Guitar competitions. Unfortunately, the Tucson Folk Festival lost its accustomed financial backing, so a benefit concert will be held April 6 at the Valley of the Moon. Rainer Ptacek, as well as several other exciting local favorites, are already confirmed to perform. Watch for updates in future Soundbites. As for the Folk Festival itself, performer and vendor applications and more information are now available by contacting the Tucson Kitchen Musicians Association at 749-9770, or by sending email to dsimpson@rtd.com. LAST NOTES: Northern Ireland's ephemeral Chimera, quite popular in the UK (where they've opened shows for the Pixies, My Bloody Valentine and the Throwing Muses), appear Tuesday, March 25, at the Luna Loca Café, 546 N. Stone Ave. Chimera's second disc, Earth Loop, released on Grass Records last year, has caught some noted attention--Philip Steir (Butthole Surfers, Moby and Wolfgang Press) and Land of the Loops have remixed the single "Catch Me" for radio release sometime this month. Call 882-4488 for more information. Canyon Records recording artists The William Eaton Ensemble, featuring critically acclaimed musician, composer and instrument maker William Eaton, share their universal musical explorations of the New Age with Tucson on Saturday, March 22, at the Tucson Center for the Performing Arts, 408 S. Sixth Ave. The unique aural experience of this ensemble is created by a wide variety of instruments, including Eaton's handcrafted harp guitar, spiral clef, o'ele'n strings and lyra harp guitar, as well as the more customary violin, mandolin, cello, and variety of flutes and ethnic percussions. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, with a $2 discount for TKMA and KXCI members. Call 887-5413 for information. Had trouble dragging yourself out on the town on Sunday night? Life just got a little easier. Stay at home if you must on the day of rest, but make sure your evening plans on Friday include a drink in Café Magritte's Bowler Room, where The Blue Monks have added a second gig to their regular weekly format. This lively set of modern jazz begins around 8 p.m. every other Friday, including March 21, at 254 E. Congress St. Call 884-8004 for information. The Refreshments: You've heard them ad nauseam on KFMA, so you'll probably know most of the words. Have a splendid time singing along to your favorites, when the Refreshments, down from Tempe, play live at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave. Show is 21 and over. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of show. And, in case you were wondering, SXSW was a great time, despite the fact that it was freezing in Austin. For a few of the gory details, watch for our music feature follow-up in the coming weeks. --Lisa Weeks

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