GROOVES:

Rock/Pop

Sacred World Benefit Concert: Gonja Dreams (musicians from Ghana, Bukina Faso, Senegal, Cameroon, Brazil & the US), Chirgilchin (Tuvan throat singers from Siberia), Jiri Pavlica & Hradistan Dulcimer Band, (Moravian folk ensemble from the Czech Republic), Los Folkloristas (Mexico City), joined by LA’s Danza Floricanto/USA, KNUA Korean Traditional Performing Arts Troupe, (Buddhist chants, Shaman traditions, improvisational ensemble from Korea), Cindi Alvitre and the Mankiller Drummers (Tongva Native American blessing), Hun Lakorn Lek Puppet Theatre Troupe, (puppeteers and mask play dancers from Thailand) at UCLA’s Sunset Canyon Recreation Center (Outdoor Amphitheatre), 9/17, 5pm.

Kris Kristofferson, Steve Earle at UCLA’s Royce Hall, 9/18

Uncle Sam’s Roots Jamboree/Katrina Benefit with 50 Cent Haircut, King Straggler, Soda & His Million Piece Band, Kingsizemaybe, Skeeter Truck, Bucksworth, Molly Howson & The Grits, plus emcee KZLA’s Brya Douglas at Farmers Market/West Patio, 9/17, 3pm – 10pm (3rd & Fairfax, Los Angeles). An all day affair that’s part of an effort to help Hurricane Katrina victims. Includes some of the finest “Roots, Americana, Alt-Country” acts in Los Angeles, who are donating their time, and have agreed to donate 100% of all merchandise sales to the victims. The Salvation Army will be on hand accepting donations at this “open air event with two beer and wine bars and food from around the world.” 3rd & Fairfax, (adjacent to CBS and The Grove). FREE. All ages.

The Waco Brothers Bloodshot Revue with Sally Timms, Jon Langford, Dollar Store at McCabe’s, 9/18

The Leaving Trains, Human Hands, Urinals, The Last, The Question, Earwigs, S Squad, Wednesday Week at The Echo, 9/17

DKT/MC5 and The Sun Ra Arkestra at UCLA’s Royce Hall, 9/17. After four decades, Michael Davis, Kramer and Dennis Thompson (DKT) for “a visionary event.” More info. at www.uclalive.org. They also play a special free show (their first acoustic set) at Amoeba Records on 9/16.

Michael Penn, Jesse Sykes at The Troubadour, 9/17

DJ Afrika Bambaataa at Temple Bar, 9/16

John Fogerty at The Wiltern, 9/15, 7:30pm.

Rhythms: An Evening of Music, Poetry, Art, Expressions with Omar Torres, Michael Datcher, Downbeat 720 High School Poets, Joselyn & Wild Roots, Don Barrozo, Slavin’ Dave, Maylin, more at The Venice Center for Peace with Justice & The Arts, 9/16, 7pm – 10pm. Proceeds bene?t Inside Out’s free after-school arts programming for middle-school youth. More info at www.InsideOutCA.org, or (310)397–8820.

Bat Makumba at Temple Bar, 9/17

New Model Army at The Knitting Factory, 9/15

The Woggles at Spaceland, 9/17

Go Betty Go at The Troubadour, 9/15

Club Mosaic: DJ Gann, Nicky Black, Suzanne Vasaeli/The Creation Station, Live Poets Society/Floetix, DJ Gann at The Talking Stick, 9/5, 7pm.

Waco Brothers, Bloodshot Revue with Sally Timms, Jon Langford, Paul Birch, Dollar Store at Spaceland, 9/20

Jazz/Classical

Gospel Jubilee Concert with Sherwood Sledge at The Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 9/18, 5pm. A featured soloist with the First AME church choir, Sledge has appeared with Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, Freda Payne, and was featured on the gold album “Roots.” 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica. FREE.

Operatic Tribute to Martial Singher with Suzie Hanks, Gabriel Silva, Natalie Limonick at Santa Monica College, 9/17

Stories of Mexico with Conjunto Jardin, Mariachi Nuevo Cuicatlan, Conjunto Hueyapan, Hermanos Herrera, Ballet Folklorico Ollin, Ixya at The John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 9/17

Lorraine Feather at The Vic, 9/15

Cedar Walton at The Jazz Bakery, 9/15 – 9/17

The Leviathan Brothers at The Vic Late Night, 9/15, 12am – 2am

Judy Chamberlain at The Millenium Biltmore, 9/17. 506 S. Grand, Downtown LA

Richard Foreman, Michael Gordon Opera at Redcat, 9/21, 8:30pm. New Opera by Richard Foreman and Michael Gordon Launches REDCAT’s Third Season. 631 W. 2nd St., Downtown LA.

Readings / Performance

Salman Rushdie at Dutton’s Brentwood, 9/19, 7pm.

T. C. Boyle at The Beverly Hills Library, 9/15, 7pm.

Jack Brewer, Carlye Archibeque, Stosh Machek, Teka Lark at Dutton’s Brentwood, 9/18

Reg E. Gaines, Jerry Quickley at Fais Do-Do, 9/15

Senior Improv Workshop at Comedy Underground, 9/19, 12 noon. – Ongoing free class for seniors over 55. 320 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (323) 512-8245.

New American Writing: Jill Clement at The Hammer, 9/18, 6pm. FREE.

Dorothy Stotsenberg at Diesel, A Bookstore, 9/17, 3pm.

The Week Ahead

Thursday, September 15

Dengue Fever at Amoeba, 7pm. FREE.

Gliss, Helen Stellar, Kind Heart & The Coronets, Death House Chaplain at The Silverlake Lounge

Tim Easton, Jr. Juggernaut, Pawn Shop Kings at Spaceland

Jonny Lang at The Ford Amphitheatre

Bob Malone at Pershing Square, Downtown LA, 12pm – 2pm, FREE.

John Mayer, Ray LaMontagne at The House of Blues

Watkins Family Hour at Largo

Hee Haw Hell at Bigfoot Lodge

Edie Carey at 14 Below

Friday, September 16

Grand Buffet, DJ Jester & The Filipino Fist at The Echo

DJ Smokey P. at Bigfoot Lodge

Pink Grenade, A For Attack, XO at El Cid

Moth at Spaceland

Mariachi Divas at California Plaza, Downtown LA. FREE.

Shilah Morror’s Sin City Social Club: Bob Woodruff, Buck Johnson, West Coast Grand, Mark Christian, Dave Phenicie, Chris Lawrence, Carl Byron, Bobby Gonzalez, Jon Ramey at The Mint

Key Frances at Harvelle’s

Ian Moore at The Wiltern

Saturday, September 17

1947 Project at Clearman’s Steak n’ Stein Inn Lounge, 9/17, 5pm. The “LA Time Machines” go back to “a time when no one knew their cholesterol numbers, and rye was both a bread and a beverage. A time of girdles (and trusses), not of Pilates. A time of hair-dos, dancing shoes and carrying a dime in mad money. . . in the astonishing vintage 1946 lounge, a dim-lit symphony in shiny copper, stained glass and Adirondack chairs with arms wide enough for the fattest tumbler.” 9545 E. Whittier Blvd., Pico Rivera.

I See Hawks in LA at Viva Cantina, Burbank

Café R&B at Harvelle’s

Kingsizemaybe, The Cheatin’ Kind at The Taix Lounge

Cousin Lovers at The Mint

Sunday, September 18

Sunday Gospel Brunch at The House of Blues

Carlos Guitarlos at Liquid Kitty

The Bonebreak Syncopaters with DJ Bonebreak at The Derby

Monday, September 19

Princess Superstar, Bedroom For Toys at The Echo

Mike Andrews at Tangier

One of The Loudest Tragedies Ever Heard, Big Japan, Golden Arms, Recess at The Silverlake Lounge. FREE.