The Xi Omicron Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated will host its annual "Vegas Night" on August 4th, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Von Braun Center North Hall. This semi-formal event will be an evening of casino style games, food and entertainment by DJ Dre Smoove. Proceeds benefit the Scholarship Foundation and the Harris Home for Children. For more information Rick Suttle 256 – 655 – 6769 or Dawood Muhammad (205) 757 - 7375. 

It's almost time for the 3rd Alabama Women in Jazz Festival with a Hint of Blues! Presented by Valley Arts and Entertainment Inc., this year's headliner is Detroit native Freda Payne. Freda is known for hits, "Band of Gold" and "Bring the Boys Home." Also performing will be blues/jazz artist B.J. Miller and sax player, vocalist and songwriter Paula Atherton. 

Concerts in the Park presented by Arts Huntsville and Huntsville Parks and Recreation, returns every Monday starting June 5th through August 7th! The FREE concerts will be held in downtown Huntsville on the Huntsville Museum of Art outdoor stage in Big Spring International Park from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The concert series will showcase local musicians from jazz, latin, Americana, rock and roll, pop and top 40. The series is free to the public and concertgoers should bring their own seating. Leashed pets are welcome.

REVISED SCHEDULE as of April 18 2017!

The 2017 Alabama Jazz in the Park! All shows are FREE! 

Few singers can command an audience's attention quite like Albin Lee Meldau. When I first saw him perform, at a church in Austin, Texas during South By Southwest last March, it felt like the entire audience was on the edge of its seat, hanging on every twisted word. His voice is breathtaking, soulful, thunderous and impossible to ignore.

Chester Bennington, one of the lead singers for the band Linkin Park and a former singer for Stone Temple Pilots, has died. His death was confirmed to NPR Thursday afternoon by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office, which said that his body was discovered at a house in the 2800 block of Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles and that investigators are currently on the scene. The death is "being looked at as a possible suicide at this time," according to Brian Elias of the coroner's office. Bennington was 41 years old.

Beth Ditto is a force of nature. Her incredible voice and charming personality earned her dance-punk band Gossip an international following, and those same qualities now drive her solo career. We hosted her for a live KCRW session to celebrate the release of Fake Sugar, her full-length debut under her own name.

SET LIST

• "Oo La La"

Photo: Mark Leibowitz/KCRW.

Who would doubt that Michael McDonald could still sound groovy and relevant while ushering the musical feel of 1978 into 2017? Only a fool.