1. Yodel and twang-friendly roots outfit Petunia and the Vipers play a hometown show in support of their latest release, Dead Bird on the Highway, Sept. 24 at the Rickshaw Theatre. The Crow Quill Night Owls open. Tickets available at ticketfly.com, Red Cat, Neptoon, Highlife and Zulu Records.
2. Word Vancouver takes over the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library for its annual free festival of reading and writing, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s event includes readings, discussions, workshops, entertainment, a marketplace and a whack of authors including Lynn Johnston, Joy Kogawa, Anosh Irani, Ujjal Dosanjh, Paul Yee, Ronald Wright, Yasuko Thanh, Jen Sookfong Lee, Bif Naked, Carmen Aguirre and Wayde Compton among others. Details at wordvancouver.ca.
3. New Orleans musician Trombone Shorty and his band Orleans Avenue kick some brass (see what we did there?) Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at the Chan Centre. Details and tickets at chancentre.com.
4. This Hours Has 22 Minutes’ Cathy Jones kicks off the Firehall Arts Centre’s new season with her one-woman comedy show, Stranger to Hard Work, Sept. 28 to Oct. 8. Details at firehallartscentre.ca.
5. Vancouver-by-way-of-Pennsylvania-troubadour Rodney DeCroo released the impressive Campfires on the Moon last year, mixing equal parts grit, heart and rootsy reflection. He recently enlisted the help of Templeton high school students, artist Flick Harrison, a Kickstarter campaign and regular Courier contributor Rebecca Blissett to put together a video for his song “Stupid Boy in an Ugly Town.” The results can be seen at a free music video launch Sept. 24, 7 p.m. at the Cultch, followed by a talkback with the filmmakers and a performance by DeCroo and his band the Wise Blood. To reserve a seat, email. kali@tonicrecords.com. Details at rodneydecroo.com.
