Something’s Fishy

THU 10/27
We liked Azure Ray partly because the band was gimmick-free. Yeah, two chicks made the music — but their shtick didn’t involve alliterative names, lesbianism or faux folklore. The TunaHelpers, a Kate Bush-channeling trio from Austin, Texas, could take a lesson from those Saddle Creek girls. The band performs as part of Passages’ Youth Appreciation Concert at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at 4007 Central. The only way to score a ticket is by attending or volunteering at one of the group’s designated events (it works to support gay and lesbian youth); call 816-931-0334 or see www.kcpass ages.org. — Annie Fischer

Popular
This mash-up DJ enters our Relm of possibility.

MON 10/31
DJ Mike Relm, who always wears a black suit and tie, earned his chops back in 1999 when he won the International Turntablists Federation U.S. competition. He later placed second in the world finals. Since then, he’s been in high demand, touring the globe with his intricate sets (and recently introducing a DVD mixer that scratches video like it’s vinyl) as well as scoring the upcoming films Lyrical Swords and American Stripper. Donald Trump even invited Relm to spin at last year’s Apprentice Oscar party. Representing Daly City, California, this mash-up mixologist has a flair for nostalgia, putting dance floors to work with seemingly unnatural combinations — the B-52s and the Beastie Boys, N.W.A. and the Outfield, the Beatles alongside Dr. Dre. He brings us back to our childhood at this year’s Halloween Bash at 8 p.m. Monday at the Gaslight Tavern (317 North Second Street in Lawrence). Call 785-856-4330. — Andy Vihstadt

My Buddy
This Holly goes not-so-lightly.

FRI 10/28
The churchy officials of Lubbock, Texas — a flat, dead city situated less than three feet from the sun’s surface — took decades to honor native son Buddy Holly, that burst of genius whose emergence from such a place was as likely as Cristal coming out of a blister. Partly because Holly never had his region behind him, he’s never been the Elvis-sized cultural force he should have been. Consequently, his hiccuping vocals, jagged guitar work and exhilarating I’magonnatellyahowitsgonnabeeees are left to oldies stations, Bill Shapiro’s nasal rock hour and, now, Crown Center’s American Heartland Theatre (2450 Grand, 816-842-9999), where The Buddy Holly Story premieres at 8 p.m. Friday and runs through January 1. Expect great songs and some hearty twitching from John Mueller, the world’s foremost Holly impersonator. And wish that life had given Holly more options than Lubbock’s hell or that damned airplane. — Alan Scherstuhl