The Crawdaddies will perform their blend of Cajun, zydeco, blues, reggae and rock Wednesday, Aug. 12, 7 p.m., at Centennial Park South (10000 Route 108, in Ellicott City). The group has been touring for twelve years and performed at a variety of major festivals such as the Bethlehem Musikfest, the Gumbo Ya Ya Festival and the W.C. Handy Blues Festival.

The outdoor concert is part of the weekly Sunset Serenade Concert Series. Parking donation is $3. Call 410-313-4700 (410-313-4452 in case of inclement weather).

Live at the lakefront

Columbia jazz singer Gail Marten performs with the Clem Ehoff Trio Thursday, Aug. 6, 8 p.m., at the lakefront of Lake Kittamaqundi in Columbia's Town Center. Marten and the trio have performed together for over a decade and recorded two CDs together, "Beyond the Rainbow" and "Pure Joy." Visit: www.gailmarten.com.

The Nashville-based Mr. Groove Band makes a stop at the lakefront Saturday, Aug. 8, 8 p.m., and the Columbia Concert Band will perform patriotic music and selections from Broadway and movie scores Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m.

The Music Matters Songwriters Showcase sets up shop at the lakefront again Tuesday, Aug. 11, 8 p.m., with performances by Hannah Spiro, Carl Ayers and Michael Finazzio. Showcases are free, but donations to Bread for the City for the Homeless are welcomed.

The Swingin' Daves will play roots music and Americana Wednesday, Aug. 12, 8 p.m., at the lakefront. Admission to all Lake Kittamaqundi events is free. Call 410-715-3127.

A Buffett tribute

The Jimmy Buffett tribute band Sons of Pirates can be heard as part of the Howard County Recreation and Parks' Traveling Bands series Friday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., at Schooley Mill Park (12975 Hall Shop Road, Highland). Admission is free. Call 410-313-4700.

Café sounds

Java Grande Café in Ellicott City will host a Music Matters Songwriters Showcase Saturday, Aug. 8, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at 9050 Baltimore National Pike. Featured artists include the J & B Blues Project, Alex Culbreth and Matt Rodella. Admission is free. Call 410-480-3865.

Village Center sounds

MisSpent Youth can be heard Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m., in the Hickory Ridge Village Center. Automatic Slim plays Aug. 6, 6 p.m., in the Dorsey's Search Village Center.

Chuck Dufor will play Friday, Aug. 7, 11:30 a.m., in the Wilde Lake Village Center, and the Tators perform Aug. 7, 6 p.m., in the River Hill Village Center.

The Dave Chappell Trio performs Aug. 7, 11:30 a.m., in the Kings Contrivance Village Center and Invasion invades the Harper's Choice Village Center Aug. 7, 6 p.m. Admission to all village center concerts is free. Call 443-367-0110.

Just So at Baldwin's

Boston-based singer-songwriter Kevin So stops into town Thursday, Aug. 6, 8 p.m., at Baldwin's Station & Pub in Sykesville. So, who is getting a lot of buzz on the folk music circuit, has just released a new album, "Best Foot Forward," where he eschews large-scale instrumentation in favor of an unplugged approach. Call 410-795-1041.

AUDITIONS

Tune your instruments

The Columbia Orchestra is auditioning all string instruments and select woodwinds, brass and percussion players for its 2009-2010 season. Auditions run no more than 15 minutes and require playing major and minor scales plus two prepared pieces of a "contrasting nature." Players will be seen Aug. 16 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Aug. 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Columbia. To schedule an audition, phone 410-465-8777, ext. 4, or e-mail join@columbiaorchestra.org.

Loosen your cords

Frances Motyca Dawson is preparing to lead the esteemed vocal ensemble Columbia Pro Cantare into its 33rd season. Works planned include Handel's "Messiah," Faure's "Requiem" and "An American Celebration," plus Mozart's wondrous "Requiem." Rehearsals are every Tuesday night at Hammond High Schoool beginning Sept. 1. To inquire about an audition, call 410-730-8549 or go to www.procantare.org.

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