Jeff Silbar

KEEP ON MOVING It is entirely possible that he may be doing this just to get press, but DJ-promoter-musician-(insert title here) Ralph Renna is again moving his Thursday-night Capital Underground Live concert series. After spending just a few weeks at Positively 4th Street in Troy, the music moves back to Albany tonight (Thursday, May 22) to begin its stay at Savannah’s. The show begins at 8 PM; check out www.ralphrennarocks.com for more information on the series.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE In other Savannah’s news, the downtown institution has a new owner and a new M.O.—and soon, it will have a new name as well. Sometime this summer, the ground-floor bar-restaurant at 1 South Pearl Street will become the Dublin Underground. While the name change sounds drastic, some other improvements that have already been made, including the installation of a brand-new sound system, are major in a good way. If you’re wondering why the title of this item is appropriate, the venue’s new owner is the former manager of now-closed downtown nightspot the Skyline, where Ralph Renna’s live-music series got its start. Isn’t that nice and cozy? For more on the New Dublin Savannah’s Underground Bar, call 426-9647.

THE BOARD APPROVES Here’s a good chance to get up in the faces of some veteran songwriters and industry types without having to bother them with your damned e-mail list. The Columbia Arts Team presents its Third Annual Songwriters Festival on Saturday, May 31, at the Hudson Opera House (329 Warren St., Hudson). The daylong event begins at noon with a series of panels, Q&A sessions and song critiques with pros like Paul Leka (writer of such ’60s hits as “Green Tambourine” and “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”), concert promoter Jordan Belkin, drummer-music lawyer-Metroland columnist Paul Rapp, and Rudds frontman/Albany expat John Powhida, among others. The featured guest will be Jeff Silbar (pictured) who penned the Bette Midler hit “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Silbar also will headline an 8 PM concert that evening, which also includes performances by some of the panelists, as well as any up-and-comer who buys a ticket to the festival (if they so desire). The all-day ticket is $50, and well worth it by our count. Call (800) 816-4802 or visit www.columbiaartsteam.org to make a reservation.

—John Brodeur

Let us know about local-music news and happenings for inclusion in Rough Mix: E-mail John Brodeur at jbrodeur@metro land.net or call (518) 463-2500 ext. 145.