North Mississippi All-Stars

Lotsa bands invoke their state/city/region of origin to trumpet their musical authenticity. Some even tack that all-star designation on the end to squelch any residual doubt. They might have been jumping the gun when they chose such a regal moniker at such a tender age, but the North Mississippi All-Stars have the bloodline to back up their boastfulness. Brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson have long since taken the torch from their father, famed producer Jim Dickinson, and with bassist Chris Chew, they’ve forged a new era of high-octane Southern blues rock.

The whole all-star configuration gets the guitar-swapping treatment Wednesday night when Cody and Chris Chew bring their other band, Hill Country Revue, to the Rev Hall stage. Needless to say there’ll be no shortage of whiskey shots and slide-guitar licks at this one.

The North Mississippi All-Stars and Hill Country Revue (pictured) play Revolution Hall (425 River St., Troy) on Wednesday (April 8) at 7 PM. Tickets are $22. Call 274-0553 for more info.

Fran O’Neill

Australian-born artist Fran O’Neill thinks a lot about patterns—of life, of the places we live and visit, of the things we do. This informs her fabric art and paintings, recent examples of which are now on display at the John Davis Gallery in Hudson.

“The idea that a pattern and fabric, so artificial in its representation, can still take on a range of emotions and personas, [and also acts] as a metaphor to explore cross pollination of cultures and countries that I have traveled to and now live in.”

Pictured is Sleeper (2008).

An exhibit of the work of Fran O’Neill opens today (Thursday, April 2) at the John Davis Gallery (362½ Warren St., Hudson) and runs through April 26. There is an artist’s reception Saturday (April 4) from 6 to 8 PM. For more info, including gallery hours, call 828-5907.

The Albers Trio

Once upon a time there were three sisters, Laura, Rebecca and Julie. They were but wee toddlers when their parents gave them fiddles and such, and long days and nights did they practice.

Now many years later—after stints at the likes of Juilliard and the Cleveland Institute of Music—the grown-up Albers Trio travel the world to entertain with violin (Laura), viola (Rebecca) and cello (Julie). And tomorrow (Friday) night, they’ll perform works by Beethoven (Serenade in D), Hindemith (String Trio No. 2) and Mozart (Divertimento in E-flat) at Union College.

The Albers Trio will perform Friday (April 2) at 8 PM in the Union College Memorial Chapel (Union Street, Schenectady). Tickets are $20, $10 students. For more info, call 388-6080.