Turn it down

It is the early 1940s. Blues/folk legends Lead Belly and Josh White are backstage between sets, enjoying some downtime. What do they talk about? This is the setting for the Ten Pound Fiddle’s “Black Fathers of Folk Music” show. American-roots artist Robert B. Jones performs in character as Lead Belly, and White’s son, Josh White Jr., performs as his father. The pair will present songs and tell the stories of their musical elders. Huddie William Ledbetter (1888 –1949), aka Lead Belly, is known for being the “king of the 12-string guitar,” spending time in prison, and writing classics like “Good Night, Irene.” He also recorded popular renditions of traditional songs like “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” famously covered by Nirvana. Josh White Sr. (1914 - 1969) was touring by age 7, and in 1941 performed at the White House.

Unitarian Universalist Church, 855 Grove Street, East Lansing. All ages, $15, $12 members, $5 students, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23

GTG hosts the Break-Ups at the Avenue Cafe, Friday, Jan. 23

After a four-year hiatus, the Break-Ups seem to be back on the local circuit. The melodic, vocal-harmony laden indie rock band formed as a “studio side project” in 2005, but soon after branched out into gigging. The homegrown super group comprises members of Drinking Mercury, the Plurals and the Hunky Newcomers. This Friday the Avenue Café hosts the band’s first live show since 2011. This public reemergence follows the release of the band’s 2014 EP, “Frankie’s Baby,” released on GTG Records. The EP’s title is a nod to the band’s former bassist Frankie Knoch, who left the Break-Ups after becoming a mother. Opening the show is Molly Rhythm, a New Jersey/Philadelphia-based rock ‘n’ roll outfit, and the Arrangement, a local garage/surf band featuring front man Chris Smith, formerly of the Dolphins.

The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. $5, 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23

The Specktators host Packy album release show Saturday, Jan. 24

Lansing hip-hop fans may know Patrick Duda, aka Packy, from his work with his brother Matt Duda, aka Moe-T, in the Specktators. The local duo, formed in 2011, recorded a string of well received pop-flavored releases. Their third release, the “About That Life” EP, garnered over 150,000 downloads and helped earn the pair a loyal international fan base. The Specktators’ first official LP, 2013’s “The Parlay,” debuted at #6 on the iTunes Hip-Hop chart. Last year, the Specktators transitioned from a rap duo into an indie-record label, the Specktators Collective, and Packy has rebranded himself as a solo artist on the label. The label’s latest release is Packy’s new solo record, “Same Difference,” which features the single “I’m the One.” The album release show at the Loft is co-headlined by cyRus, the opener is Kenny Greene.

the Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $15, 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24