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Green Doors hosts Zydecrunch CD release party 

Zydecrunch plays a melting pot of American music, fusing New Orleans R&B, Cajun, country two-steps and waltzes, Creole struts and blues-inspired rock‘n’roll. On Thursday, the band releases its new album, “Zydefaux Pas,” at the Green Door. The show has no cover charge. The new disc is a follow-up to 2001’s “Ton Son Ton” CD. The band was formed in 1998 by longtime friends Mike Lynch (accordion and Hammond organ) and Steve Olson (guitar and lead vocals). It also includes Tahmineh Gueramy on fiddle and vocals, Jason Strotheide on bass, and Bob Bryan on drums. While this band may have originally started with the intention of being a one-time-only band for an Elderly Instruments holiday party, 14 years later the band is still churning out Louisiana-style funkiness with a healthy dose of Michigan rock. 

Thursday, Feb. 9 @ Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing, 21 & over, FREE, 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

BLAT! Pack reps Lansing  hip-hop

A Lansing-based collective of hip-hop heads known as the BLAT! Pack performs a showcase featuring many of its crew members on Friday at Mac’s bar. The show features P.H.I.L.T.H.Y., JYoung The General, The Amature, Red Pill, Chell and Yellokake as well as music supplied by DJ Carmine. Also featured is a beat showcase by Hir-O and Kuroioto. Since its inception in the summer of 2008, the BLAT! Pack has grown into a multi-faceted collective of emcees, vocalists, producers, DJs, fine artists, radio personalities and writers such as William E. Ketchum III. The crew decided to pool its resources to revitalize a once-thriving music scene. The pack was created with the idea that, “talented people driven by similar goals and dreams should work together to use their talents to the benefit of all and make dreams a reality.”

Friday, Feb. 10 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $5, 10 p.m.

Fiddler and cellist bring Scottish/Celtic flair 

Dynamic Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and American cellist Natalie Haas often team up to perform an exciting style of Scottish and Celtic music. On Friday the pair, which has toured across the globe, brings its infectious dancing rhythms and grooves to the Ten Pound Fiddle. In 2001, the California-based duo released “Highlander’s Farewell,” its third collaborative album. Fraser has been releasing fiddle albums since the early 1980s, while also operating Culburine Records and a few fiddle camps. Haas, a graduate of the Juilliard School, privately teaches cello at the Berklee College of Music. Fraser says the two have a dynamic on-stage chemistry. “Natalie Haas unleashes textures and deep, powerful rhythms that drive fiddle tunes,” Fraser said. “We can duck and dive around each other, swap melody and harmonies lines and improvise on each other´s rhythmic riffs. She has such a great sense of exploration and excitement for the music; it´s a joy to play with her.” 

Friday, Feb. 10 @ Ten Pound Fiddle — Unitarian Universalist Church, 855 Grove St., East Lansing. Gate opens at 7 p.m., doors 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m. show. $18 public, $15 Fiddle members, $5 students. www.tenpoundfiddle.org.

Bob Marley Birthday Bash at The Loft

A night of roots reggae happens on Friday at The Loft in celebration of the birthday of Bob Marley, who would have turned 67 this year. Set to perform is One Love, a Detroit-based roots band. Also making some noise is Tone I, a native of Jamaica now living in Detroit. The night will also offer $2 Red Stripes and Jamaican rum drinks.

Friday, Feb. 10 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., $8 advance, $10 at door, 18 and over, Doors 8 p.m.

Un-Valentine´s Show-Creole Gallery

For those who prefer to not fall into the Hallmark trap of Valentine’s Day, perhaps some local music might suffice as a way to celebrate the holiday. The 7th Annual “Un-Valentine´s Show: Songs & Tales of Unforgiveness, Heartbreak, Dysfunction & Revenge” happens Sunday at the Creole Gallery in Old Town. The concert, which sold out last year, features area songwriters Dave Boutette, John Latini and Jamie-Sue Seal — all performing in-the-round. 

The concert provides an evening of laughs, healthy cynicism and fine music. Hilarious songs about heartache and other comedic love-inspired songs can be expected, along with a few tearjerkers: One song tells of a love triangle at a gun-and-knife swap meet, and another ditty is Latini and Seal’s politically incorrect “Stalker Song,” a twisted retake on “Frankie and Johnny.” For more information, visit www.SmokinSleddogRecords.com.

Sunday, Feb. 12 @ The Creole Gallery, 1218 Turner St, Lansing, Doors 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door.

Break-beats, glitch-tweaked electro at Mac´s

The Polish Ambassador, a touring Oakland-based electronic DJ and musician, drops his own unique blend of electro-funked, glitch-tweaked, IDM, wobble-freaked break-beats on Feb. 15. The Ambassador, who performs in his signature neon-colored jumpsuit, builds all of his live sets from a monstrous stash of original drum, bass, synth, and vocal lines. His deep, engaging arrangements draw influence from ‘80s video game music and the bit-mapped pixel art that adorns his disc and jewel case. The Polish Ambassador (real name: David Sugalski) first garnered attention in 2005 after his debut DIY release, “Diplomatic Immunity." From there he signed with 1320 Records to crank out more albums of upbeat electronic dance music with layered melodies. His latest album, “Future, Sex, Computers,” was released last April. Opening the show at Mac’s is local DJ iNoV8.

Tuesday, Feb. 7 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, $13 advance, $15 at door, 18 and over, doors 8 p.m.