It’s hard for us to capture the magic of Pickathon through mere taps on a keyboard, but heck if we don’t keep trying (here and here, for starters…). It’s officially our favorite week of the summer, as the charming wooded festival kicks off this Thursday on Pendarvis Farm just outside of Portland. The good news is that there are still some tickets left waiting to be grabbed (and seats to a few of the wonderful Curation Series meals, too!). As always, the lineup has our interest majorly piqued, and we can’t wait to see what discoveries we make this year under those soothing canopies and enchanted twinkly lights.

Some other music news to get on your radar stat:

Ganstagrass (presented by Nectar and Abbey Arts) fills the welcoming space of Fremont Abbey on Friday, August 9.

If you’re up for another reason to road trip south, Beloved Festival—which “explores sacred music from around the world”—takes place near Tidewater, Oregon, from August 9 through 12. The fest also features interactive art installations, live painting, local organic cuisine and educational programming like workshops on yoga and eco-ethics.

In support of its recently debuted, 10-song LP, NOLA indie-folk band Motel Radio plays with Summer Salt at Neumos on August 10.

At Zoo Tunes—a beloved summer tradition here—Feist and Rhye give Seattleites a reason to pack up picnic spreads and head outside for wonderful music on Sunday, August 11. Then, on August 15, Marc Cohn and the Blind Boys of Alabama, brighten the evening at Woodland Park Zoo, too. The talents are touring in support of a joint album together, Work To Do, out August 9 via BMG.

Here’s a bit of background to get you pumped for this anticipated show, which is a co-bill with the Taj Mahal Quartet.: After winning a Grammy for his soulful ballad “Walking In Memphis,” Marc Cohn solidified his place as one of this generation’s most compelling singer-songwriters. The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized world-wide as living legends of gospel music. With five Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award, they are known for crossing multiple musical boundaries since their career first took off in the 1940s. Cohn and the Blind Boys have been quietly collaborating live in concert over the past year, and now [their] full-length album brings their meaningful partnership full circle.

Every other Thursday (through August 29), downtown’s Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails at Motif Seattle hosts a Rooftop Summer Concert Series that coincides with an extended happy hour.
The Salmonberries – Thursday, August 1, 6:00 – 9:00pm
The Flavr Blue – Thursday, August 15, 6:00 – 9:00pm
The Fame Riot – Thursday, August 29, 6:00 – 9:00pm

On August 23, Jesse Dayton—singer, songwriter, guitarist and filmmaker—performs with The Blasters at one of favorite local venues, Tractor Tavern. He then plays on August 24 at the Spanish Ballroom in Tacoma before headlining his own show back in Seattle at Slim’s Last Chance (on August 25). This talent has worked with everyone from Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson to Rob Zombie—and is touring in support of a new album, out on August 9.

Seattle Theatre Group and Sasquatch! Festival Founder Adam Zacks have announced the full schedule for THING, the new two-day, multidisciplinary event coming to Port Townsend’s Fort Worden on Saturday, August 24, and Sunday, August 25.

Looking ahead a bit, we’re so excited that on Friday, September 13, The Showbox welcomes the uber-talented, sister band Joseph (with Deep Sea Diver). Here’s what the website says about their latest album: “The sophomore effort from Oregon-bred trio Joseph, Good Luck, Kid, is a road movie in album form, an odyssey at turns emotional, existential and entirely literal. With their intimate storytelling and restless intensity, Natalie Schepman and her sisters Allison and Meegan Closner detail that journey in songs that careen and sprawl and often soar, ultimately spinning a narrative of life-changing transformation.”

And on October 4, another one of our all-time favorites—Daniel Norgren—comes to The Neptune Theatre. Believe us when we say you won’t want to miss out.

On one final note, consider watching this powerful video for “Fearless Girl,” in which Maiah Wynne collaborates with Portland Cello Project and Rush’s Alex Lifeson. In the process, by streaming and downloading this song, help support Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. (10% of all streaming and digital sales go toward stopping violence against native women.)