Rad Rich's Birthday Back 2 School Radical Bash

DJ, promoter and Hands Up Houston regular Rad Rich is a walking encyclopedia of local scene lore, so much so that we're thinking about giving him his own "Ask Rad Rich" column on our music blog Rocks Off. (Stay tuned, and call us, Rich.) If you need an idea of how well-connected he is, just take a gander at the lineup for Rich's annual Birthday Back 2 School Radical Bash, which bounces back and forth between Mango's and Avant Garden all Saturday afternoon and evening. Stepping up are reunited local roots-rock bad boys J.W. Americana, one of Vietnamese-lady duo the Pretty Turtles' first Houston performances, Austin's Oklahomos and the Bad Ones, plus locals like American Sharks, Dollyrockers, Luxurious Panthers, Mic Skills, Fired for Walking, Zipperneck and lots more. The party is free, but donations are requested for Music Therapy of Houston (www.musictherapycenter.org).