Sound check: SNÜZFEST, Johnny Cash (sort of) and new Nora Marks
PJ party
The Guardrail gang is picking out their jammies for their annual pop-punk pajama party and benefit concert, SNÜZFEST. Devon Kay & the Solutions top the bill for the Beat Kitchen show, which also features Gold Steps, Hot Alice, Definitely Maybe, Four Stars, Calico Plaid and The Heads Up. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Hope For Us Network, a Chicago-based organization addressing and mitigating risk factors for mental health crises in our communities.
6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $15. beatkitchen.com.
Dance to McClendon
Keep the romantic holiday going as you catch an evening of sweet tunes when Chicago’s “Soulkeeper” Gerald McClendon hosts a Valentine’s Dance Party at The Venue. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora. $20-$25. themusicvenue.org/.
Johnny Cash tunes
With a live band, state-of-the-art projection tech and narration by his son John Carter Cash, relive the performances of late country rocker Johnny Cash in “Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience” at the Genesee Theatre. The Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins and June Carter Cash will also contribute live vocals to the multimedia spectacle. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $35-$59. geneseetheatre.com.
New Nora Marks
Chicago punk band Nora Marks marks the recent release of its latest EP, a three-song collection including the new single “Too True to Be Good,” with a free show at Schubas with The Flips and Dwells. 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Free. lh-st.com/.
• Brian Shamie is the Design Editor at the Daily Herald.