On Tuesday, July 16, singer-songwriter Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express will roll through town to perform in the Tiger Room at Welch’s Ale House.

After two previous sold-out shows at The B-Side, it was evident that his next visit would have to be moved to a bigger venue, so The B-Side and Welch’s have paired up for this event.

Prophet first achieved notice in the American psychedelic rock group Green on Red, with whom he toured and recorded in the ’80s. Since then, Prophet has recorded a number of solo albums.

Now he’s backed by The Mission Express, a band featuring his wife Stephanie Finch. The all-ages show will cost $17 in advance and $20 day of. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.com.

HOnky-tonk Blues at Neat Neat Neat

If honky-tonk and blues is your thing, you’ll want to make your way to Neat Neat Neat Records on Saturday, July 27, to catch Lulu and the Black Sheep. Always on tour coast to coast, this duo performs a style of old blues, honky-tonk, and alt-country.

Lulu has a powerhouse voice that’s beautifully gritty and commanding. To accompany her guitar and mandolin picking, her husband Allen Wayne Nichols keeps time with stomping, boom-chick foot drums and overlays the strong rhythms with infectious guitar solos.

Joining in the fun that evening will be Buffalo Nichols and local favs Allie & Ayers. Showtime is 7 p.m.

Countdown to a Rush Tribute

Some local musicians are making sure the music of acclaimed prog-rock band Rush stays in the limelight.

Bassist and lead vocalist John Reuille, guitarist Eric Bair, and drummer Jeff Skiver have formed a Rush tribute band called Kid Gloves. The name comes from a tune on Rush’s 1984 release Grace Under Pressure.

Reuille and Skiver have previously worked in a Rush tribute, so this should come naturally. Add the guitar wizardry of Bair and you get a force to be reckoned with.

So far the trio has a few rehearsals under their belts with hopes of booking live shows soon. Until then, you can get a dose of their rehearsals on their Facebook page.

Rock for MDA

Columbia City will have no shortage of rock on Saturday, July 27, when a number of heavy hitters perform at Hessfest. This all-day fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will take place at 5686 E. Smith St. and will feature food, games, raffles, and lots of live music.

Set to perform are AFU, Calypso, Swish, The Wait, The Illegals, The Kickbacks, Six Feet to Salvation, Plumdingo, Jeff Colin, Soda, and One Car Garageband.

There is plenty to satisfy all musical tastes. Hessfest is an all-ages event with proceeds donated to the MDA.

Out and About covers Northeast Indiana’s most interesting music and arts events. Send your announcements to info@whatzup.com.