Fri. March 12

 It could be argued that with the Velvet Underground (in photo) having spawned an army of VU-influenced punk and post-punk bands, the last thing we need is an official tribute to Lou Reed, John Cale and company. (That company once included the late Nico, someone I interviewed several times and got to really like. And, hey, I've been fortunate enough to spend some quality time - as a critic and interviewer - with Reed and Cale, too. No complaints.) But the VU are long gone, and the music is still high on everyone's playlist so the urge to put together a tribute show is hard to resist. Tonight, Friday March 12 Asa Brebner, Kenne Highalnd, Natalie Flanagan, Charlie Leger, Robzilla and Count Dude & His High Horse are playing the Center for the Arts at the Armory in Somerville at 7:30. It's in their 52-seat Armory Cafe. There's film, too. We have no idea how this will turn out but if you've loved "Pale Blues Eyes," "I'll Be Your Mirror,"  "Sweet Jane," "Heroin," "Beginning to See the Light," "Ocean" and others it's well worth the gamble. These are quality musicians on the bill and it's likely to be a sterling show. It's called "An Evening of Velvet Undeground Music and Film." Tickets: $8.

191 Highland Ave., Somerville, 617-718-2191 www.artsatthearmory.org

Sat. March 6

It's Ladies Night at the Lizard Lounge Saturday March 6. How so? No, it's not like ladies drink free - like in Texas or states that didn't have drinking foe Michael Dukakis governing them for a while - but it's a night where the girls take over the stage and try to inhabit their role models. They're not exactly picking some easy acts to cover. Andrea Gillis (in photo) is tackling Tina Turner. Jordan Valentine is stepping into Janis Joplin's shoes (and drinking her booze?) A band called the Brilldoes - nice one, gals! - is singing the songs sung by the girl groups that sang songs produced by the Brill Building factory. That is, songs by Neils Sedaka and Diamond, and combos like Leiber-Stoller and Goffin-King. Expect "Calendar Girl," "The Loco-motion," "River Deep, Mountain High" - well, maybe Gillis sings that one.) Jillian Santella will be singing about those '80s girls who just wanna have fun - as Cyndi Lauper did. (We're guessing she won't mess it up and slow it down to a dirge as Lauper has done in latter years, taking the "fun" out of the song.) And representing the country end of things is Jenne Halstead as Emmylou Harris.

Now, all this is good, very good, but being a product, somewhat of the punk rock culture, we're looking forward to the So-So's, which you just know is a variant of the Go-Go's. If you never heard 'em in their early raw days, let me mention that the Go-Go's were a punk band and a good one. If you can hear a copy of the orignal (pre-slicked up) "We Got the Beat," you'll be stunned at its Ramone-esque lack of polish, its piss 'n' vinegar. There was a time, too, when Belinda Carlisle wasn't a snotty Republican pop star. Playgin the Go-Go's' songs are Anngelle Wood, Ashley Willard, Beth Holub, Hilary Hughes, Kerri-Ann Richard, and Veronica Dale.
This is part of the Cover-Up series, hosted by Brendan Boogie and created by Mr. Boogie and Andrea Kremer. The idea is to get Boston artists out of their own skins for a night and inhabit those of some of their earlier pleasures, guilty or not.

The show starts at 9 and costs $10 advance, $12 at the door.

1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-0759 www.lizardloungeclub.com

 Fri. March 5 & Sat. March 6

 “I wake up in the middle of the night and the reality of what happens hits me,” says BeatleJuice drummer Muzz. Of course, he’s talking about the suicide of singer Brad Delp – “my closest friend, my son’s godfather.” Over the years, Beatlejuice “has grown into a family. This just seems so unreal, too stunning. It’s such a shock. None of us saw this coming.” Muzz says he found solace among friends, but as a musician he was also going stir-crazy. What could he do? Well, carry on, of course. Pamela Sullivan, Brad's fiancee, said she knows he wouldn't have wanted Beatlejuice to go down with him. And, so, even though the most famous member and frontman is gone, BeatleJuice goes forward. They've had five singers filling Delp's role and it, when we saw 'em on a summer cruise, we felt, if we may, fine. (Given the circumstances.) BeatleJuice has again set up shop in the Somerville club that was their mainstay during Delp's life, Johnny D's Friday March 5 and Saturday March 6. 

And, so, even though the most famous member and frontman is gone, BeatleJuice goes forward.

 ongoing

Nuance. Let’s hear it for nuance. Let’s hear if for multiple layers, a story that weaves themes, that gives us characters that aren’t altogether wonderful or evil. Hey, isn’t it nice to go out to a movie and not to be banged over the head, preached to or patronized? To be treated as, well, adults. "Up in the Air," with George Clooney as the lead and Jason Reitman in the director’s chair, is that success story. Clooney is Ryan Bingham, whose job it is to go around the country, from workplace to workplace, giving the euphemistic news to once-valued employees that their services are no longer needed. Part of the game, as is explained, is not to use the word "fired." It’s all about opportunity! Yes, you’re doing the dirty job the company doesn’t want to do itself, giving that 57-year-old guy a chance to be set free and build his own empire!

Thurs. March 4

 His dad made a tribute album to one of his musical heroes, country outlaw and sad-song master, the late Townes Van Zandt. He got honored by getting "Townes" as his middle name. He is Justin Townes Earle, offspring of Steve and he's releasing his second disc "Midnight at the Movies," in early March and playing Great Scott Thursday March 4, with Joe Pug opening. How much is Justin a chip off the old block? In "Mama's Eyes" he sings of having his mama's eyes, but "I am my father's son/Never known when to shut up/I ain't foolin' no one/I am my father's son." Next verse: "We don't see eye to eye/I'll be first to admit I never tried/It sure hurts, it hurts sometimes/But we don't see eye to eye." And then,"I went down the same road as my old man/I was younger then." Yes, this Earle, 28, sounds wise beyond his years. (He couldn't have followed his dad's path two much or otherwise there'd be more drugs, jail, recovery, guns and the rest.)