Local is the best place to be this weekend. On Thursday 7/16 bring a lawn chair and check out Dennis Brennan presented in Elm Park by the Park Spirit’s Elm Park Concert Series. Lisa Marie and All Shook Up gets the crowd going at Nick’s Bar and Restaurant, and Duncan Arsenault hosts local music on the Dive Bar patio. Sunlea is at Blackstone Tap. It’s Metal Thursday at Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner with Darkwor, Cursed for Eternity, Ov Dusy, and Vaettir. And the night wraps up with The Flock of Assholes, Dental Plan, and The Gallery at the Lucky Dog Music Hall.

On Friday 7/17 the night starts out at the Peanut Butter & Jam in the Park at the Asa Waters Mansion in Millbury with the Celtic sounds of Pendragon. For a little Mardi Gras in July Jazz at Sunset at the EcoTarium presents Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas. Brendan Mahoney is playing at Greendale’s Pub, Barefoot Bob and the Monkeyfish are at Club KasBar, and Niki Luparelli, Dan Burke, and The Speakeasy Combo keep things snazzy at Nick’s Bar and Restaurant. There’s memorable live music at the Fiddler’s Green Pub & Restaurant with the legendary Celtic performers Jug O’ Punch. Then, to finish off the night, Ralph’s gets funky with Ralphs Funky Fridays featuring the Chicken Slacks, Messin’ with the Blues is at Gilrein’s, and Pianist Bobby Gadoury slams out some Great American Songbook tunes at Nick’s Bar and Restaurant.

Saturday 7/18 brings out the The Red Riders at Sahara Cafe & Restaurant. The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra Summer Family Concert presents Broadway and classical music with viola soloist Gilad Karni outside at Institute Park. Dana Lewis Live plays hits from the 60’s to the 80’s at Applebee’s Restaurant on Park Ave. It’s Latin Night with DJ Lalo & Chocolate at the Cantina Bar & Grill, Intermission plays at The Nines Neighborhood Bar. Rose Colored Glasses can be seen down at the Emerald Isle, Uncle Billy’s Smokehouse is playing at Greendale’s Pub, and The Jimmy Mack Blues Band will be at Gilrein’s. Ill Conceived and 16 Stitches rocks out the Lucky Dog Music Hall, and the always popular Summer Slaughter Tour is in town, bringing Necrophagist, Ensifirum, Darkest Hour, Winds of Plague, Dying Fetus, Born of Osiris, Origin, Beneath the Massacre, After the Burial, Decrepit Birth, and Blackguard to The Palladium. Be sure not to miss more than a minute of the local music opportunities this week, and rock on!