It's the 13th annual Humboldt Hills Hoedown at the Mateel Community Center in Redway starting at noon. I was recently chatting with a friend about how money's getting tighter here in Humboldt as our largest industry transitions into the legitimate marketplace. With prices of Humboldt's world famous crop dropping weekly, the amount of money in our local economy is going to shrink and I think we're all going to start feeling this more and more. While many of us have judged our cash-earning neighbors out in the hills, we've never had a problem taking their money at our local stores and dealerships. And although there's a long overdue and natural price realignment occuring, it means that with less money coming into Humboldt, there will be less to go around. I digress, but with that in mind and after some rough financials from the Reggae on the River Festival, the Mateel could use your support today at the hoedown. There will be barbecue, kid-friendly activities and, of course, music courtesy of Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, T Sisters, Miss Lonely Hearts, Wicklow Atwater, April Moore & Ranch Party, Lone Star Junction, Way Out West and Back To The Hill, along with others. If you can cough up the $25 for a ticket, it'll be worth it.

Back up in NoHum, you'll find classic and alternative rock on the bill at the Mad River Brewery Tap Room at 6 p.m. from Firesign, doing its thing for free. If metal's more your taste, head to Siren's Song Tavern in Eureka around 7:30 p.m. to catch Drouth, which is in the death metal vein out of Portland. The band has local support from Muppet Hunter and Death Mode Trippers for this $5 bill. Outer Space in Arcata is hosting a benefit show for Pacific Union Elementary School's Music Department with metal from Arcata's Frequency Shift and hardcore from fellow Arcatans Cross Oceans. I give them credit for being in the metal/hardcore genres and not having band names that immediately tip you off to their sound. The show is all ages and starts at 8 p.m. for only $6. In case you missed Melvin Seals and JGB last night — or if you just had such a damn good time you want to go again — you have another shot tonight at 9:30 p.m. at Hum Brews with a $25 cover charge. Ian of the Alibi tells me Radio Clash is happening tonight at 11 p.m. I believe this to mean that local DJs are spinning tunes from The Clash. Anyway, I hope that's the case. I've never been a big punk fan personally, but I can't deny the power and glory of The Clash. I'd say that they were more than just a punk band but it doesn't actually matter; they were a band and a damn good one (please recall the 19 amazing songs off of the double album London Calling as just one example). With all that said, you'll have Blancatron, Gabe Pressure and Zero One Clashin' it up and for only $2.