I have written here before about my antagonistic relationship with nostalgia and the withering contempt it generates in me. As Spider Jerusalem from Warren Ellis' excellent comic book Transmetropolitan observes, "The future is an inherently good thing." However, with all of the familiar faces and returning musicians in this week's column, I find myself flexing that particular atrophied emotion. So I might as well put it to good use and make a recommendation for you, dear readers. Former Humboldt and newly minted Los Angeles electronic act Fek and the Future Friends of Sound are releasing an EP soon, entitled Friends of Future Past, and I have been lucky enough to enjoy the advance track "Why Speak" on SoundCloud. And now those of you with a reliable internet connection and a working understanding of search engines can enjoy it, too. Because what sort of local music beat writer would I be if I didn't stay on top of the evolutionary paths of local musicians? A lousy one, a real stinker and a fool.

Stay cool and have a funky week.

Thursday

There's a Thanksgiving benefit show tonight at the Outer Space at 7 p.m. Join Smooth Weirdos, Frog and one-man drone act Idyll as they team up to rustle up non-perishable goods for Food For People. Only $5 gets you in the door but $1 is deducted from the cover for every can of food donated. In between, sets will be spun by DJ Dev-Chav and there will be a psychedelic light show provided by Griff O.

Friday

The Westhaven Center for the Arts is having its third Friday of the month jazz night this evening at 7 p.m. The title of tonight's show is "Nicaraguan, Bolivian, and Cuban diaries" and features regular trio RLA backing performances by Don Baraka on sax, flute and bass, as well as a spoken word piece by Doc Stull, who will be speaking about his recent travels to Latin lands (sliding scale $5-$20).

The Miniplex presents a showcase of talent from the local scene as well as returning and touring champions. Tomemitsu/Eagle Scouts are a portmanteau of two rock groups helmed by two friends: Martin Roark from Los Angeles and former Arcata/current Portland power jammer Andrew "Gary" Mart. Joining this binary musical iteration tonight are Humboldt electronic bomp couple Dank Son, D3D helmed by the brothers Valdez and a rumored appearance by Opossum Sun Trail. Be there at 10 p.m. ($5).

Saturday

It's Saturday night and money is often tight, so here are three free to-dos to fill the apotheosis of your weekend nightlife. From north to south: At 9 p.m. at Cher-Ae Heights local Pink Floyd tribute act Money will be ticking away the moments that make up a dull day while you fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way — or any way — that you please. At the same "Time" over in Blue Lake, it's the sixth anniversary of the glorious re-opening of the Logger Bar, which means that it's been six years since I flew the coop from murky New Orleans to return to my foggy Humboldt homeland. Come celebrate the coolest place between North Bank Road and the Mississippi with Kate Martin and company, and music by DJ D-Funk.

Lastly at 11 p.m. at the Alibi, it's Zordon, Zordon, Zordon! — a name so nice that I say it thrice for peak carnival barker's effect. Come check out the futuristic dance party that everyone is talking about in the year 2069.

Sunday

There's metal being forged over at the Siren's Song at 7 p.m. (price TBA). Blackened crust trio Ulthar makes the trip up the coast from Oakland to play a show by a smaller bay. Also on the bill are Rome, Italy's old skool hardcore act NOFU, acoustic black metal band Nan Elmoth and local punk bands Racket and Wet Spot.

Monday

I told myself that I would endeavor to feature new venues in this column and dang it, tonight's the night. The new Savage Henry Comedy Club hosts a fundraiser tonight for the Paradise Fire relief fund. Musician Jeff DeMark and comedians Nando Molina, Josh Barnes, Alec Cole and Dutch Savage converge under the banner of William Toblerone's Bingo Eruption. A $10 bill gets you in the door with a bingo card in hand and the night's entertainment ahead of you.

Tuesday

More than once I have found myself, whether because I am picking up a drunk friend or am in fact inebriated myself, a stranger in the strange land of Eureka, at the Blues Tuesdays night at the Vista Del Mar. Beginning at 7 p.m., you can find a rotating cast of bluesters walking through the 12 bars of that most classic format of American music for free. More often than not members of Legends of the Mind are present, which is always a treat.

Wednesday

Holus Bolus, the one-man band from our neighbor to the north Crescent City, is a fine small-room act. A little bit country, twang, folk and space jams, this mysterious stringer has perfected the art of filling a space with the musical equivalent of a fog machine playing aural bursts of curling ambience. Come find out what I am going on about at The Mad River Brewery tasting room tonight at 6 p.m. There is no cost but you will likely quaff or nosh, personal tastes depending.

Full show listings in the Journal's Music and More grid, the Calendar and online. Bands and promoters, send your gig info, preferably with a high-res photo or two, to [email protected].

Collin Yeo has also been listening to the track "Air Hockey Saloon" by Chris Zabriskie for weeks now and he is just about ready to say that this one here, this one's all right. He lives in Arcata.