The local live music menu this weekend serves up some tasty classic rock with a spicy melange of jazz, funk and soul on the side. More

Musicians from Tampa, St. Pete, Sarasota and Orlando seem to be discovering new audiences in Lakeland. Or maybe it’s that the people who book shows at local venues are looking to neighboring cities for acts we don’t hear too often. Either way, here’s a look at some of the bands and solo artists coming here this weekend from nearby locales, followed by our updated music calendar: More

Paul Lewis Hughes, who influenced at least two generations of actors in Lakeland as the multi-decade artistic director of Pied Piper Players/Lakeland Community Theatre and through 32 years as a teacher, died Saturday night at age 63. More

For indie and alternative music fans, Friday offers some tough decisions: More

It would be an understatement to say that Peelander-Yellow attracts attention. A headline in the Japan Times May 30 declared: “Peelander-Yellow makes a triumphant homecoming from outer space.” Now the punk rocker with an action-comic-book persona is kicking off his Yellow Nite Fever tour (and local art exhibition) Saturday at LkldLive in his only Florida stop. Art exhibition reception is 5 to 7; music starts at 8. Admission: a pay-what-you-want donation to the non-profit LkldLive.

Also coming to Lakeland this weekend — but only from Atlanta, not from outer space: Indie rockers Gringo Star debut their new album “Controlled Burn (Live in Atlanta)” at Hillcrest Coffee tonight at 7. A hometown critic praised the band’s “magic mix of garage rock grit and sunny pop haze.”

Keep scrolling for our updated live music calendar: More

Dixieland is becoming a music hub. Among this weekend’s music highlights: Hillcrest Coffee is hosting an acoustic showcase tonight featuring Luke Gard, Roses From Bones, and Tyler David. Union Hall founder Dan Signor is ringing in his birthday on Friday with a bash including food trucks, drinks, and live music from the jazz, funk, soul fusion band Leisure Chief from Orlando. Union Hall is also hosting a Summer of ’69 event Saturday in support of local charities Play It Forward Polk and Kiwanis Treehouse for Kids with auctions, raffles, and live music from Reverend Billy C. Wirtz, The Sofa Kings, and Jacksonville funk rock band Side Hustle. Stop in next door at The Pink Piano to catch Sarasotan Lesa Silvermore and her folk, indie pop set around the same time. Here’s our updated music calendar: More

The Poor Porker is alive and well again with a slew of upcoming shows. They’re kicking this weekend off with a free show from Warren McCullough, covering classics from the ’60s to the ’90s, this Friday and Bela Pierce, a well-executed, pop tour-de-force, on Saturday. Hillcrest Coffee will be hosting the timeless and soulful Lady Moonbeam and the downtempo, dark-wave electronica of Mirroribis on Friday. LkldLive has a stacked show of indie rockers Glass House Point, Pathos, Pathos (Orlando), Jenny Dee, and Fight Milk. Last but not least, Passerine will be performing Saturday night at Swan Brewing with their sincerely charming storytelling and Americana folk music. Keep scrolling for our updated music calendar: More