Before you make plans this weekend, read the bio at Bob Grimm's website. This guitarist/arranger/teacher has lived a rock 'n' roll story and survived to tell it, from being discovered by the Four Seasons in New York in the late sixties to solo stardom in London a decade later. He leaves his Phoenicia studio for a full weekend at Gathers in the Holiday Inn, with guest artist Journey Blue Heaven—of eponymous fame and Monica's Kneepads—who's no slouch either. No cover. Kingston, NY. (845) 338-0400. www.bobgrimm.net.

Taylor, back at the Towne Crier, is in the Who's Who of rock for penning classics like "Wild Thing," "Angel of the Morning," and the Janis pearl "Try." His discography is equally thick, including duets with Lucinda Williams, hits for Bonnie Raitt, and a solo collection of his own tunes, Hit Man (Gadfly Records). Taylor met violinist Rodriquez, a prodigy at 10, in her native Austin during the South-by-Southwest conference and recalled, "She had this certain magic onstage." $20/$17.50. Pawling, NY. (845) 855-1300. www.townecrier.com.

Next stop Sturgis, South Dakota as Dee Snider and crew tour their way toward the nation's largest bike fest. Meanwhile, the Chance leaps down Main Street into the Mid-Hudson Civic Center to host this hard-rock fiesta, starring Twisted Sister, WASP, LA Guns, Stephen Pearcy of RATT, and more.Go to www.twistedsister.com to help former soundman Charlie Barecca raise money for a life-saving operation. (Rob Zombie appears at the Chance Monday, July 18.) $35. Poughkeepsie, NY. (845) 471-1966. www.thechancetheater.com.

Ms. McGovern joins the elite circle of performers (like Robert Goulet and Melissa Manchester) who've mastered stage and screen and show no sign of stopping. This year the Belleayre Music Fest boasts another ambitious schedule, but Ms. McGovern is bound to be a show-stopper. Currently on Broadway in "Little Women, The Musical," this diva has hit every note from "There's Got to Be a Morning After" to a recent album of Harold Arlen songs. (Get yer blues on July 9 when Ruth Brown and Roomful of Blues tear it up together.) $55/$40. Highmount, NY. www.belleayremusic.org.

The big-band sound is still around and Dutchess County has it at two historic locales. Switch-in-Time (named after a Count Basie classic) boasts 25 musicians on the bandstand and a repertoire from Artie Shaw to Zoot Sims. The wax is applied by velvet-voiced Mark Raisch, a true treasure who looks and sings the part. For these most "de-lovely" shows, start Sunday at Locust Grove (2pm,) and Friday slide up Route 9 to the grand Mills Mansion. Both shows free. Poughkeepsie/Staatsburg. (845)471-9548. www.marksings.com .

Tute and Irene Chigamba, father and daughter of the internationally known Chigamba family and founders of Mhembero Dance Troupe of Zimbabwe, return to our shores for the first time in six years. Both are masters of the Shona mbira, or metal-keyed thumb piano. They are joined by Ronnie Daliyo and Julia Chigamba, principal dancers and musicians in Mhembero Dance Troupe. Striving to preserve and promote their cultural identity, Mhembero performances weave an intoxicating mixture of traditional music and dance on consecutive nights at the Rosendale Cafe and Time & Space Limited. $10/$12.50,$7.50. Rosendale, NY/ Hudson, NY. (845) 658-9048, (518)822-8448. www.ashokaedu.net/mbira/chigambas.htm.