Fri. June 27 -- A whirler on the viola and an original ear for 21st-century L.A. aesthetics: Miguel Atwood-Ferguson leads an octet. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $15; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Fri. June 27 -- For entertaining instro-aggro with lap steel, you can't beat Paul Lacques and the surfin' dangerbirds Double Naught Spy Car (10pm), with Rough Church (11pm). In the bar of Taix Restaurant, 1911 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake 90026; 10:30pm; free; www.taixfrench.com.
Sat. June 28 -- LaMonte Young pal Charles Curtis abuses his cello whilst realizing modern compositions by Eliane Radigue and Alvin Lucier. A SASSAS presentation at Kings Road Park Pavilion, 1000 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood 90069; 5pm; $15; www.sassas.org.
Sun. June 29 -- L.A. Weekly jazz observer Sean J. O'Connell celebrates the publication of his Central Avenue book in the fine company of the grooving, brain-cracking electro-Milezatons of The Daniel Rosenboom Quintet. At the Blue Whale on the third level of Weller Court Plaza, south of East First Street between South Los Angeles Street and South San Pedro Street, Little Tokyo 90012; 9pm-midnight; $15; parking $5 underneath off Second Street at the sign of the P in a circle; (213) 620-0908; www.bluewhalemusic.com.
Thurs. July 3 -- The greatest showoff in a fraternity of guitar showoffs, Swedish classical-metal inventor Yngwie Malmsteen flashes the fingers. With surf technician Gary Hoey and GNR/Tony Harnell do-it-all Bumblefoot. At the Saban Theater, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills 90211; 9pm; $39-$75; www.ticketmaster.com.
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Read Don Heckman’s jazz picks here and MoshKing's metal listings here. Read John Payne's plutonic Bluefat.com here.