Recommended Music: Black Joe Lewis, Ground Zero Texas II, Acknowledge Me DIY Fest, Jose Feliciano, Bun B, David Banner, South Austin Jug Band

THURSDAY

• Black Joe Lewis at the Continental Club. It's hard not to recommend Black Joe Lewis even if you've already seen him a number of times. His blues/funk combination gets sharper with every show and, really, who doesn't like a band frequently dressed as Star Trek characters? With Leatherbag. 10 p.m. $10. 1315 S. Congress Ave. 441-2444. - Joe Gross

Also recommended: Chartreuse at the Parlor; Electric Touch at Stubb's; Wilderness at Emo's; Balmorhea, Silent Land Time Machine at the Parish.

FRIDAY

• Ground Zero Texas II at Beerland. An absolute blast for anyone who loves noisy rock caked in feedback and garage punk of a smart yet primitive stripe. Ground Zero Texas, curated by Beerland booker/doorman Max Dropout, contains yet another stellar lineup. Friday night is headlined by French noise rockers A.H. Kraken, with sets from the Terrible Twos, the Unholy Two and more. Sunday, check out sets from garage punks the Barbaras, Thomas Function, the Wax Museums and more. Special day shows and a secret Saturday night night show somewhere other than Beerland are a distinct possibility. It's pure stomp for now people. Man, I love Ground Zero. No advance tickets. 8 p.m. 711 Red River St. 479-7625. - J.G.

• Also recommended: J.D. Souther at Cactus Café; Anthony Hamilton at Austin Music Hall; Arc Angels, Gary Clark Jr. at Antone's (also Saturday); GWAR at La Zona Rosa; Kat Edmonson Jazz Quintet at Elephant Room; Wood Brothers at Stubb's.

SATURDAY

• Acknowledge Me DIY Fest at Mohawk. This event brings together Austin's crafters, artists, social justice groups and bands. Check out zines, vegan food and bands including the Golden Boys, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth, Pataphysics and more. This is also a clothing and consumables drive for Austin's homeless population. House the Homeless has requested beanies (aka watch caps or 'that hat Ian MacKaye wears') and gloves; the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless requests toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo). Frankly, it would be nice to see this sort of homeless benefit show every month - people don't just need toiletries during the holidays. 8 p.m. Cover is $6, $5 with donation. 912 Red River St. 482-8404. - J.G.

• Also recommended: Asylum Street Spankers, Guy Forsyth at Cactus Café; Chicano Soul Revue with Sunny Ozuna at the Continental; Holly Golightly and the Broke-Offs at Emo's; Belleville Outfit at Saxon Pub; Brujeria at Red 7; Danny Malone CD release party at Club DeVille; Masonic at Hole In the Wall.

SUNDAY

• Jose Feliciano at One World Theatre. He's 63 now, at the tail end of a fascinating career that's included stints on the pop charts, respect as a stellar guitarist and a nuanced singer and generally being one of the most famous Puerto Rican musicians in the world. His rendition of 'Feliz Navidad' is the standard, one of the most-played Christmas songs in the world. His most recent album is 'Soundtrax of My Life,' the first English-language album he's even composed and written. Sets are at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25, $50 and $65. 7701 Bee Cave Road. 329-6753. - J.G.

• Also recommended: Bells of Joy gospel brunch at Stubb's; Kristeen Young at Emo's; Seven Black Tornados CD release at Room 710; Fat Man & Little Boy: The Atomic Duo at the Hole in the Wall.

MONDAY

• 'Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains.' Diane Lane and Laura Dern as teenage punk rockers - what more do you need to know? Honestly, it's not one of the world's great (or even near-great) movies, but it is a blast. Lane and Dern are straight-up proto-riot grrrls, ready to take on a phallocentric record industry with the power of rock. Features performances from the Looters, Black Randy & the Metrosquad and more. It's rare to see this thing in 35 mm. 9:45 p.m. $2. 320 E. Sixth St. 476-1320. - J.G.

• Also recommended: Brownout!, the Steps at the Parish; Freedy Johnston at Saxon Pub; Dale Watson at Continental Club; Dan Dyer at Momo's; Rock Cover Band Night at the Hole in the Wall; Brandon Rhyder at Cheatham Street Warehouse.

TUESDAY

• Bun B, David Banner, Z-Ro at Austin Music Hall. Three of the most thrilling rappers in the South. Bun B's time with UGK has made him king of Texas hip-hop. Mississippi's David Banner is a killer live act, bounding around the stage, selling every bar. Houston rapper Z-Ro seems more popular here than in his hometown - 'Crack,' his most recent album, has been a top 10 fixture for months at hip-hop retail mecca Musicmania. 8 p.m. $30 advance, $150 reserved VIP advance. $33 door, $200 reserved VIP door. 208 Nueces St. 263-4146. - J.G.

Also recommended: Fishbone at Emo's; Uglysuit at the Mohawk; Michael Martin Murphey at One World; Eugene Chadbourne with Ernie Durawa at Salvage Vanguard Theater.

WEDNESDAY

• South Austin Jug Band at Momo's. James Hyland and the fiddle campers are on a career upswing, getting much-needed rain on their parched fields from KGSR (which is trying to make up for not playing 'Ghost'). Their album 'Strange Invitation' was, apparently, the right zig-zag, with less roots music and more atmospheric songwriting. Fingerpistol and Colin Gilmore play earlier. 10 p.m. 618 W. Sixth St. 479-8848. - Michael Corcoran

Also recommended: Scott Miller & Mike McClure at the Cactus; Dub Trio at Red 7; Paula Nelson, Waylon Payne at Saxon Pub.