Kevin Bronson on May 20th, 2010

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[Items for your calendar …]

And now for something a little bit different: An event called End Times Opry goes off Friday night at the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock, and while the press release promises something “off-centered and rowdy,” it will be, at the very least, diverse. It’s a mélange of music, comedy, poetry and spoken word featuring artists with some pretty impressive resumes – including Old 97’s bassist Murry Hammond [pictured]. Musically, the evening – hosted by “Last Comic Standing” finalist Rebecca Corry – leans toward folk and roots, including Alexa Woodward, locals Hi Ho Silver Oh and Hunter Paye, plus poets including Charles Harper Webb and spoken word from Street Poets Inc.

‣ Our blogger-in-arms When You Awake has assembled a mighty impressive lineup for its Tribute to the Beach Boys: A Backyard Benefit in Support of the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. The charity, of course, helps musicians with their medical bills. The event – Saturday, June 19, at Historical Marker 157 in Los Angeles – features Victoria Williams, the Chapin Sisters, Leslie Stevens of Leslie & the Badgers, Joel Jerome of Dios, Whispertown 2000, Red Cortez, the Tyde and the Parson Red Heads, among others, as well as between-sets comedy.

‣ You’ve probably read about DJ Kutmah’s plight. The artist born Justin McNulty, who came to the U.S. with his parents when he was a boy, faces deportation after being detained by immigration authorities, and the L.A. artistic community has ralled to his aid. Now there will be a Free Kutmah benefit show at the Echoplex on June 3 featuring Dam-Funk, Daedelus, the Gaslamp Killer, Samiyam and more. (And “special guests”? Hmm.)