*Tickets are going on sale Wednesday morning for CHRIS ISAAK at Mohegan Sun Arena. Isaak and band, who put on a terrific show – which I can say having seen and enjoyed a show of theirs – will be in Uncasville on Thursday, July 10. Seats for that show are $38.50 and $49.50, with tickets available through the Foxwoods box office (800-200-2882).

*On sale now are the tickets for a Tuesday, July 8, co-headlining event by DREAM THEATER and QUEENSRYCHE at the Oakdale in Wallingford. Those tickets are $39 and $45 and available through the theater’s box office, either in person or by calling 203-265-1501, or through tickets.com either online, by calling them at 888-332-5600, or at a Strawberries Records & Music store.

*Fans of tHrOnE may want to head out to South Windsor High School this weekend, where the band has a show scheduled Saturday night. According to band publicist and promoter Rick Clair, “the younger crowd … is their target market, and the band is a big fan of playing where it makes sense for their fans.” The shoreline-based band played a benefit last month at New Britain Middle School to help raise funds for a skate park, so school-based shows are nothing new for these three guys.

Tickets for tomorrow night’s show are just $7, the show is of course an all-ages shindig, and your best bet is to just show up at the door for tickets. The school is at 161 Nevers Road in South Windsor. The school’s website offers directions (www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/HighSchool/index.shtml).

*JOHN HIATT is touring this summer to support the release of Beneath This Gruff Exterior, his first release on New West Records, the record company he signed on with in February. While the album was done with The Goners backing him, the summer tour is an alternating list of shows with and without the backing band.

When Hiatt reaches The Lincoln Theatre at the University of Hartford next weekend, he’ll be playing one of his solo shows. Recent reviews of his shows have been very positive, whether he’s with or without The Goners.

Tickets are still available for the West Hartford gig, available through the theater’s box office; call 860-768-4228 to order. Prices are $28.50 for side sections, $33.50 for the center sections, and $38.50 for “stage seating.” Tickets are still available but know that the theater only seats 716 people, so I wouldn’t wait too much longer if you’re thinking about this show.

*BEN FOLDS will be returning to Connecticut on July 4. He has a show scheduled at Toad’s Place in New Haven, an all ages event. Tickets are $28.50 in advance or $30 at the door; use your favorite TicketMaster contact (phone, online or in-store vendor) to purchase tickets or call the Toad’s box office, 203-562-5589.

*BAD MEDICINE, “the world’s #1 BON JOVI tribute band,” will get its Tuxedo Junction debut next weekend. Unfortunately for me it’s the same night at the John Hiatt show so I probably won’t get to see these guys this time around. I love Bon Jovi. The Danbury show is set for Saturday, May 31. The club is offering free admission until 10 pm.

This show replaces a previously-announced one by THE GYST.

*Local acoustic trio OFF THE HOOK has released its CD, which I imagine will be available primarily through live shows. The guys will be in Massachusetts tonight (May 23), but then have 5½ weekends of local shows, starting with tomorrow at The Blue Heron Café in Brookfield (439 Candlewood Lake Road; telephone 775-3662), and then again on May 30 at The Blue Heron; May 31 at Redding Roadhouse, June 6 at Cheffield’s in Newtown, June 7 at The Blue Heron, June 13 at The Rathskeller in Southbury, June 14 at 707 On Main in Monroe, June 20 at Carl Anthony’s in Monroe, June 21 at Topside in Milford, June 27 at Proud Mary’s in Newtown, and June 28 at The Blue Heron.

Until next week I’ll be seeing you… on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141.

Shows listed at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

MAY 23 — The MacVitties at Proud Mary’s, Newtown; Peter Obre and Alan Johnson at Gail’s Station House, Ridgefield; Center Stage at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Vince Welnick & Gent Treadly at The Webster Theatre, Hartford, Dreamswell, Blind Ambition, Blank Stare and Midnight Jamboree opening (all ages); The Mugshot Militia at Toad’s Place, New Haven, Hedcase, Side Effect, Man of Velocity and Lesson opening (all ages);

May 24 — Charisma at Jim Barbarie’s, Danbury; tHrOnE at South Windsor High School (all ages); Off The Hook at The Blue Heron, Brookfield; Screaming Broccoli at Tuxedo Junction;

May 25 — Cher at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; Memorial Weekend Funkfest at Toad’s Place featuring Rearview, Bunji, Electric Mayhem and Canine Smyrk (all ages); Rooney and Feeder at The Webster Theatre, AM Radio, Another Day Wasted and Doublething opening (all ages); Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen at Towne Crier Café, Pawling, NY;

May 27 — Dashboard Confessional at The Webster Theatre;

May 28 — Lucinda Williams at Toad’s Place; 2 Skinnee J’s at Tuxedo Junction, Silent Groove opening (all ages); Third Eye Blind at The Webster Theatre;

May 29 — SPAD Management Showcase at Toad’s Place featuring Elements of Motion, Beeners Revenge, Nitro Nine and The FGB (all ages);

May 30 — Off The Hook at The Blue Heron; Dick Dale at Toad’s Place, The Swaggerts, The Vultures and 9th Wave opening (all ages); Center Stage at Tuxedo Junction; Eric Sardinas at Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues Café, Hartford; Richard Marx at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville;

May 31 — John Hiatt at UHartford’s Lincoln Theatre, Hartford; Off The Hook at Redding Roadhouse; Bad Medicine at Tuxedo Junction; Sol Dog at The Corner Pocket, Orange; Richard Marx at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Psychedelic Breakfast at The Webster Theatre, RAQ, Turn It Up and Bunji opening.