*I haven’t heard anything about a change in plans for TRACE ADKINS's tour, so I believe tickets will still be going on sale Saturday morning for the country singer's September 4 show at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Adkins, you may have heard by now, lost his Brentwood, Tenn., home last weekend following a fire. The three Adkins kids and their nanny were able to get out of the house safely, and wife Rhonda, who had been reportedly running errands when the fire broke out, is also safe. Adkins was on the road, touring, but reportedly changed his plans and flew home as soon as he was notified of the disaster.

Tickets for the Connecticut show are $45, and will be available through TicketMaster beginning at 10 am June 11. Visit www.TicketMaster.com, call 800-745-3000 or visit any TicketMaster vendor for these. They will also be available at the casino’s box office beginning Sunday morning if they haven't sold out by then.

Kellie Pickler will be opening the show.

*A reminder this week that WIPED OUT, the ongoing project that includes local young musicians coordinated by Newtown musician Joe Proc, will be performing this weekend at My Place Restaurant, on Queen Street. The show is scheduled for Sunday, June 12, and will run from 3 to 7 pm. There is no charge to attend, and My Place has a full menu available (not to mention Mark Tambascio's always welcome brewery selections) to pick from while enjoying the music.

*Fresh off last weekend's show at Proud Mary's, Newtown musicians ALTERNATE UNIVERSE will return to the lounge below The Inn at Newtown (19 Main Street) for another show on Friday, June 17. Showtime for what trio Mark Barden (guitars & vocals), Jim Keneally (bass & vocals) and Stu Stahr (drums & vocals) is calling "The Almost Summer Party" is 8 pm.

The three perform their take on rock, funk, R&B and country.

The band will also be performing later this summer during the Newtown Parks & Rec Summer Concert Series at Dickinson Park. The trio has the headlining spot for Thursday, August 4. Shows run from 6:30 to 8 pm, and picnics are welcome at the family-friendly events.

*Newtown Parks & Rec recently unveiled the full schedule for its 2011 summer concert series, in fact. Performances are on Thursday nights, from 6:30 to 8, and will open this year with MARYBETH SIPPIN & GOLDRUSH on June 30. The schedule then continues with GOLDEN ANGELS JAZZ BAND on July 7; and MAC TALLA MOR, performing "Celtic music for the masses," combining traditional bagpipes and Gaelic singing with modern music styles including rock, blues and more, on July 21.

The following month the series will continue with a performance by the Newtown-based, three-man rock-funk-R&B-country band ALTERNATE UNIVERSE on August 4; The Manny Pavone Group, offering blues, country and southern rock on August 11; SHAWN TAYLOR & WANDERING ROOTS, with modern American roots inspired music on August 18; and then on August 25, JOHN VOKET & NEWTOWN ALL-STARS will perform the 2011 season finale.

*That show, unfortunately, conflicts somewhat with a special event being planned just up the street the same night. LOW ANTHEM will be at Edmond Town Hall, at 45 Main Street, for a fundraiser that same night.

Newtown resident Hayden Bates is organizing the event, which will start at 8 pm and feature the Providence, R.I. band that has already, among other things, spent time on the road this year with Mumford & Sons. Tickets for that show are $24.99 and are available through the town hall's box office; details are available at 203-426-2475.

There is a feature elsewhere in the Enjoy section this week, with full details about the show and why Mr Bates is hoping it'll be a success. Check it out.

*Meanwhile, OLD SCHOOL will return for their latest show at Proud Mary's this weekend, and again on June 24. Lou Bellofatto and Tony Summo return Friday, June 10.

*On the national music scene, JACKSON BROWNE extended his 2011 solo acoustic tour with additional fall dates including an October 8 stop at The Palace Theater in Waterbury.

Reserved seating runs from $48 to $73, and tickets will be on sale Friday, June 10, at 10 am, at www.PalaceTheaterCT.org, by phone at 203-346-2000 or at The Palace Theater's box office, located at 100 East Main Street.

*VOLBEAT, with Cold and Anchored, will be at The Dome at the Oakdale in Wallingford on Saturday, August 13. Tickets are all $23 general admission and will be on sale Friday, June 10, at 10 am.

*Tickets for a Sunday, August 14, show by BLINK 182 at the Comcast Theatre in Hartford, with MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA, will also be going on sale Friday morning. These tickets are $26 for the lawn (with a limited number of "all inclusive" $20 lawn tickets also available), $31 to $69 for pavilion seating, and $69 general admission pit.

For both of these shows (Volbeat as well as Blink 182), tickets will be available through www.LiveNation.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

*Woodbury Ski Area's 39th Annual Reggae Fest will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26.

Gates open at 9 am each day, the live music starts at 11, and the line-up will include performances by the Grammy Award winning INNER CIRCLE; THE BIG TAKEOVER BAND, JAH WITNESS, SISTER D & THE DISNDAT BAND, TOUSSAINT, NEW KINGSTON, LOOSE CABOOSE, REBEL FIRE RAW, ARDIE "CUBAN COHIBA" WALLACE, KARMA DARPA and MARIO CHEEF.

Tickets are available in advance for $40 for one day, $75 for both days, and $100 for a two-day VIP pass that includes preferred parking and seating and a backstage pass. Advance tickets need to be purchased online; visit www.WoodburySkiArea.com to do so.

At the gate either day, tickets will be $60.

Attendees will be allowed to bring in their own blankets and coolers, although plenty of refreshments will also be available at the Route 47 venue.

Arts and crafts vendors will also be set up, and tubing, skating and swimming will also be running. Call 203-263-2203 for additional information.

*Finally this week, I know it's a big of a drive but Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket announced a free concert series this week that will be offering performances Tuesdays, June 21 to August 30, "ranging from old school to new school and everything in between."

Concerts are in the MGM Grand Theater and you'll need one of a casino Dream Card, but those are free and can be signed up for online (visit www.Foxwoods.com) or at any of the Dream Rewards locations at Foxwoods.

Performances will begin at 7 and begin on June 21 with GLORIA GAYNOR AND SISTER SLEDGE, and continue as follows: TRACY LAWRENCE, June 28; BLUE OYSTER CULT and FOGHAT, July 5; COURT YARD HOUNDS (former Dixie Chicks Martie Maguire and Emily Robinson), July 12; KOOL & THE GANG, July 19; SALT-N-PEPA with SWV, July 26; MUSIQ SOULCHILD, August 2; THE BACON BROTHERS BAND, August 9 (speaking of which, did anyone else catch Kevin Bacon's call-in/appearance last weekend on NPR's "Wait! Wait! Don't Tell Me!"? Loved it!); and THE SPIN DOCTORS, August 23.

Until next week, I'll be seeing you... on the road, where I will continue to wonder about last weekend's Relay For Life and why anyone at Fairfield Hills for Newtown's event felt the need to be smoking during an overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society! I kid you not!

Meanwhile, moving forward, if you don't have plans for Friday and/or Saturday night, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue (and in the interest of full disclosure, I'll mention here that I am a member of the fire company) is hosting its 24th annual LobsterFest this weekend. Steak and lobster dinners are the highlight of the event, but live music plays a close second.

Friday night's music will be a welcome return by THE HOLLISTER THOMPSON BAND and their music from the 50s to today, both covers and originals, while Saturday's guests will be THE PENFIELD REEFERS BAND, with their take on classic and southern rock.

Questions and comments are welcome and 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.

UPCOMING SHOWS

JUNE 10 — Old School at Proud Mary’s, Newtown; Darryl Hall & John Oates at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods; The Monkees at Mohegan Sun Arena; Tom Tom Club at The Ridgefield Playhouse, Patti Rothberg opening; Marshall Tucker Band at Infinity Music Hall;

June 11 — Robin Trower at The Ridgefield Playhouse, Matt Schofield opening;

June 12 — Wiped Out at My Place Restaurant, Newtown (3-7 pm); Robin Trower at Toad’s Place;

June 14 — Los Lonely Boys at Infinity Music Hall (also June 15);

June 15 — Los Lonely Boys at Infinity Music Hall;

June 16 — Jimmie Van Zant at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Wolf Den;

June 17 — The Low Anthem at Edmond Town Hall, Newtown; Alternate Universe at Proud Mary’s, Newtown; The Trolls at Villa Pasta, New Fairfield; Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Gin Blossoms at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Wolf Den; Hatebreed at Toad’s Place, The Acacia Strain, Lionheart and Bound For Pain opening; Shoo Fly Blues at Georgetown Saloon;

June 18 — New England Jazz & Blues Festival at Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury, featuring (in performance order) Nicole Zuraitis Group, Chris Brubeck & Triple Play, Kal David & The Real Deal, Dave Samuels & Caribbean Jazz Project, James Montgomery with The Uptown Horns, and James Cotton with special guest Billy Squier (festival continues June 19);

June 19 — New England Jazz & Blues Festival continues at Quassy Amusement Park, featuring (in performance order) The Ali Ryerson Quintet, Elvin Bishop Group, Roomful of Blues, Trio of Oz with Rachel Z & Omar Hakim, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds, with special guest James Cotton performing during the afternoon; The Smithereens at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne, Fairfield;

June 20 — JD Souther at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne, The Jill Andrews Duo opening; Robert Cray at Infinity Music Hall;

June 21 — Gloria Gaynor and Sister Sledge at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods, Mashantucket;Â

June 22 — Taylor Swift at the XL Center, Hartford, NeedToBreathe! opening; Michael McDonald at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

June 23 — Tab Benoit at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne; Creedence Clearwater Revisited at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods;

June 24 — Old School at Proud Mary’s; MC Hammer at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den (replaces previously announced performance by Blues Traveler); The Fabulous Thunderbirds at Infinity Music Hall;

June 25 — Katy Perry at Mohegan Sun Arena, Marina & The Diamonds opening; Starship with Mickey Thomas at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Robbie Dupree at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne; Aztec Two Step at Infinity Music Hall, with special guests Buskin & Batteau;

June 26 — Darius Rucker at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods; Sunny Sweeney at Mohegan Sun Wolf Den;

June 27 — Michael Franti & Spearhead and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals at Ives Concert Park;

June 30 — MaryBeth Sippin & Goldrush at Dickinson Park, Newtown; P.J. Pacifico at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne; Nils Lofgren at The Ridgefield Playhouse.

July 1 — Peter Frampton at Ives Concert Park, Danbury; Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne, Fairfield, Jay Stollman opening; Nils Lofgren’s Acoustic Dui at Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk;

July 2 — Def Leppard at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Heart opening; Earth, Wind & Fire at Ives Concert Park, Danbury; 10th Annual HOT Jam at The XL Center, Hartford, with Lupe Fiasco, Fabolous, Jeremih, et al; Eight To The Bar at Infinity Music Hall;

July 3 — Sade at Mohegan Sun Arena, John Legend opening; Ryan Cabrera at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville;

July 4 — Uncle Kracker at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

July 5 — Blue Oyster Cult and Foghat at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket;

July 6 — Soundgarden at Mohegan Sun Arena, Coheed and Cambria opening;

July 7 — Kid Rock with Sheryl Crow at The Comcast Theatre, Hartford; Jerrod Neimann at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

July 8 — Styx and Yes at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods; Aaron Lewis at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Chuck Negron at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

July 9 — Keith Urban at Mohegan Sun Arena, Jake Owen opening (also July 10); Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Mohegan Sun Arena;

July 10 — Keith Urban at Mohegan Sun Arena, Jake Owen opening; Jennifer Hudson at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods; Dave Mason at Infinity Music Hall; Asia featuring John Payne at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

July 12 — Marc Cohn at Infinity Music Hall; Court Yard Hounds at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods;

July 13 — Lil Wayne at The Comcast Theatre, Hartford, with Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Far East Movement and Lloyd; Gin Blossoms at Infinity Music Hall; Carbon Leaf at The Ridgefield Playhouse, The Alternate Routes and Enter The Haggis opening; Warrant at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

July 14 — Umphrey’s McGee at The Dome at The Dome at the Oakdale Theatre; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Infinity Music Hall; Gin Blossoms at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

July 15 — Mötley Crüe and Poison at Mohegan Sun Arena, New York Dolls opening; Craig Morgan at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Loretta Lynn at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods; Ryan Montbleau Band at Infinity Music Hall; Alternate Universe at Proud Mary’s, Newtown;

July 16 — Peter Frampton at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods; Lou Gramm at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; The Trolls at Villa Pasta, New Fairfield; Spyro Gyra at Infinity Music Hall;

July 17 — The Lovin’ Spoonful at Infinity Music Hall;

July 18 — Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

July 19 — Shawn Colvin at Infinity Music Hall;

July 20 — The Goo Goo Dolls at The Oakdale, with special guests Michelle Branch and Parachute; Edwin McCain at Infinity Music Hall;

July 21 — Opening night of Gathering of the Vibes 2011, Seaside Park, Bridgeport (festival continues to July 24); Taking Back Sunday at The Dome at Oakdale, with Thursday, Colour Revolt, and We Are The In Crowd opening; Red Horse featuring Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka & Eliza Gilkyson at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne; Johnny Lang at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Paul Revere & The Raiders at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

July 22 — Gathering of the Vibes 2011 continues; Rihanna at Mohegan Sun Arena, Cee Lo Green opening;

July 23 — Gathering of the Vibes 2011 continues; Tim McGraw at Mohegan Sun Arena, Luke Bryan and The Band Perry opening; Puddle of Mudd at The Webster, Hartford, Rev Theory opening;

July 24 — Gathering of the Vibes 2011 continues; 2011 Mayhem Festival at The Comcast Theatre, Hartford, with Disturbed, Godsmack, Megadeth, Machinehead, et al; Sammy Kershaw at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

July 25 — An Evening with Steely Dan at Ives Concert Park, Danbury;

July 26 — Lisa Loeb at Infinity Music Hall; Salt N Pepa with SWV at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods;

July 27 — Alison Kraus & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas at Ives Concert Park; Shaboo All-Stars featuring Matt “Guitar” Murphy at Infinity Music Hall;

July 29 — Steely Dan at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket; Zappa Plays Zappa at Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport; Alternate Universe at Proud Mary’s;

July 30 — Queensrÿche at The Webster; Josh Groban at Mohegan Sun Arena; Steve Katz at The Alison Palmer Studio at Stone Fences, South Kent; Morris Day & The Time at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

July 31 — Jefferson Starship at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den.