Memorial Day weekend is here, and summer is just around the corner. Although I know that means much of Tulsa will be heading to the lake for an extended weekend, there's still plenty to do in and around Tulsa -- not the least of which is the annual Rocklahoma Fest in Pryor, OK. If you're not retiring to the lake and are looking for your music fix, we've got the highlights to kick start your holiday weekend. Even if you are headed to the waterfront, you may still get your fix as Backwoods Bash re-ups with an even bigger lineup at Keystone Lake.

Thursday, May 24

Not everyone will be ready to kick off their weekend early, especially as most will be extending it out into next Monday, but we've got a few shows on the radar. Rocklahoma's official pre-party kicks things off on the Axis Campground stage to give our local bands a chance to show off and get early arrivals in the mood for the weekend. The stage opens at 7pm with Jamco Industries and stays open through 2:30am, featuring bands including Aformatic, Baron Von Swagger, Delay the Day and Tiranico.

If you're staying in town, you can check our Foreign Home with Get Along and The Outset at Treehouse, or chill out with Ego Culture at Hunt Club or Mockingbird Hillbilly Band at The Colony (both of which will be playing Backwoods Bash this weekend).

Friday, May 25

Herman's Hermits (featuring Peter Noone) play River Spirit Events Center with Gary Puckett and the Union Gap for the classic rock crowd while Jimmy Markham & the Caretakers give blues fans their fix at The Colony. The punk-rock crowd will want to check out Streetlight Fight with Johnny Badseed & the Rotten Apples at Crystal Pistol while Tulsa's hard rock fans that haven't departed for Rocklahoma will dig into Taproot with 9 Left Dead, Absence of Ink and Lock-17 at IDL Ballroom.

Saturday, May 26

It's a busy night as The Dead Sexy takes over Crystal Pistol with Burlesque Zombie Rock, Triple Fang and Difuser; Mercury Lounge hosts Billy Joe Winghead; Scales of Motion, Moon and Tell Tale play Treehouse and Eric Himan plays Hunt Club with his full band. This is also the best night to catch comedian Jay Dee at The Looney Bin as he'll be recording his new CD in front of a live audience.

If you're ready for a road trip, you've got one more chance to see Ian Moore with his original band lineup as the group plays Heritage Hall in Ardmore, OK with Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown opening. This is the same group that recorded and toured behind Moore's self titled solo album, the Live in Austin EP and Modern day Folklore (still my favorite of his catalog) and the group is back together for the weekend for a couple of special shows in support of last year's release of The First Third, the last album the group recorded together, which was shelved by the label. If you haven't seen Ian Moore with this lineup, it's more than worth the drive.

Monday, May 28

Rascal Flatts plays a very special show at The Joint as a benefit for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to children and spouses of men and women who were either killed or disabled while serving our country in the military. This is a high dollar show as tickets for the concert only starting at $125 and tickets that include admission the black-tie Patriot's Cup Gala and banquet costing $300 with all proceeds going to the foundation.

Wednesday, May 30

The week (and the month) wraps up as Primus finally returns to Tulsa after last year's weather cancelled performance at The Block Party for a full night at Brady Theater.