Cool shows this week: Troika Music Festival and more!

(The Rosebuds, Troika Fest) SHOW OF THE WEEK! Thursday, Nov. 6: Troika Music Festival, various venues, Durham I'm giving the Show of the Week award collectively to this festival, which proves that Durham is the DIY capital of the Triangle, and shows what people can do when they put their heads together and just decide to make a music festival happen. There are so many highlights, it's hard to narrow them down, but special mention should be given to the Rosebuds/Kimya Dawson show Friday at Carolina Theatre. Thursday, Nov. 6: Frank Bang's Secret Stash, Slim's I've yet to experience Frank Bang, but I know several folks who swear he puts on an amazing show. Maybe this is my week to finally check him out. Friday, Nov. 7: Holly Raleigh Christmas CD-release party (7 p.m.) and The Whistlestop (10 p.m.), Tir na Nog Holly Raleigh Christmas is the brainchild of Jeff Carroll, former Greensboro rocker and local owner of Bluefield Mastering. Sales from this annual local-music collection benefit the Community Music School. The Whistlestop is a great new alt-countryish band that's a little on the mellow side, and always amazing to watch. Friday, Nov. 7: Bio Ritmo, Local 506 Longtime regional salsa favorites. Be prepared to seriously shake it at this show. Friday, Nov. 7: A Rooster for the Masses CD-release party, The Pour House I haven't heard the new CD yet, but I'm betting the election gave them lots of song ideas. Saturday, Nov. 8: the Black Crowes, Lincoln Theatre Apparently this is an outdoor show, so bundle up. Also, it's $35 in advance, and $40 at the door. But couldn't you just go hang out in the parking deck and see the show? If it's a city-owned deck, certainly they can't kick you out! Nov. 8: The T's Slim's Party for bass player Lutie Cain's sister, Lisa. Saturday, Nov. 8: Prison MATCH, NC benefit with Caitlin Cary and more! 5:00pm - 8:00pm Hope Elementary Charter School 1116 N. Blount St. Raleigh, NC Cost is $25.00 Musical performances by Caitlin Cary, Melissa White Shaheen, William Burton. Silent Auction, guest speakers, hors d'oeuvres. Here's info from MATCH about their organization. I only recently learned about this organization and honestly think I will start volunteering with them. They are obviously doing good, needed work MATCH (Mothers And Their CHildren) is a privately funded non-profit organization that facilitates visits between children and their mothers who are incarcerated at the NC Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh. MATCH organizes and funds travel from all over the state and the country, as well as providing material and emotional support to aid in reuniting families. Kids visit with their moms in a home-like facility full of toys, art supplies, and equipped with a fully-stocked kitchen where they can prepare and eat a meal, or even celebrate a birthday together. Each mother must complete a parent training course, as well as meeting other criteria for excellent behavior and motivation, and the monthly three-hour visits are supervised by a staff of volunteers. MATCH and its supporters believe that building a healthy loving bond between incarcerated moms and their children can work to break the cycle of crime and imprisonment, ultimately strengthening communities by fostering responsibility and, above all, unconditional love. Tuesday, Nov. 11: Diplo with Abe Vigoda, Cat's Cradle Diplo is the DJ/boyfriend of MIA, and is also responsible for bringing Brazilian baile funk to the hipster masses with his "Favela on Blast" CD. NEXT WEEK'S SHOWS Thursday, Nov. 13: Black Skies, Slim's Super HEAVY rock from Chapel Hill. With Pride Parade from Athens. Thursday, Nov. 13: Brightblack Morning Light, Local 506 Trippy hippie duo from California (originally from Alabama) playing some serious psychedelic blues. Saturday, Nov. 15: Future Islands with Ear Pwr and Lonnie Walker, Local 506 Tuesday, Nov. 18: Man Will Destroy Himself Slim's Thursday, Nov. 20: Strange Faces, Slim's Tour kick off party. UPCOMING IN GENERAL Nov. 21: Double Negative with Rocket Cottage Slim's Raleigh's hardcore kings, soon to be heading to Europe and playing ATP. Nov. 23: Karen Mann's Birthday Bash with Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights and Dirty Little Heaters Slim's Come out and help yours truly celebrate with the fine, Nuggets-style rock of Sir Arthur, and the angry-female rawk of Dirty Little Heaters. Nov. 26: Pre-Turkey Day bash with The Bronzed Chorus, Tir na Nog One of my favorite new bands, from Greensboro. Nov. 29: The Loners with Pinche Gringo, Slim's Dec. 4: FKON, Tir na Nog Dec. 6: Death Metal Fest, Volume 11