FINDING THE FUNNY: Connecticut is full of funny folks, but tonight, you can help decide the funniest. Head to the Hartford Funny Bone in Manchester, which even has a funny name (though not funny ha ha), for the Connecticut Comedy Idol contest. Radio personality Damon Scott is your master of ceremonies as eight amateur comedians and a runner up (though that seems to just be nine) perform for your entertainment enjoyment. The laugh track is turned on from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
SOUL PATROL: He's the unlikeliest winner on American Idol ever. And while he's no Carrie Underwood, he's certainly made a name for himself in the music biz. Thanks to his records, his turn on Broadway and of course his raspy voice and salt-and-pepper hair Taylor Hicks has earned himself a devoted legion of fans. Tonight, those fans will be out in force when Hicks takes the stage at Infinity Hall in Norfolk. Tickets are $55-$75. The show starts at 8 p.m.
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER: It's always nice when you can be surprised by music. It seems every new band has the same sound as countless bands before. But when I stopped to listen to Jersey's River City Extension, I was a bit taken aback (in a very good way). Sure, you can hear hints of their Jersey Shore ancestors like Springsteen. But there's also hints of blues, calypso even mariachi sprinkled in. It's a sound you aren't likely to hear very often. But tonight, you can see and hear River City Extension at The Space in Hamden when they take the stage along with A Paper Tugboat, Mon Monarch and City Streets Country Roads. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are just $10.
