Family ties
The son of iconic folk songwriter Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie pens protest songs and walking blues numbers like "Alice's Restaurant Massacree" that fit in line with his father's legacy, but he's been at it long enough to make that legacy his own. He plays 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Atwood Concert Hall, $35. Visit centertix.net for info.
First Friday folk
Singer-songwriter Laura Oden celebrated the release of her new album "Alchemy" on Thursday. The collection of plaintive folk songs was produced by The Whipsaws' Evan Phillips, and Oden is immediately following up that CD Release show with another on First Friday. She plays with fellow songwriter Kevin Worrell, 6 p.m., at the new Anchorage City Limits, 239 W. Fourth Ave. Free. Visit lauraoden.com for info.
Down and dirty blues
Old school rocker Studebaker John plays gritty, Chicago-style blues. Noted for his skills on slide guitar and harmonica, the bluesman plays the second and third nights of a three-night stand at Blues Central this weekend. Catch him 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $20. Call 272-1341 for info.
Double duty
The local indie-pop group Lavoy has a couple shows this weekend. The first is pretty straightforward: 9 p.m. Friday at Tap Root, with Historian and DJ Clint Samples, $8. The second one is part of the Sound From the Other City festival in Manchester, England, and Lavoy's set will broadcast halfway across the world via Skype from Koot's, 10 a.m. Sunday, free.
Anchorage