Tributes to Benatar, Matthews planned

As the Fourth of July approaches, the local music scene is popping with a variety of live performances, including rock, country, pop, grunge, reggae, blues and acoustic tunes.

Friday, June 28

Gigi & the G Notes will play rock, country and pop music from the ’80s to today, starting at 3 p.m. at the Beacon, 453 River Styx Road, Hopatcong.

Sue Polcer will provide tunes to accompany your dinner at the Lafayette House, 75 Route 15, starting at 6 p.m., or hear Barry McArdle at McQ’s Pub at Lake Lenape, 165 Andover Sparta Road, Newton, at the same time.

Singer-songwriter Chris Donnelly will bring his acoustic melodies to Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub, 23 White Deer Plaza, Sparta, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Test your musical knowledge with music bingo at Milk Street Distillery, 1 Milk St., Branchville, starting at 7 p.m.

If you’re a fan of Pat Benatar, you will not want to miss “All Fired Up: The Pat Benatar Experience” at Blue Arrow Farm, 86 Glenwood Road, Pine Island, N.Y. This high-energy group will bring a live rock ‘n’ roll tribute to the music of Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Music starts at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at bluearrowfarm.com

At 7 p.m., Brick & Brew, 27 Route 23, Franklin, welcomes the Ron Ossi Duo.

Jude & the Strangers will rock the stage at the Stanhope House, 45 Main St., at the same time. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

The Sparta Pour House, 43 Center St., hosts Rene Avila at 8 p.m.

If you’re a Dave Matthews enthusiast, head to the Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St., for a performance by the Dave Matthews Tribute Band. Known for its electrifying performances and uncanny resemblance to the original, the group has faithfully recreated the energy and intimacy of a Dave Matthews Band concert since 2004, performing more than 1,500 shows in 46 states and eight countries. Tickets start at $24 and may be purchased at skypac.org

If you’re looking to shine, step into the spotlight for karaoke at O’Reilly’s Pub & Grill, 271 Spring St., Newton, starting at 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 29

Catch Richard Meier’s set at the Sparta Farmers Market, 89 S. Sparta Ave., beginning at 10 a.m.

Franklin Borough will host its Franklinite event at 6 Cork Hill Road, featuring food trucks, vendors and live music, including the Mile 39 Band at 3 p.m. and the Glenn Roberts Band at 6 p.m.

At Angry Erik Brewing, 2 Camre Drive, Newton, hear tunes from the ’50s to today by John Paul Lepre at 4 p.m.

Mingo Lodge brings his music to the Lafayette House at 6 p.m.

At 7 p.m., the powerhouse quartet Burnt Leftovers will take the audience at Milk Street Distillery on a nostalgic musical journey.

Chris Donnelly will perform at McQ’s Pub at 7 p.m. while Frankie Goes to Dollywood delivers a night of bluegrass tunes at Brick & Brew at the same time.

Lost in Place brings the best of classic rock to the Beacon at 9 p.m., and Monkey and the Engineer play their favorite Irish pub tunes and acoustic Americana at O’Reilly’s Pub at the same time.

Sunday, June 30

The Stanhope House will host the North Jersey Blues Society’s Local International Blues Challenge, starting at 11 a.m. Nine bands will compete to participate in the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge, to be held in Memphis in January. Tickets may be purchased at northjerseybluessociety.org

Jeiris Cook provides soulful tunes at noon at the Walpack Inn, 7 National Park Service Road/County Route 615.

Tuesday, July 2

Relax on the patio of O’Reilly’s listening to songs by Sean Henry at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 3

Danny C hosts a July 4 kickoff with his Hot Rod Cruise Night and Summer Concert Series featuring a performance by Wonderloaf, starting at 4 p.m. at Blue Arrow Farm.

At 5 p.m., Sean Henry performs at McQ’s Pub.

Karaoke night hosted by Ray Sikora at Homestead Rest, 294 N. Church Road, Sparta, starts at 6:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m., enjoy Shane Casey’s musical entertainment at O’Reilly’s.

Thursday, July 4

If you’re looking to spend the holiday out and about, head to Homestead Rest for the open mic night starting at 6 p.m. Sign-ups begin at 5:30 p.m.

At Krogh’s, Erik Hein showcases 40 years of guitar skills with grunge and reggae tunes starting at 6:30 p.m.

Or catch Ray DeLear performing at 7 p.m. at the Glenwood, 2 Vernon Crossing Road, Vernon.

Send information to Stefani at themicnj@gmail.com