Despite what the name implies, the Hot Club of Cowtown is not Sacramento's hottest music venue. In fact, it's a jazz-influenced, Western Swing trio that formed in New York City's East Village. Thursday night, the band will be performing for the first time in Sacramento at the 24th Street Theatre. The Poplollys, a local hillbilly country band, and Hard Clumpin' Litter, a local blues band, will open the show. The Hot Club of Cowtown formed in 1998 when fiddle player Elana James responded to a Village Voice newspaper ad placed by guitarist Whit Smith. Upright bass player Bill Horton rounded out the trio, but was subsequently replaced by Jake Erwin. James was born to a violinist mother and

If Baby Grand keeps their current lineup and releases an album this year, it will be a huge first for the band. It will be the first time one of their albums shares the same lineup as their current gigging band. This Friday at Cesar Chavez Plaza, Baby Grand will bring their most solid unit ever: a six-piece playing mellow organic pop. Opening for them will be Dog Party, The Poplollys and Ricky Berger. Dog Party is a duo consisting of 11- and 13-year-old sisters who play original songs and covers on drums and guitar. The Poplollys are a local trio who play Americana style country, while another favorite, multi-instrumentalist Ricky Berger, sings mellow folk music. Baby Grand first formed