Classic Rock

At Lyric, a dose of classic rock The Moody Blues, a classic rock group founded in the 1960s, will play at 8 p.m. at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. Tickets are $38-$68. Call 410-547-SEAT or go to ticketmaster.com.

I am going to have to apologize because I do not have a setlist and I don't really know the names of the songs but does that matter? ZZ Top is the longest running rock 'n' roll band with its original lineup in history and they certainly wouldn't fault me or you or anyone for not knowing what their songs were titled. I feel that I could guarantee that if you cornered guitarist Billy Gibbons and asked him very specific questions about very specific songs he would be bored out of his beard and possibly, politely, move on to another conversation.

Baltimore's Nelly's Echo made his second - and unfortunately last - appearance on NBC's “The Voice” Monday night, as contestants entered into the battle rounds and some, sadly, went home. TEAM CHRISTINA   Nelly's Echo - Nelson Emokpae, for us local fans - was pitted against Chicago's De'Borah, and NBC has garnered my wrath for unfairly pairing MY TWO FAVORITES AND FORCING ONE OF THEM TO LEAVE. Coach Christina Aguilera had the two taking on The Police's “Message in a Bottle,” and frankly, during rehearsals, De'Borah was a mess, while Nelson seemingly had the win already in hand.

With three contestants left on "The Voice," each took the stage three times in the final night of performances Monday. The true highlight of the evening, however, came before the individual finalists even took the stage. To open the show, the coaches, finalists, past contestants from this season, and even Carson Daly and Christina Millian, came together to sing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," holding placards of the names and ages of the victims of Friday's Connecticut school shooting.

The Bad Influence Band, left, belts out classic rock 'n' roll at the Centennial Park Sunset Serenades concert series. The program has three remaining concerts: Aug. 2, beach music with Sons of Pirates; Aug. 9, steel drums with EWABO; Aug. 16, David Bach Consort's world beat jazz.

My youth haunts me. My youth will not go away. I am a child of the '60s. And I need release.Instead, they're taking the seminal rock musical "Hair," which was never meant to be seen by middle-aged men who don't have any, back on the road.I challenge anyone to actually listen to six consecutive bars of "The Age of Aquarius" today without laughing.It's not just "Hair."This summer, they're holding a 25th anniversary concert on the hallowed grounds of Woodstock. Tickets are set at $150. Geritol is extra.

Carnival season in Carroll County kicks off next weekend with a trio of events, from Gamber to Westminster to Union Bridge. Kicking off in Gamber The Gamber and Community Fire Co. Carnival has its official opening Saturday, May 28, and runs through Saturday, June 4. Fireworks are scheduled for Monday, May 30, at 9 p.m., weather permitting. The carnival includes raffles, rides, food, games and nightly entertainment. The band schedule is as follows: Saturday, May 28 — Rock-N-Roll Relic's, oldies and variety.

With three contestants left on "The Voice," each took the stage three times in the final night of performances Monday. The true highlight of the evening, however, came before the individual finalists even took the stage. To open the show, the coaches, finalists, past contestants from this season, and even Carson Daly and Christina Millian, came together to sing Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," holding placards of the names and ages of the victims of Friday's Connecticut school shooting.

Pharaoh's Rock N' Blues Bar Pharaoh's offers hole-in-the-wall comfort for an evening of casual lounging and solid rock 'n' roll and blues. Where -- 1817 Columbia Road N.W., Washington Call -- 202-232-6009 Notable -- Never a cover charge for a good rock 'n' roll show, reasonably priced drinks and a loft for relaxing or playing board games. Vibe -- Down-to-earth and unpretentious, with two levels of cozy seating and walls plastered with posters of rock legends. Crowd -- Young adults.

Concerts Live and local Bodkin Creek will play its brand of roots rock and blues Friday, Sept. 23, 9 p.m., at the Second Chance Saloon (Columbia, 410-545-5844). Misbehavin will play classic rock the next night, Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 p.m. Mama's Black Sheep will perform Thursday, Sept. 22, 8 p.m., at Baldwin's Station & Pub (7618 Main St., Sykesville). The group is composed of folk singer-songwriters Ashland Miller and Laura Cerulli. Admission is $15. Call 410-795-1041.

Finally, finally, finally, after almost TWO MONTHS, we reach the live shows of "The Voice," and for the first time this season, the power is in the hands of the voting audience. Wait, there's another election going on this week, right? Maybe that's important, too? (Hint: YES. GO VOTE NOW, AMERICA.) But again, this is a safe space, free of politics and devoted solely to “The Voice.” So here's how things work now: Four teams. Five people on each team. After the live playoffs (Monday for Teams Adam and Blake, Wednesday for Teams Christina and Cee Lo)

Baltimore's Nelly's Echo made his second - and unfortunately last - appearance on NBC's “The Voice” Monday night, as contestants entered into the battle rounds and some, sadly, went home. TEAM CHRISTINA   Nelly's Echo - Nelson Emokpae, for us local fans - was pitted against Chicago's De'Borah, and NBC has garnered my wrath for unfairly pairing MY TWO FAVORITES AND FORCING ONE OF THEM TO LEAVE. Coach Christina Aguilera had the two taking on The Police's “Message in a Bottle,” and frankly, during rehearsals, De'Borah was a mess, while Nelson seemingly had the win already in hand.

Celebrate the spirit as "Dancing Hearts" presents "Classical Rocks," Sunday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at Resurrection Church, 3315 Greencastle Road, in Burtonsville. Enjoy works such as Aaron Copland's evocative Duo, Scott Joplin's irresistible Rags and the soulful tango music of Astor Piazzolla. The program features flutist Karen Johnson, pianist Carlos-Cesar Rodriguez and percussionist John Kilkenny. Concert is part of the Living Arts Concert Series. A reception follows the concert.

Another New Year's Eve, another all-out celebration. Time to make plans. The close of 2011 will feature a whole host of fun things to do both individually and as a group all throughout Baltimore come Saturday, Dec. 31. If fireworks are your thing, you'll want to head down to the Inner Harbor, where Baltimore's New Year's Eve Spectacular starts at 9 p.m. with performances by the local funk and soul band the 8 Ohms. The Inner Harbor Amphitheater, located at Pratt and Light streets, is also the place to be come midnight, when the largest fireworks display in the region will have bombs bursting in the proverbial air. Call 1-877-BALTIMORE or go to http://www.promotionandarts.com.

Concerts Connemara Christmas A Connemara Christmas Celebration will be held Thursday, Dec. 8, 8 p.m., at Baldwin's Station and Pub (7618 Main St., Sykesville). The concert will feature some of the D.C. area's finest Celtic performers such as Jody Marshall, Carey Creed, Andrea Hoag and Paul Nahay . Also being featured as special guest star will be award-winning recording artist Grace Griffith , a founding member of Connemara. Admission is $20. Call 410-795-1041.

Concerts Live and local Bodkin Creek will play its brand of roots rock and blues Friday, Sept. 23, 9 p.m., at the Second Chance Saloon (Columbia, 410-545-5844). Misbehavin will play classic rock the next night, Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 p.m. Mama's Black Sheep will perform Thursday, Sept. 22, 8 p.m., at Baldwin's Station & Pub (7618 Main St., Sykesville). The group is composed of folk singer-songwriters Ashland Miller and Laura Cerulli. Admission is $15. Call 410-795-1041.

Dance, dance, dance Whirlwind, windmill and sugar push your sweetheart tomorrow night to Terrence McArdle's Jumpin' Tonight at Boumi Temple in White Marsh. The Friday Night Dance Club, one of the largest dancing groups on the East Coast, invites dancers of all levels to an evening of social dancing. The program begins with an instructional swing and jitterbug workshop taught by Chuck Alexander at 8 p.m. From 9 p.m. to midnight, dancers can test their new moves on the dance floor as they swing to the tunes of Terence McArdle's Jumpin' Tonight.

It's been called "the worst period in rock history," yet music made between 1978 and 1983 just won't die. For proof, look at the summer concert schedule -- it seems like it's all from that era: Kiss, Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Steely Dan, the Eagles, Heart and, of course, the mullet-rock of Journey, Styx and REO Speedwagon. (Their "Arrowfest" arrives at Washington's MCI Center July 23.) Why won't these bands go away? What keeps audiences coming back to hear songs they've already heard millions of times?

Monday, Aug. 1 Passport services The Passport Acceptance Facility at the Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, offers passport applications and photos from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Information: 410-313-7700. Wednesday, Aug. 3 Concert The Regal Beagles plays rock music at 7 p.m. as the Sunset Serenades Concert Series continues at Centennial Park South, 10,000 Route 108 in Columbia.

Carnival season in Carroll County kicks off next weekend with a trio of events, from Gamber to Westminster to Union Bridge. Kicking off in Gamber The Gamber and Community Fire Co. Carnival has its official opening Saturday, May 28, and runs through Saturday, June 4. Fireworks are scheduled for Monday, May 30, at 9 p.m., weather permitting. The carnival includes raffles, rides, food, games and nightly entertainment. The band schedule is as follows: Saturday, May 28 — Rock-N-Roll Relic's, oldies and variety.