If the Varsity Theatre were a person, it'd be old enough to vote—instead, the management votes to kick it old-school for their 18th birthday celebration Friday with retro prices for drinks and tickets. On stage, Lafayette-based Oh Juliette gets the party started right with smooth trip-rock, followed by sibling songweavers The Vettes, fresh out of New Orleans with a new album and national attention. Fave local rockers Meriwether round out the night with their unique alternative sound that's won them legions of adoring fans across the country. Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance, $10 at the door.  Come out and make this joint jump for the big one-eight.

New Orleans-based band Smiley With a Knife describe themselves as "experimental indie crunk," but we just classify them as good listening. Their daring, trippy rock sound needs no vocalist, just a roomful of listening ears and a crowd of people ready to dance. They'll find both when they hit the stage at the Spanish Moon Friday at 10 p.m., so be there to catch their genre-breaking act.

With the overpass construction finally at an end, a more-accessible Chelsea's throws open its doors to welcome spunky songstress Katelyn Benton on Thursday night. This pop pianist grew up shuttling between Colorado and Louisiana, but developed her chops at Boston's Berklee College. Back and gigging in the Southern states, be sure to come out and show her some down-home love. Show starts at 10 p.m.