SPOTLIGHT

San Diego’s finest Halloween tradition, the Hallograss Cruise aboard the William D. Evans Sternwheeler, sails from the Bahia Resort on Oct. 18. Attendees will be treated to music on three levels as the ship travels around Mission Bay, with a terrific lineup that includes psych garage rockers The Loons (above), explosive rock ‘n’ roll trio The Schizophonics, reggae favorites Safety Orange, 1980s-themed cover band A Nightmare on 80s Street, and SDMA nominated combos, Band of Gringos, and the Ass Pocket Whiskey Fellas, as well as acoustic blues guitarists Nathan James and Ben Powell. The use of multiple stages and dance floors ensures there is never a dull moment on board, with a costume contest adding to the fun. If you are looking for a unique, fun, event this Halloween, this is it.

The HalloGras Cruise: Friday, Oct. 18 at The Bahia Resort Hotel, 998 W Mission Bay Drive. 5 p.m. $65-$168. thesixstringsociety.com.

RECOMMENDED

Visitors to the La Valencia Hotel can catch an early set from keyboardist Shelbi Bennett on the morning of Oct. 12. Bennett is a gifted singer and musician, perhaps best known as a former member of acclaimed groups The Midnight Pine, Baby Bushka and the Havnauts, with numerous releases to her credit. For this solo show, Bennett will showcase her solo piano skills, focusing on classic songs from the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Loggins, and Carole King. A chance to hear Bennett perform is a pretty good reason to get up early on a Saturday morning.

Shelbi Bennett: Saturday, Oct. 12 at The La Valencia, 1132 Prospect St. 11 a.m. No cover. lavalencia.com.

Two of the area’s most gifted jazz musicians, singer Allison Adams Tucker and guitarist Peter Sprague join forces for a special early show at Tio Leo’s on Oct. 13. This free, all-ages event is a great way to introduce the younger set to jazz, but music lovers of all ages will enjoy this stellar groups performance. Sprague recently released a new album, “Sunshine of Your Love,” feting Eric Clapton’s performances with the legendary 1960s-era blues-rock trio, Cream, but this night will focus on jazz standards. Meanwhile, Tucker’s beautiful, clear voice is perfectly matched to Sprague’s virtuoso guitar playing. Both performers are headliners in their own right, this pairing will take their music to new heights.

Alison Adams Tucker and The Peter Sprague Quartet: Sunday, Oct. 13 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 5 p.m. No cover. tioleos.com.

Country hitmaker Clint Black takes the stage at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on Oct. 19. Black’s current tour celebrates the 35th anniversary of his 1989 debut album, “Killin’ Time,” which will be played in its entirety, alongside other classics from his throughout his catalog. With four No. 1 country hits; “A Better Man,” “Walking Away,” “Nobody’s Home,” and “Killin’ Time,” as well as a No. 3, “Nothing’s News,” the album is a veritable greatest hits collection in itself. It’s been more than three decades since Black kickstarted his career, and he still maintains his hitmaking capabilities, with every album released to date hitting gold or platinum sales status. This concert’s look back through Black’s earliest songs shouldn’t be missed by the area’s country music fans.

Clint Black: Saturday, Oct. 19 at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 7:30 p.m. $88. humphreysconcerts.com.

Family-friendly fun will be the order of the day when Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats perform a matinee concert at the Epstein Family Amphitheater on Oct. 19. Led by ukulele strumming songwriter Kalantari, originally from the Dominican Republic, the Jazz Cats specialize in 1920s-styled hot jazz, it’s uptempo rhythms perfect for capturing younger listeners attention. With Kalantari singing in both English and Spanish, this concert will be themed as the “Haunting Days of Halloween,” featuring songs wondering “what if” supernatural creatures were real. Kalantari is an engaging performer, with a knack for writing catchy tunes. Kids will love the show’s interactive, jazz-scat-along play, while aficionados of early 20th-century music will also enjoy the Jazz Cats’ music.

Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats: Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9500 Gilman Drive. 11 a.m. $15. amphitheater.ucsd.edu.

Ali Paris, a virtuoso on the qanun, a traditional Middle Eastern instrument dating back to the 14th century, appears at the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center on Oct. 23. Paris takes Arabic sounds and mixes in touches of jazz. His mastery of the qanon and intricate melodies is such that while he’s playing, it’s easy to forget the specialized nature of his chosen instrument. Although Paris’s songs are considered to be in the world music category, they will also appeal to listeners of exotica, soundtracks, or even psychedelic rock.

Ali Paris: Wednesday, Oct. 23 at The Wu Tsai QRT.yrd at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 4:30 p.m. Free. theconrad.org.