Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder coming to Cactus

A bit of this and a bit of that ... as Cactus Theater owner Darryl Holland, riding a wave of excitement from seeing his theater fill on a weeknight to enjoy Kiefer Sutherland in concert, decided to tell those in attendance that Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder had agreed to perform at the Cactus at 7:30 p.m. July 20.

Ticket prices are $75 for the three rows closest to the stage, $60 for the rest of the lower floor and $45 for standard balcony seating. Tickets are $75 for balcony box seats, with free concessions.

Skaggs plays mandolin and is lead vocalist. Kentucky Thunder has been named Instrumental Group of the Year multiple times by the International Bluegrass Music Association, and has won seven Grammy Awards. Kentucky Thunder is Mike Barnett, fiddle; Jake Workman, lead guitar; Paul Brewster, rhythm guitar and harmony vocals; Russell Carson, banjo; Scott Mulvahill, bass; and Ed Farris, rhythm guitar and baritone vocals.

Advance tickets can be purchased by calling the theater at 762-3233, or visiting the venue online at cactustheater.com.

The Cactus also wraps up this weekend with unique fun, first asking what would you have if you combined mariachi instruments and heavy metal music? The answer is a band called Metalachi, making its return appearance at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. What's more, Holland has dropped the price of all seats on the lower floor and standard balcony seating to $10.

A story in LA Weekly reveals that band members refuse to reveal their real names, stating that they are five brothers originally from Juarez, Mexico. A violinist called Maximilian Sanchez confirms that they are seasoned mariachis with a love for classic heavy metal bands such as Dio, Ozzy Osbourne and Metallica. "Nobody can do what we do," Sanchez told the Los Angeles journalist. "people come because we give both genres respect. They don't expect a high level of talent, especially from mariachis."

At the website weirdestbandintheworld.com, Metalachi has been described as "Sunset Strip meets East L.A."

Meanwhile, the band's own Facebook site promotes Sunday's show at the Cactus as "the perfect cure for your Cinco de Mayo hangover." They add, "The loco train returns to the Cactus Theater to guide you through your Cinco depression with a Sunday Funday guaranteed to get you fired from work on Monday."

Trumpet player El Cucuy told the Daily Texan, "Our shows are like a big fiesta. We love to be on stage, playing, laughing and soaking up all the ... love. But we have all people. ... All together and all amigos singing together, but songs of metal music."

More can be learned about the group at web site metalachi.com. A number of the band's live performances can be found on youtube.com.

Holland had one more unique booking to announce for the weekend of June 23 and 24 at the Cactus: Michael Firestone, a professional Michael Jackson tribute artist and sound-alike in a touring show called "I Am King." Firestone is backed by a full band and dancers.

Again, performances by Firestone, who calls Las Vegas home, are on youtube.com.

Reserved seats for Firestone's Cactus shows range from $25 to $45 for lower floor seating, $20 for standard balcony seating and $50 for the balcony box seats that include free concessions.

Local artist Cindy Hughlett ran into an unexpected conflict and could not hold her summer fundraiser in 2017. That is not the case this year.

Singer-songwriter and recording act Bryan White will headline with a solo performance at 7 p.m. June 29 at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Theatre, 1501 Mac Davis Lane. Cindy Hughlett, a contemporary Christian recording act, will be featured.

General admission tickets are $10. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Texas Boys Ranch.

White's chart topping hits include "So Much for Pretending," "Sittin' on Go," "I'm Not Supposed to Love You Anymore," "Rebeca Lynn," "Someone Else's Star: and "From This Moment On" with Shanai Twain.

Tickets are on sale at the Select-A-Seat outlets at Amigo’s Supermarket, Dollar Western Wear, Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, Market Street, Ralph’s Records, Texas Tech Student Union’s ticket booth and United Supermarkets.

Call 770-2000 or visit selectaseatlubbock.com for more details.