Critic's tips

For those of you who need to get out and enjoy this full moon/post-full moon week, then I hope these tips help. And happy 4th of July to all.

BOB AND RAE ANN DONLIN TRIBUTE -- at Club Passim through Tuesday, July 3. This married couple ran Passim for a couple of decades and Bob received some notoriety by being mentioned in Jack Kerouac's "On the Road.'' This tribute to them (both are now deceased but proceeds will go to a scholarship in their name) features enduring Passim friends such as Scott Alarik and Geoff Bartley (playing this Sunday); Bill Morrissey and David Buskin (on Monday); and Chris Smither, Vance Bilbert, and Mason Daring & Jeannie Stahl on Tuesday.
MITTENS, DEAD TREES -- at the Middle East Upstairs on Tuesday, July 3. The Mittens are among Boston's best pop bands, while the Dead Trees (formerly Furvis) have a rootsy, rowdy streak that can fire up the snooziest Scrooge.
JAMES HUNTER and ROBERT CRAY -- at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Thursday, July 5 (and the South Shore Music Circus on Sunday, July 8). Hunter and his rockabilly/swing/blues splashed on the scene bigtime last year, while Cray remains the Crown Prince of the Blues no matter what anyone says. A connoisseur's bill.
STREET DOGS -- at Axis on Thursday, July 5. If you like the Dropkick Murphys, you'll like the Street Dogs. They are musically aligned with the Dropkicks (their singer used to be in the band before opting for a fire-fighter job in the city of Boston!) and they can stir it up.
WBOS SHOWCASE ON THE WATER -- on the Rock and Blues Concert Cruise on Friday, July 6. A smash double bill of garage-rock kings the Gentlemen (if you haven't seen them, you need to get out more often) and the dynamic Eli "Paperboy'' Reed, a retro soul man who has been tearing it up in the clubs. The cruise leaves from Long Wharf. Should be a great party.
ANGELINE -- at the Lizard Lounge on Friday, July 6. This female-fronted group -- and we're talking a couple of powerhouse singers -- has been coming on strong lately. Asa Brebner produced their recent album and it's filled with great, rock-edged songs.
ARETHA FRANKLIN -- at the South Shore Music Circus on Saturday, July 7. Speaking of soul, the Queen of Soul is back. She is sometimes a pot-luck act these days -- she can cut her sets short -- but when she's on, she's still the unchallenged Queen.

STEVE MORSE