Some of the best improvisational musicians in the Southeast will soon gather for a sonic summit in Athens, and nobody will be happier to be a part of the event than local multi-stringed purveyor Killick (above). Besides Killick, the Masters of Improvisational Music performance, set for Monday at Ciné will feature String Trek (LaDonna Smith and Misha Feigin) from Birmingham, Ala., Chattanooga’s own Shaking Ray Levis, Paul Thomas and Chris Ray of Athens, Echo Canyon (featuring Craig Lieske) and guitarist Jeff Chasteen. The concert is of particular interest to Killick, who will be making one of his first public appearances after surviving a serious intestinal illness in early June. Read the full story…

Like an NBA star who crafts his game during the offseason through uncounted hours on playgrounds, in recreation centers and high school gymnasiums, up-and-coming singer-guitarist Jason Coley (playing Saturday at the Georgia Theatre) knows what it’s like to perform, perform again and then perform some more. With his five-piece band in tow, the 21-year-old Coley this year already has played more than 70 dates - at clubs, colleges, fairs, festivals and even a wedding - and has plans for at least 75 more appearances before 2008 ends. Read the full story…

The Capital Times in Madison, WI, has an interview with Harvey Katz of Athens Boys Choir. The hip/hop-spoken word act is in the middle of a tour taking them all around the eastern United States.

Animal Electric, The Matt Kurz One, The Mirror Stage
8:30 p.m., Flicker Theatre and Bar
Animal Electric is the local, dreamy folk duo of Tess Brunet and Kat Roman. Matt Kurz One, above, is a one-man music factory with his left foot on the bass guitar, right foot on the snare and bass drums, hands on the guitars, and specially rigged guitar-keyboard and hi-hat. He plays a rocking blend of blues and punk. St. Louis’s The Mirror Stage plays catchy pop songs inspired by indie rock and literature. - Trisha Klein

Kate Morrissey
9 p.m., Farm 255
Kate Morrissey’s sweet but strong voice and musical stylings have been compared to Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette. Definitely worth a listen. - David Bill

• 40 Watt: Faraday Rage, Nuclear Spring, Cody Reats, Sailor Dawn.
• Caledonia: Benji Highes, Megafaun, Mostly Bears, So Many Dynamos.
• Farm 255: Kate Morrissey.
• Flicker: Animal Electric, The Matt Kurz One, The Mirror Stage.
• Georgia Theatre: Wrong Way.
• Melting Point: Dave D’Angelo Jazz Quartet.
• No Where Bar: Mama’s Love.
• Rye Bar: Taco Leg.
• Tasty World: Groove Stain.
• Wild Wing Cafe: Napoleon Solo.

Here are a couple of upcoming shows you might want to mark your calendar for (and get advance tickets, because they’ll probably be sell-outs):

Gnarls Barkley with Elf Power, Tuesday, Aug. 12, $25, 40 Watt. Touring behind their new release “The Odd Couple,” Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo Green return to the Classic City where they first met. Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) was living in Athens and in 1998 opened for Cee-Lo’s former group, Goodie Mob. (Tickets went on sale Tuesday at School Kids Records.)

Randall Bramblett CD release party, Friday, Aug. 15, $15, The Melting Point. Bramblett is releasing “Now It’s Tomorrow,” his fourth solo album on New West Records.

The Whigs with Tokyo Police Club, Wednesday, Sept. 10, $15, 40 Watt. The Whigs have to be one of the hardest working bands in the country today. They’ve been on tour most of the year and it continues through at least the end of September. Thankfully they’re making a hometown stop.

Thayer Sarrano, Justin Evans
8:30 p.m., Flicker Theatre and Bar
Serrano, who plays piano in Sweet-Tooth Simpleton, will perform a solo show. Local musician Justin Evans, of Justin Evans’ Chinatown Diary, will bring his guitar to play some intimate, original songs.

Old House
10 p.m., Tasty World
Local band Old House plays acoustic pop rock that sounds surprisingly similar to Better Than Ezra.

Tuna Bunny, Creepy, Dusty Lightswitch
10 p.m., Caledonia Lounge
Tuna Bunny plays experimental, lo-fi rock. Featuring Page Campbell of Hope For Agoldensummer, Creepy is an all-girl rock band. Dusty Lightswitch is an indie rock band with a frontman and a frontwoman. Gambit will also play. Admission is $6 to $7.

Hightide Blues, Benjy Davis Project, Rick Brantley
9 p.m., Georgia Theatre
Atlanta’s Hightide Blues play Southern rock with a bluesy vibe. Louisiana-based rock band Benjy Davis Project will appeal to fans of the Counting Crows, John Mayer, The Allman Brothers and Bob Schneider. Brantley plays classic rock and roll in the vein of Bruce Springsteen. For his live show, he’s backed by gospel singers and a horn section. Admission is $5.

Geoff Achison and the Soul Diggers
8-11 p.m., The Melting Point
Playing as part of John Straw’s Blues Night, blues guitarist Achison has an all-American rock and roll sound - even though he’s from Australia. Admission is $5. - Trisha Klein

• Caledonia: Creepy, Dusty Lightswitch, Gambit, Tunabunny.
• Flicker: Justin Evans, Thayer Sarrano.
• Georgia Theatre: Benjy Davis Project, Rick Brantley, Hightide Blues.
• Go Bar: Lord Booya, Nero and the Burning Violins, Oicho Kabu, Schmouser, Stegosaurus.
• Melting Point: Geoff Achison & the Sould Diggers.
• Rye Bar: Have a Drink With Johnny Walker.
• Tasty World: Old House.

Squat
7 p.m., State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Playing as part of the garden’s Sunflower Music Series, Squat is a local, four-piece jazz band featuring Trey Wright, Carl Lindberg, Tommy Somerville and Darren Stanley. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for members and $5 for kids ages 6 to 12. - Trisha Klein

The Lee Boys
10 p.m., The Georgia Theatre
The Lee Boys play “sacred steel,” gospel music with blues beats and the pedal steel guitar. Admission is free. The sextet was formed in the House of God Church where the Rev. Robert E. Lee, father to three of the members and grandfather to three of the members, taught the band to play. - Trisha Klein

Super Monkey, Sandia, Magic for Jesus
10 p.m., Tasty World
Super Monkey plays a psychedelic metal. Sandia is an experimental, progressive rock band that sounds like “spirit sprinkles.” Magic for Jesus is a new, local band with a classic rock vibe. - Trisha Klein

• Georgia Theatre: The Lee Boys.
• Melting Point: Johnny Roquemore & the Apostles of Bluegrass.
• Rye Bar: Dub Reggae.
• State Botanical Garden: Squat.
• Tasty World: Magic For Jesus, Sandia, Super Monkey.