The English Beat to play at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe’s Vinyl

The sounds of second-wave ska will come to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe this weekend when ska pioneers the English Beat take the stage at Vinyl, the casino’s music venue.

The band formed in 1979 and their hits includes “Mirror in the Bathroom,” “Save it for Later,” “I Confess,” “Stand Down Margaret” and a cover of “Can’t Get Used To Losing You.”

“The band crossed over fluidly between soul, reggae, pop and punk, and from these disparate pieces they created an infectious dance rhythm,” according to a biography on the band’s website. “Along with their contemporaries The Specials, The Selecter, and Madness, the band became an overnight sensation and one of the most popular and influential bands of the British Two Tone Ska movement.”

The current incarnation of the English Beat includes original member Dave Wakeling (lead vocals, guitar) with Rhythmm Epkins (drums, vocals), Matt Morrish (sax, vocals), Kevin Lum (keyboards, vocals), Larry Young (bass, vocals) and Jared Palazzolo (guitar, vocals).

The band performs songs from the English Beat, as well as tunes from Wakeling’s solo career and post-English Beat project General Public.

968 Park Hotel hosts free show and wine tasting

CoffeePub at 968 Park Hotel will host a free live performance by Santa Cruz’s Marty O’Reilly Trio on Friday.

The performance begins during CoffeePub’s weekly complimentary wine tasting from 6-8 p.m., according to a press release from 968 Park Hotel.

The Martin O’Reilly Trio released a self-titled live album in 2013 and their debut studio album, “Pray for Rain,” in spring of 2014.

“Marty O’Reilly began his musical journey as a blues guitar player, exploring the works of Blind Willie Johnson, Mississippi John Hurt, John Lee Hooker, Charlie Patton, and Leadbelly,” according to the group’s online biography.

“Through extensive listening and studying of the early delta greats, O’Reilly developed a unique foundation onto which he would incorporate themes from influences in other musical veins such as John Fahey, Nick Drake, John Vandiver, and Tom Waits.

Whether it be his original pieces, or his renditions of old American classics O’Reilly tells his story through an old and soulful voice, propelled by a sense of authentic emotional adrenaline.”

CoffeePub features complimentary wine tastings from 6-8 p.m. every Friday and live music from 7:30-10 p.m. on Saturdays.

For information on 968 Park Hotel or CoffeePub visit www.968parkhotel.com.

The Floozies scale ‘Mountain of Funk’ at CBC

While Kansas isn’t exactly synonymous with electronic music, a duo from Lawrence, Kan., will bring its guitar- and drum-based electronic sounds to the North Shore Friday.

The Floozies, which performed at 2014’s SnowGlobe Festival in South Lake Tahoe, will take the stage at Crystal Bay Casino Friday night as part of the Casino’s “Mountains of Funk” series.

“The Floozies are producer/guitarist Matt Hill and drummer Mark Hill,” according to the act’s online biography. “These two brothers are bringing their fresh approach to electronic music and live performance to venues and festivals all over the country.

The duo’s combination of cutting edge electronic production and party rocking funk energizes crowds and turns venues into epic dance parties.”

Friday’s show is the second of three “Mountain of Funk” shows at Crystal Bay Casino this week. Boston funk band Lettuce performs Thursday and jam king Keller Williams performs Saturday as part of the series.

Chicago’s Manic Focus and Oregon’s SugarBeats open Friday’s show.

“Manic Focus isn’t your typical electronic dance music,” according to the producer’s website. “ His first album, ‘Definition of the Rhythm,’ provides a broad array of musical creations, from energized hip-hop hits to tranquil grooves with funky flow.

His dark bass lines and popping beats drive the tracks along, while spellbinding melodies and carefully-chosen vocal samples entrance the listener.”

Party for Bob Marley at the Tahoe Biltmore

Celebrations surrounding Bob Marley’s 70th birthday will move to Lake Tahoe’s North Shore this week.

Following a performance by Junior Reid at the South Shore last week, Reggae Ambassadors will host its own commemoration of the life of the reggae legend at the Tahoe Biltmore Saturday.

“Bob was born on February 6, 1945 in Nine Miles, St. Ann Parish, Jamaica,” according to a description of the event. “Since his passing on May 11, 1981 at age 36, Bob Marley’s legend looms larger than ever.

He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, and his song ‘One Love’ was designated ‘Song of the Millennium’ by the BBC.

“This is the 5th Annual Bob Marley Birthday Celebration produced by Reggae Ambassadors at the Tahoe Biltmore commemorating the love and legacy that Bob Marley left us.”

DJ Ramone, DJ Clay, Dubfyah, Winstrong and Soul Medic are scheduled to perform at Saturday’s event.

“Come out to show your love for Bob Marley and reggae music, One Love,” according to an email from promoters.

More information is available at www.brownpapertickets.com.