Houston's Weekend Concerts: It's Not All About The Super Bowl (There's Also Yo-Yo Ma)

Super Bowl LI madness has taken over Houston, but that doesn't mean the music has gone on holiday until the Patriots and Falcons take their fans home with them on Monday.

In addition to Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Lady Ga Ga, the clubs and concert venues around town are in full swing, and the sounds will be loud and clear. (For all the Bruno Mars fans out there, tickets were still available to his Friday night show at Club Nomad as of Friday afternoon. Click here to order.)

Let's begin on Friday night with Fred Eaglesmith at McGonigel's Mucky Duck. He's a veteran of the industry, and has written about the vagaries of life with insight and grace. He's been on the road for 42 years, has recorded 22 albums — his latest, Standard, was released on January 27— and is touring now with Tif Ginn.

Here's the man in his own words: "When they come out to my shows they like me but trying to get them to come out to my shows they're like, 'I don't want to go and see that old guy,' But when they do they totally get it.'

Go see the old guy. Tickets to Fred Eaglesmith are available here.

And up next, a true legend. Wanda Jackson is her name, and she takes the stage at 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, at The Continental Club. (I saw her there several years ago, and though she was scheduled for 10 p.m. that evening as well, it was closer to 11 before she appeared ... well worth the wait, however.) She was born in 1937 in Maud, Oklahoma, was one of the first popular female rockabilly singers, and is a rock 'n roll pioneer.

Watch and listen to this, and see if you agree. The woman has spirit and spunk, and she dated Elvis Presley for a short period when she was 18 and The King was 21.

I'd be remiss if I did not mention Yo-Yo Ma, speaking of legends. He likely needs no introduction, and his cello is revered around the world. He's appearing with the Houston Symphony on Saturday evening at 7:30 , and while tickets are not cheap, seeing a master is usually not an inexpensive experience. The man can play. Get your tickets here.

Sunday is Super Bowl Day, of course, but I am recommending something altogether different. It's the Houston Songwriter Series, and it takes place at Dean's, a great bar downtown. Beginning at 8 p.m., vocalists and musicians representing myriad genres try out their work on the audience. The place has a great cocktail program, the ambience is chill, and if you've never been to the series, or the bar, this makes a great Sunday evening outing.

Here's one example of the talent on display every Sunday:

— Image of Fred Eaglesmith courtesy the artist