By Stephen K. Peeples

If you dug the smokin’ set by Kelly’s Lot last Friday at the Valencia Jazz & Blues Festival, you have a couple chances to see more of bandleader Kelly Z coming up.

Thursday night at Bergie’s, off Sand Canyon in Canyon Country, she and bandmate Perry Robinson will sit in with SCV Blues Society award-winner and SCVTV “House Blend” alum Chuck Strong. And Sunday at 5 p.m., Kelly and members of her band will play the Americana Folkfest, hosted by the L.A. Summerfest at Rivendale, off The Old Road.

Santa Clarita Valley Entertainment Report

The Folkfest also features music by Mike Fleming, another “House Blend” veteran, as well as Leslie Beauvais, Susie Glaze & The Hilonesome Band, and John Zipperer & Friends. Check the “Americana Folkfest” event page on Facebook for more details.

On Friday night the Valencia Jazz & Blues summer series presents blues, funk, jazz and soul guitarist and singer Jim Gibson. His original songs reflect his roots in George and New Orleans. Showtime for Jim Gibson is 7 p.m. on the street outside the Hyatt Regency off McBean Parkway, and admission is free.

The city of Santa Clarita’s Concerts in the Park summer series kicks off Saturday night with Joel – The Band. It’s the top Billy Joel tribute band in Southern California, fresh off the national tour of the Piano Man’s Tony-winning rock musical “Movin’ Out.” Thirty thousand guys auditioned for the lead role, and Billy chose Kyle Martin. Showtime’s at 7 p.m. at Central Park, but get there early to save your spot.

Things To Do In Santa Clarita

And finally a programming note – SCVTV’s “House Blend” hosted by yours truly is on hiatus for the summer, but you can catch up on all five years of archived shows anytime at scvhouseblend.com.

You’ll find lots more local entertainment news 24/7 at HometownStation.com, SCVNews.com and my blog, stephenkpeeples.com. That’s what’s thumpin’ on the SCV Entertainment Beat.

See the SCV Entertainment Beat report in SCV NewsBreak.

Santa Clarita journalist Stephen K. Peeples is an entertainment reporter for AM 1220 KHTS Radio News and the station’s award-winning website, HometownStation.com, and for SCVTV’s SCVNews.com.Peeples also hosts and co-produces SCVTV’s acclaimed “House Blend” program, and posts more entertainment news and reviews on his own site at http://www.stephenkpeeples.com.