Delta darling
Keb’ Mo’ may not be a household name, but it may just be a matter of time before it is. This singer/songwriter and guitarist has released 12 albums, three of which have won “best contemporary blues” Grammy awards (three others were Grammy nominated). He has performed his unique style of Delta blues with folk/rock bigwigs Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt; collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on his film series The Blues; and sung “America the Beautiful” during the final episode of The West Wing. Offering a blend of pop, rock, folk, and jazz with 12-bar Mississippi rhythms, Mo’ and his band play the Tarrytown Music Hall on Sept. 13. 8 p.m. $48-$78. 113 Main St., Tarrytown. 877-840-0457; www.tarrytownmusichall.org
Tucker out
Actor/comedian Chris Tucker — who played a wise-cracking detective in the highly successful Rush Hour films — has returned to his comic roots. After starring in a string of movie hits — including Money Talks (with Charlie Sheen) and The Fifth Element (with Bruce Willis), Tucker has gone back to doing stand-up, a skill he honed in Los Angeles prior to his stint on HBO’s Def Comedy Jam. Known for his distinctive voice and high-energy style, Tucker plays only three venues in New York State — one of which is Albany’s Palace Theatre. Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. $49.50-$59.50. 19 Clinton Ave., Albany. 518-465-3334; www.palacealbany.com
Farewell summer #1
Summer is winding down, and soon the flowers and trees will be dormant until next spring. All the more reason to take part in the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days program. This national program gives the plant-loving public a once-a-year opportunity to visit private gardens. Three such sites — in Catskill, Saugerties, and Ulster Park — are available for self-guided tours; participants can see an enclosed oval garden, spring-fed ponds with fountain jets, mature trees, tropical plants, and other notable flora. Sept. 17. Call or visit Web site for hours and site locations. $5 per garden; children under 12 free. 888-842-2442; www.gardenconservancy.org/opendays/open-days-schedule/openday/446-greene-ulster-county-open-day
Farewell summer #2
Can’t bear to say goodbye to the dog days? There’s A Summer Place, on view at the Mark Gruber Gallery, showcases works by regional artists that pay homage to the warm, languid days that are now (most likely) done for the year. Fields of flowers by Carolyn Edlund, mountain paths by Jim Cramer and Staats Fasoldt, gurgling streams by Paul Abrams and Christie Scheele, and rich panoramic scenes by Thomas Locker are just some of the views depicted; parting is such sweet sorrow. Through Sept. 6; call for hours. New Paltz Plaza. Rte. 299, New Paltz. 845-255-1241; www.markgrubergallery.com
