It’s a good weekend to be thankful for great rock and roll and live music for this Thanksgiving weekend. Most of the big shows this week are punk and metal shows, but there are also some choice folk and roots shows.

 The big folk/ roots show of the week is a fundraiser for the Lethbridge Food Bank.
 Latin guitar whiz Oscar Lopez will be playing a special supper time fundraiser at the Mocha Cabana, Oct. 8. The tickets, which cost $82.50, include a three course meal and the show with Oscar Lopez. Doors open at 5 p.m. dinner is served at 6 and the show begins at 7 p.m.

The other big roots show is New Brunswick musician Andy Brown, who returns to the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Oct. 9 in support of his third CD “Seasons,” which he released in August.
 The show begins at 9 p.m. There is no cover.

Another fun roots show comes courtesy of Nanton country band Tin and the Toad, who return to the Slice, Oct. 9 with The Carter Felkher band. There is a $10 cover for that show.
If you want to bang your head for the Thanksgiving weekend, local Metallica tribute Damage Inc. — A tribute to Metallica play Average Joes, Oct. 11. If that’s not enough head banging for you, Motley Whu, a Motley Crüe tribute are also on the bill. Tickets cost $10. The show begins at 9:30 p.m.
A couple of classic punk shows happen this week.

 St. Thomas, Ontario Horrorbilly band the Matadors return to Lethbridge to play the Moose Hall on Oct. 9. They will be joined by Butch Haller, playing rockabilly and country versions of your favourite ’80s hits as well as Calgary horror punk band the Conniving Cadavers. Doors open at 8 p.m. There is a $15 cover for the show.

 
The other big punk show this week is  Montreal based punk legends the Ripcordz who come to Inferno, Oct. 11. They will be joined by the Reckless Rebels, Royal Red Brigade and the Motherfuckers. Tickets are $15 in advance $20 at the door.

The Slice also has a couple of excellent hard rock shows. Saskatchewan based progressive rock band Black Thunder will be  playing Oct. 10 with local alternative rock band the Supervoid and progressive rock trio Lustre Creame.

In a semi-related vein, The Electric Eye Music Festival has a big show on Oct. 7 at the Slice featuring Winnipeg shoegaze, dream pop, psych pop band Living Hour, Vancouver post punk band Blessed and local “birdwave” band Royal Chinet. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the music beginning at 9 p.m. Cover is by donation.

For something a little more laid back, the Owl Acoustic Lounge welcomes back Calgary roots pop band the Ashley Hundred, Oct. 10. They will be joined by fellow Calgary ambient indie rock band the Fox Who Slept the Day Away.

 If you just want to dance, the Throw Your Panties Party 8 takes place at Studio 54, Oct. 10 with  DJs Bryx, Wakcutt and DJ Fuze  and Disko performing at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20.

 And if that isn’t enough, to begin the week, Hamilton based funnyman B.A. Johnston brings his special brand of geeky energy and quirky songs back to the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Oct. 13 with special guests Open Channels and  Internet Love performing. The music begins at 9 p.m. Admission is by donation.