The fifth annual Best of the West–East Coast Acoustic Tour swings through the Triangle this week. The musical collective, formerly called The Best of San Francisco, began as a free Monday-night showcase series in a San Fran Laundromat and soon became one the city’s most popular live-music series ever. Besides raising money for local charities, the group has sponsored other events, from a Green Day rally to a huge free summer concert that drew around 15,000 fans to hear Fugazi and Sleater-Kinney. The interesting aspect of this acoustic tour is that the artists aren’t people usually associated with the folk scene, such as The Mekons’ Rico Bell and Thelonius Monster’s Bob Forrest. This year’s lineup also includes Chicano alternative music pioneer, label owner and activist Lysa Flores, who appeared in the Sundance Film Fest audience fave Star Maps, and Ralph Spight (Victim’s Family), Noe Venable and more. The event takes place Sunday, May 5, 7 p.m. at the Skylight Exchange in Chapel Hill. Call 933-5550 for details.
