Sunday, October 7

Chapel Hill
DIANE REEVES
UNC: MEMORIAL HALLDiane Reeves, largely considered one of the top three contenders for the mantle of best modern female jazz vocalist, has been recording for 31 years, even singing with Harry Belafonte in the ’80s. In the past decade her star has risen, and she’s won four Grammys since 2001, including for the soundtrack of standards she recorded for Good Night, and Good Luck. Tickets are $10-$60 for a 7:30 p.m. start. Grayson Currin

GAMBLING THE MUSE, SALT TO BITTERS
THE CAVEFrom loping lap steel ballads to Southern-hued twang, Gambling the Muse covers familiar alt-country territory, aching in the fashion of The Band on tracks like the terrific “Nickel and Dimed” and offering shining harmony-abetted jangle on “All the Leaves.” Salt To Bitters has a sharp, slashing style and a shambling folk-punk attitude. Gig starts at 9 p.m. Chris Parker

Durham
THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST
COMMON GROUND THEATRECarnell Scott, a Southern woman with scant social clout, decides to win her small town’s beauty contest to earn the respect of the neighbors. While this may sound like Chocolat‘s hokey Southern cousin, when placed in the able hands of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley (Crimes of the Heart), the outcome is the The Miss Firecracker Contest, opening this week courtesy of Ghost and Spice Productions. For more info, visit www.cgtheatre.com or call 698-3870. Megan Stein