The Show Report, 7/9: The Folk Explosion

…Not to be confused with The Folk Implosion, which was pretty cool in its own right: The Gillioz Theatre is bringing big-time folk and bluegrass to SGF tonight, with Dar Williams, Sara Watkins and The HillBenders all performing onstage. All come with staggering pedigrees, too. Williams has been a staple of the folk and acoustic world for 20 years, performing with almost all of the genre’s heavyweights along the way. Watkins, meanwhile, is a member of Bluegrass stylebenders Nickel Creek and now a solo artist in her own right, with a debut album recorded by John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin. Then there’s Springfield’s own The Hillbenders, who keep racking up awards at every turn and recently added the title of National Single Microphone Champions to their mantle. It all gets underway at 7:30 p.m. and you can still get tickets by clicking here.

Also tonight:

* Paperclips, The BoogeyMen and Ghost Dance at Lindberg’s

* Q102 Homegrown with City Limits, White Atlantic and The Nova Heat at The High Life Live Martini Lounge

* TAG Patio Party at Houlihan’s with host Jimi James and guest The Seed

* Grateful Dead Tribute at Patton Alley Pub

* Sounds on the Square with The Phasetones (5 p.m.), Static Variation (6 p.m.), Lija Fonner (7:15 p.m.) and Eddie Gumucio & The Electrics (8:30 p.m.) on Park Central Square.

* Black Box Revue with guests Gemini Club and Do-It-To-It at The Outland

* Nocturnal Nation, Fallen Within and Black Note at The Ugly Mug Live Music Tavern

* Tuck & Abney at The Tipsy Turtle Pub

* Stacy Fisher, Eric & Piper and Gas Pump Talent at The Outland Ballroom

* Big Mike Griffin at Nathan P. Murphy’s

* 4 Jax at Springfield Brewing Company

* The Dropouts at Three 20′s Club

* The Expectations at Brighton Creek Bar & Grill

* The Fabulous Unexpected at Harlow’s

* The Trash Angels at The New Key Largo

* Bad Habit at Archie’s Lounge

* M-Dock at Cartoons

* Rideshy at Dennis’ Place

* Tequila, Lime, No Salt at Mille’s Turn of the Century Cafe

* The JukeDawgs at The Daily Pub

* Thirst N Howl at W.F. Cody’s South