Rock picks

After an interminable campaign season that closed with a stretch when every other show seemed to be a rally of some sort, we're all truly sick of politics. So how about a weekend of nothing but good times?

Start with tonight and the fine salsa stylings of Bio Ritmo at Chapel Hill's Local 506; the bluesy sass of big-voiced singer/pianist Teresa James and her Rhythm Tramps at Papa Mojo's in Durham; Ben Sollee, cellist from Abigail Washburn's genre-bending Sparrow Quartet, at Chapel Hill's Nightlight; venerable pop genius Matthew Sweet at Carrboro's Cat's Cradle; the Beatles tribute experience RAIN, which continues at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium through Sunday; and this weekend's Troika Music Festival in venues around Durham.

Other highlights

[NOWEB]n Saturday brings the incomparable Bottle Rockets to Raleigh's Berkeley Cafe (one of only 15 shows they are playing nationwide to mark the band's 15-year anniversary); TR3, featuring Dave Matthews collaborator Tim Reynolds, at Raleigh's Pour House; pop-songwriter-turned-Tony-winner Duncan Sheik at Durham's Carolina Theatre (see Page 9D); boogie-woogie pianist Henry Gray at Loafer's Beach Club; and a couple of actual outdoor shows -- Billy Ray Cyrus at Cary's Koka Booth Amphitheatre (see Page 8D), and Black Crowes at Raleigh's Lincoln Theatre Street Stage.

• After all that, if you're feeling as if maybe you want more politics in your life after all, finish the weekend with James McMurtry on Sunday night at the Cradle. As author of songs including "Cheney's Toy" and "We Can't Make It Here," he'll no doubt have a thing or two to say about the election past.[/NOWEB]