Front Row: Folk Music

Dar Williams: Now that Williams is a national star, novelist, and mom, her new album, "Promised Land" (out Tuesday), shows her more interested in real-life landscapes than inner demons. Friday, Somerville Theatre. 617-625-4088, www.somervilletheatreonline.com

The Boston Folk Festival: It's trimmed down but still smartly reflects Boston coffeehouse tastes, with Buskin and Batteau, Eliza Gilkyson, John Gorka, Susan Werner, Kathy Mattea, and more. Saturday-next Sunday, UMass-Boston. 617-287-6911, www.bostonfolkfestival.org

Johnny Flynn: On some strange border between Nick Drake and the Pixies, this tart, folk-rocking Brit writes songs that are eerily familiar. Saturday, International Community Church, Allston. 617-782-8120, www.massliveevents.com

Club Passim 50th Anniversary Gospel and Blues Celebration: Mavis Staples, Chris Smither, and Ollabelle testifying and toe-tapping on the same stage. I dare you not to feel good. Sept. 27, Sanders Theatre, Cambridge. 617-496-2222, www.clubpassim.org

Tracy Grammer: Grammer's a riveting instrumentalist and singer; catch openers Avi and Celia, who combine roots swagger with populist fire. Oct. 11, Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, Franklin. 508-528-2541, www.circlefolk.org

SCOTT ALARIK