Mary Ramsey, former lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs and half of the duo Jon & Mary, joins esteemed musician Joe Rozler for this Friday’s (Nov. 10) Classics on Elmwood Series at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 8pm. Mary will sing and play viola and violin while Joe plays piano and provides additional vocals. The program includes pop favorites as well as classics, from early 20th century Parisian salon music to songs by Frank Zappa. Guest appearances by John Lombardo (guitar) and Jonathan Golove (cello) round out the performance.

Several of the area’s best known bands have come together to give back to the community with Rock for Food 2006 at Club Infinity on Saturday (Nov. 11). This year’s lineup features Scott Celani (who has just released a fourth CD entitled Wired for Nostalgia), Last Conservative, Steve Roth, Last Days of Radio, Hooks & Halos, Marty Nightengale, Dee Adams, The Rev and Rich Militello. Bands will play on two stages. All who are planning to attend are encouraged to bring canned food and other non-perishable food items. 100% of the profits will go for donations to the Food bank of WNY, thanks to sponsors Kiss 98.5 and Bank of America. Doors open at 7pm

Buffalo’s hip-hop scene might not get as much notice as the NYC scene, but it certainly produces capable and exceedingly talented artists. Noble Truth is proof of that. This up-and-coming musician, also known as Chae Hawk, draws upon his experiences growing up in Buffalo as well as his interests in rock, punk and indie music to create a unique style of hip-hop that’s accessible to a wide range of audiences. Judging by the fact that he’s only 22 and is releasing his third independent album, Little Blood, More Sweat, Few Tears, he’s found a formula that works. Check out Noble Truth along with his DJ Dstar at the CD-release party for this latest album, aptly dubbed “Winter Warz” since the original release party was postponed by the freak October blizzard. Buffalo Icon, Saturday (Nov. 11) 9pm

“Buffalo Bands for the Homeless” lands at the Town Ballroom this year for an annual concert to benefit Compass House, a local shelter that services runaway and homeless youth. Performances by the Real Thing, Caruso and Puleo (former members of the Need), Juxtaposse, Outer Circle Orchestra and others should make for a diverse evening of music and fun. Something for everyone, Saturday (Nov. 11), 7pm. This event is sponsored by the Power of One United and the Buffalo Sabres, among others.

Working a tour that kicked off the beginning of this month, Zox is touring the east coast for the first time as headliners. After a summer on the Warped Tour and the release of a second album, The Wait (SideOneDummy Records), this band out of Attleboro Massachusetts is keeping up a fast pace. Zox has a progressive sound with well-written lyrics that mesh with the music’s upbeat feel. The tour will bring them to the Buffalo Icon this Monday (Nov. 13) where they’ll be joined by the Highway Beautiful, a one-man band with an acoustic indie sound, Tally Hall and Mechatma. Doors open at 7pm

Deke Dickerson is a genuine musicologist. Blending country, rock-n-roll, R & B, surf and doo-wop, Dickerson is a roots music force to be reckoned with, touted by longtime fan Rev. Horton Heat as “the best rockabilly guitar player in the whole world.” Growing up in Columbia, Missouri, Dickerson made his first steps in now legendary bands such as the Untamed Youth and the Dave & Deke Combo. Since signing to the Hightone label as a solo artist in 1997, he has performed over 225 shows a year, collaborating with everyone from Los Straightjackets to notorious X guitarist Billy Zoom. His live shows are known for their manic uppredictability, swinging from hardcore conviction to humorous odes. Dickerson performs at Mohawk Place on Wednesday (Nov 15) at 8pm with the Blue Rocket Trio and Pete Worden & the Hardtimers.