Go for the Jug-ular

The folk revival revival, long going strong, fueled with young people hopping around to bluegrass, country, and front-porch blues, has now reached all the way back to music played on "instruments" stolen from the yard or kitchen. You doubt us? You think there's no way serious musicians can make stuff like that "cool again"? Check it out: On Aug. 25, the Jug Band Festival kicks off at 10 a.m. with no fewer than eight jug bands at the Bandshell in Golden Gate Park. The lineup includes locals such as Devine's Jug Band, a seven-strong gang pulled together from the unstoppably folk-crazy Mission District scene; you may remember harmonica player Jimmy Sweetwater from the string of stompy, sweaty, mostly old-timey showcases he's put on over the past few months. The Leasebreakers, Jeb Brady, and the Barking Spiders round it out. This is real, people. The dorkiest possible look and sound -- blowing into a bottle -- is popping off right now, the same way it was in the immediately pre-Grateful Dead 1960s.

Chasin' Gus' Ghost, a new documentary honoring the father of jug band music, Gus Cannon, screens Aug. 25 at the Roxie, and tonight (forgive us for the next four words) the superstars of jug perform: John Sebastian, Geoff Muldaur, Jim Kweskin, and David Grisman.
Sun., Aug. 26, 8 p.m.