[ CLUB HOPPING ]

PUSH STARS, 10 tonight, Schubas, 3159 N. Southport.

Talented songwriter Chris Trapper and his Boston-based Push Starscreate perfect pop melodies. The question here is why this grouphasn't hit the big time. Bossa Nova, rap and Jonathan Richmaninfluences creep into the strong, new release "Opening Time." TheFarrelly Brothers caught onto this band long ago. They have used thegroup's music in the feature films "There's Something About Mary" and"Me, Myself & Irene," as well as their newest film "Say It Isn't So."The Churchills and the Twigs open. Admission is $10 at Schubas (773-525-2508).

MARACA Y OTRA VISION, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Old Town School of FolkMusic, 4544 N. Lincoln.

Orlando "Maraca" Valle is a flutist steeped in Cuban musicaltraditions, European classical techniques and American jazz. He wasthe flute player in Chucho Valdez's group Irakere and has written andarranged songs on the first Cubanismo album. His group's newestrelease, "Descarga Total!," is a dancers' delight. Admission is $18-$22 at the Old Town School (773-728-6000).

LARRY KIRWAN, 10 p.m. Saturday, Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace.

Larry Kirwan, the frontman and songwriter of the Irish group Black47, recently recorded his first solo album. On a brief hiatus fromperforming with the group, he is presenting these more intimate,sometimes autobiographical, songs as well as acoustic versions ofbetter known Black 47 tunes. Chris Connelly & the Bells and BillHouse open. Admission is $8 at the Abbey Pub (773-478-4408).

OLD BLIND DOGS, 8 p.m. Sunday, Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace.

The neo-traditional Scottish folk band Old Blind Dogs hasdeveloped a trademark style in which dynamic percussion and bluesyharmonica fuel the delicately phrased melodies of both new andtraditional songs. This group has the uncanny ability to sound newagain with each recording, and the latest release, "Fit," due out May15, is no exception. Admission is $10 at the Abbey Pub (773-478-4408).

BILLY LEE RILEY, 9 p.m. Thursday, FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt,Berwyn.

One of the founders of the rockabilly sound, Billy Lee Riley cameout of Memphis' Sun Records, the label that was also the early homeof Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, SonnyBurgess and others. Riley was the leader of Little Green Men, theband featured on most of the Sun records recorded from 1956 to 1959.Brad Berr and Nick Willett open. Tickets, $10, at Ticketmaster andFitzGerald's (708-788-2118).

SPRUNG MONKEY, 9 p.m. Thursday, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn.

San Diego-based Sprung Monkey blends honeyed harmonies with grittyguitars and a driving bass line to create a roster of memorable pop-rock songs. The group's penchant for special effects, such as vocaldistortions, could be annoying but here it works. Tickets, $15, atTicketmaster (312-559-1212) or House of Blues (312-923-2000).