It may be famous for its oxen draws, sheep shows and garden tractor pulls, but as evidenced by this year’s crop of musical talent, the 2013 Heath Fair (heathfair.org) has sown a healthy dose of high quality audio into the agricultural mix this year.

Signature Sounds recording artist Peter Mulvey and his Crumbling Beauties kick things off on Friday, Aug. 16—giving way to a fireworks display. Heath’s own Fireseed keep the musical home fires burning on Saturday, Aug. 17 starting at 11:30 a.m., followed by swing/jazz practictioners Small Change (1 p.m.), the classic-rock-laden sibling revelry that is the Brattlyn Brothers (4 p.m.), and hick rock festival staples The Lonesome Brothers (7 p.m.), who will close out the evening.

The Shelburne Falls Military Band—regularly meeting since 1835—signals the musical start of Sunday, Aug. 18. Celebrated country/bluegrass/folk faves Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem wrap things up on the Fairground stage after their 1:30 p.m. set.

The Heath Fair runs Friday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $7; seniors, $5; children aged 9 and younger, free. Parking is free as well.

 

Also this month, the Crawler appears to have unearthed a bona fide audio/edible jewel down in the Constitution State. Or perhaps “pearl” is more accurate.

Awww… shucks. You guessed it: the 39th annual Milford Oyster Festival (milfordoysterfestival.com) opens for business at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. Among the musical acts slated to entertain listeners who have journeyed from throughout the region are multi-platinum artist Blues Traveler this go-round.

“Blues Traveler has been on our band wish list for several years, and we are thrilled to be able to finally bring them to our main stage,” notes Jay Pinto, vice president of the festival committee.

“We have a great stage and backdrop for Blues Traveler,” adds Paula Smith, festival president. “This is a wonderful opportunity for fans to enjoy a free outdoor concert in our beautiful downtown harbor area.”

In March 2012, Blues Traveler released a double-disk compilation entitled 25 on Hip-O Records; the album commemorates the band’s silver anniversary and includes their hit singles, new covers, and previously unreleased B-side material. The band’s most recent studio album, Suzie Cracks the Whip, was also released in 2012.

The previous day—or “Oyster Eve,” as they call it around those parts (Aug. 16)—Jimmy & the Parrots have been tapped to perform at the Harbor Stage from 6 to 9:30 p.m. as well.

One of the nation’s foremost “Buffet Bands” and the 2012 Trop Rock Entertainer of the Year, Jimmy & The Parrots have been paying homage to the mayor of Margaritaville for more than a decade now. And to prove that these purveyors of shellfish are far from selfish, admission to the Fest and all concerts is free.

 

Moving from shucks to yuks with the greatest of unease… One of the Crawler’s favorite funnymen, Bill Burr, pops into Foxwoods’ MGM Grand Theater on Friday, Aug. 23. Tickets are $30 or $50, depending on your proximity to the hilarity.

For those thinking, “This guy looks familiar,” well, he may, especially as of recent months. Burr is a regular with David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Fallon. He also has a recurring role on the hit AMC show Breaking Bad and was just seen in a guest role on Fox’s New Girl. Burr can presently be seen in the Paul Feig film The Heat alongside Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. In 2014, he will appear in Walk of Shame alongside Elizabeth Banks and in Black and White with Kevin Costner.

Not to be outdone, neighboring casino the Mohegan Sun has forged an August entertainment calendar certain to catch the eye of the most discriminating of metalmeisters. Reunited Black Sabbath (Aug. 8), KISS (Aug. 10) and the Styx/Reo Speedwagon Midwest Rock N’ Roll Express Tour (Aug 24) are among the headliners holding court at the venue’s Arena this month, while Everclear (Aug. 9), Skid Row (Aug. 10), and Mike Delguidice with members of the Billy Joel Band (Aug. 17) and Puddle of Mudd (Aug. 17) are slated to perform free shows in the Sun’s Wolf Den. For more info on any and all shows—or to purchase tickets where applicable- kindly point your browser to mohegansun.com.•

Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.