Hey, did you know there’s a fair in town this week? True story. And while, statistically speaking, every person in the state will head through the Iowa State Fair’s turnstiles at least once in the next 11 days, there is still plenty of non-fair related things happening to keep you entertained after you’ve reached your food-on-a-stick quota for 2013.

Start at House of Bricks on Thursday, Aug. 8. That’s when Bricks has Trouble Lights and Annalibera in a free show that starts at 5 p.m.

Also on Aug 8 in Valley Junction, check out The Brian Holtz Band at Music in the Junction. The music-related activities commence at 5:30 p.m., and the event is always free to attend and an all-ages, family-friendly good time.

One last note for Aug. 8, The Underground Rock Shop has The Teeth performing a show starting at 7 p.m. along with The Greenery.

Sound Notes Pick o’ the Week: On Friday, Aug. 9, Matt Woods performs at Penoach Winery north of Adel. Check out some of the best blues around starting at 7 p.m. No cover.

Also on Aug. 9, Wooly’s has Greenville, S.C., jam/electronica three-piece act, The Malah. That one starts at 9 p.m., and tickets will run you $8 in advance through www.woolysdm.com or $10 at the door. Kinfolk opens.

Finally on Aug. 9, Vaudeville Mews has Los Angeles prog-metal act, Phavian, performing along with locals The Maw, No One and Violent Fade. Show starts at 10 p.m., and admission is $5 at the door.

You want polka? Hessen Haus has it. Get down there at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10, grab a boot of beer and check out Barry Boyce doing his thing. No cover.

Also on Aug. 10, Krazee Kafe welcomes Driver to town, playing along with Kalamity’s Magnet, Through the Darkness and Zombie Marmalade. Doors for that one open at 8 p.m. and sport a cover of $7.

Keeping the options rolling for your Saturday evening, Gas Lamp has Christopher the Conquered performing at 9 p.m., playing along with Mike Borgia and the Problems. That one is $7 at the door.

Final note for Aug. 10: The Hull Avenue Tavern has Numbered Existence, Sanity’s Edge, Dark Mirror and Slyde all rocking the pin-up girl stage starting at 9 p.m. There’s no cover on that one either.

On Sunday, Aug. 11, Summerset Winery in Indianola has Flipside performing at 3 p.m. The event is open to everyone of drinking age, and admission runs $3 per person or $10 by the carload.

Also on Aug. 11, el Bait Shop has Tallgrass performing at 9 p.m. There’s no cover and a whole bunch of beer to choose from.

Finally, on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Vaudeville Mews has a big pile of rock for you in the form of Ontario-based five-piece Poor Young Things. That show kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and is all ages. The JoLisa Smiths, Cause for Concern and Long Since Dismissed also perform, and admission is $10 at the door. Mahalo. CV