We’ve been nothing short of foolish for not mentioning it before now, but congratulations are due to central Iowa’s own musician/artist/renaissance man Chad Elliott for being the 2013 Iowa Blues Challenge Champion. Elliott will move on from here to Memphis this January to compete in the International Blues Competition. Give ’em hell, Chad.

Sound Notes Pick o’ the Week: Thursday, Aug. 29 is time for the monthly Songwriter Night at House of Bricks. This month’s lineup includes Jami Beste and Bill Nelson, Dan Jones and Ron Burchett, with fliers strongly hinting at an additional mystery songwriter (the words “mystery songwriter” printed on the flier counts as a strong hint, right?). Show starts at 8 p.m., and there’s no cover. So be sure to tip the good folks.

Also on Aug 29, Vaudeville Mews has Minneapolis pop act The Lower 48 starting at 9 p.m. Local acts Love Songs For Lonely Monsters and Foxholes both open, and $7 will get you in the door.

Get up to Chuck’s Restaurant on Friday, Aug. 30 and check out an all-ages show with the Steve Charlson Trio starting at 7:30 p.m. This week the band features guest vocalist Tina Haase Findlay, who’s worth checking out all on her own. There’s no cover, but bring your appetite, and order up a plate of something good.

Also on Aug. 30, Wooly’s has Parlours, playing along with Dustin Smith and the Sunday Silos and Dylan Sires and Neighbors. The music will start at 8 p.m. for that one. It’s also an all-ages show, and admission is $7.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, Ritual Café has Portland, Ore., duo There is no Mountain performing from 7 to 9 p.m. There’s no cover for that all-ages show either, and if you haven’t experienced music at Ritual Café with the garage door up and the fresh air blowing through, do it now while the weather is still amenable.

Also on Aug. 31, The Hull Avenue Tavern has Mars on Fire along with 10 Peny. No cover and cheap beer.

There are a couple of multi-band events happening on Sunday, Sept. 1 starting with “Rage and Rot 2” at the PBR Stage between Mews and Royal Mile. The show will be both free and all-ages and features Mumford’s, Druids, Tyborn Jig, Darrell Hamburger and The Ketchup Boys, Pussywillow, Dickweed and Stone Mills. Music starts at 6 p.m., and there’s no charge.

And over at Krazee Kafe you can check out the “Labor Day Rock Out” with Agony of Defeat, Apathy Syndrome, Austin Taft Soundtrack, Mars on Fire and Zombie Marmalade. Admission to that one will be $10, and it’s open to everyone 18 and over.

Finally, Wednesday, Sept. 4 is your chance to get your DJ fix, as both The Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar and The Underground have DJs playing with no cover — 7 p.m. at the former, 9 p.m. at the latter — and Wooly’s has “One More Time: A Tribute to Daft Punk” starting at 8 p.m. the same night. Admission to that all-ages show is $15 in advance through www.woolysdm.com or $17 day of show. Mahalo. CV