BANNED FROM HEAVEN: Mike McCurlie, above, and Ron Cole bring their band and a few friends Sunday evening to Fieldcote band shell in Ancaster (64 Sulphur Springs Rd.). Joining Banned From Heaven will be some of the best guitarists in the area: Jack de Keyzer, Alfie Smith, Jamie Oakes, Steve Strongman. Show starts at 7 p.m. It's free, but be sure to drop something in the donation jar.

THE FRANCO PROIETTI MORPH-TET is a chemical stew brewed by Kevin Komoda (ex-Kobayashi) and Frank Proietti of Montreal. A five-piece fusion of jazz and hip hop, the group's debut CD, Morphology, is gaining rave reviews. Performing with the Morph-Tet tonight at the Casbah is Plunt, which takes its cues from NYC '70s punk scene and '90s indie rock. Doors open at 8 p.m. $8 admission.

ANDY WILLIAMS is one of four great DJs who'll spin rare and funky stuff at Pepper Jack Cafe Wednesday at 10 p.m. Williams is considered the best in Montreal. He'll be joined by Karsten John from Germany, and Jon Sikich and LP, both from Hamilton. You'll hear free-style soul, funk and world-beat dance-floor gems that you don't usually hear here. $6

NANCY RANCOURT is a talented Hamilton pop singer-songwriter who has appeared with Joan Jett, Carole Pope and Ashley MacIsaac. "Nann" is releasing a new CD, Ready Or Not, filled with catchy high-energy dance songs. See her live Saturday, 8 p.m., at Hamilton Place Studio Theatre. $18.50 at Copps Coliseum box office or 905-527-7666.

CACTUS FESTIVAL: Cadillac Bill, above, and The Creeping Bent will be one of many local acts performing on three stages in downtown Dundas this weekend at the Cactus Festival. Bill plays Friday at 7:30 p.m. Also watch for Groove Corporation (Saturday, 7 p.m.), Mexican Standoff (Friday, 9 p.m.) and Trickbag (Saturday 8:30 p.m.). For a schedule of events, see dundascactusfest.ca.