You can see Hayes Carll for free.: James Minchin III/handout

Before the freakout

In two weeks, Hayes Carll comes back to town to host his Burlesque Circus and Sideshow Freakout, which looks to be a rowdy evening of music and dance. If you prefer your Carll in a sparer setting, he’ll be doing songs without the dancers, too. When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday; Where: Cactus Music, 2110 Portsmouth; free.

Winter of 2012
Expect minimal finger-bleeding since Bryan Adams will be performing his hits and favorites in a “solo and acoustic” setting, which he’s favored on recent tours. But given the informal setting, it’s unlikely he’d skip “Summer of ’69” or just about any of the others you want to hear. Even that cheesy “Don Juan DeMarco” song. When: 8 p.m. Sunday; Where: Stafford Centre, 10505 Cash; Tickets: $35-$75.

Girl power
“Girls Only — The Secret Comedy of Women”: Barbara Gehring and Linda Klein’s two-woman show mixes comedy, improvisation, audience participation, songs and video to evoke the “truth, humor and silliness of being female.” When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays; held over through Feb. 3; Where: Main Street Theater-Chelsea Market, 4617 Montrose; Tickets: $30-$40.

The rest of the week

Thursday 12.13

Haters Make Us Famous: The popular bimonthly parties celebrate three years with DJs Damon Allen, Grrrl Party and Hyro spinning the regular mix of ’80s, ’90s, disco, electro and party jams. There will be party hats and lots of booty-shaking. And probably cake. When: 10 p.m. Thursday; Where: Boondocks, 1417 Westheimer; Tickets: $5 for ages 18-20, free for ages 21 and older.

Flavorpill Sony Sessions: A pair of Houston tastemaker favorites — the Tontons, left, and DJ Sun, right — team up for an “intimate” performance at this Galleria store. Food from the BanhMieria truck, drinks from Prohibition, free T-shirts (for the first 25 guests) from local artist Jermaine Rogers, who has designed posters for Eddie Vedder and blink-182. Quite possibly the coolest event of the season. When: 7 p.m. Thursday; Where: Sony Galleria Store, 5015 Westheimer; Tickets: Free, but you must RSVP to attend; RSVP here .

Friday 12.14

Mechanical Boy: It’s been more than a minute since this glossy pop-rock outfit took to a Houston stage. More than two years, to be exact. The band is back onstage this weekend at “the only place we consider home” and bringing a few friends, including the 71’s (who headline the show), the RocketBoys and Megafauna. When: 8 p.m. Friday; Where: Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak; Tickets: $10

Saturday 12.15

Kinky: Their sound can be kinky, yes — but in a thrilling way. The veteran “rocktronica” band hails from Monterrey, Mexico, and the sound is a hyper-infectious blend of Latin, funk, rock and electronica. Their energetic live performances have been seen by crowds at Coachella, the New Orleans Jazz Fest, Voodoo Fest and more. Yokomono and Antonio Estevan Huerta open the show. When: 8 p.m. Saturday; Where: Engine Room, 1515 Pease; Tickets: $20.

A trio of local bands share a stout bill at the Continental Club. Expect rock, nothing indie about it. First, the familiar ... Tax the Wolf steers things in an otherworldly direction while the piano-led Poor Pilate drive along with frontman David Lascoe’s gritty soulful voice. Both have put out strong albums over the past two years. Third on the bill is Blackie Dammett, which takes its name from the actor and father of a famous Chili Pepper. The little I’ve heard of the trio suggests tightly wound fuzz rock without affectation of any sort. The show will offer a preview of an anticipated EP due early next year. When: 10 p.m. Saturday; Where: Continental Club, 3700 Main. Tickets: $10.

Marina and the Diamonds is actually just one woman.: Caspar Balslev/handout

Monday 12.17

Marina and the Diamonds: The half-Greek, half-Welsh Marina Diamand is is a solo act, in case you didn’t know. The Diamonds in her stage name is a reference to fans and her last name. Marina’s “Electra Heart” album was released earlier this year, a sure-footed mix of dance, pop and new wave produced by heavyweights Dr. Luke, Benny Blanco, Rick Nowels and Diplo. When: 9 p.m. Monday; Where: Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel; Tickets: $20.