Finally, I have answers. I've gotten calls and e-mails from people wondering about Toby Keith tickets after it was announced last week that he'd be performing Sept. 14 at Grizzlies Stadium.

Here's your heads up: Tickets to see Keith perform will go on-sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Grizzlies Stadium box office or by calling (559) 320-8497. Tickets also will be available online at www.tickets.com or by calling Tickets.com at (800) 225-2277.

Together, the Fresno Grizzlies and Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino are hoping they can give Fresno the outdoor music venue it needs and help revitalize Downtown Fresno.

At a press conference this afternoon, the team and the casino announced a partnership that will bring to town Toby Keith on Sept. 14 and Ana Gabriel and Paul Rodriguez on Oct. 29. More concerts are in the works, they say. The Grizzlies have toyed with the idea of live music for years, usually doing a show, then disappearing for a year or more.

This time, the team's new ownership seems earnest in its intentions. But I'm wondering what people think? Will this just be another instance of the Grizzlies trying to court live music? Or, with the help of Chukchansi, can Grizzlies Stadium become the outdoor concert venue Fresno needs and a good force at getting people to come downtown?

No Friday Five this week. No time for that. I have about three minutes to write this, so I'm gonna make it quick -- and probably scattered. Here's what's happening this weekend:

If you turned on your radio Tuesday morning, there's a good chance you heard the musings of comedian Carlos Mencia. He was on just about every radio station in town -- Y101, B95, Q97 and Mega 97.9.

For a guy like Mencia, a loud-mouthed comic with a lot on his mind, there's never too many chances to get in front of a microphone.

Plus, he has a Nov. 25 performance coming up at the Save Mart Center, quite a jump up from when he last performed in Fresno at the Saroyan Theatre.

But Mencia is a comedian on the climb. His "Mind of Mencia" sketch/stand-up comedy show has become a hit in its second season on Comedy Central and he's planning a massive tour for the fall.

Since Carlos and I go back -- I think I've interviewed him more than anybody in my career -- he sat down and talked to me over lunch to peak into that "Mind" of his. Listen to the interview in MP3 format here.

Rademacher's Malcolm Sosa writes in to give word about his band's latest success. Apparently, music from these Fresno indie faves is going to be used in this Saturday's episode of "Icons" on the G4 network.

Here's what he had to say:

Here you go, music fans. Here's a pretty comprehensive list of what's going on in Fresno and its surrounding areas this week. There are big acts like Rascal Flatts and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young coming to town, a host of locals and buzz-worthy touring acts like The Album Leaf.

MONDAY
Chowchilla punk band The Pricks perform at Lucky 13 while a big hardcore/metal show goes down at The Belmont with The Number 12 Looks Like You, The Jonbenet and local bands Gentlemens Club and Archaic Terror.

TUESDAY
Get a dose of spoken-word poetry with the Beat Down Slam at Starline. Starting this week, the winner's prize doubles. So whether you want to just watch, or if you got the gift of gab, get out there.

The Merced County Fair begins with a performance from country star Blake Shelton.

Hey there. It's Friday again, which means I'm gonna help you navigate your music options for this weekend. My Music Roundup and our calendar would be good places to start. Also, I'll toss you events that are on my pick-list.

1. Million/Billion @ Fagan's Irish Pub
Of all the CDs in a stack on my desk this week, I dug Million/Billion's the most. Their music is somewhere between indie rock and folk, with a lot of unexpected sounds, which gives it some adventure. They're hot in L.A. and are playing Fagan's on Saturday night.

2. Atari Champ at Kuppajoe
Local faves Atari Champ were doing the whole indie rock thing before it got cool. But now, the band has parted ways. It is playing one last show, tonight at Kuppajoe, to end things in style. A bunch of bands who are descendents of Atari Champ are playing, too: Some Kind of Wonderful, JAF, A Pageant's End and Winter Wardrobe. The latter two are releasing CDs tonight, too.

Just got off the phone with John Alkire, the CEO of The Big Fresno Fair, who gives word on the one remaining unscheduled day of fair entertainment. On Oct. 12, rappers Chamillionaire and Chingy will perform, along with R & B group Cherish.

Like the rest of the fair entertainment, reserved tickets will go on-sale at 9 a.m. Friday. Reserved seats cost $15. Remember: At least 500 free seats will be given away the day of the show.

That's a good addition to the lineup. Chamillionaire is huge right now. Chingy is on the comeback trail. And Cherish's single "Do It To It" is all over the radio right now. Although, knowing that the fair was perusing one of my current favorite groups, Gnarls Barkley -- crazy, huh? -- I can't help but be a little disappointed.

There are plenty of ways to get a head start on your weekend tonight, from some interesting parties to some cool music events. Check it out.

• In Downtown Fresno, 3 Brush Gallery, 2932 Fresno St., is hosting what promises to be a fresh party to celebrate the opening of its latest exhibit featuring paintings from Tom Wilson and photos by William C. Raines. In addition, Jimmie O. and the Boxcar Saints will be performing live and DJ Smack Jilly will be spinning. There's a $13 cover, but that includes an open bar and food. The party starts at 8 p.m.
• Another cool party scheduled for tonight is the HiS Magazine release party at Babylon (formerly Avalon). The Sleepover Disaster will be performing. And much of who's who of Fresno should be there. There's no cover.

Plenty more after the break...

There is something so deliciously refreshing about a Slurpee in the summertime. Especially, when you live in Fresno. Actually, Fresno has revived my love for this icy, flavored treat (Cherry is always the way to go, people), because when I moved here I found safe retreat at 7-Elevens, where Slurpees could cool me down from the triple-digit heat.

Have I wet your Slurpee appetite yet?

If so, feel free -- oh, the foreshadowing -- the head down to your nearest 7-Eleven and get a Slurpee. For FREE.
Confused? Well, look at the calendar. It's July 11, 7/11, which means it's Free Slurpee Day. Of course, they're not huge Slurpees, but small icy flavored goodness for free is still awesome. And, no one says you can't go on a Slurpee Tasting Tour at different 7-Eleven's. Go here to locate a 7-Eleven near you.

I think my head still kinda hurts from the Vans Warped Tour yesterday. Boy, was it hot. But there was tons of bands, tons of people and tons of action. You can read my rundown of the event here.

One of my favorite things was just walking around and seeing all the different booths, watching all the different people. It's hard to stay in one place for too long there, so I mostly watched bands for a few minutes, then went about my business. Another thing that sticks out was the members of the young Tennessee-based band Paramore trying to figure out how to get to In-N-Out Burger, since it's one of the things about California they worship. I sympathized and wrote them directions.

Ever the amateur photographer, though, I walked around the Warped Tour trying to capture some of the odd and interesting sights on my digital camera. Figured I'd share with you all. You can see them here. And remember the one very key word, amateur photographer.

What's going on this weekend? Plenty. Read my Music Roundup for a full list of music-related happenings, or check out our calendar. There's a lot there, here are my top 5 picks. Enjoy.

1. The Vans Warped Tour @ Selland Arena
If you read the newspaper just about any day this week, you saw some mention of the Warped Tour, which is going down Sunday at Selland Arena's parking lot. Therefore, I don't know what else I can say about about the tour, other than to tell you to check out my Warped Tour tips, rising bands to check out and interview with Joan Jett. Tickets cost $30.25.

2. Sparklejet and Supercharger @ Starline
Sparklejet and Supercharger get together for the biggest rock show of the weekend Saturday night at Starline. Sparklejet just released "Beyond the Beyond," the band's new album, which is produced by the legendary Steve Albini. This is the album release party and Sparklejet recruited Supercharger to help them rock out. Tickets cost $5.

A few pieces into poet/musician/author/actor Saul Williams' performance Saturday night at Arte Americas, a fan seized a quiet moment and yelled "We love you, Saul."

"I love you, too," Williams replied. Then he paused, almost like he was trying to wrap his brain around where he was and what he was doing. He said, "This is absurd -- Saturday night? A poetry jam? Get a life!" and laughed.

"It's Fresno," someone in the audience yelled back at him.

It was Fresno, and on this beautiful summer evening, under the stars at Arte's outdoor plaza, Williams -- who was performing one of only three U.S. shows until November -- gave Fresno an incredible cultural treat.