Trischka, hailed a banjo "genius" by everyone from the New York Times to Bela Fleck, reunites with Skyline, his original groundbreaking band from the 1980s.  This Unison show promises elements of jazz, rock, and classical music combined with traditional bluegrass to create what they call "NewGrass."  The band includes Larry Cohen on bass, Danny Weiss on guitar, and Barry Mitterhoff of Hot Tuna on mandolin and vocals. $18/$14. New Paltz. (845) 255-1559. www.unisonarts.org.

The Girls are always welcome in the Hudson Valley, and the warm setting of the Bardavon provides a perfect backdrop for their clear voices and rich harmonies.  Here they trade the lavender flag for a pink ribbon to close out WDST's Pink October breast cancer awareness concerts.  (Special kudos to "Acoustic Breakfast" host Carmel Holt who runs this benefit series.) $42.50/$39.50. Poughkeepsie. (845) 473-2072. www.bardavon.org.

Is he an electro-clash DJ phenomenon?  Heavy metal gangsta-rapper?  Bi-porno actor/performer?  Decide for yourself when the outlandish Bernard unloads himself at the rollicking Rive Gauche nightclub.  This New York City club-kid has an adults-only Web site, but hails from rural Oklahoma where there's nothing but "steers and queers, and we don't see no horns on you, boy!" $5. Kingston. (845) 339-2003. www.houstonbernard.com.

"Guitarist From the Future" Asia is a supernova of a player, spinning cosmic melodies at the speed of light.  This trio - with avant-traditionalist Minasi and the groundbreaking Finn - is as mindful a "jazz" line-up as the Kingston scene has ever heard, and a coup for the humble AIR Studio Gallery in Midtown. $6 or 2-for-$10. Kingston. (845) 331-2662. www.airstudiogallery.com.

A rare set by the reclusive Sweet - according to his Web site, Sweet hasn't played out since May of this year.  The Chance rocks the rest of November with the Derek Trucks band on Nov.  12th, Reel Big Fish on the 17, and Upstate Reggae's Leah Boss adds The Wailers on Nov.  26, celebrating original bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett's birthday. (Call for ticket prices). Poughkeepsie. (845) 471-1966. www.thechancetheater.com.

Thanks to local radio shows like WVKR's SceneUnseen (Weds.  6-9pm) these two troubadors are well known to Hudson Valley music fans.  Although of different styles - Turk is the carefree, barefoot traveller, Von Em more the brooding romantic - both artists offer nifty guitar work, great vocals and delightful lyrics.  And the percolating Peekskill Coffee House boasts an outpouring of especially great music this month. Free. Peekskill. (914) 739-1287. www.peekskillcoffee.com.

Those who missed Milo Z.'s last sold-out Kingston show are advised to get in line now for this Forum funk-fest.  Milo, originally a drummer with NYC bar band The Worms, used to grab the mike and rap one song a night.  When the Worms went under, Milo took center stage with his own heavy groove to provide the missing link between Sly Stone and Eminem.  (Albany's Honeycreeper with The Waz appear on the 26.) $10. Kingston. (845) 331-1116. www.forumlounge.com.