Super Bowl weekend? Who cares when you have the mélange of musical anniversaries, birthdays, knowns and unknowns that populate the two county live musical scene.

First up, Midnite and their reggae dance party Feb. 5 at Mill Valley's Masonic. One day early for the Bob Marley birthday celebration (Feb. 6, 1945) Midnite might be most recognizable for their participation in last summers Outside Lands concert in San Francisco. Doors for the $30 show open at 8 p.m. and if tradition holds (they are known for playing up to three hours) they just might be ending at midnight, appropriately, just in time for a toast to Marley.

A little to the northwest on Feb. 5, Rancho Nicasio presents Ron Thompson at a free 8 p.m. show. Famous as a longtime band member for John Lee Hooker, Thompson is also in Mick Fleetwood's Blue Whale and has played with everyone from Chris Isaak to Bruce Willis to Elvin Bishop to Taj Mahal. Really, Bruce Willis? Really.

Meanwhile, the Sleeping Lady in Fairfax welcomes singer/songwriter Blane Lyon (cover TBA, 9:30 p.m.), whose funky danceable environmental theme songs have been used by both the bicycle lobby and the Safe Routes to School Program.

Santa Rosa weighs in the same night when the Last Day Saloon presents '80s/'90s shock rockers Lizzy Borden. In true Alice Cooper/Marilyn Manson fashion they are known (both the singer and the band are named Lizzy Borden) for their outrageous antics as well as their talented guitarists, with

George Lynch of Dokken and Dave Meniketti of Y&T appearing on their most recent album, “Appointment with Death”; $15 gets you a chance to see why this band was picked to be featured in the rockumentary “The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years” (9:30 p.m.).

Feb. 6 brings us Valentine's Day a week early at the Marin Civic Center Exhibit Hall, which should not to be confused with the Memorial Auditorium or the Showcase Theater. Featuring the danceable covers of Tainted Love, the 14th annual Marin Valentine's Ball will be raising money to benefit four nonprofits: Whistlestop, North Bay Children's Center, Sunny Hills Services and the Godmothers of the Timothy Murphy School for Boys at St. Vincent's. Tickets to the 6 p.m. black-tie extravaganza are $185, table sponsorship also available. Taint, ties and a ball, all for a good cause? Count me in.

Proceeding north along the 101 corridor we land at Petaluma's Mystic Theatre, which will thumb its nose at Marley's birthday by presenting the high-energy funkiness of the mighty Wonderbread 5. Originally a Jackson 5 cover band, over the past 10 years they have since branched out into a wide range of covers. One can only guess why ($17, 9:45 p.m.). Countering the 5's covers will be the covers of the Unauthorized Rolling Stones when they strut their stuff at Rancho Nicasio on Feb. 6 ($15, 8:30 p.m.)

Originality rises from the flames Feb. 6 at Petaluma's Phoenix Theater with the eclectic musical blend of SSU alumni Rex Per Diem along with Anthem, Der Spazm, Annonimato, Shortcuts to Fame and Mollygag, which is easily enough musical variety to make the $8 cover palatable (all ages, 8 p.m.).

Speaking of rising from the flames, along with originality and good humor, Fairfax's 19 Broadway celebrates the one-year anniversary of its Feb. 6 club fire ($600,000 in damage) with Hillside Fire and Mama's Cookin. The musical stuff gets “cooking” at 9 p.m. with some of the proceeds from the $12 cover probably going to fire insurance premiums, I'm guessing.

Finally someone honors Marley's birthday when Sebastopol's own Sol Horizon plays in their hometown at Hopmonk Tavern. A mere $10 ($12 at the door) gives you entry to Sol's originals that have afforded them the opportunity to share stages with reggae greats such as the Meditations and Eek-a-Mouse as well as convincing “toaster” Pato Banton to appear on their most recent release, “First Light.” See why you don't have to come from Jamaica to get it (9:30 p.m.).

For band listings, musical news, music-related gossip or related sightings, contact Doctor.rock@live.com.