The Fourth of July holiday gave some of us the opportunity to have a short work week. Looking ahead to this weekend in music, it looks like we’re getting a head start on things with several great shows slated for Thursday night.

Here’s the rundown:

– South Park Tavern will feature Brooklyn’s the Judy Blooms along with Roley Yuma and Andy Smith of Andrew & the Pretty Punchers. For those unfamiliar with the Judy Blooms, it’s the brainchild of former Daytonian Jake Geisege who you may remember from the band Wild & Free. This all-ages show is $5 and begins around 9pm.

– Forgoing the usual Thursday open mic night for a week, Blind Bob’s is featuring an evening of music presented by Poptek Records. Chicago’s The Love of Everything will join Poptek’s own Kris N on the stage. Brooklyn’s Vox Humana and local musician (and Blind Bob’s open mic host) Brandon Hawk will round out the bill. This show is 21+ and costs $5.

– If you want to rock out for a cause, head over to Vex. The Jackalopes will join Jasper the Colossal along with Todd the Fox and Henrique Couto and the Tallywacker Express (members of Splattertude). The show is a benefit for local filmmaker, Andy Copp’s newest project, Church of the Eyes. This show is $5 at the door and gets started around 10pm.

-You can also put your vote in for Round One of the Dayton Band Playoffs over at Canal Street Tavern. Thursday night features performances by The Whataveya, N.P.D., and A Shade of Red. $3 gets you in the door, and you’ll get to vote on your favorite act during this seeding round of the Playoffs (the top 16 bands move on to Round Two).