For diehard fans of the blues, there’s only one show worth flocking to this afternoon: the two-day music festival CHICKEN RAID 2008. Eddie Kirkland and Roy Lee Johnson headline, with featured performers including the Fat City Wildcats, Bill Sheffield, Sean Costello and Mudcat. The event honors the late country blues giant Frank Edwards; a part of the proceeds goes to the medical expenses of trombonist Lil Joe Burton. 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23 at Northside Tavern. Admission is $15. www.myspace.com/thechickenraid.

If that’s true, then why does this funny guy have so many fans? CHRIS ROCK takes the stage at the Fox Theatre for two shows, tonight and tomorrow. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $45.50 to $75. 404-817-8700. www.foxtheatre.org.  

Want proof? Just drop by Wordsmith Books in Decatur for OPEN MIC NIGHT, a free-for-all display of poetry, music, jokes, stories, pet tricks—you name it. Want to participate? Just be there in time for sign-up at 7 p.m. tonight; the action starts at 7:30 p.m. Best of all? You won’t be judged by David Hasselhoff or Sharon Osbourne. (If, by some fluke, they do show up, we’re not responsible.) 
404-378-7166. www.wordsmithbooks.com.

Lots of Atlantans have seen local musician Kodac Harrison—but they’ve never seen him in a performance like REACH FOR THE MOON. The grizzled songwriter-poet and a crackerjack band anchor this production, about a small-town boy who strikes out for the big city to chase his dream. The show features interpretive dance from Blake Dalton and Erin Weller, and is directed by local theater guru Del Hamilton. Tonight through Sunday at 7 Stages. 404-523-7647. www.7stages.org.

Don’t act like you don’t know Atlanta enjoys quite a reputation in the hip-hop community. This weekend, the city hosts the A3C HIP-HOP FESTIVAL, featuring Del tha Funkyhomosapien, Binkis Recs, DJ Lord of Public Enemy and a reunion of the legendary Juice Crew, including Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Marley Marl and Roxanne Shanté. It all starts tonight, March 20, with a kick-off party and performances, and continues through Saturday at the Midtown Music Complex. Three-day passes are $45. www.a3cfestival.com.

Singer-songwriters write passionately about everything from love and angst to sweaters and hair loss, but many of them are often ignored by mainstream radio. Hear what you’ve been missing during the HOTEL CAFE TOUR, featuring Cary Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, Josh Radin, Bob Schneider, AM and Christopher Denny. The show starts at 8 p.m. tonight at Center Stage Atlanta. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 on the day of the show. 404-885-1365. 
www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

Atlanta author PEARL CLEAGE discusses her new novel, “Seen It All and Done the Rest,” about an international star who returns home to Atlanta to help her granddaughter, tonight at the Margaret Mitchell House. A reception begins at 6 p.m., with the discussion at 7 p.m. Admission is $10. Reservations are requested. 404-249-7015. www.gwtw.org.

On the roads of our fair city, it’s sometimes hard to remember that driving can be fun. Recapture the thrills of being behind the wheel of a fine automobile during the BMW ULTIMATE DRIVE EVENT. Breast cancer survivors and supporters earn $1 to fund breast cancer research for every mile they drive between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. today at Global Imports. Free digital mammographies are offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free. For more information, visit www.globalimportsbmw.com/communitycalendar.

Looking for one more way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Try the RAISING OF THE GREEN, which includes samples from Stone Mountain restaurants, as well as a silent auction and, of course, plenty of green beer. The party takes place at 6 p.m. at ART Station in Stone Mountain. Tickets are $20 in advance. 770-469-1105. www.artstation.org.

Get your shamrocks ready—it’s that time of year again when everybody’s Irish. The annual ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE begins at noon today at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill Boulevard,