Roots reggae group The Califarians, which will perform at RT’s Longboard tonight, may have only formed in July 2010, but it is a group with a major pedigree. The band’s various members have played with a wealth of genre performers including locals Slightly Stoopid and the transplanted English Beat as well as legends such as Eek-A-Mouse, The Itals and Pablo Moses. The Califarians’ emphasis is on keeping things fun and danceable, making this show from some of the area’s most seasoned reggae musicians a must for fans of rhythmic dance floor tunes. The Califarians: Tonight, Jan. 6, 10 p.m. at RT’s Longboard, 1466 Garnet Ave. 21 and up. www.myspace.com/mightycalifarians The Wave House expands its booking a bit with a free comedy show on Friday, Jan. 7. The night’s lineup includes three up and coming comedians: Jarrod Harris, Rory Scovell and Kumail Nanjiani. While all three are veterans of Comedy Central, Nanjaini is on a particularly hot streak at the moment, with appearances in the past year on TV’s “Colbert Report,” “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Saturday Night Live.” He was also named one of the year’s top 10 comedians to watch by both New York Magazine and Variety, as well as scoring a part in the TBS series “Franklin and Bash.” Anyone wanting a few laughs, on a budget, after a long holiday season, need look no further. Comedy Night: Friday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m. at the Wave House, 3125 Oceanfront Walk. No Cover. 21 and up. www.wavehousesandiego.com One of the first punk bands to make an impact in the U.S., T.S.O.L., or True Sounds of Liberty, has never lost its fan base. Formed in 1979, the Long Beach based group was among the earliest to tour, release records and score airplay, all a major feat back in the day. There have been numerous lineups of the band but today it tours with two original members: frontman Jack Grisham and bassist Ron Emory. T.S.O.L. continues to record, most recently releasing the album “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Free Downloads” in 2009. However, expect the night’s biggest cheers to be given for the group’s earliest songs. T.S.O.L.: Friday, Jan. 7, 8 p.m. at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 21 and up. $18. www.myspace.com/tsol The area doesn’t get a lot of classical music, so aficionados won’t want to miss an appearance from Dr. Barry Salwen at the Pacific Beach-Taylor Library on Jan. 12. A music professor at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, Salwen is also an internationally-acclaimed concert pianist, releasing nine albums to date. Salwen is due to release his recording of a Roger Sessions piano concerto via Albany Records in 2011, but this inviting library gig offers the best way to hear Salwen’s artistry. Dr. Barry Salwen: Wednesday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m. at Pacific Beach-Taylor Library, 4275 Cass St. All Ages. Free. www.pblibraryfriends.org While the Electrocarpathians, which performs at Café Bar Europa on Sunday Jan. 16, is essentially a world music group, perhaps “fusion” is the best description for its sound. Rooted in Eastern European folk music, such as klezmer, polka and czardas, it mixes in dashes of classic rock and Latin rhythms for a unique and exciting sound. The Electrocarpathians has two albums to date, the most recent being 2008’s “Fighting for Harmony.” However, this is a band you’ll want to experience live, with Café Bar Europa the perfect intimate setting. The Electrocarpathians: Sunday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m. at Café-Bar Europa, 873 Turquoise St. All ages. www.theturquoise.com/wordpress