The second annual City Arts Fest gets the weekend started early this Thursday with something for just about everybody: punk rock at the Comet, a soulful sold out show at The Triple Door, some of Seattle’s finest songwriters at the Showbox, a dance party at The Paramount and more.

We’ll be sharing our daily City Arts recommendations with you for the rest of the week. First, Thursday.

Long Winters, Campfire OK, Cobirds Unite, Cataldo at The Showbox:

Even if this weren’t The Long Winters only show in 2011 (it is), this show would still come with the highest recommendation. Not only is it a four-band bill of headliners, its also a showcase of some of Seattle’s most skilled wordsmiths. There’s a reason folks have been patiently anticipating The Long Winters next album for five years. John Roderick’s wit, wisdom and penchant for penning pop songs that burrow in your head and heart are worth waiting for. I’m particularly pleased with the pairing of Cataldo with The Long Winters, as Eric Anderson’s songs have filled my need for smart melodic melancholy in between spins of Roderick’s contemporary classics like “Shapes,” “Carparts,” and “Cinnamon.” Campfire OK, who is better every time I see them, and the power duo of Rachel Flotard and Rusty Willoughby as Cobirds Unite, only sweetens the bill. (Abbey)

Strong Killings ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

The Cops, Birthday Suits, Nazca Lines, Strong Killings at The Comet:

Yeah, I know the Cops are “headlining” and everyone in Seattle everyone who pays utility bills can rally around the idea of Free Electricity. However, I’m here to give you the lowdown on what’s really shaking cool cat. Can you dig it? Don’t tell your friends, this is on the q-t, very hush hush Grab your muskets and prepare for a midnight ride to the center of the blogosphere. By the time we’re through, your fingers will be covered in gunpowder and blood (by hyper-tweeting and Facebook “liking,” of course). Onward young soldier, brace yourself what is about to come.

Strong Killings! Scream it from pit of your burning stomach. Possible “Album of the Year”?! Possible “Song of the Year”?!? Did I already mention this band is a “Live Performance of the Year” nominee? These are not requirements to perform on any stage of Seattle, let alone this cool festival. Yet Strong Killings have earned these purple hearts with years of practice and a blue-collar work ethic by eating the flesh of lesser bands and growing stronger from their unimpeeded cannibalism. ARGH. This is the best band that you don’t listen too, what the fuck. I can’t wait until your grubby hands are Tivo’ing their performance on Saturday Night Live while I’m homeless in an alley in some unnamed city, sucking dick for heroin but still managing to yell from the side of my mouth, “This blogger told you fuckers! Strong Killings!”

Birthday Suits didn’t get here by cannibalism. No folks they got here by living in a van down by the river and living in a van and then living in a van again. Every time I wake up and walk down to the corner to grab a cup of coffee, this band is back in Seattle on-tour. I commend them, whatever vehicle they use to circumvent the earth and whatever is missing them back in Minneapolis. Who said that a two-piece can’t do what four-piece rock outfits can? Psshhhh. Now is not the time for Local H jokes, we’re in a war-zone soldier. If you like the Cops, the Blind Shake or any guitar driven rock with a danceable groove, this is your band.

Show starts at 9pm. (Phil)

Allen Stone ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Allen Stone with Fly Moon Royalty at The Triple Door:

Single tickets for this fun & funky night at The Triple Door have already soul’d out, so you’ll have to have a wristband to attend. Considering The Triple Door may be the smallest room you see Allen Stone perform in for years to come (and the rest of the Fest line-up), we urge you to do so.

“Allen Stone cultivates a thick-rimmed suave, his toothy grin comes easy and he’s very interested in making sure everyone is getting “funked up.” His overwhelming enthusiasm is just that, overwhelming, and since it’s all in service of having a good time, it consumes the room in the best way possible.”

Other Excellent Thursday Night Options:

Robyn ::: photo by Josh Lovseth

Robyn with Yacht at The Paramount

The Felice Brothers, Shelby Earl, Gabriel Mintz at The Crocodile

Hedwig and the Angry Inch Movie Sing Along at SIFF Cinema

School of Rock: Live Laser Grunge Show at Seattle Center Laser Dome