This evening at 8 o’clock, Albert Castiglia performs free in concert at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe.

He’ll pummel you with the rough stuff, but Castiglia can also shift gears to more contemplative moments, whether that’s the rolling and contented acoustic blues of “You Got Me to That Place,” or its thematic opposite-man, “Unhappy House of Blues.”

“That particular song was co-written with Cyril Neville,” he explains. “Cyril wrote the lyrics but I completely relate to them, because they bring me back to unhappier times when I was a struggling musician and I had no support from who I was with. I think anyone can relate to these tunes.”

This isn’t Castiglia’s first time around. Born Aug. 12, 1969, in New York — before moving to Florida at the age of 5 — he made his professional debut in 1990 with Miami Blues Authority, but truly hit the international radar when Junior Wells invited him into his solo band for several world tours.

“It was an incredible adventure,” recalls Castiglia. “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a Chicago bluesman. Junior opened the door for me to do that.”

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Rubix Kube on Friday

For over a decade, Rubix Kube has billed itself as the most original ’80s tribute band of all time. Its one-of-a-kind, ever-evolving and interactive “The Eighties Strike Back Show” captivates public and private audiences of all ages.

From their NYC headquarters, to our U.S. troops overseas, The Kube rocks for fans in the most prestigious venues across the globe.

Set to perform their typical rollicking and theatrical show with a seasonal theme at Jim Thorpe’s Mauch Chunk Opera House at 8 p.m. Friday,

Rubix Kube is led by a male and female dynamic duo of karma chameleons, able to transform in the-blink-of-an-eye into any of your favorite ’80s icons. It’s like Madonna, Michael Jackson, Cher, Prince, Devo, Bon Jovi, Boy George, Paula Abdul, Guns N’ Roses and more teleport right before your eyes on the same stage, in one concert!

The band dazzles with some of the most talented and versatile musicians in the entertainment business.

So well-known for their world-class musicianship, Rubix Kube is often joined on stage by ’80s legends themselves. Rick Springfield, Dee Snider (of Twisted Sister), Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Night Ranger, and Dennis DeYoung (of Styx) are just some of the Kube’s impressive collaborators.

To boot, The Kube is the only ’80s band that can honestly claim to have played with Bret Michaels (of Poison), Mike Score (of A Flock of Seagulls), Colin Hay (of Men at Work), MC Hammer, Tone Loc, Taylor Dayne and Bonnie Tyler.

Tickets are available at www.mcohjt.com, by visiting SoundCheck Records in downtown Jim Thorpe, or by calling 570-325-4009.