Smoking blues and spicy transcontinental fusion music warm up the city’s nightlife this week.

Rumba meets raga in the music of Indian/Afro-Cuban ensemble Anjuman, a Seattle-based fusion group that performs Saturday at Star Bar. Anjuman combines the rhythmic vitality of salsa drumming with the melodic poignancy of East Indian ragas. Its musicians are Brandon McIntosh on sarod, Seth Littlefield on percussion and Phil Georgas on bass.

Littlefield and McIntosh have been making music together since they began dabbling in Indian music as undergraduates at Central Washington University. After going their separate ways to pursue music in Cuba and India, they reunited in Seattle in 2005 and began to envision Anjuman.

Bluesman Terry Evans returns to Anacortes for a show at 9 p.m. Friday at the Rockfish. Admission is $10.

Born in Vicksburg, Miss., in 1944, Evans started his performing career by singing tenor, baritone and bass in the church choir. But secretly he was listening to Elmore James, Little Walter and Albert King.

Evans moved to Los Angeles where he sang in South Central clubs, including the Cotton Club and the Road Runner, and hooked up with singing partner Bobby King. In 1976 they began a collaboration with Ry Cooder on the album “Chicken Skin Music.” They worked on several Cooder albums over the years and toured extensively in Cooder’s band.

As a solo artist, Evans has released several recordings and has recorded with some of the top artists including Boz Skaggs, Maria Muldaur, John Lee Hooker and John Fogerty, and as a charismatic performer, he remains in demand.

Also this week:

• Rockfish Grill, 320 Commercial Ave., presents Stilly River Band, Dec. 9; Rod Cook and Toast, Dec. 12; Jake Navarro and Bill Cook, Dec. 16. Music is 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 to 11 p.m. Thursdays and 9 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays unless noted. Call 588-1720.

• Thai Season Restaurant, 710 Commercial Ave., presents Emily Leopold 5-7 p.m. Sundays; no cover.

• Brown Lantern Ale House, 412 Commercial Ave., presents Spoonshine, Dec. 12; Open Mic Thursdays with Neil Stuchal, 9:30 p.m. to midnight. Movie night is after Monday Night Football; Tuesday trivia night. No cover. Call 293-2544.

• Watertown Pub, 314 Commercial Ave., offers live music most weekends. Saturday is ladies night with top 40 DJ Ben Brown; Wednesday is karaoke night with DJ Steve, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 293-3587.

• Adrift Restaurant, 510 Commercial Ave., presents Howlin’ Lane & the Angels Of Sin at 6 p.m. third Tuesdays. All ages.

• Johnny Picasso’s, 501 Commercial Ave., presents live music/open mic 7-9 p.m. Thursdays.

• Anacortes Eagles presents live music 7:30-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Charlie Brown, Dec. 11-12. Members and guests only. Call 293-3012.

• Anderson’s General Store on Guemes Island presents Big Fellas 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. No cover. Call 293-4548 or visit http://www.guemesislandstore.com.

Read more local news in the Skagit Valley Herald and the Anacortes American, or read it online in the E-edition