Carolina Chocolate Drops stop in the Clifton Cultural Center for a two-night stand,  October 22 and 23, which is not the first time they've been here, having played a several venues in the area, including the Jugband Jubilee back in 2007. They're definitely more an old-time string band than a jug band, though the differences are more significant to a musicologist than an regular fan. They won a Grammy back in 2010, for Genuine Negro Jig, which certainly testifies to their abilities. Taking their material from the Piedmont (North and South Caroina) musical tradition, they throw in some bluegrass-ish stuff (at least enough to get them at gig at 2011 ROMP in Owensboro) as well as blues (they got a nomination for a Blues Award, too). One could easily argue that they do not care to slotted into a particular genre, which bodes well for the future of the band. Their most recent record is 2012's Leaving Eden, which was produced by Buddy Miller and recorded in Nashville. It hit No. 1 on the Bluegrass Chart and No. 2 on the Heatseekers chart. To sweeten the deal, The Clifton Center has arranged for Birds of Chicago to open. Tickets are $29.

--Paul Moffett