The carnival is coming to town. Black Jake and the Carnies, that is. But, the band lives up to their name with carnival games, a Wheel of Fortune/Misfortune, audience participation and, of course, their own brand of "crabgrass" that combines punk, Americana and bluegrass on traditional instruments.

You'll get a chance to catch them at their EP Release Show at Woodruff's on Friday. The new five-track release is called "Watching, Waiting." Who knows, if you go, you just might win a prize.

The band is made up of Black Jake on lead vocals and banjo (decorated with blinking carnival lights); Gus Wallace on fiddle; Andy Benes on mandolin (formerly of the recently broken up Back Forty); Joe Cooter on bass guitar; Billy "the Kingpin" LaLonde on drums and washboard and JC Miller on the accordion.

They will be joined by Possessed by Paul James, Anna Lee's Company.

Friday, April 26, 2013. Doors open 9 p.m. Show starts at 10 p.m. $6 cover. Woodruff's is located at 36 East Cross St., Ypsilanti.