Brooklyn bluegrass purveyors The Jones Street Boys come to Shank Hall on Thursday, Dec. 20 for an 8 p.m. show and Alverno Presents' main man David Ravel wants you to go. So much so, that he's been a one-man street team, sending out e-mails urging folks to go see the rootsy quartet with the sweet harmonies.

In his e-mail, Ravel wrote:

"If you're receiving this e-mail from me, you know I'm not often in the habit of talking about shows other than my own at Alverno Presents. I'm talking about the Jones Street Boys ... because they really are that good.

"Those of you with a Marquette connection might remember JSB vocalist, banjo-mandolin-guitar player Danny Erker from his days as a Spanish Lit major and itinerant theater student.

"But there's a hell of a lot more to the music than the 'local boy made good' connection. The Jones Street Boys are an amazing band, and this is a unique opportunity to catch some important artists at the beginning of a long and exciting career."

There you have it; the word from someone who knows his music, promoting a show at a venue that's not his own.

You can hear the band at its Web page and what you'll hear is a bluegrass band with Americana roots and a punk rock spirit.