around town

At Paradise--967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Telephone 254-2052. Tickets available at box office and major ticket outlets. Must be 20 years of age or older. Rachel Sweet. July 26, 8:30 p.m. $5.50 advance, $6.50 day of show.

Delbert McClinton, July 27, 8:30 p.m. $4.50 advance, $5.50 day of show. With Allen Estes Band.

Herman Brood and HIS Wild Romance and Billy Falcon's Burning Rose. July 28, 8:30 p.m. $4.50.

The Vinny Band and Trapper. July 30, 8:30 p.m. $2.50.

Tim Curry and The Laughing Dogs. July 31-Aug. 1, 8:30 p.m. $4.50 advance, $5.50 day of show.

James Taylor, Joan Armatrading and the Pousett-Dart Band-- Harvard Stadium, Cambridge. Telephone 482-0650. July 28, 2 p.m. (rain date July 29). $12.50 and $11.50 in advance; $13.50 and $15 day of show. Presented by the Busch Summer Music Festival to benefit Summerthing.

Allman Brothers Band--Boston Garden, Causeway St. Telephone 227-3200. Aug. 24, 8 p.m. Tickets $11, $9.50, $8.50 available at box office and major ticket outlets.

George Carlin with Travis and Shook--Music Hall, Tremont St., Boston. Telephone 423-3300. Aug. 18, 8 p.m. Tickets $9.50, $8.50, $7.50 available at Ticketron and major ticket outlets. Box office opens July 30.

At Jonathan Swift's--30 Boylston St., Cambridge. Telephone 661-9887. Tickets at door. Catch a Rising Star Talent show. Sundays, 9:30 p.m. $100 first prize. potential contestants call 661-7720 for information.

John Lincoln Wright. July 26-28, 9:30 p.m.

Cabin Fever. July 31, 9:30 p.m. !@.

Luna. Aug. 1, 9:30 p.m.