Photo by Jerry Holt.

Turning 40 isn't so bad. Just ask First Avenue. The legendary club hits the big 4-0 on April 3, a milestone that surely makes it one of the oldest (and most productive) music venues in the country.

First Ave will celebrate with two sold-out Spoon shows that weekend, plus its usual barrage of progressive dance nights, including Get Cryphy (April 2) and Too Much Love (April 3).

The anniversary also comes at a time when the old club is embarking on some new ventures.

The VIP Room has always been a haven for intimate dance nights, but in the past few years it's really blossomed as an incubator for forward-thinking DJs (the Moon Goons, Jimmy 2 Times & Plain Ole Bill, Attitude City). Thus, First Ave is renaming the upstairs danceteria the Record Room.

"To be honest with you, we never liked the [original] name," said general manager Nate Kranz. "The name bugged me."

The club has hired Twin Cities artist Greg Gossel to paint a giant mural that will run throughout the space. The Record Room's April 4 launch party will feature DJ sets by Passion Pit (after finishing its Main Room show), plus the Moon Goons, Ricky Biggs and more.

After several delays the Depot Tavern is set to open in mid-May. Kranz said he wants the Depot to be a neighborhood bar in downtown. Expect burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches and cheese curds. Watch out (literally) for the "Diamond Dog," a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog wrapped in pepper bacon and then deep-fried on a pretzel bun (yikes!). The bar will have six tap lines (for craft brews) and an extensive bottle selection. Kranz expects to have TVs showing live feeds from the Entry and Main Room stages. The burger-and-beer joint should help the club capitalize on all the new Twins business.

One more thing. First Ave is taking over the parking ramp that sits behind the club, and will open it to public usage on April 2 (the night of the first Spoon show). Kranz said there are about 35 to 40 spots.

More info at: www.first-avenue.com