A happy case of making lemonade out of lemons – with the added option of spiking it with alcohol -- Twin Cities Public Television is moving its well-received live music series "The Lowertown Line" out of the studios and into the nightclubs starting with a kick-off taping tonight at Icehouse in Minneapolis.

The change of scenery was out of necessity, as TPT's facilities in downtown St. Paul are currently undergoing renovations. However, the staff is looking at it positively, both as a chance to mix up the look and format of the show in its second season, and as a way of connecting more with the local music community.

"[The show] is all about showcasing the best, brightest and most diverse acts playing right now in the Twin Cities," series producer David Roth said. "We're excited to bring that experience into the venues that foster this rich local talent."

Following tonight's taping, future episodes will take place at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, Bedlam Lowertown and one other venue yet to be selected. The Sept. 25 show at the Amsterdam especially sounds like a blast. Here's the schedule:

  • Tonight: The 4onthefloor at Icehouse (8:30 p.m., $5, details here).
  • September 25: "Noise Night" with The Blind Shake and Kitten Forever at Amsterdam Bar & Hall.
  • October: Mayda, location and date TBD.
  • November 19: Black Diet at Bedlam Lowertown.

After undergoing a lineup makeover this past year – frontman Gabriel Douglas is the lone man out from the original foursome – the 4onthefloor is working on a reportedly very different sort of new album and getting back up to speed gig-wise.

Tonight's show kicks off a busy week that also finds them headlining the Minnesota State Fair's new Schell's Stage amphitheater in the West End Market on Friday and Saturday nights (7:30 p.m., free with fair admission). The guys picked up the fair gigs only a few weeks ago after rising alt-country bellower Sturgill Simpson cancelled, choosing instead to take up an opening slot with the Zac Brown Band (hard to knock him for that). Simpson will be back around to play the Fine Line on Dec. 4.