Local music notes: Art-a-Whirl's gigs aplenty

Rumor has it there is, in fact, a visual art component to Art-a-Whirl, the annual crawl that takes over northeast Minneapolis this weekend. With lineups such as these highlighted below, music fans can be forgiven if they don't browse any paintings. Full schedules are posted on each venue's Facebook page.

THE 331 CLUB: Nordeast's main music hub will have the usual indoor/outdoor stage set-up with Kill the Vultures, Milwaukee's new Sub Pop signees Jaill, the Blind Shake and Carroll on Friday (6 p.m.-1 a.m.), Marijuana Deathsquads, Prissy Clerks, Story of the Sea and the Stnnng with its new split-EP partner FT on Saturday (noon-1 a.m.), and Night Moves, Josh Grier's Ginkgo and the Sunny Era on Sunday (1 p.m.-9 p.m.), with many more each day (331 13th Av. NE., free).

GRUMPY'S NORTHEAST: The corner bar cornered two big headliners, Dillinger Four and '90s Iowa favorites House of Large Sizes, plus new local Afrobeat ensemble Derobé Dance Band, the Seawhores, Pennyroyal and more. (1-10 p.m. Sat., 2200 4th St. NE., free).

ANCHOR FISH & CHIPS: Irish-bred restaurateur Luke Kyle can thank blood relations for booking Romantica, Valet and Black Audience on Sunday — they're his brothers' bands — and just good relations for Saturday's lineup with Steve Kaul & the Brass Kings, the F--- Knights, Mad Son (of Unknown Prophets) and more (2-9 p.m. Sat. & Sun., 302 13th Av. NE., free).

INDEED BREWING: The hot new tap room will welcome old-timey acts the Cactus Blossoms, Roe Family Singers, Jack Klatt & the Swingers, Como Avenue Jug Band and more in its rail-side parking lot as a release party for both CAJB's new CD and the brewery's new L.S.D. Honey Ale (Noon-11 p.m. Sat., 711 15th Av. NE., free).

Random mix

One of the best local purveyors of loud, '60s-style acid-rock of the Blue Cheer sort, the Blood Shot has quietly crept back onto the scene and will celebrate a new album, "IV," Friday at the Belmore/New Skyway Lounge (9 p.m., $5, 25 N. 4th St., Mpls.). …

Fans of Mason Jennings and Jack Johnson may want to check out a young, new, freewheelin' acoustic strummer of St. Cloud origin named Paul Spring, who will issue his third record in one year, "State of the Union," with a party Sunday at 7th Street Entry (8 p.m., $5). The 23-year-old folkie recently issued a family album produced by Okee Dokee Brother Joe Mailander, but this one's a raw gem set to 2-inch tape with such charming ditties as the modern-times lament "Get Outta Debt" and the elegant ballad "Conversation Mass." …

Speaking of the Okee Dokee Brothers, they are two weeks into a month-long trek on the Appalachian Trail for the follow-up to their Grammy-winning outdoor adventure album/DVD, "Can You Canoe?" Check out their updates from the trail at OkeeDokee.org. And yes, they are getting Wi-Fi on the hike. "Trust me: We are still roughing it!" Mailander insisted via e-mail, adding, "There are a lot of great folk musicians out here that we are meeting with, which is turning out to be the highlight (besides the beautiful mountain views)." …

After bouncing around different locations in recent years, organizers of the experimental/noise-rock/psychedelic fest Heliotrope have pulled the plug on this year's event, which would've been next weekend. They hope to bring it back strong next year for the 10th installment. … St. Paul's Grand Old Day is all lined up for June 2, with performers including Har Mar Superstar, Night Moves, the White Iron Band and a whole lotta cover bands, including Hookers & Blow, E.L.nO. and Tramps Like Us. … Har Mar, by the way, is in town this weekend for an unannounced appearance at Friday's "Wits" taping for Minnesota Public Radio. …

After their "Wits" appearance last weekend, Neko Case and Kelly Hogan walked over to the Amsterdam to catch the Avengers in the second annual Girls Got Rhythm Festival. Too bad more local music lovers didn't make it down, though. Here's hoping GGR is not another fest that falls by the wayside.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER