The lineups for all the big rock fests in June and July have been announced in recent weeks (Soundtown, Basilica, Rock the Garden, etc.), but we're just now learning more of the particulars for some of the smaller yet more daring and often electrifying fests in May.

HELIOTROPE 2012 (May 24-26): After moving to the Loring Theater from the Ritz last year, the ninth annual Memorial Day weekend roundup of psychedelic/experimental music had to find yet another new home with the Loring's latest shuttering. It will be held this time at the Lab Theater, 700 N. 1st St., where a lot of Fringe Fest events are held. Organizers Rich Barlow and Don Mabley-Allen happily report that the Lab space is big enough to allow for all the cool merchandise stands (records, poster art, etc.) to be housed inside the theater instead of outside in the cramped lobby.

A lot of the Helitrope mainstay performers are returning, including International Novelty Gamelan, Milo Fine, Thunderbolt Pagoda, Take Acre. and the ever-mysterious Heliotrope-only act White Map. Some of the new participants will include electronic/synth bands Claps and the Night, black-metal noisemakers Maledicere and industrial percussionists Prostate. Heliotrope also snagged a reunion performance by TVBC (Paul Metzger, Freddy Votel, Adam Linz). Tickets will be $12 per day or $24 for a three-day pass. Click here for more details.

LYN-LAKE STREET FESTIVAL (May 20): Communist Daughter and Night Moves were just announced as the last two acts confirmed for this fourth annual block party, which actually stretches out several blocks along Lyndale Avenue between Lake and 28th streets. The rest of the lineup includes headliners Halloween, Alaska, Kid Dakota, Omaur Bliss, Mayda, Bloodnstuff, Kill Me Kare Bare and Koo Koo Kanga Roo. This one's always free and open to everyone, and proceeds from the great food/drink offerings benefit the Blaisdell YMCA. Last year's party reportedly raised $16,000.

ART-A-WHIRL (MAY 18-20): As usual, the 331 Club is going hog-wild with its indoor/outdoor party during the Northeast Minneapolis art crawl. Its three-day lineup will include Vicious Vicious, Zoo Animal, Is/Is, All Tomorrow's Petty, the Goondas, Birthday Suits, Pennyroyal, No Bird Sing, Red Daughters, Buffalo Moon, Me and My Arrow, Crossing Guards, BNLX, Alpha Consumer, the F*** Knights and many more. Grumpy's NE is also hosting a big free bash on Saturday, May 19, with Gay Witch Abortion, Pink Mink, Seawhores, Nightosaur, Is/Is and more. As is always the case with this art-before-commerce event, we're still waiting to hear about some of the other planned events