Pert Near Sandstone
The Twin Cities' well-established neo-bluegrass quintet is a mainstay of summer festivals, including their own Blue Ox Fest in June in Eau Claire, Wis. Like all of us, they need to get out in wintertime, too. They're hosting another of their two-night Winter String Band Gatherings this weekend, featuring Montana's award-winning newcomers the Lil' Smokies on Friday and Portland, Ore., buskers Fruition on Saturday. Pert Near has a strong new album to promote each night, "Discovery of Honey," produced by Trampled by Turtles fiddler and PNS alum Ryan Young. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Cedar Cultural Center, all ages, $17-$20, or $26-$30 two-night, TheCedar.org.)
Slimabration
A bunch of Bob "Slim" Dunlap's friends and admirers are making sure the former Replacements guitarist and cult-loved singer/songwriter knows we're still singing his songs and cherishing his presence, five years since he suffered a debilitating stroke. Dan Baird of Georgia Satellites fame, who toured with Dunlap, is coming to town for the occasion and will be joined by a local cast including Slim's former bandmate Curtiss A, Frankie Lee, Eleganza!, John Eller and Whale in the Thames, the latter featuring Dunlap's daughter Emily. There's talk the man himself might be there, too. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Hook & Ladder Theater, Mpls., $20 suggested donation, TheHookMpls.com.)
Chris Riemenschneider
