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For a pioneering electro-pop band, Stereolab used surprisingly little electronic gear to create the whirring, giddy grooves on its first album in four years, "Criminal Chords," a return to form -- and to having fun. Monade and Le Loup open.

First Avenue Mainroom
7th St. and 1st Av. N.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-8388

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For a 19-year-old singer/songwriter, Sonya Kitchell of Northampton, Mass., has built a remarkable résumé: two well-crafted, critically acclaimed CDs and a tour with Herbie Hancock. Her new disc, "The Storm," reflects emotional depth beyond her years and the folk-jazz instincts of a young Joni Mitchell. Jon Bream

Varsity Theater
1308 SE. 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-604-0222

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You probably didn*t realize that Josh Rouse has been around long enough to warrant a collection called "Best of the Rykodisc Years." But the highlights of his five CDs and two EPs collected therein reinforce that this Nebraska singer-songwriter, who alternates between alt-country and alt-rock, is an underappreciated talent. Rouse also has put out a series of live recordings, including one from his 2006 Minneapolis show at the Cedar. Chicago's Horse in the Sea opens. Jon Bream

Cedar Cultural Center
416 Cedar Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-2674

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A teen detective investigates the disappearance of her best friend in the Southern California suburb of Bee Hive.

Red Eye Theater
15 W. 14th St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-870-0309

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Minneapolis Music Theatre inaugurates its move to the Illusion Theater with this area premiere. It's based on Jay McInerny's novel that chronicles the excesses of the 1980s. It ran off-Broadway in 1999. Patrick Morgan, who starred in "Tommy" for MMT, is featured as the New York yuppie who finds rocky times amid drugs and temptation. Tom and Christine Karki and Emily Brooke Hansen ("Zombie Prom") are other MMT regulars featured in this production, which is directed by Steven Meerdinck. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Thu,; Illusion Theater, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.; $25-$28, 612-339-4944 or www.aboutmmt.org). - Graydon Royce

Illusion Theater
528 Hennepin Av.
Minneapolis, MN

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Acid on stainless steel by Brian Mark. Brian Mark's latest series of work feels like something from Dante's Sixth Circle of Hell. By defacing cold slabs of steel with searing acid burns, Mark creates haunting, holographic images of pale souls engulfed in firestorms. His process is brutal. Relying on blowtorches, dry ice, and electro-plating, Mark claims to be the only artist in the world working in such a time-consuming, temperamental medium. With most of his exhibitions happening in places of worship, including the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and various venues at the Vatican, Mark seems to embody the Catholic idea, forging objects of grace from punishing abuse. (G.S.)

Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Av. NE.
Minneapolis, MN
612-331-3889

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After playing all the instruments on his last album, Texan wunderkind Ben Kweller put together a tight but playful live band and toured like a mad man over the past two years. His current outing is to preview the next album, "Changing Horses," due in January. Chris Riemenschneider

Varsity Theater
1308 SE. 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-604-0222

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with Small Kitchen Appliances, Nanuchka and Pretty Boy Thorson & the Falling Angels

Triple Rock
629 Cedar Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN
612-333-7399

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Featuring Dan Lund and Becky Thompson, with Joe Savage on pedal steel, James Dungan-Seaver on bass/vocals and John Griggs on piano/guitar and vocals.

Lee's Liquor Lounge
101 Glenwood Av. N.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-9491

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Acid on stainless steel by Brian Mark. Brian Mark's latest series of work feels like something from Dante's Sixth Circle of Hell. By defacing cold slabs of steel with searing acid burns, Mark creates haunting, holographic images of pale souls engulfed in firestorms. His process is brutal. Relying on blowtorches, dry ice, and electro-plating, Mark claims to be the only artist in the world working in such a time-consuming, temperamental medium. With most of his exhibitions happening in places of worship, including the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and various venues at the Vatican, Mark seems to embody the Catholic idea, forging objects of grace from punishing abuse. (G.S.)

Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Av. NE.
Minneapolis, MN
612-331-3889

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San Francisco's experimental pop darlings Deerhoof land in town exactly one week after the release of their latest album, "Offend Maggie." The band already issued one of the songs, "Fresh Born," with a request for fans to record their own version, many of which are now up at their MySpace page. Experimental Dental School and AU open. Chris Riemenschneider

First Avenue Mainroom
7th St. and 1st Av. N.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-8388

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Fresh from Farm Aid and his Bridge School benefits, Neil Young will open his next North American tour in St. Paul. Summer shows in Europe were heavy on passionate electric guitar, with an acoustic set mid-show. Unlike last November when he had his wife, Pegi Young, as opener, the rock god has invited some younger groups: beloved emo kings Death Cab for Cutie and Everest, an indie alt-country band from L.A. that records for Young's Vapor label. Jon Bream

Xcel Energy Center
W. 7th St. and Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN

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Of course David Byrne, rock's enduring renaissance man, has a concept for his stage show. He and his band members dress in all white as three dancers move around them. The focus is material from Byrne*s recent collaboration with Brian Eno, "Everything That Happens Happens Today," which is warmer but less adventurous than their previous disc and their work together with Talking Heads. But Byrne finds a groove with these songs that will keep the dancers happy. Jon Bream

State Theatre
805 Hennepin Av.
Minneapolis, MN
651-989-5151

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Artists' Quarter
408 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN
651-292-1359

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Acid on stainless steel by Brian Mark. Brian Mark's latest series of work feels like something from Dante's Sixth Circle of Hell. By defacing cold slabs of steel with searing acid burns, Mark creates haunting, holographic images of pale souls engulfed in firestorms. His process is brutal. Relying on blowtorches, dry ice, and electro-plating, Mark claims to be the only artist in the world working in such a time-consuming, temperamental medium. With most of his exhibitions happening in places of worship, including the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and various venues at the Vatican, Mark seems to embody the Catholic idea, forging objects of grace from punishing abuse. (G.S.)

Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Av. NE.
Minneapolis, MN
612-331-3889

website  |   view more details →

Before he was a downbeat Americana singer/songwriter (a genre in which he ranks among the best), Alejandro Escovedo was an upper-popping punk-rocker. His first band, the Nuns, even opened for the Sex Pistols' fateful last show. That hazy past comes out crystal clear on the Tex-Mex veteran's latest CD, "Real Animal," produced by Bowie cohort Tony Visconti and featuring songs inspired by the old days. Including just a few downers. Chris Riemenschneider

Fine Line Music Café
318 1st Av. N.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-8100

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Digable Planets brought out the sophisticated and jazzy side of hip-hop with its 1993 Grammy-winning single "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)." The trio saw its own rebirth in 2005 riding its influence on modern indie-rap, and it continues to tour with all three original members, Doodlebug, Ladybug and Butterfly. Chris Riemenschneider

First Avenue Mainroom
7th St. and 1st Av. N.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-8388

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"Such Fun" is the title of the Annuals' sophomore album, which just came out last week, and it could very well be the name of the North Carolinan sextet's tour opening for Seattle's guitar-noodly Minus the Bear. Each of these jagged-arty, atmospheric indie-pop/rock bands have playful, charming live shows that outshine their records. Local newcomers Themes are also opening for the whole tour. Chris Riemenschneider



Enter here to win ticket to Minus The Bear!

Varsity Theater
1308 SE. 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-604-0222

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Acid on stainless steel by Brian Mark. Brian Mark's latest series of work feels like something from Dante's Sixth Circle of Hell. By defacing cold slabs of steel with searing acid burns, Mark creates haunting, holographic images of pale souls engulfed in firestorms. His process is brutal. Relying on blowtorches, dry ice, and electro-plating, Mark claims to be the only artist in the world working in such a time-consuming, temperamental medium. With most of his exhibitions happening in places of worship, including the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and various venues at the Vatican, Mark seems to embody the Catholic idea, forging objects of grace from punishing abuse. (G.S.)

Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Av. NE.
Minneapolis, MN
612-331-3889

website  |   view more details →

Florida's wry punks Against Me! are still out supporting last year's career-making, Butch Vig-produced album "New Wave," whose energy and intensity is matched note for note at the band's live shows. After opening for the Foo last time in town, the quartet is bringing its own ace opener, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists. Chris Riemenschneider

First Avenue Mainroom
7th St. and 1st Av. N.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-8388

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Rufus Wainwright is taking a break from composing his opera "Prima Donna" to play a handful of solo shows. He promises a few new tunes from a pop disc he's making, too. But don*t expect Judy Garland tunes (he only does those with an accompanist) or "Prima Donna" pieces. Opening is Wainwright*s cousin, Brooklyn folkie Sam McTavey. Read an interview with Wainwright in Sunday's Variety A+E. Jon Bream

State Theatre
805 Hennepin Av.
Minneapolis, MN

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Lee's Liquor Lounge
101 Glenwood Av. N.
Minneapolis, MN
612-338-9491

website  |   view more details →

Minneapolis Music Theatre inaugurates its move to the Illusion Theater with this area premiere. It's based on Jay McInerny's novel that chronicles the excesses of the 1980s. It ran off-Broadway in 1999. Patrick Morgan, who starred in "Tommy" for MMT, is featured as the New York yuppie who finds rocky times amid drugs and temptation. Tom and Christine Karki and Emily Brooke Hansen ("Zombie Prom") are other MMT regulars featured in this production, which is directed by Steven Meerdinck. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sun., Thu,; Illusion Theater, 528 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.; $25-$28, 612-339-4944 or www.aboutmmt.org). - Graydon Royce

Illusion Theater
528 Hennepin Av.
Minneapolis, MN

website  |   view more details →

Acid on stainless steel by Brian Mark. Brian Mark's latest series of work feels like something from Dante's Sixth Circle of Hell. By defacing cold slabs of steel with searing acid burns, Mark creates haunting, holographic images of pale souls engulfed in firestorms. His process is brutal. Relying on blowtorches, dry ice, and electro-plating, Mark claims to be the only artist in the world working in such a time-consuming, temperamental medium. With most of his exhibitions happening in places of worship, including the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. and various venues at the Vatican, Mark seems to embody the Catholic idea, forging objects of grace from punishing abuse. (G.S.)

Rogue Buddha Gallery
357 13th Av. NE.
Minneapolis, MN
612-331-3889