Busy party schedule

"Out there" is how most people describe Fischerspooner, the New York electro-pop/performance art group that plays First Avenue tonight. After packing up their wild multimedia sideshow, the duo will head over to the Saloon for the official afterparty. The boys (Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner) are expected to perform a pared-down DJ set. Jake Rudh of Transmission will open.

10 p.m. today. 830 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $5-$10. 18 and older.

612-332-0835. www.saloonmn.com.

Nonstop hops Bartender Al McCarty knows how to get a beer fan's attention. The man behind the Blue Nile's stunning brew selection will host another one of his beer parties dedicated to a specific style this weekend. This time it's hoppy beers -- those pungent-tasting, sometimes bitter brews that can reach extreme levels of taste. McCarty is calling Saturday's party "Hop Heads Only!" He'll replace his normal tap beers with an assortment of hoppy ales, pale ales, IPAs, double IPAs, barley wines and Belgian IPAs. (He's also bringing in portable jockey boxes -- basically, kegs inside of coolers.) The hoppiest beers always seem to have the wildest names, too. Look for Moylan's Hopsickle, Lefthand's 400 Lb Monkey, Victory Wild Devil, Urthel Hop-It and many more. At 3 p.m. McCarthy also will tap four cask beers (Surly Furious and Bitter Brewer, Summit Horizon Red Ale and Rush River Bubble Jack IPA).

2 p.m. Sat. 2027 E. Franklin Av., Mpls.

612-338-3000. bluenilempls.com.

Flat but fun Another month, another art party at First Amendment Arts. The new show is called "Formidable Flat" and features the work of Minneapolis graphic artist Drew Peterson and sculptor Kristina Paabus. Peterson's hyper-colored, intricate screenprinting will be mixed with Paabus' elaborate installations. A bonus attraction at Saturday's opening: Partygoers will get a chance to watch Peterson do some live screenprinting right in the studio. Doomtree's Cecil Otter will perform. The exhibit runs until June 23.

Mpls. Free. 612-379-4151.

Crawling strong after all these years It's only been two weeks since the last northeast Minneapolis pub crawl, but here comes another. And it's a big one. The 20th annual Nordeast Bar Hop kicks off tonight. For a schedule, go to tcbarhop.com.

Worth the drive: Braufest If you're a fan of Brau Brothers beer, then the recent announcement of Braufest 2009 (June 5-6) can only mean one thing: road trip. The first-ever Braufest will take place about 140 miles southwest of the Twin Cities in the brewery's hometown of Lucan, Minn. -- population 220. The brewery takes pride in its small-town locale, which is also reflected in the fest. Attendees can camp for free outside the brewery. Homebrewers are encouraged to bring their wares to share. There will be softball and bean bag tournaments. And a band called the Hicktown Mafia will perform outside the Brauhaus on June 6. Most important, Brau Brothers will offer kegs and casks of its beer, including its newest, Old 56.

June 5-6, 201 1st St., Lucan, Minn.

Free (except for beer and food). 1-507-747-2337. braubrothersbrewing.com.