The Big Gigs for week of 7/15

Is pairing New Kids on the Block with Backstreet Boys smart marketing or mismatched boy-band nostalgia? Women may be still loyal to their childhood faves, but these groups reigned 10 years apart. To tie it all together is opening act Matthew Morrison, a boy-band alum (anyone remember LMNT?) who tries to keep the kids on point as Mr. Schue on TV's "Glee." The concert begins with Midnight Red, an aspiring boy band that just cut a single with Lady Gaga producer RedOne. (7:30 p.m. Fri. Target Center, $31.50-$91.50.) Jon Bream

Indefatigable entrepreneur Pete Rhodes has resurrected Minnesota Black Music Awards for the second consecutive year (and 20th overall). Honorees include Bobby Lyle, Alexander O'Neal, Next, Darnell Davis and the Bennetts (Marie Graham, Ann Nesby, Jamecia and Paris Bennett). Always a great social event with impressive music. Some proceeds will aid north Minneapolis tornado victims. (8 p.m.Fri. Pantages Theatre, $25-$50.) Bream

It clicked at First Avenue and it will work at the zoo. The Suburbs and the Suicide Commandos, two of the Twin Cities' best live rock bands from those storied punk-rock days at the Longhorn, team up once again. The area's first punk band of the '70s, the Commandos still have the energy and the humor. Ahead of its time, the 'Burbs' nervy dance-rock still sounds remarkably indie-fresh today. (7:30 p.m. Fri. Minnesota Zoo, $36.) Bream

Even if pours rain (as it did last year), you can't go wrong at the second annual 13-hour, four-stage, outdoor/indoor Dakota Streetfest on Nicollet Mall. The menu sounds a bit like the best of the Dakota regulars plus a few surprises. Included are the riotous, horn-accented Davina & the Vagabonds; Paul Metsa getting down with Willie West and Willie Walker; keyboard master Bobby Lyle with sax veteran Irv Williams; family popsters Lynhurst; always jazzy Patty Peterson; always versatile Debbie Duncan; bluesman Cedric Burnside; Philly singer Sharon Little, who toured with Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, and many more. For lineup: dakotacooks.com (noon-1 a.m. Sat. Dakota, free.) Bream

With the exception of B.B. King, six-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy has to be the biggest name in the blues today. So, if you get to see such a guitar hero for a $5 (advance) or $10 (at the gate), it's a pretty good deal. Guy headlines the second annual Lakefront Jazz and Blues Festival, which also features his 12-year-old guitar protégé Quinn Sullivan; Lukas Nelson (Willie's kid); our own Lamont Cranston Band (with piano man Bruce McCabe sitting in) and Tim Mahoney of NBC's "The Voice"; and smooth-jazzers Steve Oliver and Jessy J. (1-10:30 p.m. Sat. $5-$10. Lakefront Park, 5000 Kop Pkwy., Prior Lake. www.lakefrontjazz.com, $5-$10.) Tom Surowicz

As the voice of classic-rock bands Free and Bad Company, Paul Rodgers impressed as one of rock's great ones. As the voice of the ill-conceived Paul Rodgers + Queen, he was no Freddie Mercury. Rodgers' own catalog is deep enough without having to resort to killers from Queen. (8 p.m. Sat. Treasure Island Casino, Red Wing, $38-$48.) Bream

The debut show at the Cedar was memorable despite the sweat, and the First Ave gig was even better despite the predictable rock-club chatter. But Fleet Foxes are finally where they belong. Their kind of elegant, acoustic chill-out music warrants an ornate sit-down venue. The Seattle folk-rock quintet has made misty-mountain lyrics and multi-man folk harmonies hip, and it didn't really alter its style much or up the volume on its half-great sophomore album, "Helplessness Blues." Psychedelic folkie Alela Diane and her band Wild Divine open. (7:30 p.m. Sun., State Theatre. $32.) Chris Riemenschneider

Even if you don't know Bastille Day from May Day or all the Mexican independence days, in Minneapolis it has taken on a life all its own thanks to Cafe Barbette's ever-eclectic ninth annual block party. This year's lineup has the M.I.A.-of-late Solid Gold along with the omnipresent-of-late Pink Mink and Rogue Valley, regular Barbette players the Brass Messengers and Faux Jean, under-the-radar rock faves the National Bird and Evening Rig, plus the kid-friendly Clementown and more. (2-10 p.m. Sun., Barbette, Lake St. & Irving Av. S., Mpls. All ages. Free.) Riemenschneider

Graham Parker has often called his annual Bastille Day rooftop gig at Brit's "my favorite show of the year." The acerbic and prolific songwriter easily has as much fun as the audience. He debuts new songs, plays his own favorites from his vast catalog, has a laugh at the expense of his genial Brit's host Freddie Manton, and doles out enough dry and biting one-liners for a comedy-club set. (6 p.m. Sun. rooftop garden, Brit's Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., free.) Surowicz

Thurston Moore's solo material is unlikely to ever be confused with his Sonic Youth stuff. Instead of the oddly tuned Jazzmaster guitars at full volume, his latest effort, "Demolished Thoughts," features pretty 12-string acoustic guitars and even some harp. The folky set was produced by some young punk named Beck Hansen. Moore is on tour with Kurt Vile & the Violators, whose hazy, Velvety garage-rock also served well opening for J Mascis recently. (8 p.m. Mon., Varsity Theater. 18 & older. $20.) Riemenschneider

Arlo Guthrie plays the Guthrie -- it only seems fitting, even if the hallowed theater is named after stage legend Tyrone Guthrie. Even though he's had a long career and many triumphs, you won't find a music hero who's more laid-back or self-deprecating than Guthrie. Or more consistently charming, especially in the solo acoustic format. (7:30 p.m. Mon. Guthrie, $35-$37.) Surowicz

Gillian Welch had writer's block. That's why the California neo-bluegrass picker with the pure-gold voice went eight years between albums, allowing longtime partner David Rawlings to step out with his first solo effort in 2009. That project is supposedly what broke the dam for Welch to write "The Harrow & the Harvest," which sounds like a flood on record, maybe her best since her classic T Bone Burnett-produced 1996 debut, "Revival." (7:30 p.m. Wed., Fitzgerald Theater. $32.) Riemenschneider

Australia's Sia is a careerist. She was last seen as an adviser to Christina Aguilera this summer on "The Voice." Other recent additions to her résumé included recording with the Flight of the Conchords and singing on the David Byrne/Fatboy Slim project, "Here Lies Loves." Sia's own 2010 disc "We Are Born" is a pop pastiche that favors lightweight dance music. Opening is the buzzed-about curiosity Oh Land, a Danish singer with an enchanting voice who makes ethereal dance-pop. (6 p.m. Thu. First Avenue, $20.) Bream

U2 isn't the only one putting on a big U of M campus show this month. Doomtree rapper Sims, who has been steadily touring and garnering praise behind his second album "Bad Time Zoo," heads up the Friday Night Live concert that's the centerpiece of the Summer Music Festival at Northrop, curated by Grant Cutler. Devilish digi-rap duo Bight Club opens. (7-9 p.m. Fri., Northrop Plaza, University of Minnesota East Bank, free.) Riemenschneider

Balkan Beat Box often puts a modern street beat spin on folkloric East European grooves, making a crazy quilt of gypsy wedding band sounds, hip-hop and disco, with a big dollop of Jamaican reggae and dub putting the mix over the top. An Israeli band based in New York City, they record for the fine Belgian label Crammed Discs. (8 p.m. Tue. Cedar Cultural Center, $25-$28.) Surowicz

Karrin Allyson's 13th CD for the Concord label, "Round Midnight," features familiar tunes from several generations -- Charlie Chaplin's "Smile," Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady," Paul Simon's "April Come She Will," Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." It's an intimate ballad fest with rather spare arrangements. Allyson's Kansas City pal Rod Fleeman is on guitar, and he'll be a key part of the supporting cast. (7 & 9 p.m. Wed.-Thu., Dakota, $25-$40.) Surowicz

Librettist/lyricist Ira Gershwin outlived his younger brother, George, by 46 years and collaborated with Kurt Weill and Jerome Kern, among others. But there's a singular finesse in his work with George, and it's heartening to see it recognized in "The Gershwins: Here to Stay." This multimedia show, with the Minnesota Orchestra led by William Eddins, features Gershwin specialist Kevin Cole, superb soprano Sylvia McNair, and singer/dancer Ryan VanDenBoom. (8 p.m. Fri., Orchestra Hall, $19-$49.) Larry Fuchsberg