The big gigs: Memory Lanes Block Party, Regina Marie Williams

Who knew a party at a bowling alley could be this cool and diverse? Memory Lanes' ninth annual bash in its sizable parking lot kicks off Saturday with Chicago's high-energy retro soul-rockers JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound for a headliner along with local hip-hop/R&B experimentalists the Crunchy Kids and Sarah White, soul-pop singer Lady Lark, promising rock newcomers P•PL and Colin Campbell & the Shackletons and more. Bombastic scene vets Dillinger Four and the Birthday Suits headline Sunday's punky bill with young buzzers Tony Peachka and Monica LaPlante, plus some rootsy/worldly grooves by Black Market Brass, Malamanya and Crankshaft. (3-10 p.m. Sat. & Sun., Memory Lanes, 2520 26th Av. S., Mpls., all ages, $5 at gate.)

Chris Riemenschneider

Her performances in "Nina Simone:  Four Women," a musical drama created for her, have enjoyed two sold-out runs at the Park Square Theatre in St. Paul. Now Williams, one of the Twin Cities' stellar singer/actors, leaves the drama behind and just offers Simone songs, including "Feelin' Good" and "Mississippi Goddam." Of course, there will be plenty of drama, emotion and fireworks in the songs themselves. (7 p.m. Sun. Dakota, $17-$22, dakotacooks.com)

JON BREAM