Tribute to the Last Waltz

Friday: The Band/Scorsese classic goes down at Cabooze. Plus: System dance night, Pestifere.

January 7, 2015 at 11:32PM
Tim Mahoney performed first at the annual Aquatennial Block Party held on Nicolette Mall July 15, 2011 in downtown Minneapolis. Crowds filtered in slowly despite constant light rain during the first band.] (Leah Millis • leah.millis@startribune.com) ORG XMIT: MIN2013071818060012
Tim Mahoney (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Tribute to the Last Waltz

9:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. • Cabooze • 18-plus • $10-$15

The 10th annual Tribute to the Last Waltz is such a resounding success that two different singers — Tim Mahoney and Terry Walsh — have been enlisted to sing Van Morrison numbers. The show, of course, is a song-by-song re-creation of "The Last Waltz," the storied 1976 farewell concert by the Band that became a beloved movie directed by Martin Scorsese. Reprising their stellar roles are Pat Hayes as Paul Butterfield and Jared Rush as Dr. John. Other singers include Dan Israel, Chris Castino, Tristina Ward and Kent Militzer. The excellent Big Pink serves as house band. Jon Bream

System

10 p.m. • First Avenue Record Room • 18-plus • $7-$10

Having taken over numerous stages in different forms over the years, System returns to its Record Room birthplace to commemorate its fourth anniversary. Last year, the techno event series added a record label component with an inaugural EP from founder Mike Gervais. Tonight's party features a music-video screening for System's next release — Gervais' "Assailant" EP due in March — and live visuals from Rachel Palmer, with Gervais and his beat-geek accomplice Aaron Litschke on the decks. Michael Rietmulder

Pestifere

8 p.m. • Triple Rock • 18-plus • $5

This (mostly) headbanger's ball not hosted by Jamey Jasta celebrates the birthday of Jimmy Claypool, guitarist with In Defence and False — both of which have anticipated new albums in the works. Touting a new album of their own, melodic death-metal quartet Pestifere released its mournful and pulverizing "Liminal" in November. Also performing are earth-scorching grindcore duo Agitate, post-punk trio Principality featuring Claps frontman Patrick Donohoe and a special guest. M.R.

Melismatics

8:30 p.m. • 7th Street Entry • 18-plus • $8-$10

After taking a rare respite from touring and recording while co-leaders Ryan Smith and Kathie Hixon-Smith welcomed their first child, Twin Cities power-popsters the Melismatics used the down time to gather up a collection of outtakes and random recordings for a fun new album on Chicago's Pravda Records, "The Future Is History." Tracks range from Ryan's teenage demos to a new single, "Celebrate Your Heartbeat," which turned out to be one of their sweetest tunes to date. They're celebrating the release with a big party in the little room featuring Two Harbors and Stereo Confession. Chris Riemenschneider

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