David Singer & the Sweet Science
The 7th St. Entry

Already a well-established vet on his home turf of Chicago, Singer’s latest lush adult pop offering features a big-name producer (Brian Deck, who has helmed records for Iron & Wine and Modest Mouse amongst others) and a solid set of tunes. The self-released The Stars Burn Out sounds at points like a modern makeover on Trust-era Elvis Costello, with plenty of sass and scathingly witty wordplay. “Is There Anyone Out There?” provides a particularly withering verbal assault on George W. and his boys (“They’re selling salvation / Make way for the occupation”). Lots of keyboards, the occasional horn overdub and classic melodies are what fuel Singer’s material, and any fan of L.A. pop combo Gingersol will find a similarly slick yet gritty aesthetic at work here. With local acts Stephanie Says, Martin Devaney and The Ashtray Hearts in another of the always excellent Heartbreak and Harmony series. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. rob van Alstyne

Work of Art: Artists Who Own Galleries
Rogue Buddha Gallery

The Twin Cities has such a vibrant art community, that every given weekend you’re hard-pressed to choose just one gallery opening. This weekend, be sure to include Rogue Buddha on your list of “must see shows” and experience the über-talent of multiple artists and entrepreneurs under one roof. Work of Art: Artists Who Own Galleries is a first-of-its-kind showcase of Minneapolis gallery owners who are also incredible painters, photographers, sculptors and multimedia artists. Featured artists include Yuri Arajs (Outsiders and Others), Howard Christopherson (Icebox Gallery), Aldo Moroni (California Street Gallery), Kellie Rae Theiss (Red House Gallery), Alejandro Trujillo (ArtTrujillo Gallery), Suzy Greenberg (Soo Visual Art Center) and Nicholas Harper (Rogue Buddha). And if that’s not enough to satiate your artistic appetite, keep crawling around this hip Northeast neighborhood and you’ll stumble upon more venues. Reception 7 p.m. Exhibit runs through Mar. 19. 357 13th Ave NE, Mpls. 612-331-3889. Nancy Sartor

Queen of the Remote Control
Mixed Blood Theatre

Mixed Blood Theatre takes a break from the drama, following “Flags” and “Permanent Collection” with “Queen of the Remote Control,” a comedy by Sujata Bhatt. Best known as a poet (“Monkey Shadows,” “The Stinking Rose” and “Augatora”—all published by Carcanet), Bhatt has managed to cross genres quite nicely, staging readings at East West Players in Los Angeles and the Asian American Theater Company in San Francisco. In this romp about first- and second-generation Indian America, a 17-year-old girl is caught between the San Fernando and Silicon Valleys while her parents are stuck between yesteryear’s Indian poverty and today’s American affluence. Aditi Kapil directs a cast that features Zaraawar Mistry, Aamera Siddiqui and Taj Ruler. Opens Wed. Feb. 9. Runs Feb. 9 – 27, Thu. & Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 7 p.m.; Sun. 3 & 7 p.m. $10 - $25. 1501 S. 4th St., Mpls. 612-338-6131. Dwight Hobbes

Four Shadow A Cappella
The Hennepin Stages

Kick off Valentine’s weekend with an evening of the gorgeous vocals of Four Shadow, considered by some to be the best a cappella group in the country. With 25 years of combined professional experience the men of Four Shadow have been wowing audiences around the country. Bring your sweetheart and enjoy the high-energy vocal equivalent of Stomp. 7:30 p.m. $20. All Ages. 824 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-339-7007. Stanley Berg

Jolie Holland
The 400 Bar

Simultaneously rustic and modern (mod-rustic?), Jolie Holland synthesizes 100 years of American music (guttural blues, whimsical folk, swing friendly acoustica) and makes it all her own on Escondida, her second album. Coming across like an old-time jazz singer (she’s already garnered countless Billie Holiday comparisons), Holland’s idiosyncratic take on Americana is wide enough to include both a bebopping interpretation of a traditional British folk song (“Mad Tom of Bedlam”) and her own ukelele-driven ululations (“Darlin Ukelele”) with creepy musical saw and whistling accompaniment. Holland is that all too rare commodity in modern music: a true original. With Robert Skoro, Matt Marka. 9 p.m. $8 adv/ $10 door. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne

Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert
The Triple Rock Social Club

Yet another case of high-profile local musicians donating their time to a worthy cause, this Tsunami Relief Benefit unites some of the biggest names in both Twin Cities rock (the Olympic Hopefuls have become local music venue sell-out machines in recent months) and Hip-Hop (Heiruspecs have been virtually living on the road since dropping A Tiger Dancing this fall). Don’t sleep on the rest of these acts, however: Sims seems poised to be the next emcee in the vaunted Doomtree collective to bust out of the box and follow P.O.S. into large scale notoriety, and Passions brand of dance-friendly punk rock fits in surprisingly well with the mobility-friendly grooves of the other acts on the bill. Featuring Heiruspecs, The Olympic Hopefuls, Sims (of Doomtree), Passions, DJ J-Bird (Rhymesayers). 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne

23rd Annual Battle of the Jug Bands
Cabooze

It’s been said that “the history of jug bands is the story of the birth of the blues.” Once again music lovers will explore that history on this “Super-Duper Sunday” (always the Sunday after the Super-Bowl) in the 23rd Annual Battle of the Jug Bands. With a mix of traditional and homemade instruments that include guitar, washtub bass, washboard, jug, mandolin and kazoo, over 20 jug bands will battle it out, woo the crowd and bribe the judges in order to win the coveted antique Holliwood Waffle Iron grand prize. Last year’s winners, Geezer Jug Band, incorporated a new form of an old tradition, “beat-jugging,” and went on to play on Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion. Also watch out for the Moss Piglets (Best New Band), Fat Chance Jug Band (Best Bribe), Saggy Bottom Girls (Best Maple Syrup) and the Jook Savages. Note to bands: A jug player is required for a jug band! This is not the Battle of the Skiffle Bands! 1 p.m. – ‘til it ends. Donations Accepted. 917 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis. 612-338-6425. Jug-Judge Aaron Neumann

Happily Ever After
Minnesota History Center

We live in a world heavily peppered with sensational representations of relationships. From voyeuristic TV-dating scenarios like “Blind Date,” “Elimidate” and “The 5th Wheel” to “reality” shows like “The Bachelor,” “Cheater” and “Trading Spouses,” we can’t get enough of watching men and women squirm in the name of love. This Valentine’s Day turn off the tube and head over to the Minnesota History Center for an honest look at how Cupid works his magic. In the “Happily Ever After” exhibit, vintage and new photographs, wedding dresses and cake toppers are just some of the items on display. Explore love and romance through the rituals, myths and realities of weddings and commitment ceremonies across time, cultures and traditions—both secular and sacred. And for those of us who’ve ever cursed our friends for adorning us in strapless peach taffeta and matching shoes, here’s our chance for retribution. On Sunday wear your most hideous frock for the “Worst Bridesmaid’s Dress” contest and you’ll be entered to win a deluxe weekend getaway at the St. Paul Hotel. Reception 1 – 4 p.m. Sun., $8 adults; $6 seniors and college students; $4 youth ages 6 – 17; free children 5 and younger & Society members. Museum hours: Tue. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Wed. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun. noon – 5 p.m.; closed Mondays. 345 Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-296-6126. Nancy Sartor

Mission Against Terror
McKnight Early Childhood Center

For decades, terrorists slip into a small country and commit assassinations and arson, wage bioterrorism against food crops and blow up a commercial airliner, but the international community does nothing. Finally, the targeted country sends five brave men to infiltrate the terrorist groups in order to warn their countrymen and expose these acts of violence to the world. When the five men are discovered, the terrorists’ government tries the men on trumped-up charges and sentences them to 20 years-to-life in prison. Sound like a Hollywood thriller with a tragic ending? Or one of Bush’s “axis of evil” countries defying the war on terrorism? Neither. This new documentary is an Irish/Cuban collaboration called “Mission Against Terrorism” and is the story about the infamous “Cuban Five.” After 43 years of Cuban exiles’ committing violence in Cuba (as well as in New Jersey and Florida) with no response by U.S. officials, five Cuban men infiltrated the Miami groups and told the FBI what they’d discovered, only to be arrested and tried on conspiracy to commit espionage. Today the men remain incarcerated. Irish director Bernie Dwyer will speak after the screening. 7 p.m. $5 (no one turned away for lack of funds), McKnight Early Childhood Ctr. Theatre (across from Southside Clinic), 4240 4th Ave. S., Mpls. 612-624-1512, mncuba@usfamily.net or FreeTheFive.org. Lydia Howell

Bettie Serveert
The 7th St. Entry

Holland’s Bettie Serveert are one of the few bands still standing from the college rock salad days of the early ’90s (when their 1992 debut, Palomine, rang out alongside other jagged-guitar friendly dorm room faves like Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. who have since fallen by the wayside). The reason they’ve managed to thrive is their willingness to embrace reinvention. Starting with 2000’s stellar Private Suit, singer/rhythm guitarist Carol Van Dijk and bespectacled guitar hero Peter Visser have willingly mixed up their sound. That effort saw the band reveling in lush strings and pretty acoustic laments, the follow-up Log 22 threw in some mind-bending jam-rock numbers that pushed past the six-minute mark (how un-Matador of them!) and their latest, Attagirl, goes even farther afield (no less than three tracks embrace synthetic dance pop full-on). There’s still plenty of classic Betties to fill out the rest of the album, however, as the propulsive clatter of “Hands Off” and sweet chimes of “1 Off Deal” make clear. Side note: can someone explain to me how Van Dijk (who speaks English as a second language) is one of the best lyricists working in the indie-rock game? With the Deaths, Mean Larry: Black Valentine. 9 p.m. $8 adv/ $10 door. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. van Alstyne