Uso Justo
Bell Auditorium

If you’re the thrifty type who’ll re-cover an old couch instead of dipping into your life savings to buy a new one, you’ll appreciate the “take something old and make it new” philosophy behind filmmaker Coleman Miller’s first experimental narrative film “Uso Justo” (“Fair Use”), which screens before “POPaganda” at the Bell Auditorium. Like the 1966 Woody Allen film “What’s Up Tiger Lily,” in which Allen bought a Japanese spy movie, then dubbed in an entirely different story, Miller makes great use of a lemon of a film. Taking obscure footage from a black and white 1959 Spanish film, Miller makes fair game of the characters from this obscure Mexican hospital drama, and subverts the old plot for an entirely new one. He replaces original dialogue with fake English subtitles to tell a hilarious new story. Miller also pokes fun at the absurdity and intelligence of experimental narrative filmmaking. “Uso Justo” is funny, clever, intelligent and silly, and a chance for the director to poke fun at the experimental genre. Also Jan. 5. 7:15 & 9:15 p.m. $5 - $8. 17th & University Aves. SE, Mpls. 612-331 3134. JENNIFER NEMO

Don’t Trust Anyone Over 30
Walker Art Center

What performance could be more “out there” than a multimedia rock-opera satire of the hippie era with puppets and projections? Part of the Walker Art Center’s Out There 18 series, “Don’t Trust Anyone Over 30” uses various illusionary tricks and devices to tell a disillusioned story of the ’60s, based on the 1968 exploitation film “Wild in the Streets.” After instigating teenage riots to change the voting age to 14 and dosing Congress with LSD, 24-year-old rock singer Neil Sky is elected president. An idealistic movement left unchecked becomes the same fascist tidal wave its young protagonists fight against so unstintingly. The McGuire stage and seating are transformed into a puppet-theater installation conceived by conceptual artist Dan Graham, with videos by artist Tony Oursler. Also featured are marionettes by Phillip Huber of “Being John Malkovich” fame. The event features live music by post-punk duo Japanther. This show will be out! Through Jan. 7. 7 & 9:30 p.m. $10 - $20 . 1750 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612.375.7600. CYN COLLINS


Vicious Vicious & friends
Triple Rock Social Club

If you check out Vicious Vicious on MySpace.com, you will see that they have 1,054 very cool friends. However, it’s interesting how the politics on that site work: for example, the Hopefuls have 3,960 friends. Everyone knows that how many friends you have on the site dictates how popular you are, just like in high school. Although it could mean the VV is just more selective about who its friends are. VV also writes on the site that it sounds like about 150 different bands and people, including everyone from Beck to Donovan to Elton John to Morrissey to Elvis Costello to Jimmy Fallon to Har Mar Superstar. Now, that is just wrong. Things are starting out right, though, for 2006 with this show at the Triple Rock Social Club—should be a good time. With The Slats and One For the Team. 9 p.m. 21+, $6. 629 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-333-7399. REBECCA THURN

Lit 6 Project
Acadia Cafe

Bittersweet melodies, raunchy blues and gritty good-time music are in abundance in the cozy theater of Acadia Cafe tonight. As if that’s not enough, they’re juxtaposed with the utterly warped and brilliant humor of the Lit 6 Project. The Lit 6 Project includes the wicked wit of notorious Paul Dicksinson, Emily Carter and a large crew of lit friends. They’re performing a radio show being podcast over the net. I’ve not laughed so hard in years as I did at their recent over-the-top skit at Creative Electric. Singer/songwriter Molly Maher is an excellent fiery slide blues guitarist, with scorching vocals to match, in the vein of Kasey Chambers or Lucinda Williams. Erik Brandt, lead of the Urban Hillbilly Quartet, is a great multi-instrumentalist, incorporating guitar, accordion, mandolin, banjo, keys and more, into his repertoire. Ben Kyle, lead of the appropriately named Romantica is a charming performer with songs and that nearly break your heart. Katie Marshall, renowned for her songwriting skills and versatile vocals, will be a treat to hear. An event not to be missed. 8:15 p.m. $6. All Ages. 1931 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. 612-874-8702. COLLINS

Protocols of Zion
Bell Auditorium

In the documentary “The Protocols of Zion,” filmmaker Marc Levin explores the resurgence of anti-Semitism in the wake of the 9/11 events, confronts an age-old conspiracy theory and attempts to debunk the fanaticals who blame Jews for the World Trade Center horror. Levin interviews a wide range of zealots—neo-Nazis, Kabbalist rabbis, Holocaust deniers, and Black Nationalists—exposing a diverse amount of anti-Semitic tirades, that include a speech from the Malaysian prime minister. The premise of the film is based on a conversation he had with an Egyptian immigrant taxi driver in New York shortly after the 9/11 events, who claimed that the Jews had been warned not to show up for work at the Trade Center on September 11. The taxi driver also told Levin that “it’s all written in the book,” referring to “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” a 100-year-old forgery that claims to be the Jews’ master plan to rule the world. The book played a crucial role in Hitler’s Propaganda Ministry during WW II, but was quickly discredited as a fake. This film does include humorous moments during the interview segments, which Levin uses to highlight religious intolerance and ethnic bigotry. A panel discussion takes place after Saturday’s 5:15 p.m. screening. Through Jan. 13. 7:15 & 9:15 p.m. (matinees Sat. & Sun. 3:15 & 5:15 p.m.). $5 - $8. 17th & University Aves. SE, Mpls. 612-331 3134. NEMO

Gary Baseman: Manifestations of Desire
Ox-Op Gallery

Who would have ever thought that the artist who designed my favorite board game would come to town to display his work? By favorite game, I mean Cranium and by designer, I of course mean Gary Baseman. His art is weird enough to include crucified Cyclops cats, dancing skeletons, repeated appearances by the Devil and organs falling out of creatures’ bodies—all from a man who won three Emmys for his Disney (yes, Disney) cartoon “Teacher’s Pet.” Entertainment Weekly recently named Baseman one of the “100 Most Creative People in Entertainment,” but don’t let that stop you from attending the opening or the show. And be sure to look for Baseman’s newly published 352-page art book, “Dumb Luck.” Reception 7 – 10 p.m. Exhibit runs through Jan. 31. 1111 Washington Ave., Mpls. 612-259-0085. SAM RICHARD

Desire
Susan Hensel Gallery

The challenging and provocative exhibits at Susan Hensel’s gallery have featured a number of cutting-edge artists—local and national—since she opened her space in 2004. Long before Cindy Sheehan began her peace vigil in Crawford, Texas, Hensel showcased War Games, featuring the work of Kari Gunter-Seymour, an artist, single parent and pacifist who faced the untenable wait of her enlisted son’s safe return from Iraq. This weekend Hensel unveils Desire, a layered narrative on sexuality and aging. Three years in the making, this multimedia exhibit offers a warm respite from these barren gray days, taking us on a journey that explores sexuality from adolescence to adulthood. This is the first Minneapolis show for Hensel, a widely exhibited artist whose work is part of MOMA’s collection in New York City. The opening reception takes place Saturday and a Hot Poetry Reading is scheduled for Feb. 11. Reception 5 – 9 p.m. Exhibit runs through Feb. 24. 3441 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-722-2324. NANCY SARTOR


The Pines, Willie Murphy and Spider John Koerner
400 Bar

Not sitting still much these days, Willie Murphy and Spider John Koerner each continue to delight us with their standing and special gigs around town. But only on rare occasions do they perform together like they used to. Now we have an incredible, rare chance to hear these two groove-meisters of 1967’s seminal Running, Jumping, Standing Still fame perform together in one of their earliest haunts in the late ’60s and early ’70s, the 400 Bar. During those days they toured and tore it up around the country, playing San Francisco during the Summer of Love, and performing with the likes of Jefferson Airplane. Murphy’s monster piano playing and gravelly vocals, combined with Koerner’s signature foot-stomping rhythms and blues, rags and hollers will be more groovy fun than anything I can imagine. (Special event notice: Koerner and Tony Glover are playing together every Thursdays in January at the 400 Bar starting at 8 p.m. for $5. Catch them out at their old stomping ground while you can!) Rounding out Saturday night’s bill are folk and blues duo The Pines, featuring David Huckfelt and Benson Ramsey, transplanted to Minneapolis in 2003. They’ve shared bills with Arcade Fire, Jolie Holland and Split Lip Rayfield, and are renowned for their unusual arrangements, sometimes spooky melodies and raw blues groove. 8 p.m. $8. 400 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-332-8903. COLLINS

Welcome to Palestine
Art of This Gallery

Full disclosure: For years activist Flo K. Razowsky has contributed commentary on the Middle East to Pulse of the Twin Cities. But this weekend it’s her images, not words, that are featured in a photography exhibit at Art of This Gallery. Razowsky is a Jewish American who spent 17 months in the Occupied Territories to see for herself the reality of the Israeli-Arab conflict. Taken between August 2002 and June 2005, her photographs chronicle the human experience of communities who have been at war for generations. “I see the world in a series of photographic images that capture a moment of life and tell a story for the world to read,” said Razowsky. During its January run the exhibit will also incorporate community events, video presentations and discussion groups. Reception 8 p.m. Exhibit runs through Jan. 31. 3222 Bloomington Ave. S., Mpls. 612-721-4105. SARTOR