Richmond Fontaine
@ The 400 Bar

Think you've heard every talented alt-country band under the sun? Think again, Portland, Oregon's Richmond Fontaine (they're a band not a dude - despite the misleading name) may just be the best undiscovered modern cowboys touring this great nation. Led by singer/guitarist Willy Vlautin (and his distinctly Farrar-styled voice) the band recently released its fifth album, “Post to Wire,” yet another set of deeply aching pedal steel-laced material perfect to unwind with. With Lit 6 Project and Beau Kinstler. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. (Nathan Dean)

Lisa Jackson & His Girl Friday
@ The 7th St. Entry

Picture, if you will, a stereotypical moment from a brat-pack 1980s film: Andrew McCarthy or Ally Sheedy trolls along the decaying streets of New York City before suddenly disappearing through a tin door and into a seedy bar. A punk band with wild hair is playing while the movie star looks for their lover, or pimp. Lisa Jackson would be ideally cast as that punk band's front woman, (she was kicking around her punky-funk sound back when Oliver North was still winning one for the Gipper). Fourteen years on from the last public sighting of Andrew McCarthy, Jackson and her band are still showcasing their exciting take on early '80s punk. With All the Pretty Horses, Killing Grace and Temptress 9 p.m. $7. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Louis Lenzmeier)


Caravan to Cuba
@ St. Albert the Great Church

For 40+ years the U.S. government has embargoed the island nation of Cuba and also banned most travel. Like the sanctions on Iraq, the embargo bans items labeled "dual use," like pencils, aspirin, crutches and solar panels. For the 15th year, Pastors for Peace is challenging these irrational restrictions by making their annual Caravan to Cuba. Recently, Bush re-tightened the travel ban: Cuban-Americans may only visit their families every three years and most "people to people" exchanges are taboo (scientists, academics, students, artists and beachcombers). The Caravan swings through Minneapolis, giving you a chance to support humanitarian aid to this population of 12 million and hear from those who've visited Cuba many times. This event includes a slide show, Cuban music and food. Both the Bush Administration and John Kerry have recently called for "tougher policies" against Cuba (and Venezuela, one of its strongest allies), while many in Congress want to end the embargo and "normalize relations." This is a rare and timely chance to find out what it is about Cuba, your government doesn't want you to know. 6 p.m. $10/no one turned away. St. Albert the Great Church, 29th St. & 33rd Ave. S., Mpls. 612-276-0788x12. http://www.ifconews.org. (Lydia Howell)


Charisse Jones & Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden
@ Marriott Hotel City Center

To black women, the concept of "shifting" is all too familiar: altering speech, appearance and behavior to fit in and feel good about themselves in daily life. Charisse Jones and Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden's book "Shifting: The Double Lives of Black Women in America" takes an insightful look at the issues black women face in life through compelling interviews, real life experiences and stories of ways that black women have coped from emotionally altering their personalities for generations. Join the authors this Thursday for a moving discussion of their groundbreaking book. 7 p.m. Free. Minneapolis Marriott Hotel City Center, 30 S. 7th St., Mpls. 952-831-2555. (Gyros Papadopoulos)

New Eyes Festival
@ The Playwrights' Center

It's a drag that considering how many theater groups call the Twin Cities home, there's only one devoted to Asian work. On the other hand, that one group happens to be the nationally accomplished Theater Mu, which presents its 12th Annual New Eyes Festival, showcasing work in development gathered locally and from across the U. S. New Eyes is Theater Mu's testing ground for work that may be presented on the mainstage in upcoming seasons, and keeps the company abreast of what's happening in Asian American drama. Along with Mu's other festivals, New Directions and Passing the Beat, New Eyes exposes Minneapolis and St. Paul audiences to a spectrum of talents that otherwise might go unnoticed -- at least, anyway, until the climate is capable of supporting a second such theater company. Nine scripts-in-progress, a new taiko composition "Kiyomizu Cascade" composed by founder-artistic director Rick Shiomi and several songs from next season's production of "Walleye Kid, The Musical" will get a look-see. Among the scripts are "The Great Family Tree" by Shiomi, "Heart Mountain" by Shiomi and Jerald Seifert, "Story of the Owl God" by Masanari Kawahara and "Refrigerators" by Judy Soo Hoo. Fri. June 25, 7 p.m.; Sat. June 26 - Sun. June 27, noon, 3 & 7 p.m. $6 single show, $15 for any 3 shows, $30 unlimited pass. The Playwrights' Center, 2301 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls. 612-824-4804. (Dwight Hobbes)


The Roach Brothers & Spikedriver
@ The Terminal Bar

"Well, I remember you, yeah way back when/A thousand yesterdays, yeah we used to be friends/Well, hello, hello to you..." So go the first lines of the first song, "Hello," on Indiana's famed Roach Brothers' latest offering, 2004's Complicated Country Boys; the only place you'll find a warmer and more sincere musical howdy will be at the band's two rare local gigs this weekend. The new album is a logical extension of the band's rootsy, eclectic repertoire, yet, as usual, finds multi-instrumentalist brothers Jamie and Terry Rouch (along with drummer Ted Pitman and mandolin whiz Gary Wyatt) expanding and exploring new musical ground. Ranging from whiskey-soaked country tear-jerkers to in-your-face rockers — with stop-offs in Zappa and Beefheart territory along the way — the Roach Bros. not only present a wide enough variety of styles and genres within their own original music to keep even the most fickle listeners entertained, but also deliver a live show that can only be compared to a cross between a good ol' fashioned Saturday night barn dance and an electrically-charged roadhouse brouhaha of the highest order. Local rockers Spikedriver, fresh from recording a slew of new tracks at the Roach studio Big As A Barn down South, will present the cream of that crop live, as well as introduce a new drummer, the inimitable Andrew "Randy" Deckard (Tea & Sympathy, The Mammy Nuns, 10W40, a billion other local outfits), to their lineup. You'd have to be crazier than a red-eyed devil's daughter to miss these shows, folks. Oh yeah, and I'll be there to hear your rants and raves and quaff as many cold Old Milwaukees as ya'll wanna spring for... With Lifestyle of Wigs. 9 p.m. TBA. 21+. 409 Hennepin Ave. E., Mpls. 612-623-4545. The Roach Brothers play again on Sat., June 26, at the Turf Club opening for Slim Dunlap. 9 p.m. $4. 21+. Corner of University and Snelling Avenues, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. (Tom Hallett)

The Twin Cities Gay Man's Chorus
performs the Music of Elton John
@ Ted Mann Concert Hallx

In celebration of Pride weekend, the Twin Cities Gay Man's Chorus group will be out and about cavorting with Pride revelers and living it up through their vocal skills. This time around the Chorus will be singing Sir Elton John's most classic hits and maybe some obscure ones you haven't heard in awhile. It's probably safe to assume that none of the singers will be imitating John's flashy fashions, but this being Pride weekend all bets are off. Regardless, it's one of the many events that people, straight or gay, will participate in as one of the country's biggest Pride celebrations gets going with full-flying colors. Sir Elton would be proud. 8 p.m. $19-$31. All Ages. 2128 4th St. S., Mpls. 612-624-2345. (Lenzmeier)

Phil Tagliere
@ The Fine Line Music Café

Yet another talented roots-pop singer/songwriter currently flying under the radar, L.A.'s Phil Tagliere is a subtle soft-rocker with serious skills. His latest, the self-released Charlie Side One EP features seven songs guaranteed to please mourning Elliott Smith devotees. Tagliere's previous outing, Slow, was actually mixed by noted Smith collaborator Tom Rothrock (the man who helmed XO) and released by former Beck record label home Bong Load Records (coolest label name ever?). Tagliere certainly knows the right people (including brother Steve of the awesome NYC pop duo Gingersol) and managed to corral quite a few of them to help out on his latest project (the EP boasts contribution from such noted session musicians as Don Heffington and Rick Shea among others) - solid stuff for those willing to seek it out. With Oujia Radio, Summit Avenue, Bridge Club and Copperbox. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. 318 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8100. (Dean)

Savran's Books Exhibition & Sale
@ Savran's Books

The rumors are true. Making use of the original West Bank store space above Mayday Books, Savran's Books will reopen its doors for a four-day exhibition and sale. From 1965 to 1986 Bill Savran's store was a favorite bookstore of students, professors and lefties. Look for copies of alternative local newspapers with contributors like Garrison Keillor, John Berryman, Robert Bly and Dennis Browne. He's also got an enlargement of the FBI's wanted poster for Eldridge Cleaver and some collectible books like a copy of "Blade Runner" signed by William S. Burroughs. Whether or not you were around to shop the store in its heyday, stop by and see what it was that made this store so great. It'll be a blast from the past. June 27 - 30. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Savran's Books, 301 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. (Katie Bodin)

Rebecca Gates
@ The 7th St. Entry

Formerly the front woman of the much beloved Chicago-based Sub Pop duo the Spinanes (alongside eventual Built to Spill drummer Scott Plouf), Rebecca Gates (and her compelling sultry alto singing voice) has been keeping a remarkably low profile in the six odd years since the Spinanes’ last outing, the sublime Arches & Aisles (which featured contributions from Sam Prekop and John McEntire amongst other Chicago scene notables). Aside from a seven-song EP released in 2001, nary a peep has been heard from one of independent rock's most talented front women. Hopefully this current bout of touring (with backing from the talented cellist Amy Domingues) signifies a return to more active artistic times. With The Ghost of Sean Arthur Peterson. 9 p.m. $7. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Rob van Alstyne)

Sussedtacular!
@ The Bryant Lake Bowl

Local indie-pop label Susstones weekly Djing gig at the Bryant Lake Bowl receives an extreme makeover this Tuesday as the label hosts another Sussedtacular! artist showcase in the theater in addition to its usual record spinning gig. Spotlighted performers include a rare live appearance by Ed Ackerson's instrumental spy-rock outfit Sideways (which features Peter Anderson, Kraig Johnson, Time Oesau and Blake Hurlbert in the live band) performing alongside visuals by coLab, a special acoustic set by the Melismatics, an appearance by the Mood Swings and a special drop-in from New York City's David Poe (an acclaimed songwriter in his own right in addition to being a member of the super kick ass Kraig Johnson & the Program). The DJs will still be in the house spinning music as well (among them Marc Mueller and Ackerson himself). Should be a night to remember. 9:30 p.m. TBA. All Ages. Bryant-Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-825-8949. (Rob van Alstyne)