Ryan Lee
@ The Acadia Theatre

Local dour-pop troubadour Ryan Lee has come through with a slow-burning winner on his debut longplayer, The Pride Before the Fall, and fans of the Love-Cars textured brooding emoti-pop should warm to Lee’s tunes rather quickly. Shifting from the sort of spritely, acoustic pop that wouldn’t sound out of place on Cities 97 to darker, electronic-inflected material, Lee and his band (Matthew Freed and Eric Smith) cover quite a bit of ground on Pride, a lengthy 13-song endeavor. Although a proper CD release show will have to wait for the spring, that doesn’t mean you can’t catch Lee for yourself right here and now. With headlining act Vicky Emerson. 7 p.m. TBA. All Ages. The Corner of Franklin & Nicollett, Mpls. 612-874-8702. Rob van Alstyne

The Moodswings
@ The Uptown Bar

Local pop label Susstones has been keeping a lower profile as of late, but with new albums on the way shortly from label founder Ed Ackerson’s band Polara and up-and-coming female trio The Moodswings, Susstones will be back in the local music spotlight plenty in 2005. The Moodswings are currently putting the final touches on their debut longplayer, and the results thus far (two mp3s are available for download at Susstones.com) have me flat-out salivating. Led by singer/guitarist Ashley Prenzlow with help from cohorts Sallie Watson (guitar) and Laura Bennett (drums), the Mood Swings—quite appropriately—swing between sweetly tart bubblegum and fuzzed-out nastiness with equal aplomb. Their record will hit shelves sometime this spring, so keep your eyes peeled. With The TV Sound, Limbek. 9 p.m. Free. 21+. 3018 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-823-4719. van Alstyne

Kathy Kelly
@ St. Joan of Arc

For two decades, Kathy Kelly has campaigned against war and for the rights of women and children around the world. She has been part of peacekeeping efforts in several war zones, including Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Sarajevo and Croatian-controlled Bosnia, Haiti and Nicaragua. She is co-founder of the human-rights group Voices in the Wilderness, has visited Iraq more than 20 times, has spent time in prison for civil disobedience and has twice been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Sponsored by Women Against Military Madness. 7 p.m., St. Joan of Arc Church, 4537 Third Ave. S., Mpls. 612-827-5364, or wamm@mtn.org. Brian Kaller

Mach Fox
@ The Kitty Cat Klub

Presenting ambient electro-pop explorations from the heart of Minnesota, Mach Fox is celebrating the release of his debut solo CD, FuturePast, recorded with Brian Herb. Former member of such diverse outfits as Manplanet, Vena Cava and Silver Fox, Mach Fox doesn’t really sound like any of those groups. Those ready to take a doped-up trip through vaguely ’80s soundscapes and mechanical rhythms should get ready to recline in a futuristic leather couch and let the blue tones (and strangely Midnight Oil-styled vocals) of Mach Fox wash over them. With DJ Pepino, Ear Candy, Endless Blue and MC Mike Suade. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 315 14th Ave. SE, Mpls. 612-331-9800. Nathan Dean

WMCN Benefit Concert
@ The 400 Bar

One of St. Paul’s hidden musical treasures, the weak-signaled-but-well-programmed radio flagship of my alma mater Macalester College, WMCN 91.7 FM, will finally get its chance to reach beyond the Summit/Grand neighborhood and touch the hearts of the world via the worldwide web. The station is looking to gather up a little cash to help fund the transition to webcasting (which will begin on February 7), and the 400 Bar graciously offered to host the benefit show (which features a bunch of fresh faced Mac kids playing their hearts out). Given that past musically inclined Macalester graduates include Bob Mould, the members of Walt Mink and all-star session drummer Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M., the Smashing Pumpkins) – who knows what future legends these kids might be? Featuring Morris, Screaming Cyn-Cyn and the Pons, Short Order with Maura McAndrew, Ben Abrahamson. 8 p.m. $5. 18+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. van Alstyne

The Worn Out Shoes
The Hexagon Bar

Donny Moon is an enigmatic rocker whose two-piece band The Worn Out Shoes (alongside drummer Duane McIntyre) pound out down-and-dirty blues-based rawk in rural Wisconsin, occasionally popping in on the local music scene of the Twin Cities to scare the bejeezus out of everyone. Donny Moon is also the stage name of one Phil Parhamovich (best known for stints with the Hang Ups and the Waves), a dude with a serious dosage of quality local rockitude already on his resume. The Worn Out Shoes handmade debut record has been pressed up in a limited edition run of 500 copies, but those lucky enough to track one down have been treated to a more frenzied take on rockin’ white boy blues than Jack White ever cooked up. Watch your back White Stripes, the Worn Out Shoes are ready to stick a boot up your ass. With Kopacz, Heavy Sleeper. 9 p.m. Free. 21+. 2600 27th Ave., Mpls. 612-722-3454. Dean

The Go Buttons
@ Lee’s Liquor Lounge

A loose collection of laid-back rock, The Go Buttons’ new record, Here Come the Go Buttons, dresses up the local quartet’s simple, taut pop-craft with all the right touches (trumpet & trombone, banjo, pedal steel, hand claps and harmonies galore). The end result is an album of countrified rock that should fit right in with Lee’s urban cowboy crowd but also wouldn’t sound out of place on a college radio station. Led by two singer/songwriters, Johnny Wilson and Paul Nelson, who each know their way around a hook, the Go Buttons’ modest melodies are sure to delight. With Mini-Bike, Skin-Tight Huskies (featuring Bob McCreedy & Jimmy Peterson). 9:30 p.m. $5. 21+. 101 Glenwood, Mpls. 612-338-9491. Nathan Dean


Doug Padilla Solo Exhibit
@ Gallery Co.

Doug Padilla has been an eclectic icon in the Twin Cities art scene for quite some time, but it’s been years since he’s had a solo show in his own backyard. Fresh from an exhibit in Paris, Padilla brings his latest work to Gallery Co. in the Wyman Building downtown. Puerta de Angeles (Door of Angels) are paintings from 2001 to 2004 that the gallery says “reclaim the tradition of artist as shaman; as a visionary spiritualist channel for something greater than the concerns of ‘self’ and ‘reality.’” If anyone can channel creativity, it’s Padilla. In little more than five decades he’s “survived the travails of Haight-Ashbury, created and lost a million-dollar-a-year business, trained with an underground cadre during the Vietnam War, meditated and lived with his guru in India” and much, much more (for an unbelievable read, check out his full bio on his website: DougieLand.com). Padilla credits Marc Chagall, John Coltrane, Federico Garcia Lorca, Howard Finster and Johnny Cash as just a few of those who have channeled inspiration his way. Intrigued? Artist reception Sat. Jan. 29, 7 – 10 p.m. Exhibit runs through Mar. 26. Gallery Co., Wyman Bldg., 700 N. 1st Ave., Suite 710, Mpls. 612-332-5252. Liberty Finch

Revolver Modele, A Whisper In the Noise, The Bleeding Hickeys
@ The Varsity Theatre

In what is certainly cause for celebration, the long-dormant Varsity Theatre in the heart of Dinkytown is re-opening its doors to live music. Under the hand of Jason McLean and Patrick Scully (McLean runs the just-around-the-corner Loring Pasta Bar and Kitty Cat Klub), the Varsity will be operating as a 300-seat flexible space for theater, performance, dance and music. Tonight it’s all about local rock, as three heavy hitters are lining up to ensure that the Varsity returns in high style. Between the Anglo-leaning 80s-phile sounds of high drama mopesters Revolver Modele, the epic orchestral maneuvers and experimentalists A Whisper In the Noise and The Bleeding Hickeys’ raw rock bravado, all in attendance should find something to scratch their local music itch. 8 p.m. TBA. 21+. 1308 4th Street SE, in Dinkytown, Mpls. van Alstyne

First Annual Longfellow Jazz Festival
@ Molly Quinn’s

Thanks to the Brackett Park rocket restoration project, the first annual Longfellow Jazz Festival will take off. This heartwarming, quirky, off-the-wall fundraiser for the Brackett Park rocketship—the 35-foot-tall “jungle gym” which served for 42 years as the undeniable apex of playground entertainment—will feature a small percentage of the dense Longfellow Neighborhood jazz population. (Organizer jazz saxophonist John Devine says there are enough musicians living in Longfellow to play for three days. Maybe next year.) On the roster, among others, are Papa John Kolstad and the Hot Club of East Lake Street (swing and gypsy jazz); Avant Garlic; Dada Cha Cha (beat poetry with live music) and The Devine/Davies Quartet (Latin beats, flamenco and straight ahead jazz). 3 – 7 p.m. $10 adv/$15 door/children $2/children under 3 free. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Molly Quinn’s, 3300 E. Lake St., Mpls. Tickets and info at 612-724-1570. Elaine Klaasen

Ancestor Energy CD Release
@ Dakota Jazz Club

If you’ve never heard Ancestor Energy during its 23 years of existence, now is the time. They’re playing at the cool downtown Dakota Jazz Club to celebrate the release of their first CD, Allwhere. Beautifully spoken, profoundly moving words blended with the stellar, well-tuned instincts of top-notch musicians is an experience not to be missed. For more info call 612-823-5857. 3 p.m. $10. 1010 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-1010. Mary Ann Vincenta