Holiday Show
@ Frank Stone Gallery

This week is your last chance to visit the Frank Stone Gallery before it closes for the season. The finale features work from the more than 20 artists who exhibited this fall, and includes painting, pottery, photography, gift cards and a condensed version of the popular “Poster Offensive.” In January the gallery will host a photography exhibit in conjunction with the Minnesota Center for Photography and will re-open March 31 with its spring lineup. Wed. – Thu. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Frank Stone Gallery, 1224 2nd St NE, Mpls. 612-617-9965. Nancy Sartor

Heiruspecs
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

The Twin Cities best loved live Hip-Hop band is back in town for a celebratory homecoming gig, ready to bask in the warm holiday glow cast off by their stellar sophomore album, A Tiger Dancing. Released by heavy-hitting NYC label Razor & Tie (which has meant neat tie-ins like Heiruspecs popping up on the soundtrack to surprisingly awesome stoner comedy “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” amongst other new promo opportunities), the band’s latest lesson in live, lithe rhythms is downright tasty. Heiruspecs’ label connections saw the band recently hit the West Coast, opening up for a pair of major-label rock acts headed in different directions, one on the rise (the Walkmen) and one on the wane (Cake). Witnessing these two different career trajectories simultaneously has no doubt been an eye-opening experience for the quintet of buddies from St. Paul Central High School—would anyone else be willing to fork over a lot of money to hear the Heiru’s take on “The Distance”? With Guardians of Balance, Askeleton and music provided by DJ Anton. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Rob van Alstyne

Sans Le System
@ The Dinkytowner

Despite what the name would indicate, Sans Le System is actually not a French computer operating system, but rather the title of the latest experimental project hatched by the fertile creative mind of local music mainstay JG Everest. Still only a few months removed from the release of his proper solo debut, the jaw-droppingly beautiful computerized singer/songwriterdom of Hush Money, Everest has been holed up of late with local producer Ben Durrant (of Unguided Missile fame) at Crazy Beast Studios putting the final touches on his second solo project. According to Everest, the Sans Le System material will be more indicative of his past work with progressive minded avant-instrumental outfit Lateduster and informed by the myriad sound benders he’s encountered over the years he curated the Dinkytowner’s experimental “crossfaded music” series on Thursday nights. With DJ Kasi Engler. 9 p.m. $3. 21+. 412 ½ 14th Ave. SE, Mpls. 612-362-0427. van Alstyne

Kwanzaa Celebration
@ Minnesota History Center

The Minnesota History Center is holding its annual Kwanzaa celebration on Dec. 26 to coincide with Umoja, a day that in Swahili means “unity.” The family festival takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. and includes music by Ba Zeola, as well as dance, crafts and storytelling. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration also known as “Festival of the First Fruits.” Created in 1966, it was patterned after harvest festivals that still occur in parts of Africa at the beginning of the New Year. 1 – 4 p.m. Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-296-6126. Sartor

Above is Below
@ Minneapolis Institute of Arts

No matter what your religious affiliation, ‘tis the season of spirituality and self-reflection. Local artists Sharah Chokyi Bauer and David Hamlow have decked the halls of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts with an extraordinary exhibit that evolved out of their own daily spiritual practice. Bauer is a Tibetan Buddhist who holds ritual at the core of her art. A multimedia artist, she works in performance, photography, video, sound and digital media. In this exhibit she features repetitive images of meditation prostrations. Hamlow grew up in rural central Minnesota and maintains the deep Christian faith that was predominant in his community. By examining his daily consumption, he saved, sorted and created a geodesic dome built entirely from recycled materials, including soup, ice cream and potato chip containers. So hang on to those boxes and bows, you just might be inspired to create your own post-holiday art project. Tue. – Wed. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Thu. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Closed Mon. Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. 612-870-3131. Sartor

The Santaland Diaries
@ The Bryant Lake Bowl

David Sedaris has made a name for himself poking fun at his various personal problems via acerbic autobiographical essays and pithy NPR commentary segments whether mocking his childhood speech problems (“Me Talk Pretty One Day”) or roasting his eccentric kin for laughs (“Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim”). One of his first successful forays into artistic self-deprecation came via “Santaland Diaries,” a short story in which Sedaris recalled the humiliating travails of his time spent working as a Macy’s department store holiday Elf. The work has since been adapted into a play featuring three troubled and surly elves filled with the appropriate spirit of Grinchdom sure to appeal to those suffering “Christmas Spirit” overload. Presented by the always fiery local troupe Theatre Limina, “The Santaland Diaries” could be just what the doctor ordered to clear up your Holiday Season hangover. 6:30 p.m. $14. All Ages. 810 West Lake Street, Mpls. 612-825-8949. Evil Elf

Essential Elements: Who’s Next?: Mpls. Hip-Hop Showcase
@ The Dinkytowner

As any discerning Twin Cities music fan already knows, some of the most exciting and innovative sounds happening in town right now are in the Hip-Hop scene. Heard a lot of talk about the great talent out there but still clinging tightly only to your favorite Atmosphere vinyl singles? Then it’s time to head out to the Dinkytowner (one of the staunchest supporters of local Hip-Hop going) and check out who else is ready to make their mark in the coming months at the aptly titled “Who’s Next: Mpls. Hip-Hop Showcase 2005.” Among the stars on display include guest emcee extraordinaire Carnage, members of the up and coming Doomtree collective and hardest-working-man-in-town/amazing-Hip-Hop-fest-organizer Toki Wright of the C.O.R.E. Featuring performances by Los Nativos, Carnage, Sims (of Doomtree), Dawn of the Head, Toki Wright (of the C.O.R.E.), Big Quarters. Hosted by Crescent Moon of Odd Jobs. 8 p.m. $3. 18+. 412 ½ 14th Ave. SE, Mpls. 612-362-0427. van Alstyne