Zach Barocas
Magers & Quinn Booksellers

Hip-Hop beats may dominate spoken word, but a wide range of rhythms drive poetry. Former Jawbox drummer Zach Barocas believes “a poem’s form develops according to its needs.” Flexible as sticks riding a hi-hat or beating a tom, Barocas varies the size, shape and syllable patterns of his poems. Family, romance, art and music become miracles in Barocas’ new book “Among Other Things: Poems and Proposals.” He’s joined in this reading by Chicago’s O’Leary brothers. Michael O’Leary is an emerging poet, and Peter O’Leary is a member of the Chicago Poetry Project and teacher at the Art Institute of Chicago. With a mystical sensibility, the poems in Peter’s “Depth Theology” follow connections between myth, allegory and the Bible in a journey that encompasses topics from ancient history to baseball. 7 p.m. Free. 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-822-4611. LYDIA HOWELL

HOT PICK
FREE THURSDAY NIGHTS
Walker Art Center

In these days of George Bush’s imaginary prosperity and Tim Pawlenty’s let-‘em-eat-cake economics, even inexpensive entertainment can be tough to afford. Which makes the Walker Art Center’s Target Free Thursday Nights a godsend (if nothing else, the price sure is right), especially its Summer 2006 Artist’s Bookshelf in June, July and August—casual book discussions moderated by playwright Roger Nieboer. This month the first in the series is “Colors Insulting to Nature,” Cintra Wilson’s novel about Liza Normal, a not particularly talented teenager whose mom convinces her she can be a star. As Liza’s self-delusions crash headlong into reality, she goes through unnecessary hell, including sex, drugs and other destructive roads to self-discovery. According to Rocky Mountain News, “This novel is smart and funny and Wilson has imbued it with … a verve that few writers can match.” All you have to do to put your two cents in is get a copy from the library and show up. Presented by Walker Art Center and Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library. 7 p.m. Free. Star Tribune Foundation Art Lab, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-375-7600. DWIGHT HOBBES

Toki Wright & Isis Joint CD Release Party
Red Sea

Does Toki Wright ever just play a show? You know, show up on a bill with, like, three other bands and play for half an hour? Everything the man does is an event, and this one should be no different. Wright unleashes Low Budget/High Quality 2.0 tonight along with a book of poetry by spoken word artist Isis entitled “a poetic (r).evol.ution.” Wright’s disc is a collection of previously released material and two exclusive new songs and serves as a warm-up for the full-length A Different Mirror, which will be dropping this fall. Of course, a star-studded cast of hip-hop all-stars has been assembled for the event, and short sets will be performed by Brother Ali, Sims and Mictlan from Doomtree, Purest Form, The Chosen Few, Snakebird, Soulistic, Rico Nevotion, Omaur Bliss, Pee Wee Dred and Heat. Seriously: They better be short or we’ll be there ’til what the heads call “the breakadawn.” DJs Nikoless and Snuggles will be spinning funk, hip-hop and reggae for your aural pleasure all night long. 9 p.m. $5. 18+. 320 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-3349. J.J. GIANTVALLEY

Lili’s Burlesque Revue
Trocadero’s

After a brief hiatus, Lili’s Burlesque Revue is once again preparing to get its ya-yas out, this time at a new location: Trocadero’s in the Minneapolis warehouse district. Fresh from a Memorial weekend field trip to Las Vegas for the Miss Exotic World Pageant, in which cast member Sweet Pea (aka Tawnya Konobeck) competed for the coveted title, the troupe is back with a revamped show that promises “new pizzazz and lots of new prospects for the future,” according to emcee/songbird Nadine Dubois. More than 20 cast members perform in Lili’s A-list cabaret, which includes a little song, dance and striptease and along with a few surprises. Lili’s will hold future shows at Trocadero’s, but this week an Italian/American film crew will be on hand as it follows Ava Dollhaus (aka Krista Burton) and the entire burlesque cast. The filmmakers are working on a documentary entitled “Tease: The Art and Heart of Burlesque,” which will be shown at the prestigious Venice Film Festival this summer. 9 p.m. $8 - $15. 107 3rd Ave. N., Mpls. 612-465-0440 or LilisBurlesque.com. NANCY SARTOR


The Celestine Prophecy
Uptown Theater

If you read the book “The Celestine Prophecy,” you already have some familiarity with the nine insights that are to move humanity toward a deeper experience of spirituality. James Redfield’s best-selling novel chronicles the discovery of ancient scrolls in the rainforests of Peru where our hero, John Woodson, finds himself caught up in the search for the insights, which the government wants badly to suppress. I saw “The Da Vinci Code” recently, and whereas that film (and book) focuses on symbology and the coverup of the early Church, the “Celestine Prophecy” gives viewers actual tools to use in everyday life to develop higher spiritual attunement. If you already have some knowledge of the color theories of theosophy or chakra balancing, this film can serve as a refresher. The film starts out too slow, but picks up speed, and it’s exciting to see a film that attempts to show what a spirtual awakening actually might look like. Through Fri. 2:40, 5:00, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m. 2906 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-825-6006. ADA SCHOCK

The Black Orchid: Josephine Baker
Sabathani Community Center

“The Black Orchid: Josephine Baker,” written and directed by Judy Cooper Lyle, kicked off last August as a modest but noteworthy tribute to the timeless chanteuse and historic escapee from American racism. The show wound up doing so well, it’s been booked for a mini-tour of St. Peter, Lakeville, St. Cloud, Chaska, White Bear Lake and New Richmond, Wisc. Lyle’s script gives us Baker the dancer, singer, actress and political figure who managed novelty-act notoriety on Broadway in the early ’20s, then left for Paris, where she vaulted to true, international stardom. Baker led one hell of an interesting life that included, among other things, compassion for orphans and a love of liberty (as, in fact, a decorated French freedom fighter). Although she wasn’t much good at choosing men and ended up destitute, Josephine Baker was ultimately one for the books. “The Black Orchid” closes its tour with a one-night-only performance at Sabathani Community Center. The score, you should know, is by Twin Cities jazz legend Morris Wilson and Pulse’s own contributing writer and proofreader, Elaine Klaassen. 7:30 p.m. $10. 310 E. 38th St., Mpls. 612-821-2385. HOBBES

Youth Slam League Finals
Capri Theatre

Athletics can’t claim a monopoly on the fierce competitive spirit, fan fervor and suspense of poetry slams. Strutting rhythmic flare, lyrical fire and stylistic savvy, the Youth Slam League Finals will crown the best and brightest high school poets. With backup by TC Hip-Hop/spoken word giants, including Bojah and the Insurrection, Tish Jones, LPP and Immortal Hip-Hop Crews Lady J. Illuminous III Mavic MC hosts. Discover tomorrow’s stars today. 7 p.m. $7 adults/$5 students. 2021 W. Broadway, Mpls. 612-288-9491 or mnSpokenWord.org. HOWELL

Red Hot Art Festival
Stevens Square Park

This fourth annual kickoff to the summer festival season has two stages for dance, performance and music and includes gigs by Big Surf, Quilombolas and Shug E. There will also be more than 50 emerging visual artists in diverse mediums, including Colleen Walbran and Monica Sheet’s “Free Speech Machine,” Interact’s Tim Traver, Sri Lankan-American Chamindika Wanduragal and Christopher Loch’s unique T-shirt art. There will also be films screened from the back of a U-Haul, and Eat Street vendors will offer international food selections. Other art festivals might be slick marketing fairs, but Stevens Square is a lusciously rich event filled with homegrown talent and defiant urban vitality. Sat. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free. 1801 Stevens Ave. S., Mpls. 612-226-9468. HOWELL

The Court & Spark
7th Street Entry

Every couple of years, San Francisco Country and Western (emphasis on Western) outfit The Court & Spark crank out another batch of mellow, wholly inviting tunes perfect for relaxing in the sun. This year’s release is Hearts, which finds front man MC Taylor’s warm, smoky rasp still clearly indebted to the Grateful Dead even as other aspects of the band’s sound gently veer all over the map (the funky, cacophonous “Let’s Get High” is roughly the antithesis of what its title had me expecting). Touring this time out in a lean four-piece setup featuring other established S.F. music scene vets, The Court & Spark’s California-laced take on American musical traditions feels indispensable come summertime. With Matt Jennings. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. ROB VAN ALSTYNE

Great Moments in Kung Fu Theatre History
Illusion Theatre

No Refunds Theatre, which has, in the past, produced plays with titles such as “Kung Fu Hamlet” (“Gob-smackingly funny” said the Pioneer Press) and “Zombiemania,” may very well be insane. But, then, it takes a welcome sort of madness to look over the history of dramatic performance and ask yourself, “how can this be remade as an action film?” This outstanding company is providing a night of dazzling answers on the Illusion Theatre stage, including “Oedipus the Kung ... Fu,” “The Kung Frucible,” and my favorite, “A Streetfighter Named Desire.” The event is a fundraiser for the theater, which will be back this summer with a Fringe Festival offering: “Project: Twin Cities Next Top Idol Search,” in which the cast tracks down America’s greatest theatrical genius in the manner of a televised talent contest. The play, as NRT’s website so eloquently puts it, “is gonna be sweet,” so show your support this Saturday. 7 p.m. $15 - 50. 528 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-339-4944. MAX SPARBER

100 Years of Debauchery
Palmer’s Bar

Palmer’s, a lengendary West Bank watering hole, celebrates its 100th anniversary with 12 hours of entertainment, food and drink. Purchased by Minneapolis Brewing Company (Grain Belt’s parent company) in 1906, Palmer’s served dock, rail and lumber workers, immigrants and gadflies until (and possibly through) Prohibition. Today, Palmer’s serves an eclectic clientele of punks, hippies, cabbies, immigrants, musicians, artists and anarchists in the true tradition of the dense, diverse and radical West Bank. Renowned musicians, such as Koerner, Ray and Glover, Willie Murphy, Bonnie Raitt and Leo Kottke began the ’60s folk and blues revival in West Bank bars including Palmer’s, and the infamous February jugband battle was born right there. Spider John Koerner, Willie Murphy, Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson are performing, as well as several young upstarts carrying on the tradition to this day. In order of appearance, playing outside till 10 p.m. are: Dreamland Faces, Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson, Hot Tony, Jose Bove, Front Porch Swingin’ Liquor Pigs, Willie Murphy, Spider John Koerner and Valet. Inside after 10 p.m. will be Gay Beast, The Brass Kings, The Knotwells and Mike Gunther. During the event, Palmer’s is displaying memorabilia spanning its history, and hosting a Palmer’s-related trivia quiz with prizes and a demonstration of a fully functioning still. Palmer’s will also feature 100 cent ($1) drinks while supplies last. 2 p.m. Free. 500 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-333-7625. CYN COLLINS