The New Congress
Bunkers Music Bar & Grill

Every once in a good while a band comes along that simply has it. Thoroughbred funksters The New Congress throw down with their debut release Everybody Gets Up! The CD is nasty silk at its absolute finest. These guys have to be seen to be believed, so catch them at this week as they break it down live to promote Everybody Gets Up! Can you say “off the hook”? Front man singer-guitarist Aaron Cosgrove is a songwriter who actually gives a damn about what he says, and is not only good, but also downright innovative. Sometimes the songs are about sex on the science-fiction tip, sometimes they focus on existential social commentary and sometimes they’re just regular, man-to-woman crooning. When ace keyboardist Russ King contributes to the music, it’s some of the best stuff you’ve heard since ’80s groove merchants like Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder and Tower of Power. You think TNT explodes? Feel some TNC. With their chops and innovative material, if anybody has big-time stamped all over them in block letters, it’s The New Congress. 9:30 p.m. $5. 761 N. Washington Ave., Mpls. 612-338-8188. DWIGHT HOBBES

Making Music featuring P.O.S.
The Whole Music Club

I’ve only gotten to check out one of the Making Music series at the Whole Music Club so far, and that was with James Diers of Halloween, Alaska back in the fall, but I’m really looking forward to this installment. As the press release states, the Making Music series is “easily described as ‘Inside the Actors Studio’ for local musicians,” with host JG Everest not so much grilling as gently stirring the guests with questions about their music making process and life in general. A couple questions, a live performance, rinse, repeat. This week, Everest’s guest will be Stef Alexander, who’s better known as rapper P.O.S., but also leads hardcore band Building Better Bombs. Alexander’s got way more to talk about than two turntables and a microphone. For instance, I bet you didn’t know that he’s a music gearhead who knows way more about guitars than most guitarists. Bring your questions for the Q&A session and settle in for a mellow evening of musical banter.
8 p.m. Free. All Ages. Coffman Memorial Union, U of M, Mpls. 612-625-8269. STEVE MCPHERSON

Searchmode
Cable Channel 6

“Searchmode” is a refreshingly unflashy and down-to-earth local music program that eschews fancy graphics and “colorful” commentary in favor of solid live footage, one-on-one interviews and the calming narration of executive producer Ossian Or. Thursday’s episode features highlights from this year’s South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, which featured a large number of Twin Cities bands. The episode includes live clips of The Plastic Constellations, Coach Said Not To, The Owls, Luke Zimmerman and the suddenly red-hot Tapes ‘n’ Tapes. Gritty footage of the bands is intercut with close-ups of their CD artwork and even shots of the festival guide and the Austin edition of the Onion calling attention to Twin Cities bands. Week in and week out, Searchmode is shining a light on Twin Cities bands and next week’s edition is scheduled to feature footage from Chris Koza’s CD Release. I’d suggest adding it to your TiVO queue ASAP. 9 p.m. Also showing on Sat., Apr. 15. Cable Channel 6. Searchmode.tv. MCPHERSON

Zooman and the Sign
Penumbra Theatre

This year, Penumbra Theatre Company stages one hell of a ringer in “Zooman and the Sign” by Charles Fuller, a Pulitzer Prize winner for “A Soldier’s Play” and historic icon of Negro Ensemble Company lore. With gangs in St. Paul, Minneapolis and everywhere else in America gunning each other down, and in the process shooting innocent bystanders, our city streets have become reminiscent of the Old West. “Zooman and the Sign” strikes a telling nerve. In the immediate aftermath of their daughter’s tragic murder, the Tate family struggles to find her killer. A once-compassionate black community is rendered powerless by recurring gang violence and police apathy. Reuben Tate’s pleas to his neighbors are met with icy refusals or indifference. Racked with a sense of helplessness, he posts a plea for humanity that rouses an emotionally ravaged neighborhood to its feet. It’s about time Penumbra got back to the classics, and artistic director Lou Bellamy, who directs “Zooman and the Sign,” could not have picked a better show. Through May 7. Thu. 7:30; Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 & 7:30 p.m. $15 - $32. 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul. 651-224-3180. HOBBES

Happy Apple
Artists’ Quarter

Named after a ’60s Fisher Price toy, which is appropriate for their funkily playful spirit and style, Happy Apple is back to wow adoring audiences at the AQ for not one, but two spectacular nights. The rebellious rocking saxophone of Michael Lewis is nothing short of astounding—in demand in France, he’s revered far and wide for his riveting chops. 1960s European free jazz pioneers such as Evan Parker have witnessed hope for the future of free jazz via Lewis. Local lifetime achievement award recipient, saxophonist Eddie Berger says Lewis is “incredible, just outstanding. That kid is really good.” Percussionist and co-founder David King (The Bad Plus, Halloween, Alaska, The Love-cars, F*K*G and more) is not only one of the busiest drummers in town, but also one of the best. Every band he gives the beat to seems to turn to gold. Bassist Erik Fratzke (Zebulon Pike) offers up a metallic edge to this jazz band whose eclectic tastes and influences range from Radiohead to Rollins, from math to planetariums. Happy Apple surges with a huge energy and complex cohesiveness like no other in the world. Not to be missed. 9 p.m. $12. 21+. 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. 651-292-1359. CYN COLLINS

Raising the Fawn
Varsity Theater

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Canada’s amazing. The latest disc to come down the pipeline from our northern neighbors is The Maginot Line by Raising the Fawn, and it has the same caterwauling expansiveness and slippery comfort that made Broken Social Scene’s self-titled effort and Wolf Parade’s Apologies to the Queen Mary two of my favorite discs of last year. A lot of bands from the Great White North seem to have this ability to combine the lo-fi sound of the underground with the hi-fi payoffs of the mainstream, and RTF is no exception to this. The songs often blossom into six-minute plus territory, although there are short instrumental interludes peppered throughout, marking them as a band that should fit in quite comfortably at the Varsity. With headliners the Stills. 8 p.m. $13/$15. 18+. 1308 4th St. SE, Mpls. 612-604-0222. MCPHERSON

Start Seeing Haiti
Patrick’s Cabaret

Caribbean neighbor Haiti is the only democracy born of an African slave uprising, which took place in 1805. During the 20th century U.S.-backed dictators led the country, until 1990 when Haitians choose the beloved priest Father Jean-Bertram Aristide as its first democratically elected president. During mass riots in February 2005, Aristide was removed from office. Local members of the Haiti Justice Committee (HJC) continue to travel there—the poorest nation in our hemisphere. This weekend, HJC is at Patrick’s Cabaret hosting an event to raise relief funds. Catch the spirit of the Caribbean with Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs, African and Haitian drummers and dancers, local jazz group Honeysuckle Rose and spoken-word artists. Tony Paul, KFAI’s host of the “Shake and Bake” show will emcee. Enjoy this early taste of summer and support a great cause. 7 p.m. $10 - $15 suggested donation. 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S., Mpls. 612-388-2542. LYDIA HOWELL

MN Rollergirls Final Bout: The Day the Rink Stood Still
Rice Park

You’ll think of Safety Last on this, the last bout of the Minnesota Rollergirls for the season. Atomic Bombshells combat the Garda Belts, and then Dagger Dolls try to blast off the Rockits. Before the action starts, enjoy the pre-bout party in Rice Park, with Pabst, hot dogs and hamburgers for a buck each from 5 – 7 p.m. Bonus! Be one of the first 199 people to walk into the arena and get a free Minnesota RollerGirls T-shirt. It seems like it just can’t get any more fun than this, but then there’s Safety Last (Rusty Jones, Tim Mauseth and Jimmy Tollefsrud) performing the halftime show. You have no excuse not to come out and enjoy this last chance to catch one of the wildest events in Minnesota—there are no taxes due until April 17, and there are free Shamrock Shuttles from O’Gara’s Garage to Roy Wilkins at 6:15 and 7:00 p.m. More partying is to be had at Station Four— Pre-bout Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. with $2 PBR Tallboys, free snackbar, and after party at 10 p.m. with the music of Street Hassle and Anchorhead. Proceeds go to Cancer Kids Fund at Children’s Hospital of Minnesota. Large crowds are expected, so you may want to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid the lines. 6:30 p.m. Trackside $12/$14; general admission $10/$12; 9 and under free with adult. 109 W. 4th St., St. Paul. mnRollerGirls.com. COLLINS

Henry Butler
The Dakota

The fact that Henry Butler is a blind, Afro-American, southern born-and-bred pianist/vocalist invites comparisons to the late, iconic Ray Charles. But New Orleans native Butler has developed his own unique style, blending a century-worth of Crescent City piano tradition into a mix of stride, boogie-woogie, modern jazz and more. After a recording session and tour with an ad hoc group of fellow Hurricane Katrina exiles, Butler is now living in Boulder, Colo. Butler’s recent trials should add a certain poignancy and potency to his Easter night performance at the Dakota. 6 p.m. $20. 8 p.m. $15. 1010 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. 612-332-1010. DAN EMERSON

Local Musician Mingle
Market BBQ Downtown

The first weekly acoustic open stage and “pickin' circle,” this local musician mingle is an interactive weekly community event which is more geared towards the musicians than the audience who enjoys them. Hosted by shugE (a re-invented Minneapolis musician who has spent the last two years in Gainesville, Florida invigorating the bluegrass/ old timey/acoustic singer-songwriter scene) who will play a brief set before opening up the stage. There’s no telling what sparks may fly in an open jam, so don’t be bashful and bring down yer' fiddle, guitar, banjo, guit-jo, accordion, mandolin, stand-up bass, etc to play some songs, pick with the band, chow some ribs, and mingle with other local musicians! 10 p.m. Free. 1414 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. 612-872-1111. AARON NEUMANN