Jeff Forester
Plymouth Community Library

Jeff Forester has contributed a number of articles to Pulse of the Twin Cities over the years—most recently last September, when we ran an excerpt of his book, “The Forest for the Trees: How Humans Shaped the North Woods.” Forester’s book not only traces the history of Minnesota’s famous woods, it also takes on the myth that such places were untouched Edens before the white man came, and that restoring their natural wonder requires us to leave them alone. The North Woods, Forester argues, were intensely managed by Natives for millennia, and many of the trees require forest fires to reproduce. Preserving and restoring their natural wonder, he argues, requires us to aid the forest, not to abandon it. The book was honored by the Minnesota Humanities Commission last April when it was a finalist for the 17th annual Minnesota Book Awards in the “Nature and Minnesota” category. Forester will read from and talk about his book at 7 p.m. 15700 36th Ave. N, Plymouth. Free. 952-847-5825. Brian Kaller

Prison Radio Project benefit
Mayday Books

Longtime Pulse of the Twin Cities writer Lydia Howell will host a benefit for the Prison Radio Project, whose independent documentaries can be heard on community radio station KFAI. The “dinner and a movie” benefit will show “The Weather Underground,” the 2002 documentary about the Students for a Democratic Society splinter group that turned to violence to fight the Vietnam War. The meal includes sweet curry/apple rice with stir-fry vegetables, hummus and pita bread, Cuban black bean soup and more. All proceeds go to the Prison Radio Project. 6:30 p.m. $5 – $8 donation. 301 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-4719. Kaller

The Crest
The Triple Rock Social Club

Proving that the Midwest has plenty of solid Hip-Hop happening outside our city limits, Madison, Wisconsin’s own the Crest are about to drop a slab of rhythmic goodness guaranteed to get much love in the Twin Cities. Skeptik may be the first nationally distributed album by this adventurous crew (which features real life brothers Jack Cracker and AD on the mic with DJ Skrabble and producer Jason Blair on a number of live instruments), but the group’s already made a name for itself courtesy of shows throughout the Midwest, opening up for the likes of Sage Francis and Immortal Technique and released several albums regionally. Featuring message rap lyrics that stealthily avoid turning preachy, The Crest are sure to appeal to fans of Brother Ali and the Rhymesayers clique in general. Skeptik already comes pre-approved with much love from the TC Hip-Hop scene, hence the group holding their CD release show here in Minneapolis and the presence of our own rhyming stars on the record (Eyedea and Carnage guest spot on the sizzling “L-Ascorbic Acid”). With Carnage featuring Jimmy 2 Times, Mike Mictlan of Doomtree, Rusty P’s and DJ X-Caliber. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. DJ Fat Beats

Rosie Flores
Lee’s Liquor Lounge

Rosie Flores was once just another rockabilly girl from Texas, but several years of grueling touring have sharpened her songwriting craft and personalized her storytelling style even as she still occasionally doffs her cowgirl hat to those that preceded her (she regularly covers Johnny Cash and Buck Owens in concert). Last year’s Single Rose found Flores continuing to push the envelope, mixing in some guitar ripping rockers amidst the usual alt. Country fare powered by her angelic voice. Flores has been at it for more than 20 years and is a big reason why female artists like Tift Merritt and Allison Moorer are finding their niche in the formerly boys only alt. Country landscape. With John Evans. 9 p.m. $7. 21+. 101 Glenwood Ave., Mpls. 612-338-9491. Louis Lenzmeier

Chris Koza Band
The Uptown Bar

Young local newcomer Chris Koza’s already managed to garner quite a bit of attention with his solo folk-pop debut from last year, Exit Pesce, but rest assured when I tell you— y’all ain’t seen nothing yet. The work Koza’s currently cranking out with his backing band (an entourage that formerly went by the name of the Channels before discovering a Northwestern indie outfit already had dibs on the name), is every bit as compelling as his solo oeuvre with added rock ’n’ roll punch. Featuring bassist/backing vocalist Justin Blair, guitarist Peter Sieve, drummer Luke Anderson and JoAnna James (vocalist/violinist and promising singer/songwriter in her own right), Koza’s crack band is so tight it’s easy to forget that this is a group of relatively fresh-faced youngsters and not grizzled vets. Koza’s currently in the process of wrapping up work on his first record with the band, and the advance sampling’s I’ve been lucky enough to check out make good on the promise of Exit Pesce, signaling that the Twin Cities scene best be ready for an extra helping of literate and inventive pop-craft in the near future. With Travis Welk, Dear Machine. 9 p.m. Free. 21+. 3018 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. 612-823-4719. Rob van Alstyne

Anti-War Protest
Hennepin County Government Center LRT Station

One year after the so-called “hand off” of sovereignty in Iraq, the occupation and war continue with no end in sight. The Bush administration this week plans to start a public relations campaign to regain support for the war in Iraq. The majority of Americans want the war to end and the troops to be withdrawn. The majority of Iraqis want the troops out of their country. Join a visible anti-war presence to say no to the war and occupation. Sponsored by the Iraq Peace Coalition. 4:30 p.m. 5th St. & 3rd Ave. S. Mpls. Alan Dale

The Channel Changer
Acadia Cafe

Ghost Bridge Theatre is the mind-child of local actor, musician and playwrite Jeff Nichols. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because Nichols has been active in the theater and avant garde music/art scene here in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Like his past performances, he carefully interweaves socio-political undertones in all art forms, and his latest one-man show, “The Channel Changer: (Tales from the 21st Century American Dystopia.),” is no less subversive. Five loosely connected characters—from “Ahmed,” the Pakistani immigrant held without charge after 9/11 to “The monk,” a guru/salesman offering enlightenment for the capitalist age who loses his own faith along the way—reveal the conflicts of ideology, faith, political power and the role of the individual in contemporary American life. Alternately dark and comic, intellectual and absurd, “The Channel Changer” will engage and provoke you. June 30 – July 16. Thur., Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m. $10. 1931 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. 612-874-8702. Aaron Neumann

Twin Town High CD Release Party
The Turf Club

It’s that time of year again folks. The time when Pulse unleashes another round of local music goodness on the unsuspecting masses in the form of Twin Town High, our annual compilation of unreleased music from the best and brightest the Twin Cities has to offer. This year’s CD, Twin Town High Volume 7, features 23 tracks by 23 different artists, so if you want to hear new and unavailable-anywhere-else music from the likes of The Olympic Hopefuls, Mel Gibson and the Pants and too many others to mention here, you know what you have to do—get your ass on down to this CD release show. A copy of the album comes free with the paltry cover charge, and you’ll also get to be wowed by five great local acts that, as it just so happens, are on this year’s compilation. So whether you’re in the mood for some savage rockitude (Story of the Sea), dulcet acoustic tones (Jeff Hanson) or ’60s inspired pop-psychedelia (The Deaths), you’ll be sure to come away happy. Closing out the night are Friends Like These, playing the first local gig in months after an extended break. Not to be missed! Featuring: Friends Like These, Jeff Hanson, The Deaths, Story of the Sea, Unguided Missile. 8 p.m. doors, 8:30 p.m. music. $5 (includes free Twin Town High Volume 7 CD). 21+. $2 pints from 8 to 10 p.m. The corner of University and Snelling Avenue, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. van Alstyne

Open Mic
Anodyne Cafe

Were you one of those kids who’d sit in front of the bedroom mirror, lip-synching pop tunes into your hairbrush/microphone and dreaming about a Grammy? Or maybe you orchestrated a full blown Oscar scenario, choosing a fancy designer gown and mulling over who to thank in your acceptance speech at the Academy Awards. Just because you’ve grown up doesn’t mean you have to give up your aspirations of being on stage. Anodyne is in its eighth year of hosting open mic nights the first Friday of every month. This neighborhood café welcomes all types of performance—music, dance, poetry, comedy, storytelling—you name it. The only requirement is that you keep your presentation to 10 minutes. 8 p.m., sign up 7:50 p.m. 4301 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. 612-824-4300. Nancy Sartor