April Reynolds
@ Borders books

No two ways about it: the Givens Foundation for African-American Literature, to quote the phrase, got it goin’ on. The institute’s NOMMO series opened in April with lauded scholar Tricia Rose (“Longing to Tell: Black Women Talk About Sexuality and Intimacy”) and will close Sept. 17 with an address by legendary activist Angela Davis. Just now, working with Borders Books, the Givens Foundation is helping Picador Books break first-time novelist and Zora Neale Hurston Award winner April Reynolds to Twin Cities readers. Reynolds’ “Knee-Deep in Wonder” tells the story of a woman struggling to piece together her scattered family history. Helene Strickland returns to rural Arkansas hell-bent on divining the truth from her estranged mother, and bizarre recluse, Queen Ester. Via flashbacks and Helene’s encounters with kinfolk, Reynolds charts a complex, combustible lineage in what The Washington Post calls “an intriguing exploration of the nature of memory, the burdens of motherhood and ... the universal, bittersweet longing for home.” Library Journal attests that April Reynolds “echoes [the writing of] Faulkner, Morrison, and McCullers.” 7 p.m. Free. Block E, 600 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-339-4859. DWIGHT HOBBES


Best of the Fringe
@ LORING PLAYHOUSE

The two best-selling Fringe shows, “Knock!” and “Buckets & Tap Shoes,” have booked some double-header encore appearances at the Loring Playhouse. If you missed them the first time around, Theatre Latte Da’s “Knock!” is what the Star Tribune calls “a sparkling, unique and inventive theatrical creation” about a 12-year-old boy on the cusp of puberty, loved by his parents and tormented by his older sister. The other show, Rick and Andy Ausland’s “Buckets & Tap Shoes” is a high-energy groovefest of rhythm, tap dance, music and percussion. Find out why these performances touched so many theater-goers. Through Sept. 5. Wed.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 7 p.m. $25. 1633 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. 612-604-4466.
GYROS PAPADOPOULOS

Back to School
@ Black Forest Inn

Did fate really intend for me to attend my 10th high school reunion? I have to say she’s doing everything she can to work against the possibility. Is it coincidence that my high school reunion is the exact same day as my first day of grad school? And that it’s also my moving day weekend? And that my best friend from high school doesn’t want to take the day off work to attend? I think maybe it’s a sign reminding me that high school wasn’t all that great and that the reunion might not be all that spectacular either. But anyway … for all of you who will not be attending the Minnetonka ’94 reunion—or moving—you may want to check out Cheap Theatre’s “Back to School” storytelling performance. Performers Tom Cassidy, Andre Heuer, Gina Christ Johnson, Howard Lieberman, Ken Varnold, Kay Kirscht and host Erica Christ share their school stories that we can all relate to: all the fun times, bad behavior and horror stories that happened in school. We’ve all got ‘em. Finally, to Minnetonka High School class of ’94, this is my RSVP. I don’t think I can make it this time around. Maybe next time. You all know where to find me now anyway. 7:30 p.m. $12. Festsaal Room, 9 E. 26th St., Mpls. 612-870-6583. KATIE BODIN

Greazy Meal
@ The Cabooze

Minneapolis’ sweet-ass-grooving supergroup is back together again and bringing the noise at their longtime haunt the Cabooze for a special series of shows celebrating the release of their first new material in over four years, Universe’s Baby. All eight original members reunited for this project and brought the collective funk yet again, creating a set guaranteed to make people shake their asses in a manner unrivaled by anyone this side of the Purple One himself (who more than a few members of the Meal have collaborated with in the past). Those who weren’t around back in the Meal’s heyday may well be wondering just how funkadelic a crew the group truly is. With band members’ stage names ranging from Juice to Spicy T, however, this seems like a truly stupid question to pose. Also on Sat. 8/28 and Sun. 8/29. 8 p.m. $12 adv/ $15 door. 21+. 917 Cedar Ave., Mpls. 612-338-6425.
Stan Stinchcomb

Mark Thomas Stockert, The Missing Numbers
@ The Bryant Lake Bowl

A double bill featuring two Twin Cities alt. country mainstays fronting new projects, the combined impact of watching former Taconite Haven frontman Mark Thomas Stockert and Bellwether leader Jimmy Peterson’s new group the Missing Numbers join forces should be enough to bestow any denim-clad Uncle Tupelo devotee with a shit-eating grin from ear to ear. Stockert’s Chatelaine Saloon continues to pick up raves in the area in the months since its release and the Missing Numbers are soon poised to get in on the local props-gatherin’ action and help further carry the torch for moody, textured Americana. Their Ed Ackerson-produced self-titled debut is already in the can and poised for a mid-September release, so why not be ahead of the curve and catch them now? 10 p.m. $6 adv. / $8 door. All Ages. 810 West Lake Street, Mpls. 612-825-8949.
Rob van Alstyne

“Turning Rebellion Into Money: A Tribute to The Clash”
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

Last year the Triple Rock hosted a tribute in honor of the late Joe Strummer shortly after his untimely passing. Thirteen local bands got together to celebrate all things Strummer, playing tunes from his various solo work and the Clash back catalog—and raising a buttload of money for the international debt relief agency Jubilee USA (that group Bono is always busy foot soldiering for). It was such a smash that the event is coming back—this time also benefiting the new charity organization DATA (set up by Bono and Kennedy family member Bobby Shriver), which is dedicated to raising awareness about the current problems plaguing Africa. In addition to helping out some great causes there should be plenty of great tunes, with live noise being brought by the cats listed below and in-between set tunes being spinned courtesy of DJ’s John Beggs and John Sandbo. The show promises performances of Clash tunes both “familiar and obscure.” Here’s hoping a bold Twin Cities musician attempts to tackle the goofy faux-rap white man rumble of “Magnificent Seven.” Featuring A-Bomb Nation, Heavy Sleeper, The Rank Strangers, The Infestations, Panel of Experts, Cuban Roots Rock Rebellion, The Rakes, So It Goes, Danny Sigelman and Friends, Plate-O-Shrimp + many more TBA! 8 p.m. $6. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399.
van Alstyne

Ellis
The Cedar Cultural Center

Much beloved indie-songstress Ellis is back in town (taking a break from her 150-gig-a-year touring schedule) to celebrate the release of her new collaborative album project, Evidence of Joy. The record features twelve tracks (eight versions of previously recorded material and four new songs) cut live with Ellis and her longtime drummer Jennifer “JJ” Jones. Those particularly Ellis-crazed (which must be more than a few of y’all as she was just named best musician for the FIFTH consecutive year by Lavender Magazine) will undoubtedly want to know that the show is being filmed for possible inclusion in an upcoming DVD project. In addition to the live performance feature, the DVD will also include interview clips with fans that will be filmed before the show (now’s your chance to be captured digitally for all eternity professing your love!). 8 p.m. $10. All Ages. 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-338-2674.
Lenny Nelson

DJ Signify, Six Too
@ The 400 Bar

Fans of the Ninja Tune/Lex/Anticon stable of progressive underground Hip-Hop (which is another way of saying all things whacked out and tangentially turntable-related), will undoubtedly be salivating over this gig. Six Too’s been a longtime scenester working with the likes of Buck 65, Sebutones, Sage Francis, L’roneus, Aquasky and The Goods over the years. Breaking from his storied undie-Hip-Hop past, Chewing on Glass and Other Miracle Cures, ditches what little connection Six Too held with more traditional Hip-Hop forms in favor of psyche/experimental skronk (which explains the guest appearances from members of Godspeed You Black Emperor and Can). If his touch with kraut rockin’ material is as deft as his command of warped beats was, this should be some seriously solid material. Also on the bill is DJ Signify, Lex recording artists and longtime Six Too buddy, who’ll be dropping the choicest cuts from his recent gritty outing, Sleep No More. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903.
DJs Spin Fat Beats

Speakeasy Five
@ Bedlam Studio

The Speakeasy has become an annual venue for Slutdom. This year’s Speakeasy will feature a new Super PsycickSlut piece as they attempt to take on the RNC, eradicating denial and dishonesty in their wake. Also a surrealist puppet show by local puppeteer Soozin Hirschmugl, sultry showtunes by Mo Donahue, the raucous Angry Family, the enigmatic Hirschmugl, Naomi Joy and circus acts by Jazmin! Over the past 10 years of performing the Psycick Slutz have developed an original style of performance art that incorporates dance, martial arts and gender bending eroticism. Their performances often center from their music, a unique blend of revolutionary hard-core a cappella folk-rap and usually involve a ritual element which inspires transformation in performers and audiences alike. 9 p.m. $5-$15 sliding scale. 514 ½ Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-341-1038. GYROS PAPADOPOULOS

Sean Connaughty
@ The Soo Visual Arts Center

Sean Connaughty must be angling for the title of Twin Cities ultimate renaissance man, throwing a CD release party for his new avant garde folk record (the starkly beautiful Five Hands Tall which features frazzled nine-minute ballads with cryptic lyrics like, “You look down at your legs one day and notice three instead of two”) that also doubles as a showcase for some of his new paintings. But wait—there’s more! The gig is also featuring a silent art auction fundraiser (with works donated by Connaughty’s artist friends) that hopes to get funds together for Connaughty to pursue some film projects. I haven’t seen this man’s film or painting work, but if it’s half as intriguing as his record, we’re dealing with a seriously skilled triple-threat here. 5-8 p.m. Free. All Ages. 2640 Lyndale Avenue S., Mpls.
Nathan Dean

Stigma
@ First Avenue

Stigma are some serious motherfuckers. If there’s one concrete message communicated by their image and music it’s this: be afraid – be very afraid! A slick mix of rock crunch and slinky electronica (think a ballsier Rob Zombie and you’re halfway there)—the band is about to celebrate the release of its new remix album, Thinner, which takes some of the best cuts from their 2002 debut album, The Black Is Wearing Thin, and computer-fucks them in intriguing ways. The band just finished another run of national touring and this gig should be an appropriately celebratory (although still metal as fuck!) homecoming. Pre-production on the next Stigma record begins this fall so it could be awhile before you get to see these spooky/sexy get-ups on stage again. With Black Flood Diesel, Virgin Whores, Bleeding the Sick and Only. 5 p.m. $6 adv/ $8 door. All Ages. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. Metal Sex Machine