Modest Mouse
@ First Avenue

Well, it finally happened. Modest Mouse has hit the big time (that executive who signed them to Epic back in 1999 is jumping up and down somewhere in celebration — probably in an unemployment line given the current rate of turnover among major label A&R reps). Everybody’s favorite indie-on-a-major band finally busted out of the college rock ghetto with the expertly shined, albeit still incredibly eccentric, Good News For People Who Love Bad News. All it took was one expertly-placed-dead-ringer-for-a-Talking-Heads-song–single, “Float On,” and — bam — Isaac Brock and crew are stars (or at least playing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!). Rebounding from the cancellation of what was supposed to be the definitive touring festival of the summer season, Lollapalooza, Brock and his band (who recently reunited with briefly departed founding drummer Jeremiah Green) have rebounded quickly, however, scheduling their own run of headlining dates that will be sure to sell out large size indie-rock clubs nationwide. Hopefully you’re catching them now, because you can be damn sure MM’s next local gig will be at a larger venue. With the Walkmen. 6 p.m. $22 adv/ $25 door. All Ages. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. ROB VAN ALSTYNE

This Black Soil
@ El Colegio

Wal-Mart-ization destroyed rural/small town economies first, leaving many wide open for one of the few American growth industries: prisons. “This Black Soil” looks at Bayview, VA, a poor, primarily African-American town that resisted. Director Teresa Konechne’s camera is part meditation on what community is made of, part vision of people usually unheard. Winner of the Black Maria Film Fest’s Director’s Citation, it’s a mix of stark imagery and people at the bottom finding their own power. Fighting a $60M new prison, Bayview residents demand for investment to build dreams lost since Jim Crow’s inception. Konechne’s remarkable film (excerpted on “60 Minutes”) reminds us, this is what democracy looks like—and it’s not a spectator sport. Wed. July 28, 7 p.m. & Wed. Aug. 4, 9 p.m. Free. 4137 Bloomington Ave. S. Mpls. 612-724-8392. http://www.c4ia.org. LYDIA HOWELL

The Standard
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

Jagged-nerve indie-rock of uncommon distinction, Portland, Oregon’s the Standard are made up of five guys who live, work and play together — and the close bond shows. Throughout the band’s third album, Wire Post to Wire, the listener is highly aware of the close-knit nature of the band’s arrangements (driving cooled-out rhythms, shimmering moody guitar patterns). Imagine a more wide-ranging Interpol and you’re only halfway there. The epic echo-laden guitars at times recall U2, but the Standard are far too clever to settle for writing good old-fashioned pop anthems, opting instead for seedier and far more interesting terrain. With The Grey.10 p.m. $7. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. VAN ALSTYNE

Intimate Strangers
@ Lagoon Cinema

If you’ve ever wondered what earthly good a Walker Art Center membership can possibly be, aside from a price break on admittance, heads up. There’s a hot title out: French director Patrice Leconte’s already acclaimed newest, “Intimate Strangers” (“Confidences Trop Intimes.”) It’s screening as part of the Walker Without Walls series and only, you guessed it, members can get in. Leconte, who calls his film a “sentimental thriller,” has seen it applauded as stuff on par with Alfred Hitchcock. The flick is about what can happen when you literally open the wrong door. Looking for help from a shrink, Anna, a troubled young woman mistakenly enters the office of a tax consultant named Faber. She mistakenly spills her guts about the problems between her and her hubby to this fascinated accountant who doesn’t have the nerve to tell her he’s not a psychiatrist. Subsequent “appointments” lead to, among other things, Anna imparting to Faber all sort of freakishness — including her husband’s wish that she sleep with another man to reignite his desire.” I’ll stop there, but suffice to say things just get more and more interesting. Got membership? 7:30 p.m. Free. 1320 Lagoon Ave., Mpls. 612-825-6006. DWIGHT HOBBES

The Court & Spark
@ The 7th St. Entry

It’s been a long time coming, but San Francisco’s the Court & Spark are finally back with a follow-up to their 2001 release, Bless You (one of the strongest Americana-leaning releases of that year). Their new effort, Witch Season, isn’t as clear-cut a pastoral rock enterprise as its predecessor, but head Sparkie MC Taylor still possesses a sweetly mellow twang. Whereas Bless You attempted to channel the spirit of California country-rock, going so far as to get legendary Byrds/Flying Burrito Brothers member Gene Parsons to help out in the proceedings, With Season doffs its cap to a different Californian forebear. The reference points seem to be more American Beauty-era Grateful Dead than anything else (the stoned beatification of “Hallelujah I” is pure Garcia). Things aren’t all “Box of Rain” and “Truckin,” however, as the band still peppers the album with left-field instrumentals (“St. John the Evangelist”) and stark balladry (“Steeplechasing”). With Willy Mason and Little Dirt. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. VAN ALSTYNE

The Minders
@ The 7th St. Entry

Whenever a band is formed through inspiration found at an Apples in Stereo concert, something interesting is going to happen — especially when it comes to pop music. Hailing from Portland, The Minders stem from Robert Schneider’s involvement in the Elephant 6 Recording Company and collaboration with fellow Denver natives Martyn Leaper and Rebecca Cole, originally the band’s drummer, who has since moved to keyboards. The band originally was a walk-in closet project based on a four-track, but has derived a very smart live sensibility. The band’s latest record, The Future Always Perfect, departs slightly from their earlier efforts and experiments with synthesizers and analog keyboards, which reflects influences derived from their recent tourings with Mates of State, Elf Power and Apples in Stereo. Comprised almost entirely of cute and catchy pop hooks and background “bop-bops,” The Future Always Perfect, resembles a Mates of State feel, but with rocking guitars and bass, and without the husband-wife duo. Most of their songs are upbeat and full of pop-rock tastiness, but they’re not afraid to slow it down. With Terry Eason and Grickle-Grass. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. IAN ANDERSON

Dirty Blonde
@ Park Square Theatre

Park Square has done it again! St. Paul’s premiere non-profit theater packs a spectacular punch with Claudia Shear’s daring musical, “Dirty Blonde.” Jodi Kellogg stars as America’s tough talking platinum princess, Mae West. West’s life, career and times are recounted through the chance connection of two strangers — Jo (Kellogg, pulling double duty!) and Charlie (David Silvester)— who cross paths in Brooklyn, New York. Guthrie veteran Peter Vitale shines brightly in multiple roles, most notably as West’s vaudeville partner, husband and longtime friend Frank Wallace. A runaway romantic comedy with dashing costumes, a fantastic stage set, marvelous musical direction and an unexpected twist, “Dirty Blonde” is a must see! Runs through Aug.8. Thu. 7:30 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. $27-$32. 20 West 7th Pl., St. Paul. 651-291-7005. LOLLY POP

Sonic Séance VII
@ Magus Books & Know Name Records

The future is clear ... very clear darling ... You’re having a stark raving, splendid time this Saturday night! You are – in fact - about to have an all-out aural feast provided (of course) you’re in the right place at the right time! From 2-6 p.m., join Minneapolis — St. Paul ambient/electronic all stars Datura 1.0, Samsa, Slut Machine, Cordell Klier and [archive] at Magus Books. At 6 p.m., follow your urge to investigate the upstairs of Know Name Records. You’ll find at least three records you’ve been searching for, not to mention a fabulous in-store performance from TC Electro-Punk Vol. 1 favorites Thosquanta! You’ll also encounter a whole lot of hotties: Blitzen—those mysterious, marvelous boys in black — close out the night in a most spiritually satisfying manner! 2 p.m. Free. All-ages. 1309 1/2 SE 4th St., Mpls. 612-379-7669. BROOKE ALDRIDGE

Illegal To Be Homeless
Oak Street Cinema

For almost 20 years, public policies have created a homeless population that keeps growing larger (demolition of low-income housing, gutting mental health and addiction treatment services, lack of living-wage jobs, few shelters for battered women and their children— to name a few). Throughout this time, Minneapolis housing activist Margaret Hastings has been an ally with people many would prefer to keep “out of sight, out of mind.” Her film “Illegal To Be Homeless” walks Twin Cities streets and shelters to shatter this silence, as homeless people tell their own stories. Hastings also challenges City Hall, which has passed more and more ordinances “criminalizing” homelessness, while subsidizing luxury condominiums. (You can be arrested for sleeping in your own car, to name one “crime”). Matt Ehling’s “Urban Warriors” is a perfect fit sharing the bill. This Northwest filmmaker exposes the “militarization” of local police forces that long predates 9/11 Homeland Security. When police arrest homeless people and criminalize dissent, American democracy was being attacked domestically—before Al-Qaeda. 5 p.m. $5-$7. 309 SE Oak St., 612-331-7563. HOWELL

Ken Stringfellow
@ The 400 Bar

In the grunge of the early ’90s a little band called the Posies stood alone. They were from Seattle, but they didn’t focus on feedback and the distorted guitars that made Seattle’s grunge scene famous. Instead, the Posies made pop songs with smart, clever lyrics and beautiful harmonies. When the Posies broke up in 1998, core members Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow went their separate ways. While Jon has been working on a solo album, Ken has been very busy forming a new band (which has since broken up), touring with R.E.M and making some solo albums. Released a few weeks ago, his latest album, Soft Commands, is not as pop-catchy as 2001’s Touched. The band opted to self-produce this time around, and the album has a softer, more refined feel to it. Check out the new material this week when Ken plays the 400 Bar. With TBA. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. KATIE BODIN