Flags
@ Mixed Blood Theater

“Flags” by Jane Martin has a great deal going for it with Chris Mulkey in the cast. He’s not a household name, but you’ll instantly recognize the face. Mulkey has been in a number of films, including “Radio,” “Behind Enemy Lines” and “The Fan,” and is one of the best character actors today. The premise of the show is intriguing: A father loses his son who’s fighting in the Middle East. In his grief, the man displays an upside down American flag at his home—a U.S. military distress signal. Hell breaks loose as he finds himself embroiled in conflict with not only his neighbors but also with the White House. The family is portrayed in the press as “heroes with a cause” and “enemies of the state,” setting up a strong climax. Mixed Blood Theatre artistic director Jack Reuler says, “this play, set and produced in the month before the presidential election, may change people’s minds and sway their votes.” “Flags” distinguishes patriotism, as an idealistic belief based upon the principles of our founding fathers, from the definition set forth by the current administration. Oct. 6 – 31, Thu. – Sun. $10 - $25. Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. 4th St., Mpls. 612-338-6131. Dwight Hobbes

Independent Media for a New Democracy
@ Spokes Pizza Collective

Is anyone else sick of media conglomeration? Sick of corporate control? Sick of being lied to? Nowadays, particularly in this election year, independent media is a rare and valuable commodity, and anything that celebrates independent media and inspires people to get involved couldn’t be more necessary. With that in mind, folks from Clamor magazine and Rooftop Films have embarked on a Midwest tour to inspire people to get involved—whether it be through voting or going beyond voting. In Minneapolis, this event will include a night of powerful political films at Spokes Pizza, as well as a chance to chat with independent media visionaries Jason Kucsma (one of the Clamor editors) and Josh Breitbart (of Clamor and Rooftop Films, among other independent media ventures). The short films range from humorous to gut-wrenching and include “30 Seconds of Hate” (featuring Henry Kissinger), “No Escape, Prison Rape” (about a teenager, accused of burning a garbage can, brutalized in a Texas jail), “Dance of Death” (with relatives of soldiers stationed in Iraq) and “Disappeared: A Patriot Story” (about a Pakistani dentist who was one of about 5,000 Muslim men wrongfully arrested, locked up in a maximum security prison and denied access to legal aid or family). 8 p.m. Free, but donations happily accepted. Spokes Pizza Collective, 2129 E Franklin Ave., 612-253-7336. Michelle Lee

dios malos
@ The 400 Bar

The group formerly known as Dios—until threatened with legal action from heavy metal “Holy Diver” Ronnie James Dio forced a name change—remain subtle charmers, whatever name they’re forced to take on. A distinctly Californian band (the group came together in former Beach Boys haunt Hawthorne) dios malos hazy sun-baked take on folk rock is sure to please fans of Grandaddy and Neil Young alike (the latter of whom they pay tribute to with an exquisitely shakey take on the After the Gold Rush chestnut “Birds”). Led by two brothers (guitarists/vocalists Kevin and Joel Morales) and a close group of buddies, dios malos’ sound as informal and loose as its personal connections would suggest, a loose-limbed and intriguing spin on well-worn California rock concepts. With TBA. 9 p.m. $8. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. Rob van Alstyne

Kid Dakota
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

The time has finally arrived after months of local scenesters waiting with bated breath, Kid Dakota’s sophomore album is ready for its proper unveiling. True, the songs on The West is the Future have been cropping up in the band’s set for the better part of two years, but it’s still a revelation getting to hear them properly laid down on record (with the assistance of many a Twin Cities celeb including members of Low and Fog). The West is the Future picks up where its predecessor, the sinister smack-addict-diary-as-rock-opera So Pretty left off, with singer/guitarist Darren Jackson further examining his former life as a drug addict on the creepy, piano-led “10,000 Lakes.” Elsewhere Jackson finally focuses outward and beyond the needle and the damage done—although the view isn’t any less bleak. Whether crooning about fanatical westward expansion (“Pilgrim”) or Native American alcoholics trapped on reservations (“Pine Ridge”) his velvety Elvis Costello-esque pipes never cease to bring more bad news. These release shows will be a truly memorable event as the usual core of Jackson and Erik Appelwick is being augmented by founding drummer and insane showman Christopher McGuire and Low bassist Zak Sally, so be ready for large-scale versions of KD classics in addition to the new material. With Low, Fog. 9 p.m. $10 adv/$12 door. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Also on Sat., 10/9, 6 p.m., $10 adv/ $12 door. All Ages. van Alstyne

Charlemagne
@ The Turf Club

Apparently intent on giving Valet front man Robin Kyle a run for his money in the most-exquisitely-mustachioed-musician department, Carl John (aka Charlemagne) boasts both the requisite facial hair and musical chops for the job. Although best known for leading Madison experimental country outfit Noahjohn, John’s favors a decidedly more lush and accessible sound on this solo pop effort. For going the one-man band route John’s sound is remarkably organic and it’s surprising to find out the record was built by one man’s relentless overdubbing and not cut with a live band. A record rife with extensive harmonies and buoyant handclaps Charlemagne have made perhaps the first foray into a new genre I’m christening “happy cowboy” music. Should be interesting to see how the busy sound translates to the live setting. With Spaghetti Western, Accident Clearinghouse. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. The Corner of University and Snelling Avenue, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. van Alstyne

Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be in Neutral on a Moving Train
U Film Society @ Bell Auditorium

His name is synonymous with “historian” and “activist.” He’s an author who read his first book when he literally found one on the street. He’s an anti-war activist who piloted bombers during WWII. He’s a civil rights organizer who was fired from his teaching post at Spellman, a black college in Atlanta. And he’s the man who rewrote American history from the viewpoint of the Native American Indians, black slaves and immigrants who built our nation (“People’s History of the United States”). Producer/directors Deb Ellis and Denis Mueller have fashioned a vibrant portrait of the life and times (spanning more than 60 years) of a remarkable individual in “Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be in Neutral on a Moving Train.” This cinematic gem features rare archival material and interviews with Zinn colleagues and friends, including Noam Chomsky, Marian Wright Edelman, Daniel Ellsberg, Tom Hayden and Alice Walker. Composer Richard Martinez provides refined music which rounds out the sound without distracting from the documentary. A must-see for anyone interested in being a catalyst for progressive change. Fri. Oct. 8 – Sat. Oct. 16. 7:15 p.m. & 9:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m. on Sat. & Sun. $5.50 – $7. U Film Society, Bell Auditorium, 10 Church St. SE. Aaron Neumann

Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election
U Film Society @ Bell Auditorium

Although the last presidential race seems a lifetime away, there’s no better time than now to revisit modern America’s most controversial political contest. At no other time in our nation’s history has an election been so contentious, so partisan, and so diametrically opposed to democracy than the Gore v. Bush electoral debacle of 2000. Filmmakers Richard Ray Pérez and Joan Sekler give us the harsh truth about Bush’s rise to the top in their film “Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election.” They document the systematic disenfranchisement of thousands of Florida voters—from eligible “felons” who were taken off the roster, to the electoral injustices and dubious court battles that followed—all orchestrated by the sadistic higher-ups in the Bush machine and the Republican Party. You’ll be mesmerized from beginning to end and left feeling both entertained and outraged. Sat. Oct. 9 – Sun. Oct. 10, 3:00 p.m. $5.50 – $7. U Film Society, Bell Auditorium, 10 Church St. SE. Neumann

Black Heart Procession, Enon, Scout Niblett
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

A triple-bill of stunningly original acts, the only element tying Scout Niblett, Enon and the Black Heart Procession together is their mutual oddball streak. Brooklyn’s Enon are schizo-dance prog-pop innovators willing to merge traditional Asian music with dancehall-ish bootyshake, whereas San Diego’s Black Heart Procession craft a pensive and noirish nightmare completely incongruous with the sunny climes of their home. Perhaps the most eccentric entry of the night is Scout Niblett, an adventurous Brit with a serious wig fetish, whose been known to caterwaul above songs consisting solely of percussion. Sound like an adventurous enough triple bill for ya? 9 p.m. $12. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. van Alstyne

Bel Canto
@ Pillsbury House Theatre

Pillsbury House Theatre closes its season on a remarkable note, staging the area premiere of “Bel Canto” by Daniel Alexander Jones. The play, which garnered a Rockefeller Foundation MAP grant, had staged readings at the Public Theater and at Penumbra Theatre Company. It was selected for development at the Sundance Institute Theatre Lab and opened the 2003/2004 season at Actor’s Express Theatre in Atlanta. The play was written during a year-long National Endowment for the Arts/Theatre Communications Group Playwriting Residency at The Theater Offensive in Boston. Set in 1978, 16-year-old Benjamin Turner and his mother Bessie have just relocated from Berkley, Calif., to Springfield, Mass. In his new wintry home, Benjamin makes two discoveries: love, for schoolmate Terance Long, and talent for opera—all during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. “Bel Canto” is directed by Stephen DiMenna. Oct. 8 – Nov. 6. Wed. – Sat., 7:30 p.m. $15. Pillsbury House Theatre, 3501 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls. 612-825-0459. Hobbes

Q & Not U
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

A fabulously kinetic and tight outfit, Washington D.C.’s Q and Not U may be the highest-profile artists currently active on the famed Dischord label, but those expecting a Fugazi retread should look somewhere else. The quirky caffeinated sound on Q and Not U’s just released third album, Power, is hardly hard-core, but possesses the same angular energy of MacKaye and company even if its shed some of the weight. Musically speaking Power is light and funky (even when singing about “new terror and loose graves”), balancing pure pop moments (the damn near discofied “Wonderful People”) with slightly more skewed moments (the bizarre pseduo-hymn “District Night Prayer”). A live powerhouse with an ever swelling base of die-hard fans, it seems likely this will be the last go round that Q & Not U make of small clubs, so if you want to pretend like you were there back in the day, now’s as good a time as any to jump on the bandwagon. With El Guapo, Et At It. 5 p.m. $8. All Ages. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. Nathan Dean