Tribute to August Wilson
Penumbra Theatre

Penumbra Theatre honors the memory of company member August Wilson with a profound tribute. Penumbra’s artistic director, Lou Bellamy, has decided to stage a day of readings from Wilson’s plays—all of them, in fact, except for “Black Bart and the Sacred Hills” and “Malcolm X,” which had their premieres at Penumbra, but didn’t become part of the two-time Pulitzer winner’s internationally renowned canon. Each script is represented by a half-hour reading. The order will be “Gem of the Ocean,” “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “The Piano Lesson,” “Seven Guitars,” “Fences,” “Two Trains Running,” “Jitney,” “King Hedley II” and “Radio Golf.” Actors have yet to be announced, but invitations went to a slew of luminaries, including film star Ernie Hudson, who did King Hedley II at Penumbra in ensemble that included Rhodessa Jones, Lester Purry, James Craven and Tonia Jackson. Director Claude Purdy, who discovered Wilson in Pittsburgh and brought him to Bellamy, has been asked. So has Terry Bellamy, who would be making his first Penumbra appearance in ages. Whoever’s on hand, the talent pool undeniably will be rich. 2 – 7 p.m. Free. 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul. 651-224-8130. Dwight Hobbes

Cartoonist Keith Knight
Arise! Bookstore

When I first came across Keith Knight’s biting cartoons, I fell in love. It’s so rare to find cartoonists who can combine the humorous with the political, eliciting laughs on that razor’s edge between truth and hyperbole. Knight—self-dubbed “the other black cartoonist”—has created the cartoon strips “The K Chronicles” and “th(ink),” and is touring in support of his fifth and sixth books, the latest K Chronicles collection, “The Passion of the Keef,” and the brand-new “Beginner’s Guide to Community Based Art.” His moniker is a subtle nod to “Boondocks” creator Aaron McGruder, and it’s no surprise: Knight has the same sense of caustic political wit as fellow ‘toonists McGruder, Andy Singer and Art Spiegelman. My only question: With such an impressive repertoire, why isn’t Knight a household name like his colleagues? You can change that. Come laugh or cry yourself silly at Knight’s slide show and book signing, and spread the word. 8:30 p.m. Free, but donations encouraged. 2441 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. 612-871-7110. Michelle Lee

Peter Wallensteen
Westminster Presbyterian Church

For twenty years Westminster Presbyterian Church has been holding Town Hall Forums that help us explore—individually and as a society—how issues of conscience affect our community. This week Peter Wallensteen comes to Minneapolis to present his lecture “Peacemaking: Lessons from Dag Hammarskjöld.” A quick Google of Mr. Hammarskjöld suggests that we could indeed learn a lot from this Renaissance man and world diplomat. Born in Sweden after the turn of the 20th century, Hammarskjöld earned multiple degrees in law and economics before becoming a statesman and public servant for 31 years. He revered poetry (from Hermann Hesse to Emily Dickinson), spoke several languages (Swedish, English, French and German), was a musical and visual arts patron and a competent sportsman (gymnastics, skiing and mountaineering). During his tenure at the Swedish Foreign Ministry and as a delegate to the United Nations, Hammarskjöld negotiated the release of American soldiers captured by the Chinese in the Korean War, and helped resolved global conflicts in the Middle East and Africa. He died in a plane crash in 1961, but his diplomatic legacy lives on. Peter Wallensteen is the Dag Hammarskjöld Professor of Peace and Conflict Resolution at Uppsala University in Sweden. He is widely recognized as an expert on the origins of war, conflict analysis and resolution, peace and security and global systems. His visit to Minneapolis is in part sponsored by the American Swedish Institute and the United Nations Association of Minneapolis. Noon – 1 p.m. (gospel concert by the Gustavus Adolphus Choir of Christ Chapel precedes lecture at 11:30 a.m.) Free. Nicollet Mall at 12th St., Mpls. 612-332-3421. Nancy Sartor

Calla with Celebration and Drama Club
7th Street Entry

Brooklyn, around the turn of century, produced a raft of talented bands that had pretty much one thing in common: a why-are-you-waking-me-up-so-early-at-four-in-the-afternoon, laissez-faire sort of feeling that manifested itself in the Strokes’ nonchalant swagger, the Walkmen’s carelessly intimate debut album, Interpol’s dark and druggy take on New Order and Calla’s own underappreciated early ’80s-philia. And I don’t mean they liked the Thompson Twins. While they haven’t reached the levels of success that those other bands have seen, they’ve gotten the luxury of getting to make a follow-up to their debut disc without the same intensity of critical glare. Their new long-player, Collisions, is another subtle joy of an album. Time has separated them from their peers, and the new disc sounds as beholden to the mopey tones of their first record while still sliding from the simmering unease of “This Better Go as Planned” to the drunken chunk of “Play Dead” like a honey and sand-covered teddy bear down a medium grade. Seriously. The pleasure of this record comes from its intimacy and the whispered-growled vocals, so it’d behoove you to catch them in the cozy confines of the Entry before they move on to bigger clubs. 8 p.m. 21+. $8. 29 N. 7th St., Mpls. 612-332-1775. Steve McPherson

The Knotwells CD Release Party
Hexagon Bar

Hex and hoodoo set the stage for a frenzied dance party as the Knotwells celebrate the release of their new CD, Blood River Melodies. The Knotwells songs are rife with folklore and myth, bike crashes and betrayal, trash and treachery, sorcery and sin, hardships and harmony. They draw from a deep well of genres: bluegrass banjo, Appalachian folksongs and murder ballads, East Euro gypsy, old country, punk, surf and more. Their Coney Island carnival sounds and medicine show theatrics are best described by one Knotwells goer as “Carnival core,” (which I like to call “carnie-core.”) The Knotwells are versatile on several instruments. Jackie B.’s gypsy style viola is dark, eerily dramatic and a perfect companion to Joel 2’s hillbilly banjo. Arik Xist’s vocals are at turns low and intimately confiding, to aggressive and tormented singing and barker rants and “hups.” These are offset perfectly by Johnny Knuckles’ drums providing backbone beats to make dancers crazy. Brian Udz Russeth plays guitar, mandolin and more. Joel P., a luthier, plays bass and a variety of instruments he crafted, such as the “manjo,” a cross between a bass and a banjo. The new full-length CD features The Knotwells’ popular set starters and enders, “That Man,” and “Trash” bookending the CD accordingly. The Knotwells’ costume CD Release dance party will be a night you’ll become bewitched and taken into the fold. Performing earlier are fantastic Fort Wilson Riot and Mike Gunther and His Restless Souls, ideal accomplices in their carnie-core theatrics, lyricism and socio-political savvy drawing from life and fiction. 9 p.m. Hexagon Bar, 2600 27th Ave. S., Mpls. Cyn Collins

Kip Blackshire
Bunker’s Bar & Grill

I mentioned to a learned acquaintance that Kip Blackshire happens to be a protégé of Prince and received the snotty retort, “Oh, disco.” So much for learned acquaintances. Twin Cities-based R&B performer Blackshire sings what a German fan on this spring’s European mini-tour dubbed “Rock & B,” and sings it with a galvanizing vengeance. Regrettably, more than a few American radio program directors, like my friend, don’t think beyond pigeonholes: Blackshire came back from that tour completely sold out of CDs, posters, T-shirts—you name it—but is still slugging away in the trenches in the States. His self-titled debut kicked ass and took names. His new release, The Eleventh Hour, likely, will do no less. Check out the release party and see for yourself. If it’s anything like his August stint at the Cabooze, a funked-up night is in store. Especially if he includes “As It Falls,” “Pieces” and the anthem-like “Don’t Leave” from the first album. For good measure, Blackshire, who writes all his music, leans on principle songwriting partner Zoe La Placa (and, on occasion, Wade Linkert) to steer clear of the let-me-talk-some-holes-in-your-clothes tripe that characterizes most R&B. It all goes down at Bunkers Bar & Grill, where, for most of 2004, Blackshire was the Thursday night house-draw. With Down Lo. 9 p.m. $7. 761 Washington Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8188. Hobbes

Broken Social Scene with Feist
First Ave

Broken Social Scene are a mess, and I mean that in the best way possible. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There’s something about bands that are formed just for the hell of it. Created during a long Canadian winter with the goal of playing a show three months down the line after a handful of practices, the band has a ridiculous pool of talent that has spawned numerous fantastic albums (Jason Collett’s solo effort, Stars’ Set Yourself on Fire) on their own Arts and Crafts label, but nothing compares to the force of the whole group together. At any given moment, there could be as many as five guitarists on stage, and it’s a testament to their abilities that even if it sounds like a train wreck, it sounds like that on purpose. Their new self-titled disc is both driving and breezy, still hinting at its original title Windsurfing Nation. Joining them at this show is their most accomplished member, Leslie Feist, whose solo show last spring at the Varsity was simply fantastic and you should know you’re getting a treat, since her schedule is allowing less and less time for playing along with what is surely one of the best bands out there right now. You just cannot miss this one. 8 p.m. 18+. $15/$18. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. McPherson

Barebones Halloween Show
Hidden Falls Park

Something wicked this way comes / Say the seers; they’re the ones / Who foretell a bitter end / By a means they’ll not portend. Foretold—it’s your funeral. Larger than life puppets, costumed performers, original live music, stiltwalkers and pyro-artistry (fire) are all elements of the wickedly popular Barebones Productions’ 12th Annual Halloween Show. This community-created outdoor pageant takes place in Deadstown, a river ghost town that never sleeps. And if you go, you’ll want to dress warm and bring blankets. In the show, visiting divinators foretell disaster on the horizon to the dead inhabitants who are “living” in denial. Co-director Dhann Polnau says the townsfolk “work themselves into a lather of anxiety, fear, panic and finally decide to build with the resources and magic of the underworld … Things go awry.” Self-fulfilling prophecy unfolds in this tale of fearmongering (such as conducted by government powers and their “puppet” media). In this gigantic cardboard town built by Julian McFaul and Eric Ruin, nearly 50 performers work huge puppets, some using ancient robot-techniques. Musicians create a sonic landscape via gamelan, “kecak” (monkey chatter) singing from Bali, violins and cellos, bagpipes and shapenote hymnals. At the end, there will be a “calling of the names” ceremony honoring deceased loved ones. The show is appropriate for all ages, though some children can be frightened by large puppets. Sat., Oct. 29 - Mon. Oct. 31. 7 p.m. Free. Hidden Falls Park, north entrance, ¼ mile south of Ford Pkwy. Bridge on E. Mississippi River Blvd. 612-724-4979. Collins

Go Mad @ the Nomad Halloween Bash
Nomad World Pub

While the 400 Bar continues to alienate itself from the local music scene in favor of national touring acts, the Nomad—along with the Triple Rock—is keeping quality local music on the West Bank and this solid hip-hop lineup on Halloween is just another example of how great we have it here in the Middle West. Just trying to put together a cohesive roster of bands for a night of great hip-hop in my previous digs outside of New York City was liable to give you a crushing migraine. The burgeoning Seattle scene is here represented by Rhymesayers’ Grayskul while the local side is held down by the about-to-blow-up Big Quarters, Guardians of Balance and Geoffrey Watson. The whole evening’s being curated by those ever-vigilant doulas of up-and-coming Twin Cities rap, Kanser, and I’m assuming that costumes will be welcomed. Somebody better show up in their best MF Doom mask. 8 p.m. 21+. $7. 501 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-338-6424. McPherson

Winona LaDuke
United Methodist Church

Progressives are often accused of criticizing policies without offering solutions, but Winona LaDuke’s lifework stands on presenting alternatives to the “American way of life” that destroys our environment and requires wars to maintain. The northern Minnesota activist launched her impressive resumé at 18, representing Indigenous peoples of the United States at the United Nations. At 40 she was Ralph Nader’s Vice-Presidential running mate. Her Anishinabe perspective illuminates her books, from the novel “All My Relations” to collections of essays, including her new book, “Reclaiming the Sacred.” Practical organizing includes her current aim to preserve Minneota’s native wild rice from big ag’s genetic modification. LaDuke’s initiatives, the White Earth Land Recovery Project and the Indigenous Women’s Network, are national models. Peak oil, global warming, rising U.S. poverty and more Middle East wars planned make LaDuke’s talk on “Visions of Sustainability” timely inspiration for imagining a saner future—and the means for our survival. 6:30 p.m. $5 - $15. Groveland at Lyndale Ave., Mpls. MAPM.org. Lydia Howell