Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Rachel Corrie Film @ Acadia

Most Americans see the conflict between Israelies and Palestinians as "irreconciliable differences" between ancient victims and suicide bombers--that we can't affect. Rachel Corrie went to the Occuppied Territories as part of an international non-violent peace team, putting their bodies between Israeli might and Palestinian civillians. CVorrie was killed when an Israeli soldier drove a bulldozer over her as she stood between him and a home slated for demolition. The folks from Babylon Gallery and Cultural Center don't have a building to replace the one destroyed by fire, but, they continue to create space for Arab/Muslim realities to be heard. A film explores Corrie and an installation reveals the Balata refugee camp: photographs, videos, art interviews, children's drawings, and more. In this young woman's act of solidarity and in these Palestinian artifacts, our shared humanity can be discovered. Wed. May 5 – Thu. May 6. 6-10 p.m. with the film at 7:30 p.m. Free. Acadia Cabaret Theater, 1931 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. 612-874-8702. (Lydia Howell)

Thursday, May 6, 2004

Catie Curtis @ The Cedar Cultural Center

I once heard Catie Curtis at the College of St. Catherine when she opened for Mary Chapin Carpenter in one of Chapin’s many local shows – I saw a star in the making. Curtis’ latest effort, Dreaming in Romance Languages, shows she learned a thing or tour from her days on the road with Chapin Carpenter and exhibits impressive songwriting growth. Although the Main native’s tunes have been a background favorite for sappy shows the likes of “Dawson’s Creek” and “Felicity” but Curtis herself boasts considerably more grit. A jubilant fun loving songwriter who somehow manages to maintain some edginess, Curtis is destined for even bigger things. With Girlyman. 7:30 p.m. $15 adv/ $17 door. All Ages. 416 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-338-2674. (Louis Lenzmeier)

Okkervil River @ The Triple Rock Social Club

Okkervil River has fallen in love with the touring life – hard. These boys just can’t seem to make it back to their Texas homes for more than a few hours before the open road is beckoning them yet again. Having spent the better part of the last year as an opening act for the likes of Azure Ray and John Vanderslice in support of this fall’s stellar Down the River of Golden Dreams, OR finally get their shot at a headlining slot on this leg of touring. Fans can expect the same larynx-singeing intensity and awesomely awkward stage spasms from vocalist/guitarist Will Sheff although the line-up he’s currently touring with is slightly altered from the group’s Triple Rock appearance in March (don’t worry organ champion and beaming sometime accordianist Jonathan Meiburg will still be there). Loose-limbed folk-pop on par or better than many of its contemporaries (that means you Conor!) Okkervil River will be using their extended headlining time to try out some new tunes and play requests so get ready. Those of you contemplating passing on the gig because the band already swung through less than eight weeks ago will probably want to know that OR is selling a new tour-only CD at the gigs that wasn’t available last time around. With opening act Minus Story (whose acid-pop Jagjaguwar debut dropped last month) and sister band Shearwater (see feature on pg. 17). 10 p.m. $6. 21+. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. (Rob van Alstyne)

Friday, May 7, 2004

2024 Records Showcase @ The Turf Club

Although already in the local label game for three years, 2024 records is in the midst of a breakout year that has seen its profile rise significantly. Having successfully launched two of the best local rock albums of the year thus far (Olympic Hopefuls’ totally groovy The Fuses Refuse To Burn is kicking all sorts of ass on the college radio charts and the Plastic Constellations’ back-from-extended-hiatus-opus Mazatlan is about to be toured behind nationally) 2024 isn’t going to rest on its laurels just yet. In an effort to help the 2024 Records crew of bands spread the good word about the musical magic brewing here in the Twin Cities the label reached into its pockets and sprung for a sexy-ass van to help ensure the bands can hit the road in style. One hitch: vans are damn expensive and as anybody who has ever been involved in the indie-record biz could tell you, the industry isn’t exactly flooded with cash. So in an effort to help deflect some of the cost of the new wheels, 2024 has assembled a night of awesome local talent (as in the 2024 roster) to pitch in for a van fundraiser. The line-up (in order of appearance) includes Fitzgerald, Romantica, Valet (whose long awaited sophomore platter will finally be dropping sometime this summer), The Plastic Constellations and Olympic Hopefuls. Local music doesn’t get much better than this – don’t miss out. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. The Corner of University & Snelling Avenues, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. (Rob van Alstyne)

Saturday, May 8, 2004

Films: U.S. Political Prisoners @ May Day Books

How long could you live in a room the size of your bathroom? How would bear never being touched by another human being--except to be strip-searched? Could you stay sane knowing you faced execution for a crime you didn't committ? Mumia Abu-Jamal has faced this grim reality on Pennsylvania's Death Row for over 23 years, inspiring an international movement. He's written 4 books:the latest "We Want Freedom" about his youth in the Black Panther Party. His radio commentaries on prison, war and resistance, air across the country (in the Twin Cities on KFAI Radio). Banned from National Public radio, his voice is heard because of the Prison Radio Project. Enjoy a Meal and Movie event to benefit this critical independent media.See "Mumia:A Case For Reasonable Doubt". A video "The Cuban 5" looks at men called heroes in their island country for infiltrating Miami groups that commit terrorism against Cuba. For trying to prevent terrorism, the U.S. government has incarcerated them for life. Enjoy a picnic meal. 6:30 p.m. $5-$7. May Day Books, 301 Cedar Ave. S. (basement of Midwest Mountaineering), Mpls. 612-333-4719. (Lydia Howell)

Peaches, All the Pretty Horses, Telephone @ First Avenue

Remember that hot scene from “Lost In Translation” where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson meet up at a high-class strip club in Shibuya? The sexy track booming in the background was brought to you by none other than Peaches! Known and loved from here to Berlin for her outrageous live act, the reigning Queen of Electropunk returns to thrill audiences with cuts such as 'Aa XxX' and 'Kick It'- an electrifying duet with Iggy Pop! Glam rockers All The Pretty Horses kick off the party with a sweat drenched set of guaranteed G-R-I-T and G-L-I-T-Z ... Stick around post-PEACHES for a triple dose of late night fun: FAKE, the Twin Cities only super fabulous Lip Synch Contest (hosted by NYC comedian Joe Cocazello!), as well as an Electro-oriented Danceteria featuring sets from DJ's Nitrogen, Pop Top Rising and a live performance from local Electroclash outfit TELEPHONE! 6 p.m. $10 adv/$12 door. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Electro Suzy)

Revolver Modele @ The Turf Club

One of the Twin Cities most highly touted new groups, Revolver Modele are celebrating the release of their second self-titled EP. Four studio cuts of 80s darkness (with big U2 styled riffage settling in nicely alongside singer Ehsan Alam’s low pitched goth-boy crooning) with one live song thrown in for kick’s (“Artefact” from the band’s set at the Triple Rock on 9/5 of last year). This release is sure to semi-sate the appetites of RM’s already substantial Twin Cities following, but come on y’all when’s the full-length going to happen? With The Idle Hands and Thunder In The Valley. 9 p.m. $5. 21+. The Corner of University & Snelling Avenues, St. Paul. 651-647-0486. (Nathan Dean)

Coach Said Not To @ The 400 Bar

Formed in October of 2002, St. Paul’s Coach Said Not To (led by vocalists/sisters with cool names Eva and Linnea Mohn) have been thrilling audience’s for awhile now, but didn’t manage to put any of their well-poised fast-chattering pop onto plastic until now. The group’s self-titled debut EP is hard to describe, a blend of chilled out beats (supplied courtesy of Cowboy Curtis drummer Nate Perbix) and highly caffenated talk-singing (the opening “Words That I Employ” crams so many verbs and adjectives into it’s short running time that I had little clue what the hell was being said without the aid of the pause button to process it all). The band also throws in some nice keyboard work (courtesy of member Lee Violet and the ever reclusive local music czar Ev, who recorded the band’s EP at his Integral Studios) and indie-jangle guitars to tie it all together – the end result is a tasty concoction that goes down easy. With Lady Hard-On and Poor Line Condition. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. (Rob van Alstyne)

Tuesday, May 11, 2004

The Offspring @ First Avenue

About six years ago, I was swigging back an economy-sized-tequila-laced beverage in the confines of a Cozumel bar. This was back before Mexico had become completely Americanized (your glimpse of the beach didn’t necessarily have to be obstructed by a Subway shack) and after chatting up the bartender a bit, he informed that I was “pretty fly for white guy.” I had no idea just what in hell he meant (much less that he stole the line from California rock band the Offspring). Just then, he put on the Offspring’s album and I became officially introduced to the ultimate frat-punk band. Their latest album, Splinter, continues to examine the deep themes present on their previous six albums (like … uh … partyin’ dude?). Knock back some tequila for me. With Melissa Auf Der Maur, the Start. 5 p.m. $27.50. All Ages. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Louis Lenzmeier)